Do Your Wedding Flowers have Texture?

Texture is something that can be seen and felt. When it is used in an arrangement, it creates visual interest. Even though you don't go to a bouquet and feel it, when you look at its texture, your memory gives you a sensory reaction. For example, when you look at puffy white clouds you think of fluffy cotton balls. clouds are actually masses of c tiny water droplets, but when you look at them, you think of fluffy cotton balls.

We can refer to textures as being rough or smooth, shiny or dull, coarse or fine. Many people think only coarse or rough textures should be used in bouquets or arrangements to create a 3 dimensional appearance. If you use a variety of textures, however, you will be more successful creating depth and visual interest.

You can have texture on your container, your flowers and/or your foliage.

Containers
Hundreds of years ago, smooth, shiny textures were owned by the wealthy and rough, dull textures were for the poor or less fortunate. Because of this, smooth, shiny container surfaces (e.g. glass, brass, silver) are formal and elegant whereas rougher, coarser containers (e.g. baskets, terra cotta, unfinished wood) are more informal and casual. Whatever texture you choose for your container, make sure you harmonize it with the texture of your flowers and foliage. If the texture of your container does not blend in with the texture of your flowers, they will compete with each other and your overall design will be less pleasing.

Flowers and Foliage
All flowers and foliage have texture. Some may have more texture than others or the texture may be more obvious on one flower than another, but they all have their own texture. For example, a rose is velvety, an anthurium is shiny, and a protea is coarse and hairy.

Coarse textured flowers work very well as focal points in your arrangements. They also look their best in monochromatic bouquets. If the bouquet is all one color, the texture is easier to see because it does not need to compete with different colors.

When used effectively, texture can truly enhance your floral design. Remember to harmonize the textures of your flowers, foliage and container to create a unified look. This does not mean that all the textures have to be the same, but if you have too many textures, you will weaken your design.

Do-it-Yourself Wedding Flowers
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