We’re back with another “Southern by Design” feature, and this time around we’ve focused on gardenias. This sweetly Southern bloom gets a lot of flack for being a particularly wimpy varietal (which, indeed, it is), but there’s still something alluring about its white petals, no?
A brilliant solution to this problem is to choose sugar flowers for your cake. No browning there! We love the look of oversize blooms, whether they’re dressing up three simple fondant tiers or adding to an already fancy confection. And, as Katharine will attest, sugar flowers are delicious.
Image credits, left to right: Lovin’ Sullivan; cake by The Desserterie, photo by Patricia Lyons via Southern Weddings; photo by Meg Baisden via Southern Weddings
What’s lovely and more Southern than a single bloom tucked into a chic chignon or updo? We love the look of DK Design’s clay gardenias — they’re light as a feather, will stay perfect for the entire wedding day, and will serve as a lovely memento for years to come.
Image credits, left to right: Millie Holloman, Union Photography, DK Designs
Image credit, left: photo by Garrett Grove via 100 Layer Cake
As you can see, florists often choose to float gardenias instead of standing them upright, which can be a great cost-saving opportunity for you! We also adore Llubav’s beautifully detailed felt ring pillows. Ask your florist for an extra bloom and hand it over to your photographer to use in styled shots — a unifying element can make the images in your album come together perfectly.
Image credits, clockwise from top left: photo by Eyescape Photo via Snippet & Ink; Brides.com; ring pillow by Llubav via Martha Stewart Weddings; Martha Stewart Weddings; Martha Stewart Weddings; photo by Cooper Carras
The extremely fragrant gardenia makes a perfect boutonniere, and just one bloom tucked into a bouquet is enough to send you down the aisle smelling sweetly.
Image credits, left to right: The Knot, Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot
Likewise, a chic alternative to attendant bouquets is a simple, modern corsage (definitely cooler than that one you wore to prom), featuring a single bloom and tied with a ribbon around the wrist.
Image credits, left to right: photo by Phindy Studios; photo by Beaux Arts Photographie via Once Wed; photo by Beaux Arts Photographie via Once Wed
Are you planning to use gardenias in your wedding? Any fabulous gardenia weddings we should add to our round-up?
Previously:
That middle bouquet and cake both from Martha Stewart Weddings were inspirations I used for my wedding. They are absolutely beautiful and I just adore the Gardenias look and feel..Thanks for this inspiration
Gardenias are a beautiful flower to center your wedding theme around. They remind me of purity, something a marriage should strive to be, pure.
I’m hoping to use gardenias in my wedding next year, because they are my momma’s favorite flowers. I know they are testy, but you can’t beat their lovely smell!