Most people would agree that a party without flowers is incomplete. Yet when it comes to actually putting together an arrangement for say, a bridal shower, many of us get cold feet.  How did we get so afraid of flowers?


Not to worry. We’ve created this simple guide on how to pick the perfect flowers for your party, complete with charts, color guides, and even photo examples.

 

Step 1: Choose your flower color

Flowers should be chosen based on the primary color of your party decorations.

Your primary party color may be pink, but there are plenty of other colors that will also go with pink, and will look beautiful when put together in an arrangement.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common color themes. Simply find your primary color on the left side of the table, and then take a look at the best colors to match with your decor.

 

 Primary Color
Matching Flower Color
Pink or Lavender 
  • White
  • Champagne
  • Pinks (pale, medium, dark, hot)
  • Peach, Coral, Orange
  • Maroon, Reds
  • Lavender, Mauve
  • Yellows
  • Greens
Blue
  • White
  • Champagne
  • Pale Pink
  • Blues (pale, royal, navy)
  • Peach, Coral, Orange
  • Dark Red
  • Lavender, Purple, Mauve
  • Yellows
  • Greens
Green or Mint
  • White
  • Champagne
  • Pinks (pale, medium, dark)
  • Peach, Coral
  • Dark Red
  • Lavender, Mauve
  • Yellows
  • Greens
Yellow
  • White
  • Blues (pale, royal, navy)
  • Peach, Coral, Orange
  • Lavender, Purple, Mauve
  • Yellows
  • Greens
White or Gold

 

The most versatile of the bunch (pun intended)! Create pure white arrangements, neutral arrangements (with whites, creams, champagne, and pale pinks), or chose any white arrangement with pops of color from the list above, like blue, coral, red, yellow, or whatever your heart fancies.

 
 Mix of Colors

If you don’t have a primary color, like in our In Full Bloom, Make It Rainbow or Yes Way, Ombre Sets, your best bet is to pick one color from the set (or one contrasting color) for your flowers.

For example, for our In Full Bloom set, you can go with white, coral, orange, peach, lavender, mauve or dark blue from the plates, or pick a contrasting color like green or yellow. Since your party is already full of color, we suggest picking one color for the flowers!

 

If your primary party color isn’t listed in the chart, don’t stress! We suggest either going matchy matchy or choosing a hue on the other end of the color wheel that will really pop. When in doubt, a beautiful white bouquet is always a hit.

 

Step 2: Choose your flower type

When choosing the type of flower, ultimately you should pick an arrangement that speaks to you! You’ll also want to try to celebrate the season with flowers that are currently in bloom - they’re easier to find and generally come with a lower price tag. But if you just can’t decide between all the pretty options, consider the formality and tone of the party when picking the flower type.

  • Hosting an elegant and sophisticated affair? Try lillies, calla lillies, orchids, any variety of roses or a eucalyptus vine
  • Feeling more playful? Go with tulips, ranunculus, dahlias, hibiscus, daisies, sunflowers, alstroemeria, forget-me-nots
  • Want to go whimsical? Pick up some lilacs, baby’s breath, blue thistle, sweet william or delphinium
  • Still can’t decide? Peonies, hydrangeas or mixes of greenery are always a great choice

And don’t be afraid to mix and match a variety of blooms!

 

Step 3: Pick up your flowers!

Now that you’ve done the hard work, it’s time to head out and pick up your arrangements from your favorite spot:

  • Grocery stores (i.e. - Whole Foods, Stop & Shop, Big Y, local grocery stores, etc)
  • Bodegas
  • Farmer’s markets
  • Local farms
  • Online (for wholesale or dried flowers)
  • Your garden
  • Your backyard / woods

As you know, many flowers are grown seasonally so if you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t be afraid to ask the florist - most grocery stores and markets have one! If you have some extra time, have fun with it by going to a few different places.

For example, you could pick up a bunch of roses from the grocery store and pair them with some wildflowers and greens from your backyard. You could get a few stems of sunflowers from your bodega, then hit up the Farmer’s Marker to get some Zinnias, Peonies, and greenery. Or you could get some dried lavender or billy balls online and pair them with some fresh flowers from the garden or grocery store.

 

Looking for additional inspiration?

Here are a handful examples to help guide you.

For a whimsical yet elegant feel for just about any primary color palette, try white flowers and flowing greenery. Flowers: Hydrangea, Roses, Astilbe, and greenery like Eucalyptus and Dusty Miller. Source: Oh Best Day Ever.

"Pale pink and white Dahlia and Peonies in a small clear glass vase."

 

 

For a “neutral pink” feel, do a mix of whites, champagne, and pale pinks. This arrangement is great for any vibe and looks great if you’re primary color is pink, lavender, blue, green, mint, white or gold. Flowers: Dahlia and Peonies. Source: Elizabeth Anne Designs.

Peach peonies in a small clear glass vase.

 

 

Add pops of colors like peach and coral. This choice fits perfectly with our Amalfi Blues Set, but also look great with any of the primary colors listed in the chart. Flowers: Peonies. Source: All Things Shabby and Beautiful.

Peach peonies in a small clear glass vase.

For a sophisticated summer look, choose a mix of white, hot pinks, and peach/corals. We love these as contrasting colors to our Navy or Lavender plates, but their a gorgeous mix for most primary colors. Flowers: Peonies, Roses, Hibiscus, White flowers (like Delphinium), Dusty Rose. Source: Swooned Magazine.

White, hot pink, and peach/coral flower bouquet.

 

A single stem flower is always a simple and elegant choice for an easy but pretty floral accent. These blue delphiniums are perfect if you party’s color is blue or yellow. Go with a lavender or white delphinium stem if pairing with our In Full Bloom plates. Flower: Delphinium. Source: Isari Flower Studio.

Blue Delphiniums in a narrow clear glass vase.

 

If you primary color is yellow or blue, you could go with an arrangement that features yellows with a balance of whites and blues. These are great for an engagement party or baby shower, giving it a more gender neutral look. Flowers: In this arrangement (or similar): Blue Thistle, Dahlias, Hydrangea. Source: Country Living.

A blended bouquet of Blue Thistle, yellow Dahlias and white Hydrangea in a silver tin vase sitting on top of a wooden table.

 

If you want something clean, white and a little playful, a simple arrangement of daisies work beautifully for any primary color. Add a mason jar for a backyard bbq feel. Flower: Daisies. Source: Woman Getting Married.

White Daisies in a mason jar with hay string bowed around the neck of the jar.

 

We love a simple bouquet of hydrangeas for any affair. Flowers: Hydrangeas. Source: Horchow.

White hydrangea bouquet in a short clear glass vase.



Get a more “natural” look by featuring ferns, leaves, mosses and other greenery you may find in your backyard. Greenery works with any color or party vibe! Flowers: Eucalyptus, philodendron, ivy, monsteras, ferns, chrysanthemums and fan palms. Source: Confetti Daydreams.

Eucalyptus, philodendron, ivy, monsteras, ferns, chrysanthemums and fan palms in various clear glass single-stemmed vases.

 

And remember, flowers are meant to be fun, so take risks and get a little creative. 🙃💐

What are your favorite flowers? What's your go-to spot to pick up your favorite bouquet? Share in the comments!