IMAGE CREDIT: Blumenthal Photography
From the kitchen table to the bridal table, the humble jam jar has become a popular styling tool. As Rachael Harrington discovers, it’s the perfect way to display wedding blooms.
As an ever-increasing number of brides are now choosing a less structured look for their flower arrangements, traditional vases are being traded for glass jars and bottles to create a simple, relaxed look.
Flower arrangements in jars give a rustic, wildflower ‘just picked’ look that is perfect for vintage and bohemian themed weddings. They also work particularly well in garden and country settings, but can also create a more relaxed feel in any location.
BOTTLED UP
Jars can be either recycled or new glass jam jars, lolly jars, soft drink bottles or pasta sauce bottles. You can collect them yourself with help from family and friends, purchase them, or work with a florist or stylist who will let you hire their jars for the day. Whether used singularly or in clusters, the jars don’t have to match; using a variety of sizes and shapes will add interest to your décor.
When it comes to flowers, you can use single blooms of the same flower or combine different colours and textures. It’s usually better to stick with two or three colours at a time. With bright colours paired together and pastel colours paired together. It’s important not to overcrowd the jars and often less is more when it comes to jar flower arrangements.
When you’re working with your florist to select the flower varieties you will be using, keep in mind the height and size of the vessels. As well as your colour scheme and bouquet.
SPIN THE BOTTLE
The most common place to use flowers in jars is at the reception as table decorations. The jars allow for a lot of variety. For example using single stems in jars placed individually down the length of a table. Or putting an array of blooms in each jar and clustering them together as a centrepiece. Jars can also be dotted around your venue individually like on mantelpieces, window sills and in alcoves.
Whether inside or outside, hanging jars can be used to stunning effect; from a dramatic hanging floral chandelier to just a couple of hanging jars with individual blooms. You can either buy jars with a wire handle or attach a wire handle yourself, tying string around the rim. You can also hang jars from trees, entrances, above tables or create a hanging curtain with a mix of jars and ribbon.
Flower arrangements in jars are also not just for receptions. They look beautiful lining a ceremony aisle, whether hanging from chairs or running along the floor.
JAZZED-UP JARS
Jars and bottles can be left au naturel for a simple look or decorated to add a personalised touch and coordinate with your colour scheme. Decorating the jars can also conceal any stubborn labels that just won’t come off.
Decorations can be made with glass paint or they can be wrapped in pretty paper or fabric. Or even, have raffia, hessian, lace or ribbon tied around the neck. The jars also don’t have to match! Tying different types of mismatched ribbon around them can add to that relaxed, bohemian look that is so popular at the moment.
MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE
Glass jars on tables don’t have to be solely for decoration. They also can be used to display your table numbers. There are a number of ways you can do this. From using a blackboard label to tying a paper number around the jar’s neck or affixing a number on paper when you’re decorating your jars.
As well as table numbers, jars can also serve as individual place cards. While you will require more jars, your guests can take the jars home as bomboniere so your floral arrangements will be a triple treat. Decoration, place card and bomboniere!
RAISE A GLASS (JAR)
As well as displaying flowers, jars and bottles have many other uses on your big day. Which when used together, will create a consistent aesthetic. For table and hanging decorations, candles in jars complement flowers very well and create a very simple and chic look. Depending on the size of the jars, you can use tealight candles or different sized pillar candles.
Far from just decorations, jars can also be used to serve food and drinks. Serving a signature cocktail from jars with a cute striped straw adds a fun, quirky touch. Jam jars can also be used along with other glass jars to house goodies at your candy bar. Or can house your bomboniere!. You can spread the love with homemade jam, or use jam jars to hold a take-home dessert complete with its own spoon.
The popularity of this trend no doubt lies in its flexibility. The options are endless! So couples can add their own personalised touch to their flower decorations and no two weddings will look the same. Or perhaps the popularity lies in that it gives you a good excuse to have jam on your toast in the morning! Either way, this pretty trend looks like it’s here to stay.
Whether it’s a simple, sweet look of scattered single blooms or an elaborate arrangement of colours and textures. Put your own spin on the jars and bottles trend to create flower arrangements that are as beautiful and individual as you are.