Not all alternative bridesmaid bouquets have to be flower-less. Whether you’re going for the perfect Gothic Wedding or just something a little moodier, these flowers pack a punch in making traditional bouquets a little less traditional.
When it comes to choosing flowers (or non-flowers!) for your wedding, it can be stressful. Especially when a lot of what’s out there feels generic or just, not your vibe. I know the feeling, so in this post, I’m giving you a few flowers to consider to make the perfect alternative bridesmaid bouquets.
If you’ve been looking for a unique bouquet that’s a little more moody, a little more edgy than your traditional Baby’s Breath, I got you covered.
By the end of this post, your creative juices will be flowing with wedding bouquet ideas! Use this as a starting point with your florist so they can better understand the vibe you’re going for, or pick out your faves to use as a base for your whole theme!
This post highlights some amazing flowers you can use to build alternative bridesmaid bouquets perfect for non-traditional brides.
Flowers for Alternative Bridesmaid Bouquets
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Black Calla Lillies
Calla Lillies are a beautiful addition to any wedding bouquet, but this black variety really amps up the drama. In my opinion, this flower is also strong enough to be a bouquet on its own without needing any “filler” flowers for a simple bridal bouquet. Instead of bouquets for the bridesmaids, have them hold a single stem and bam! Not only did you just save yourself some cash, you looked fabulous doing it.
2.Hollyhock Alcea Rosea
The hollyhock ‘nigra’ is a stunner in its very deep maroon color. This would look great in a waterfall-style bouquet and if you wanted your Maid of Honor bouquet different from bridesmaids, there’s a variety of hollyhock colors you could choose to throw in the mix to have each bouquet unique.
3. Helleborus Onyx Odyssey (Helleborus Winter Jewels)
Now… the name alone. I mean, how appropriate for a ceremony that’s maybe a little witchy, a little goth, a little edgier than most? This stunner comes in around 3 inches wide and can come in a variety of shades (thus the ‘winter jewels’ name) ranging from a rich purple to black. These would be a great feature flower in a unique bouquet or even as a standout boutonniere.
Be forewarned: experts don’t recommend using these in bouquets because their sap may be toxic to other flowers, but I think a single flower bouquet is a great option. Plus, who doesn’t like a little danger?
4. Foxtail Amaranth (aka Love-Lies-Bleeding)
Ok, another great name here. While she isn’t dark, she still provides great ambiance for super cool alternative bridesmaid bouquets. Bouquets tend to be peppered with Baby’s Breath because it’s an easy, simple bouquet filler, but if you’re going non-traditional, why not go All Out. Imagine this foxtail amaranth in a cascading bouquet with some black florals and greens sprinkled in? Chef’s kiss.
5. Bat Flower
If you’re searching for really alternative wedding bouquet ideas that still incorporate flowers? Then maybe the Bat Flower is calling your name. I could see this one paired up with some nice big philodendron leaves (similar to what you see in the image above) tied together with a ribbon for simple, yet show-stopping bouquets.
Be forewarned this plant tends to be a difficult one to grow, which means it might be hard to find (and could be expensive), but similar to the Calla Lillies at the beginning of this list, this one has such a big impact on its own, you can probably forego using other blooms in your arrangements.
6. Before the Storm Iris
And if you like the look of the Bat Flower but either can’t find it or are priced out of it (no shame), the Before the Storm Iris might be a good alternative! This bad boy is also striking with it’s super dark petals and would also look great alone with some big, waxy petals, or complemented with some lighter, more delicate blooms. This is another one I could see being beautiful as a single-stem bouquet if you want to go that route for your bridesmaids.
7. Queen of the Night Tulip
My favorite flower of them all: the tulip. You really can’t go wrong. These bloom in mid to late Spring so if you’re having a summer wedding, this would be the perfect alternative to one of its more colorful counterparts. This is a flower that is great for a simple bridal bouquet, bridesmaid bouquet, and boutonniere alike. It’s classic without being boring and will for sure have that wow moment you’re looking for.
Also a thought: if you’re looking for a guest gift, these bulbs would be an amazing and unique take-home present.
8. Arabian Night Dahlia
Now, if you’re looking for something that’s a little moody but not black? The Arabian Night Dahlia is a great choice. These come in a rich, velvety deep red and look so lush both on their own and against other dahlias. Each flower can vary slightly in hue so a full bouquet of these would look super nice if you’re going for a bridesmaid bouquets burgundy color theme.
Be forewarned: Dahlias are thirsty MFers! And tend to not be recommended for bouquets because they can wilt easily. If this is calling your name, talk it through with your florist. It could just depend on the time of day, season, or type of climate you’re in. If nothing else, they might be able to give you some excellent alternative options that give off the same vibe!
9. Black Petunia
And finally, the Petunia. These make great cut flowers, which means they could be a nice option for a more subtle alternative wedding bouquet. While these black petunias are super striking on their own, they really make an impact when contrasted with other, brighter blooms.
You tend to see petunias in hanging baskets, so if you’re trying to have a no bouquet wedding but still want some flowers, these could look nice as an arrangement in a small basket. Either for a flower girl or for each of your bridesmaids to hold in place of a traditional bouquet. (Side note: I had a “no children” policy at my own wedding, but I love the idea of having Grandma or the bridesmaids act as Flower Girls in place of a small human).
And not to get too carried away on the Flower Girl tangent, but some locations do not allow you (or your Flower Girl) to scatter petals around. If that applies to a location you’re looking at, having a nice basket of these black petunias (that you are not scattering about) could be great for you!
These are all my flower picks for high-impact alternative bridesmaid bouquets! Of course you will want to consult with your florist but hopefully this list was able to kick-start your creativity and get some ideas going with how you can create a super cool and unique bouquet.
and now you might be asking…
Do Bridesmaids Need Flowers?
And the answer is: absolutely not! There are plenty of options for non-flower bouquets out there. Just to name a few things your Bridesmaids can hold instead of a bouquet:
- Sparklers
- Bubbles
- Hoop w/ ribbon (or a couple flowers)
- A cool clutch/bag/wristlet
- If they all have a pet (or if you have a lot of pets), they could walk your animal friends down the aisle
And as a final note: if you do still want flowers and don’t want to break the bank, you can totally opt to have your bridesmaids wear corsages as a cheaper alternative to a full bouquet. This is what I did at my wedding and I loved it!
And! Ok one final note: if you are looking for an even cheaper alternative to flowers, you can totally use fake flowers and rhinestone them yourself for a little extra OOMPH. This is also what I did at my wedding for our table decor and I thought it turned out fab.