Have A Wedding Inspired By The Subtropics (because you probably live in them)

We live in paradise. There, we said it.

Beneva Weddings has no compunction about calling a spade a spade, or in this case, a subtropic a subtropic. Because that’s what our climate is, and it is directly responsible for the flora and fauna that thrive here. The character of our landscape is defined by the fact that it exists in a subtropical state. For us, that means a balmy Gulf most of the year, promenades of palm trees and beaches made of crisp white quartz. We have sea turtles and dolphins and more birds than we can count. We have salt in the air, mangroves in the water and an omnipresent sun (when it isn’t monsooning, that is). We live in South Florida, and it’s an amazing place to get married.

Whether you’re tying the knot on the beach, on the lawn at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens or in one of our beautiful hotels, use flowers and greens to give your ceremony and reception a subtropical vibe. Below are our picks for your best floral bets, using blooms and leaves that are either native to our environment or look right at home in it.

Statement Species

What better way to set off a white gown than with a big, bold, colorful statement flower? Anthurium (otherwise known as laceleaf or flamingo flower), bird-of-paradise and hibiscus—a pretty stellar flower, given its humble start as a bush—are all uncommonly pretty flowers that make a strong impression. Single out one and make a bouquet of it, backed by some glossy greenery, or make a mix, with one of these beauties at the center.

All The Orchids and Lilies

Orchids, with their delicate, rare beauty, prefer humidity, making them a wonderful choice for a Floridian bouquet. Whether you choose mokara for its vibrant spray of petals or cymbidium, with its larger, intricately-flecked tongue, orchids lend an otherworldly note to your bouquet. There’s a rainbow of lilies available to the subtropical bride, too, from lily-of-the-valley to calla to Easter lilies. Stargazer, with its showy, exploding center casts an enchanting fragrance.

Vines, Trees & Pretty Plants 

Bougainvillea is most often spotted crawling up an exterior wall or gate, since it’s a flowering vine. In fact, what we think of as flowers are actually leaves. They look stunning when draped from a bouquet, as does the sleek, bell-shaped jacaranda, with its soft lavender hue (and they’re so beautiful, you might just want to get married under a jacaranda tree). Plumeria, another highly-fragrant choice, features thick, waxy petals that look as though they’ve been painted. This flowering plant looks beautiful by itself or in a mixed bouquet.

Palm Leaves Please 

Caladium, philodendron and other palm leaves large and small are really appearing in wedding motifs of all kinds. But if you’re having a subtropical wedding (or one with a tropical theme), palm leaves will be an important piece of the decor. Whether you weave them into the altar look, use them as garland on the tables or fold them over into a wedding bouquet as a vibrant supporting element, they always add a lush, exotic air.

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