Flowers That Belong In The Jewelry Box

Here at Beneva Weddings, we’ve watched the flower crown trend escalate over the last several years, reaching a level of popularity not seen since the 1960s (and maybe ancient Greece before that). Songs like The Cowsills “I Love The Flower Girl” and Scott McKenzie’s “San Francisco” perfectly captured the free-spirited attitude of the last time flower crowns were big, when wearing them in your hair signified freedom from (and resistance to) traditional customs. So where her mother might have worn heirloom pearls with her wedding dress, the 1960s’ bride might have drifted down the aisle in just a halo of daisies. Nature was her only adornment.

It’s no surprise that flower crowns—from slim, girlish garlands to statement pieces studded with blooms and greens—have enjoyed a revival. The bohemian bridal look has gained traction recently, with flowers-as-headpiece an obvious part of that. Now, the use of real flowers and plants as embellishment has gone beyond crowns, boutonnieres and corsages. Floral jewelry is the next wave in wearable flowers.

We’re not talking dried or pressed flowers preserved inside a jewelry piece, either. We mean living, breathing flowers and plants that function, for example, as the “stone” in a necklace. Flowers may have long inspired jewelry fashioned in their form from various materials, but now the flowers are the form and the material. Unlike the pieces they’ve inspired, these baubles aren’t meant to last, which is what makes them so special. Earrings, rings and necklaces that use real flowers are intended for limited use—and maximum impact.

Here are five floral jewelry pieces we’re swooning over:

1. A succulent cocktail ring. There’s nothing like wearing a luscious-looking, emerald green succulent on your finger to make a statement.
2. A backdrop necklace. If any of your bridal ensembles involve a dramatic open back, consider wearing a drop flower necklace to make every exit breathtaking.
3. A chunky necklace. Like having a bouquet at your neck, a real flower necklace offers endless possibilities to customize your look in terms of color and texture.
4. A flower sash. Create a belted look like no other when you pin fresh flowers in artful vignettes around your waist.
5. A choker. All it takes is a few well-placed button mums or a similar flower and the velvet ribbon of your choice.

Brides can DIY this trend, but we recommend leaving it to the professionals. Wearing floral jewelry to your wedding or reception may look fresh, light and easy, but it takes some forethought and artistry to pull this off. Floral designers know how to choose blooms and greens that are durable and beautiful, and can work them into pieces that are anchored by the right materials.