18 Striking Tropical Wedding Bouquets

Published on 01/12/21

tropical bouquets — PHOTO BY REBECCA YALE PHOTOGRAPHY; FLORAL DESIGN BY OF THE FLOWERS

Tying the knot under a canopy of palms, sunset pictures post-ceremony, and hibiscus cocktails are all perfect components of a tropical fête. It’s no wonder that tropical leaf wedding bouquets have stuck around the last several years: They exude effortlessly laid-back vibes only designs composed of brightly colored florals and leafy greens can. “Tropical arrangements give a more free-spirited mood to a wedding,” says florist LaParis Phillips.

Meet the Expert

LaParis Phillips is the owner and lead designer of Brooklyn Blooms, a floral boutique in New York.

So why should someone consider tropical florals for their wedding, especially when it comes to bouquets? For one, the wow factor is second to none. “Someone should consider a tropical bouquet because they are less traditional and can be super funky depending on the types of flowers that are used,” says Phillips. Out-of-the-box designs are definitely going to catch the eye of your guests, and you can actually do more with less, depending on the flowers you select.

“The best wedding style to suit a tropical bouquet is the boho theme or, the obvious: a beach wedding! There is a variety of ways to enhance the overall design with a bouquet full of vibrant colors and unique flowers. “Phalaenopsis Orchids, Birds of Paradise, and Pin Cushion Protea are all typical choices when it comes to tropical wedding bouquets. The more unique Oncidium Orchids, Heliconia, and Bromeliad are great options as well,” encourages Phillips. “Each flower brings a vibe and aesthetic on their own, and has its own assets.”

While tropical locales are known for the lush vegetation they seem to be teeming with, you don’t have to have a destination wedding in order to incorporate tropical florals into the bouquets of the day.

From a ballroom in New York to a Palm Springs resort, here are 18 reasons why tropical bouquets might need to be higher on your list of wedding musts.

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Use Ginger Flowers

tropical wedding bouquets — Photo by Bonnie Sen Photography; Floral Design by Tai Flora Services

Unique and quintessentially tropical, ginger flowers give off that kind of effortlessly cool vibe. Initially pink and white, the blooms turn yellow and white as they mature over time. Combine ginger flowers with palm leaves and even an orchid or two for a breathtaking design.

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Mix Up the Leaves

Oftentimes you’ll notice the inclusion of at least one type of leafy green in a bouquet meant for the tropics. Focus on layers by incorporating a number of different types of leaves, from fan palms to monstera.

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Focus on Anthurium

Flamingo flower, laceleaf, and taliflower are three different names for the same stunning flower. Historically used as an accent flower for bouquets, its glossy patina and unique leaf shape can create a dynamic look in a variety of colors such as green, pink, white, red, and orange.

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Change It Up

tropical wedding bouquet — Photo by Jana Williams Photography; Floral Design by Of the Flowers

For a modern take on the traditionally bright-colored tropical bouquet, opt for a dramatic all-white bridal bouquet. Get creative: Paint leaves and ferns to match the white hue to keep everything sleek and sophisticated.

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Go Big

Take things over the top with a larger-than-life bouquet. We love the contrast of a simple and sleek bridal look with an extravagant bouquet teeming with big blooms.

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Combine With the Classics

This bride’s bouquet featured classic wedding blooms like roses, anemones, and peonies alongside tropical-inspired flowers such as orchids and anthurium for a tasteful combination that’s playful and elegant.

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Bring the Drama

When it comes to weddings, the only kind of drama we’re interested in is, well, the drama of floral design. A lush tropical bouquet can easily go from demure to dramatic with the right blooms: we love giant protea, ginger flowers, and any sort of tropical leaf base for a sure-fire way to keep things interesting!

Talk to your floral designer about creating a unique shape for your overall bouquet design for an extra special touch of the unexpected, a little bit of drama of its own.

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Pair Green With White

We can make a case for the combination of green and white bouquets for almost any wedding style (and season), and a tropical fete is no exception. “I think by bringing in various textures such as different types of white flowers, and perhaps finding green leaves with touches of white in them such as the galaxy leaves will definitely help break up the monotony and keep it from being boring,” shares Phillips.

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Include Ferns

While ferns don’t technically produce flowers, we won’t hold that against them. Add a touch of jungle-inspired design to a bouquet with the fern; whether Lady Fern, Asparagus Fern, Royal Fern, or Bird’s Nest Fern (honestly, we love them all), these plants, alongside palms of any kind will be just the right amount of tropical to keep things festive.

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Embrace the Jungle Vines

Sign us up for anything that creates the illusion that we’re actually in the tropics! By layering copious amounts of greenery such as palms and ferns, you’ll be able to create a jungle-inspired look. Add some flowering vines like jasmine for that extra special touch.

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Pick Protea

Unique and unexpected, protea bridal bouquets bring out an intriguing level of romance to a bouquet design. Their domed, fuzzy centers create a striking contrast against their spike-shaped petals in a way that will absolutely have you doing a double-take. Add garden roses for an even more romantic look, or keep it simple with just a singular King Protea (also known as Sugarbush) for an oversized statement bloom.

King Protea Bridal Bouquets That Are Crazy Striking

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Bring Out the Bougainvillea

Typically located in their natural habitat as a bush (or if on the larger side a tree), bougainvillea’s vibrant pink hue simply screams “tropical.” Woven amongst other tropical flowers and leaves, you’ll be sure to leave a lasting impression with the ideal choice when it comes to a pop of pink.

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Choose Local Blooms

Planning a destination wedding in a tropical locale? Capitalize on your opportunity to showcase flowers indigenous to the area for a display of beauty and nod to your chosen location.

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Draw Attention to the Center

Choose a singular statement bloom and let the leaves fall where they may! Start with a flower that really packs a punch, like protea or a handful of orchids, and select accent flowers and leaves that complete its shape and color palette. Perfect for whether you go big or small!

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Choose a Truly Unique Flower

For a bloom like birds of paradise, tropical inspiration is in the name! “Birds of Paradise are really cool for giving a bouquet a nice modern and funky shape,” says Phillips. Whether you incorporate only a single stem or opt for a full bouquet, the bright orange petals and unique shape (they literally look like the full-feathered head of an exotic bird) will undoubtedly take things to the next level.

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Make a Statement

When it comes to bridesmaids, keep things simple and sweet but with posies composed of tropical statement flowers and leaves. For this Palm Springs wedding, bridesmaids carried a single white protea surrounded by greenery for a refreshing take on tropical design.

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Choose the Right Leaves

Palm leaves and the like naturally come to mind when you think of the tropics. Get creative with a variety of leaves incorporated throughout your bouquet. There are enough varieties that you’ll be able to easily find what brings the right texture, shape, and colors to a bouquet no matter how big or small.

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Create a More Structured Shape

A tropical wedding can often exude a laid back sensibility, from the wedding dress to the reception table centerpieces, especially if you’re tying the knot close to the shore. Bring a sense of refinement to the day by embracing a more structured bouquet design. Create a shape with sharp lines out of protea, monstera leaves, and fern for a breathtaking display on floral design.