Last Updated on February 18, 2024
Focal flowers are important because they draw attention to your wedding bouquet. Learn how to choose the perfect blooms for your bouquet here.
What Are Focal Flowers?
Focal flowers are the primary blooms you will create your wedding bouquets around. Their purpose is to draw the eye to your bouquet.
You usually place larger flowers that become the focal point in the center of a bridal bouquet or a bridesmaid’s bouquet. You then complete the bouquet with secondary flowers, filler flowers, or both.
Focal flowers can be any type of flower but often tend to be large and showy. But not always. Smaller flowers in bright, contrasting colors can function as focal flowers.
If you design an entire bouquet using one flower or color, adding several reflexed flowers can also create an eye-catching focal point.
The photos below illustrate several types of focal flowers in different floral designs we’ve created
Popular Types Of Focal Flowers
You can choose many different flowers to be the primary flower in your bridal bouquet or your bridesmaids’ bouquets.
With many of the brides we work with, some of their favorites include oriental or hybrid lilies, garden roses, anemones, orchids, Callas, peonies, ranunculuses, and dahlias.
Here are some focal flower ideas for your wedding bouquet. This is not a comprehensive list by any means but should give you a few ideas to get started.
Garden Roses
One of my favorite flowers for wedding bouquets is garden roses. Their fragrance, color, shape, texture, and eye-catching appearance make them stand out in any wedding bouquet.
Since garden roses are available year-round, I often suggest them as a substitute for peonies when they are not in season.
Ranunculuses
Ranunculus flowers, which are beautiful and versatile, are a very popular choice today. I like using them as accent flowers but if you want them to be the center of attention in your wedding bouquet, I suggest choosing a larger “Cloony” ranunculus, like the variety pictured below.
They are more expensive, but because of their bloom size, you can use fewer flowers, but they will still make a statement in your bouquet.
When using standard ranunculus flowers, I like to arrange them in clusters rather than individually. It gives them the appearance of a larger flower and will give the bouquet a fuller, more natural look.
Peonies
Peonies are among my favorites because they have such an elegant look. When fully opened, they are show-stopping flowers. Peonies will automatically become the focal point of your wedding bouquet, especially when combined with other flowers.
If you want to ensure that your bridesmaids get their share of attention, think about peony wedding bouquets for them too.
Anemones
Anemones are another interesting focal flower choice. Their bright colors and dark centers provide a strong contrast that’s visually striking in any wedding bouquet.
In addition, anemones have long been associated with love and romance, making them a natural choice for wedding bouquets.
Lilies
Lilies are another attractive choice for the primary flowers in wedding bouquets. Because of their unique flower shape, color, and size, they make a statement when used.
Some of our most-requested wedding bouquets, especially our cascading bridal bouquets, have featured lilies.
Gerbera Daisies
Much like anemones, gerbera daisies are another excellent choice for a focal flower. Their bloom size is perfect for any wedding bouquet style, and their range of vibrant colors makes any wedding bouquet an attention grabber.
Orchids
Orchids, often considered the “Cadillac” of cut flowers, are an excellent focal flower choice for wedding bouquets.
For many years, the larger Cattleya and Japhet orchid varieties were the gold standards in wedding flowers. Today, many brides choose phalaenopsis and dendrobium orchid varieties which are more expensive flowers but look less formal.
If you’re looking for an elegant focal flower to build your bouquet around, orchids should be on your list.
Calla Lilies
Zantedeschia, or calla lilies as they are more commonly known, are a trendy focal flower in wedding bouquets. Their unusual shape and colors make them the center of attention whenever you use them in a bouquet.
How To Choose The Right Focal Flowers For Your Bouquet
Whenever I discuss flowers for bouquets with a prospective bride, I ask her to list two or three flowers she wants in her wedding bouquet.
Since these flowers are not likely to be the same size, the largest bloom usually becomes the primary focal flower. But not always.
In some cases, a smaller focal flower may be more appropriate. Garden roses or peonies work best as your focal flower if you want to create a romantic, vintage-style wedding bouquet.
However, a small cluster of gerberas, Callas, anemones, or ranunculus flowers might be better suited if you prefer a modern, minimalist design. Cascading phalaenopsis orchids also fit into this design style.
The key is to choose a focal flower that complements the overall theme of your wedding.
The Focal Effect Of Color
Color affects which flowers become the focal point in your bouquet. Against the background of a traditional white or ivory bridal gown, introducing a stronger-colored flower into your bouquet will make it the focal flower, even if you include larger blooms, as in the photo below.
Flower color is an important consideration. If you choose bright-colored flowers, like in the bouquet below, they will make a bold statement. Your focal flower will become the one that contrasts most with the dress color.
It’s not an issue if you want to carry a colorful bouquet. It’s your wedding and your vision. But it’s something you should be aware of.
If you’re on the fence about this, read my thoughts on what color your bridal bouquet should be.
Bringing It All Into Focus
Focal flowers are those that command attention in your wedding bouquet. The focal flower is the most important part of a wedding bouquet and should be chosen carefully.
But don’t overthink this. Pick one to three varieties of flowers you want to include in your bouquet.
The size, shape, or color of those flowers will determine your primary flower. The others will become secondary focal flowers.
The focal flowers should complement the bride’s dress and the overall style of the bouquet.
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