When it comes to creating a bouquet suitable for a Southern belle, Dallas-raised florist Maxine Owens of Max Owens Design says there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. “There is no one type of Southern woman, which is what makes us uniquely fabulous!” she says. “We are fun yet sophisticated, classic yet eclectic, and always make a statement.”
But if your wedding is leaning largely south, Maxine shares a few ways to make your personal flowers feel in step with the rest of your scheme.
Keep It Clean
When it comes to bouquet shape, Maxine says to err on the side of structured versus loose, lush, and wild. “Southern brides tend to prefer something tailored, classic, and timeless, with more of a round shape than an asymmetrical or garden-style arrangement,” she says.
A Classic Color Palette
“Southern brides often reflect Southern values of tradition and meaning,” says Maxine. “Nothing is more classic than a white bridal bouquet, clean and crisp, with white flowers representing eternal love, innocence, and new beginnings.” She asserts that you needn’t match your bouquet to the rest of your florals, if you’d prefer to go bold in your ceremony arrangements and centerpieces. “A white bouquet can fit within any palette.”
Prime Picks
Maxine tends to reach for romantic, petal-packed flowers with frilly edges and soft movement rather than overly rigid or structured stems. In the arrangement above, she used nerines and tweedias to provide differentiation between the peonies, garden roses, and ranunculus. But there’s one classically Southern staple of which she steers clear. “Arguably the most quintessential Southern tree is the magnolia,” she says. “While their easily recognized copper and dark green leaves are hearty, their beautiful white blooms bruise and brown easily, making them a poor bouquet choice.”
Five Blooms To Use
Branching Out Events floral lead Eduardo Lua reveals the flowers that will make any arrangement feel instantly Southern.
- Magnolia leaf: “Magnolia grows in abundance in the South, making it a good classic option.”
- Toffee rose: “It has a rich color reminiscent of the warmth of Texas and goes well with other Southern-style flowers.”
- Gardenia: “The gardenia gives us that desired Texas countryside aroma. It’s a classic.”
- Queen Anne’s lace: “A beautiful yet delicate flower. Great for movement andtexture.”
- Muscari: “Small but sophisticated, with a beautiful blue color that reminds us of bluebonnets.”
