Q I’m getting married at the end of October and would like to give a subtle nod to Halloween without anything looking scary! How should I display my flowers?
Autumn is all about colour. Warm reds, russets and yellows of changing leaves, the bright orange of pumpkins and deep browns of conkers all make for a beautifully warm wedding theme. Mini squashes can be used in the arrangements themselves, providing a suggestion of harvesttime, and you could consider using candles to create a warm, Halloween atmosphere. For a subtle nod, I would suggest blooms such as dahlias, rudbekia and physallis, with cordyline, miscanthus and oak leaves. Berries and fruit will also work well, and of course pumpkins, squashes and willow branches will add an extra bit of drama. Display your flowers and foliage to look informal, almost ‘just picked’. The use of the lined terracotta pots in various sizes creates a perfect look at this time of year.