An April bouquet

Louisa Butcher of Brunstead Blooms in Norfolk embraces the gathering pace of the British fresh flower season, and picks out her favourite ingredients to use in an April bridal bouquet.

What a spectacular month April is – a refreshing reminder of the longer days and warmer weather to come. Here on the northeast Norfolk coast, Brunstead Blooms flower farm has shaken off winter and is shifting into full-on spring. The special variety narcissi – wonderful for spring weddings – are slowly coming to a finish.  The double and parrot tulips are bursting into ruffled blooms, from whites and yellows to deep purples. April is also the month for emerging and zingy green foliage. Simply put, it’s the perfect time for a wedding.

The fresh green foliage of twisted willow is the perfect foil for pastel tulips and narcissi in this April bouquet by Louisa.

I use only British flowers in my bridal bouquets, grown exclusively on our flower farm or, if needed, supplemented by other local Flowers From The Farm growers. There is such a variety available. Ranunculus and anemones feature strongly at this time of year, but I love using dancing hellebores, which provide incredible structure and movement (stinking hellebore – Helleborus foetidus – also provides the greenest of spring greens), and Leucojum (“snowflakes”), which bounce with every step.  If you’re going down the traditional route and looking for “something blue”, then look no further then Brunnera, which compliments bright spring pastels perfectly.

Catkins are a wonderful addition to any bouquet (I love the sage-green of goat willow, Salix caprea), as are sprigs of blossom (airy, white blackthorn blossom is perfect), or flowering shrubs (Pittosporum has lovely small scented flowers).  My top foliages for spring weddings are Griselinia, Pittosporum, wispy twisted willow and the indestructible Vinca (the four-petalled flowers, especially of the white variety, are also extremely useful in bridal bouquets).

Subtle touches including Brunnera, Leucojum and blackthorn blossom give this bouquet added interest and depth.

As much as I adore bright spring pastels, I am also a huge fan of strong colours, so don’t forget that spring weddings can be as colourful as you like (whilst still using seasonal flowers), whether that be deep purples, bright pinks or orange tones.  There really is something for everyone.

These striking ranunculus show that spring florals can offer more dramatic colours too.

So there you have it, my favourites for April bridal bouquets – completely seasonal and all British grown.

For more examples of seasonal British wedding florals, visit our Wedding Inspiration page.