White flowers, ivory dress – is this okay?

White flowers, ivory dress – is this okay?

Dear Petal’s Edge,

I’ve always wanted all white flowers in my wedding, but the dress I chose is ivory. All of the flowers I am looking at seem to be labeled as “white” though. Can I have a white bouquet with an ivory dress? Are there enough ivory flowers out there?

– Jenna T.

Dear Jenna,

White vs. ivory. The ultimate conundrum for brides, as very few dresses these days are pure white and therefore don’t match other things that are said to be “white”.  Very tricky when dealing with paper and fabrics but a little easier with flowers, as they are very forgiving.

The thing is that Mother Nature almost never makes anything a pure white. Most of what we call “white” flowers are actually varying shades of ivory, ranging from very close to pure white to truly almost yellow in tone. So yes! There are definitely plenty of ivory flowers out there. And if you have your heart set on a very simple bouquet such as only roses, then make sure your florist knows which shade your dress is. They can recommend the best rose variety to get you to closer to either a true ivory or a pure white.

Most brides don’t want a simple bouquet of a single type of flower, which means that there is a good chance that some of the shades of the flowers used won’t match your dress. Not to fear! The wonderful thing about flowers is that because they have such a dazzling array of textures (and sometimes even varying shades of the same color within a single bloom), nearly any white/ivory flower will go nicely with almost any other white/ivory flower and consequently your dress or other decor as well.  It’s not about matching; it’s about complementing. Furthermore, all of those textures and shades will go a long way to helping the bouquet stand out from the dress.

So go on! Have that all “white” bouquet with that ivory dress! All that will happen is that the beautiful flowers will help make a beautiful bride even more beautiful.

Pro Tip: What actually is of more concern is what color ribbon your florist finishes your bouquet with. All shades of ivory are fairly forgiving, but white-white ribbon really will look out of place against an ivory dress. Make sure you don’t tell your florist the dress is white when really it’s some variety of ivory.

I hope that helps!  Best wishes with your wedding!

Do you have a question about flowers or wedding planning?  Send us your question in the comment field!

We're on Instagram!
No, ma’am. That’s not how any of this works… 

💐✨ Wedding flower myths? We’ve heard them all. ✨

“You can just reuse the _____ flowers.”
“Faux flowers look the same.”
“Greenery is cheap, right?”

We get it. Planning a wedding comes with a lot of well-meaning advice. But when it comes to flowers, there’s a big difference between a cost-saving hack and a costly mistake.

At Petal’s Edge, we design with intention, experience, and artistry. We’re not here to upsell. We’re here to guide you through what works, what doesn’t, and what’s actually worth it. Because your flowers should feel just as thoughtful as the rest of your wedding. 🌿💐
Forget “Something Borrowed’. Seriously - have you ever seen such a stunning and tasteful incorporation of blue tones in a wedding? We brought a playful twist on “Something Blue’ into Wendy & Erik’s wedding day at @willard_intercontinentaldc With touches of blue Chinoiserie vases, not to mention other blue touches like ribbons and bridesmaid dresses, the blush and ivory floral palette of all blended perfectly together! Cheers to a beautiful day as magnificent as the happy couple!

📍 @willard_intercontinentaldc 
📷 @em_blumberg 
💐 @petalsedgedc 

#thewillardwedding #willardwedding #willardintercontinental #ballroomweddingflowers #tallweddingcenterpiece #blushwedding #luxuryfloraldesigner #luxurywedding #stylemeprettyweddings#washingtondcwedding
#washingtondcflorist #dceventflorist
#washingtondcweddingvenue #washingtonianweddings
This moment. This backdrop. Nicole & Cina’s wedding ceremony at the Reagan International Trade Building was a masterclass in modern romance. White petals lined the aisle while a copper-painted square arch framed our couple in soft waves of white + green blooms. The final touch? The bride + her bridesmaids perfectly poised beneath the arch—one of those “stop scrolling” moments we’ll never tire of. Timeless, effortless, unforgettable.

