Paris: The Floral Trend Setter

There is nothing like going to Paris to feel completely inspired!

Stepping out of the train station there in front of me was a classic Parisian cafe. It was as if I had walked onto a movie set. The chairs were turned for guests to sip on their coffee and watch the passerby's. Looking up, the cafe had a beautiful floral canopy display. It was stunning and perfectly overdone. Over the next few days, I couldn't help but notice the florals all over the city.

Come with me as we scroll (I mean, stroll) through my trip to Paris, from Les Champs-Élysées to the charming flower shops and cafes, to explore the larger than life floral installations and their inspiration on wedding aesthetics and trends.

"A walk about Paris will provide lessons in history, beauty and in the point of life." - Thomas Jefferson

Pink florals

During an after lunch walk through the streets, I came across a flower shop with full size flowers. This is one of my favourite trends of all time. Even if/when it fizzles out, I will still be holding on to it. I love the feeling of standing next to flowers bigger than me.

Pink was all around. Blush flowers on vines spilling out of windows and off the canopies. I especially loved the indoor branches wrapped in flowers (I intended to eat there just to get a better view, but this picture from the outside will have to do). I love how each display was different from the others and created signature looks for each shop.

Inspire me with pink:

• Imagine a harvest table with floral branches hanging overhead all the way down the length of the table? YES!

• Shades of Pink: From a soft light pink to dark moody pink, create dimension from a single colour palette.

Red florals

A less abundant colour around the city, but in each instance it really stood out in different ways: a light spring vibe, a dramatic fiery display, and a pop of colour paired with purple. Red is so versatile in the feelings it can evoke to the diverse aesthetics it can create. Notice, how the red was paired with the darker canopy colours.

Inspire me with red:

• Go Bold! Make a statement with red. Make red the center of attention (second to the couple, of course),

• Keep it springy: With small red flowers, mixed with yellow, white, pink and purples, light up the space with colour the evokes that happy "it's finally spring!" feeling.

• Analogous Colours: Red and Purple sit near each other on the colour wheel, but still offers a contrast in colour that catches your eye with the perfect pop.

Green florals

And then there was the greenery! The volume of leaves felt so cozy in the tropical sense, as if you are standing in a jungle surrounded by hundred of giant leaves.

If done right and with intention, leaves can be just as beautiful as flowers and really give a sense of life and growth.

Inspire me with green:

• Lean into green! Go all out with the greenery and leave the flowers out completely or use as a subtle accent.

• Fill out the flowers. To give a feeling of abundance, add plenty of greenery to your flowers.

• A sense of calm: Greenery along a table can bring a sense of calm and freshness, due to the simplified colour palette and the connection to nature.

  
  

Keep in mind: Opting for greenery instead of flowers is not necessarily a way to cut costs. Just like flowers, greenery is seasonal and preparation is the same level of effort.

Les Champs

Even the designer store fronts on Les Champs-Élysées were blooming with oversized flowers, embracing the neutral tones. Paris, you are beautiful!

As flowers can really bring to life the theme and aesthetic of a wedding or event, the possibilities on how to utilize them are endless. Simplicity can be just as impactful as flowers-for-days. These displays throughout Paris really inspired me and I hope they inspire you as well.

With love from Paris,

Emily

Emily in Paris

Let's create something great!