An Eco-Lover's Guide to Autumn Wedding Flowers

Why Autumn is the Perfect Season for Your Wedding at The Bower

Autumn weddings have their own quiet kind of magic. The light turns golden and the air carries a crisp sweetness.  It’s a time when nature shows off her layers — deep berries, russet leaves, and lingering blooms that hold the warmth of summer.

At Foraged Florals, we lean into that natural rhythm. This season, our floral designer Susan gathered from our garden and nearby woodland edges to create a bouquet for a woodland faery wedding — one that feels both wildly romantic and deeply grounded. Every element was chosen to reflect the landscape and the moment we’re in.

The Bower in Autumn. Photo by Claire Fraser Photography-Videography.

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The Foraged Florals Approach: Beauty That Gives Back

Our design philosophy is simple: take only what nature offers, and give back more than we take. That means using seasonal, locally grown flowers and foraged botanicals that tell the story of place. We skip imported blooms and floral foam, choosing compostable materials, reusable mechanics, and sustainable growing practices instead.
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This way, every bouquet carries meaning beyond beauty — it’s a reflection of the land that nurtures it.

All flowers, blooms and plants from our autumn garden — a woodland faery's delight.

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Susan’s Autumn Faery Bouquet: A Garden Gathering

This bouquet was designed for a woodland faery wedding — intimate, earthy, and just a little bit enchanted. Here’s what Susan gathered for the design:

• Roses — timeless beauty and soft fragrance, with our new favourite Tournament of Roses
• Rose hips — fiery orange-red fruit that symbolizes renewal and adds natural texture
• Sumac (mountain ash) — those rich, flame-colored plumes that bring autumn’s drama
• Corkscrew witch hazel — sculptural, whimsical branches that dance in the arrangement
• Hydrangea — petals aging gracefully into antique greens, blues, and mauves
• Japanese maple — delicate, crimson leaves that mirror the season’s glow
• Magnolia leaves — glossy on top, velvety brown underneath — grounding and elegant
• Lisianthus (about to bloom) — soft promise and movement, capturing that moment before full bloom
• Snapdragons — white and pink softens and adds expansiveness

The result? A bouquet that looks alive with texture, colour, and motion.

Susan, floral designer, selecting bouquet flowers.

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Why Choose Seasonal and Sustainable Flowers

Sustainable design is more than a trend; it’s a commitment to caring for the land that sustains us.

When you choose local, seasonal florals for your wedding, you:
Support local growers who protect pollinators and soil health
Reduce transport emissions by skipping imported flowers
Celebrate what’s naturally available — no two bouquets will ever look the same
Embrace imperfection — petals that tell the story of a real, living garden.
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When you hold a seasonal bouquet, you’re holding a moment in time. There’s something profoundly grounding about that — a reminder that beauty doesn’t have to be flown halfway across the world to feel extraordinary.

Susan gathers rich colours for this wedding bouquet.

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Designing for Depth: Textures, Tones & Movement

Autumn invites us to play with contrast — soft petals beside rough bark, rich crimson beside dusty pink, movement beside stillness.

Susan describes her design process as listening to the flowers. Some stems insist on being the focal point; others want to frame or support. It’s a conversation between colour, form, and instinct.

By mixing delicate blooms like lisianthus and roses with structural pieces like witch hazel and maple, she creates a sense of movement — a bouquet that feels alive. The result is perfectly imperfect, natural yet intentional — just like the forest that inspired it.

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Local Blooms to Look For in Nova Scotia This Fall

If you’re planning your own floral arrangements or sourcing from local growers, here are a few seasonal stars to keep in mind:

• Dahlias
• Rudbeckia
• Asters
• Sedum
• Ornamental grasses
• Locally grown eucalyptus or dried foliage

Each brings its own charm and texture — the kind of richness that makes autumn one of the most expressive seasons for floristry.

For Couples Who Love the Magic of Faeries

At Foraged Florals, we too love the magic of faery dust. We design autumn weddings that honour the land, the season, and you. If your heart is calling you to an autumn wedding in the woods—we’d be honoured to help bring it all to life.

Whether you want to DIY your bouquet with Susan, handpicking from our garden or book a full floral design for your wedding day, Foraged Florals can help you create something beautiful and sustainable.

​Contact us to start planning your autumn wedding florals.

Book a Free Wedding Consultation Today!