📍 @reaganitcdc 
📷 @carlelixirstudio 
💐 @petalsedgedc
📋 @chicweddingevents 

#ceremonyarch #ceremonyflowers #weddingsRRBITC #washingtondcwedding #washingtondcflorist #alexandriaflorist #weddingflorist #dcwedding #washingtondcweddingflorist #dcweddingflorist #virginiaweddingflorist #stylemeprettyweddings #washingtonianweddings
We're Pinteresting!
  • The Army and Navy Club's dark wood lined ballroom was the perfect complement to the classic white and blush color scheme of the spring wedding's floral palette including peonies, ranunculus, and campanula. Petal's Edge is the Washington DC area's best wedding florist & corporate event floral design company, specializing in unique wedding flowers, event design, decor, bridal bouquets, floral installations & tablescapes for weddings in DC, Northern Virginia & Maryland.
  • A vintage Palm Springs theme for The Scout Guide launch party at Hotel AKA. Petal's Edge is Washington, DC's best wedding florist & corporate event floral design company. Specializes in wedding flowers, event design, decor, bridal bouquets, floral installations, floral walls, backdrops, arches, Chuppahs, boutonnieres, floral centerpieces, tablescapes & more for weddings receptions & wedding ceremonies in Washington, DC, N. Virginia, Alexandria, Arlington, VA, Maryland.
  • Classic luxury for Hay Adams wedding. White roses. Phalaenopsis orchids. Crystal candelabra. Petal's Edge is Washington DC's best wedding florist & corporate event floral design company. Specializes in wedding flowers, event design, decor, bridal bouquets, floral installations, floral walls, backdrops, arches, Chuppahs, boutonnieres, floral centerpieces, tablescapes & more for weddings receptions & wedding ceremonies in Washington, DC, N. Virginia, Alexandria, Arlington, VA, MD.
  • Gallery O on H Street with its indoor and outdoor event spaces and a multi-level tent courtyard was the perfect setting for an urban garden vibe with a bold floral palette in shades of coral and peach, bright yellows, and lush greens. Petal's Edge is the Washington DC area's best wedding florist & corporate event floral design company, specializing in unique wedding flowers, event design, decor, bridal bouquets, floral installations & tablescapes for weddings in DC, Northern Virginia & Maryland.
  • Not everyone gets a do-over, but Caitlin & Sean'a small 2020 fete was followed by a summer celebration at River Farm, a fabulous floral arch, whimsical flowers skirting the cocktail tables, centerpieces to accompany the metro theme. Petal's Edge is the Washington DC area's best wedding florist & corporate event floral design company, specializing in unique wedding flowers, event design, decor, bridal bouquets, floral installations & tablescapes for weddings in DC, Northern Virginia & Maryland.
  • Modern black & white wedding, St. Francis Hall DC, light curtain, white flowers, speakeasy lounge. Petal's Edge is Washington DC's best wedding florist & corporate event floral design company. Specializes in wedding flowers, event design, decor, bridal bouquets, floral installations, floral walls, backdrops, arches, Chuppahs, boutonnieres, floral centerpieces, tablescapes & more for weddings receptions & wedding ceremonies in Washington, DC, N. Virginia, Alexandria, Arlington, VA, Maryland.
  • Summer hotel wedding with pops of color. Olive tall centerpieces. Cascade bouquet. Smilax installation. Petal's Edge is Washington DC's best wedding florist & corporate event floral design company. Specializes in wedding flowers, event design, decor, bridal bouquets, floral installations, floral walls, backdrops, arches, Chuppahs, boutonnieres, floral centerpieces, tablescapes & more for weddings receptions & wedding ceremonies in Washington, DC, N. Virginia, Alexandria, Arlington, VA, Maryland.
  • Rustic spring wedding at St. Francis Hall featured soft neutral hues and lush greenery. Smilax and candle strewn aisle. Spirea accented elevated arrangements. Peonies. Garden roses. Petal's Edge is the Washington DC area's best wedding florist & corporate event floral design company, specializing in unique wedding flowers, event design, decor, bridal bouquets, floral installations & tablescapes for weddings in DC, Northern Virginia & Maryland.
  • White Lotus Mediterranean wedding theme. Citrus accents. Flower color blocking. Aisle flowers. Arch. Petal's Edge is Washington DC's best wedding florist & corporate event floral design company. Specializes in wedding flowers, event design, decor, bridal bouquets, floral installations, floral walls, backdrops, arches, Chuppahs, boutonnieres, floral centerpieces, tablescapes & more for weddings receptions & wedding ceremonies in Washington, DC, N. Virginia, Alexandria, Arlington, VA, Maryland.
Join Our Mailing List!
Categories

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *