Recommendations for Unique New England Coastal-Style Wedding Flowers From a Boston Wedding Florist
As a Boston wedding florist, I truly love a classic coastal New England wedding and coming up with new, creative ideas for florals for this type of celebration. You definitely don’t have to use blue and white flowers for a coastal wedding - especially if that doesn’t feel right for you and your partner!
Keep reading for ideas + inspo for your florals for a coastal New England wedding!
Unique Coastal Wedding Flowers in New England
I know I shouldn't pick favorites, but WOW did this wedding fill my creative cup. When C inquired with me last year, she said she wanted her personal flowers to help her feel like a "sexy pirate mermaid". (Yes, this is exactly the kind of hyper-specific descriptions I love and YES I leaned hard into this).
I knew I wanted to forgo the classic bridal bouquet, and instead decided to design directly into a turban shell to create a mermaid-shell-purse-cum-bouquet. This brought me so much joy to make, but also the bride kept her shell bouquet in hand deep into cocktail hour, which is a great stamp of approval.
C + P hosted a classic New England coastal wedding close to Newport, RI. This summer wedding included a clam and lobster bake directly on the beach, Del's Lemonade as a passed app, and a ceremony view that included an ongoing sailing regatta.
It was the most classic of New England coastal, and for the flowers, not a single blue hydrangea in sight! Instead, I leaned hard into the colorful wildflowers of summer for Caroline and Phil's floral design. Most of the flowers were locally grown and really highlighted what was in season, like rudbeckia, zinnias, celosia, and panicle hydrangea.
For the ceremony, I designed mini sculptures using dried grasses and pearl strands, along with tipped-over terracotta pots, giving the feel of abundance that grew out of a shipwreck. For the reception, we did ikebana-inspired centerpieces, filled with unique shapes, pearls, and grasses.
This was truly one of my favorite weddings to create florals for this year! Whatever your wedding vision is, I promise we can create it together through custom florals! What’s most important to me is that we choose florals that actually reflect who you are as a couple and celebrate your love story in all its technicolor glory.
Additional Floral Ideas for a Coastal Summer New England Wedding
Here at Althea, I like to use locally grown flowers when I can, and I think there’s something truly special about leaning into local flowers for your coastal summer wedding. Here are some flowers I think truly go well with a coastal wedding - remember these are all just suggestions. Take what works for you and please leave what doesn’t!
Roses
Roses are so much more than a symbol of love; they are classy, elegant, and have so many colors, sizes, and varieties you can choose from. I especially like the idea of using purple and white roses for a coastal wedding!
Rudbeckia
Rudbeckia blooms are a quiet beauty that add texture and vibrancy to any floral arrangement!
Zinnias
Zinnias for me just feel like summer! They are incredibly vibrant and add real personality to your floral arrangements.
Dahlias
Dahlias are another beloved bloom that brings warmth and charm to your celebration. They are also versatile and come in an array of colors, and add a touch of sophistication to your floral arrangements. I personally know some incredible dahlia farmers around the Boston area, so if I use dahlias for your wedding, you know they are locally grown!
Lisianthus
Lisianthus is a soft, airy flower, and they also happen to look a lot like roses!
Snapdragons
I love how snapdragons look - they add such a fun flair to your florals, and they come in a wide range of colors!
Wildflowers
You can’t go wrong with incorporating native New England wildflowers into your florals, such as purple coneflower echinacea, New England aster, Blue Vervain, etc.!
Coastal New England Wedding Venues
Here are some dreamy coastal New England wedding venues to consider for your celebration:
misselwood at Endicott College
Misselwood is a north shore venue on Endicott College’s campus, set on four and a half acres and surrounded by a brick wall to offer your privacy. One of the standout features of this venue is that you’ll have gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean during your ceremony and throughout your entire celebration.
The venue also offers so much more, including a stunning historical house where you can get ready and a climate-controlled sailcloth tent for your reception that comfortably seats up to 200 guests. The tent also features chandeliers, wall sconces, and a mosaic floor embedded with colorful sea glass, creating a classy, elegant ambiance. Want more info on planning your celebration here? Check out a guide I wrote all about this venue here!
Rosecliff
Rosecliff is stunning with its swoon-worthy ocean views and a Gilded Age Mansion. It’s located in Newport, and it’s even been featured in many Hollywood films, including The Great Gatsby, True Lies, 27 Dresses, and Amistad!
The Oceanview of Nahant
Nahant is a little seaside community close to Boston with a ceremony site right next to the water and a private beach! One of my favorite things this wedding venue offers is for you to have your last dance on the beach! Discover more about this venue here!
ready to Plan Your New England Wedding?
I hope you found these recommendations on coastal-style flowers for a New England wedding helpful! Flowers elevate everything - from your ceremony site you’re in to the clothes you’re wearing. Everything will feel more special when you’re immersed in full-on floral magic!
Looking for a florist for your New England coastal wedding? I would love to bring your unique vision to life! Let’s toss out the old wedding norms and craft your very own custom floralscape that brings your love to life in wild, living color.
Althea Floral Design specializes in bold wedding florals and custom floral installations in Boston, Massachusetts, and across New England. Inquire today with Althea Floral Design to get started!
