This dainty bloom isn't just filler—it stands out all on its own.
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When it comes to choosing blooms for a lush wedding bouquet, most brides gravitate towards old favorites, like peonies or their more-affordable counterparts, garden roses. Most don't consider hydrangea—an underdog statement bloom if there ever was one. It's not that this floral variety isn't popular (it is!), but you'll typically see it tucked away, either underneath bouquets as a supportive base or studded here-and-there as filler. While we're all about using the bud this way (it's sweet little blooms do make for pretty accents), we're just as in favor of using hydrangea as your wedding bouquet's main event. The flower can absolutely make an impact—on its own, or when paired with other pretty blooms.
How you make that impact is entirely up to you. Choose to carry hydrangeas all on their own—they're pretty and full enough to act as a standalone flower. Alternatively, place the blooms in a visible spot in your bouquet, where they're sure to get plenty of showtime (check out how E Johnston Designs did just that in the bouquet to the left!). Worried that hydrangeas won't match the overall aesthetic or color palette of your personal arrangement? Don't be. They're dainty enough to feel feminine, but not so fragile as to appear too precious. As for their shade options, your choices are limitless. Naturally occurring varieties come in whites and pastels, so you'll likely find a bunch to suit your needs.
Don't just take our word for it, though. Ahead, you'll discover how past brides worked this bud into their wedding bouquets. These sprays will surely inspire your own—and, at the very least, show you all of the ways to incorporate hydrangeas so that they're a star player (not just a filler!).
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Soft Green
Hydrangeas come in a myriad of colors—think soft pinks, blues, and creamy whites—but the off-white-meets-green variety might just be the most unique. For whatever reason, it doesn't get as much love as it's more saturated comrades. Take one look at this lush Flourish Floral Artistry & Design bouquet, however, and you won't understand why.
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Statement
Distinguish your personal arrangement from your bridesmaids' with a statement bud (Southern Blooms used hydrangea in this brides' clutch) that's entirely your own.
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Muted
Reign in a bouquet that's bursting with color with a bunch of neutral hydrangea. Blossom & Vine Floral Co. opted for a dried variety here for added texture.
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Barely Blue
If you look closely, you'll notice that this Fishers Flowers arrangement is a subtle homage to the bride's wedding dress (it's covered in pale, milky blue crystal embellishments!).
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Greens and Succulents
Hydrangeas pair prettily with just about any type of greenery—from ferns to succulents.
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Summer Mix
They play just as nicely with a diverse assortment of buds, as evidenced by this dahlia, ranunculus, rose, andromeda, and fresh maple leaf clutch by Jacin Fitzgerald.
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Something Blue
Add a few blue hydrangeas to your bouquet (like this one, by IAMFLOWER!) and consider your "something blue" handled.
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Bouquet Support
Hydrangea may be so much more than a filler flower, but it does work pretty well as a supporting player. A hydrangea base helped this Tulip Atlanta bouquet achieve that signature round shape.
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Classic
Traditional brides, bunches of white roses and lush hydrangea are all you need for a clean and classic clutch. 50Fifty Creativ added a few dark green leaves to help her bride's bouquet pop.
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Bridesmaids Bouquets
Why not get your girls in on the hydrangea fun? These 'maids—dressed in the prettiest mismatched blush dresses—carried bunches of beribboned hydrangeas, roses, and eucalyptus, which were assembled by the bride.
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Small Moments
Hydrangea can make a big impact, especially in a bouquet that's filled with smaller moments. The wildflower blossoms and greenery sprigs used throughout Rosegolden Flowers clutch were the supporting players to the hydrangeas' lead.
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Fall-Inspired
If you're planning a fall wedding, put this Bussey's arrangement on your radar. The mix of burgundy garden roses and berries, white hydrangea, and green eucalyptus created the prettiest fall color palette.
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Single Bushel
Pick a main spot in your bouquet for this particular bud to live (Jasper House Farms placed hydrangea right at the bottom), and then scatter it throughout (in a different shade!) for reference.
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Anemones
These full blooms function in many ways, but they're best at softening entire arrangements. We love how cone-shaped bunches of hydrangea toned down the sharp peppiness of statement-making anemones in this Abelia Floral Studio bouquet.
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Delphinium
Another major advantage of using hydrangea? You can nestle so many blooms into them. This arrangement featured a single pink garden rose tucked into the green buds and blue delphinium (a nod to the bridesmaids' dress!).
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Simple
Luxe Paris Events' bouquet proves that a paired down hydrangea bouquet (this one featured just two additional buds—roses and astilbe) is anything but boring.
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Green and White
Name a more classic bouquet color combination than green and white.
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Pink and Purple
Baby bunches of pink and purple hydrangea bring feminine vibes. And how pretty is the rest of this Starflower spray?
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Pop of Yellow
Peep the yellow centers shining through this petite, all-white hydrangea, Queen Anne's lace, and cosmos bouquet.
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