When it comes time to select the florals for your big day, there are so many different ones to consider. Much of what you choose may depend on the season in which you're tying the knot, your color scheme, and of course, your personal preferences. And while peonies, garden roses, and tulips often get much of the attention, there's another option to consider when planning your bouquet: poppies. "[These flowers] are perfect for use in modern, artistic, or minimalist floral designs," says Teresa Eoff, a floral designer and the owner of Figure Eight Events, a California-based floral design and wedding-planning studio.
Poppies are particularly fitting if you're planning on saying "I do" during the colder months of the year. "Poppies tend to bloom towards the end of winter and the beginning of spring, depending on how much rain occurred during the winter season," says Eoff. They're also incredibly reliable: Unlike other florals, poppies develop from a pod, rather than a bud, and, as a result, as they begin to bloom, the pod bursts open, revealing all of its petals at once. "They open so beautifully and fully, but have a papery texture that almost makes them a three-dimensional watercolor painting," Eoff adds. Plus, they're available in a variety of hues—from blood red and Verona Sunset to light yellow and soft white.
Searching for a poppy wedding bouquet to inspire your own arrangement? Here, we've rounded up 10 of our favorites from real weddings to give you just that.
01 of 10
Place White Florals Next to Yellow Blooms
Photo by Jody Savage Photography
Whether you're planning an outdoor affair or simply want something reflective of the warm-weather season, selecting white and yellow florals for your bouquet will give a fresh and playful feel to your bridal arrangement. We love how the tree poppies in this bundle tied the two hues together.
02 of 10
Opt for a Natural Arrangement
Photo by Daniel Kim
For this couple's springtime nuptials at a vineyard in California, they wanted their guests to feel transported to a wildflower-filled backyard. To achieve this vision, they leaned on Bough and Twig when it came to the bridal bouquet. The end result? A natural arrangement that featured a variety of blooms, including poppies, in shades of orange, gold, and blush.
03 of 10
Play Up Its Shape and Size
Photo by Lauren Fair Photography, Emily Wren Photography and du soleil photographie
The large face of a poppy is one of its showstopping elements, as Bloom Flower Co proved with this bride's bouquet. "They are kind of a diva, so they make a statement almost anywhere they are placed in an arrangement or bouquet," says Eoff. "It is always nice to let them have their moment."
05 of 10
Combine Red and White Flowers
Photo by Lindsay Hackney Photography
Don't shy away from mixing neutral florals with dark-colored blooms. For this couple's nuptials, Emily Herzig Floral Studio combined red and white poppies for a rich and romantic bridal bouquet. Blush-hued flowers provided a welcome contrast within the arrangement.
Poppies may sometimes be mistaken for anemones because of a similar shape and texture in petals. You can tell an anemone right away from its black center, whereas most poppies boast a bright yellow center.
06 of 10
Choose a Citrus-Inspired Color Palette
Photo by Jamie Mercurio Photography
Planning a tropical or destination wedding? Consider integrating orange and yellow poppies into your bridal bouquet. Marigold Floral Studio did just that for this couple's nuptials, mixing the citrus-hued shades together for a light and cheerful arrangement.
07 of 10
Create a Rustic and Elegant Arrangement
Photo by Hunter Ryan Photo
The perfect combination of rustic and sophisticated, this bridal bouquet was unexpected from start to finish. By placing larger peach-hued poppies alongside smaller yellow poppies, Studio Tersilla proved that the floral can appear multiple times in the same arrangement—without overwhelming the rest of the bundle.
08 of 10
Stick to Peach and Pink
Photo by Joielala
Planning a spring fête? Take a cue from Shotgun Floral Studio and combine peach and pink hues for a soft and romantic design. When searching for the ideal bloom to complement poppies, consider a multi-layered flower, like a ranunculus, garden rose, or peony.
09 of 10
Take Inspiration From the Season
Photo by Birds Of A Feather
If you're planning a summer celebration, you're likely looking to integrate the shades of your color palette—oranges, yellows, and pinks—into your bouquet. Rather than sticking to just one or two, use a combination of all of these hues, as this bride did, for a bouquet that feels fresh and youthful.
10 of 10
Create a Cascade
Photo by Cecelina Photography
Rather than securing florals together in a tight bundle, more florists are opting to craft cascading bouquets that are whimsical, unique, and trend-forward. Poppies are the ideal bloom for such an arrangement. At her nuptials, this bride combined them with cherry blossoms and jasmine vine for an elegant statement.
