Frangipanis or Plumeria as they are sometimes known, are blooming everywhere around the coast of Australia right now.  The intoxicating perfume reminds me of my home near Byron Bay and summer holidays spent at the coast.  Casual, beachy and beautiful in every shade, frangipanis are the perfect coastal-theme wedding flower.  No need to be concerned that frangipanis can’t be chic.  They can!  Here are some of my favourite ways to use frangipanis to decorate and theme your wedding without resorting to cliches.

Image credits: Frangipani wedding cake, photo by Nicole Pearce.  Frangipani bouquet and aisle decoration images from Lindsay Van Roy Photography for Brett and Erin’s wedding.  Frangipani beach aisle by Aloha Island Weddings at Simply Chic Wedding Ideas.  Frangipani link ring by Stasita New Zealand.  All stationery by Alannah Rose at Pink Frosting.  All beach collection wedding accessories at Pink Frosting’s online wedding shop.

Here are our top tips for using frangipanis to theme your wedding:

• Bunch them closely.  Frangipanis in tight formation are simply chic.
• If you choose yellow frangipanis, your best colour choices for ribbons, accents, glassware, napery and decor is buttercup yellow, ivory, crisp white, black or sand.
• For table decorations, either scatter your frangipanis loosely around the table, lay one on each table setting for a contemporary chic look, or use beach buckets filled with starfish, sand and frangipanis (see the beautiful beach buckets by Pink Frosting above – we also used Swarovski crystal encrusted starfish to complement the yellow frangipanis).
• Frangipanis work beautifully with fluffy blossoms such as fully blown roses.  We’re not fans of frangipanis and other waxy flowers such as orchids, but they can look lovely together if you use a master florist.
• Generally, frangipanis don’t need foliage to complement them.  Think of the flower in its natural state – the flowers are clustered and the branches are fairly sparse.  Take your cue from the flower in its natural environment and don’t use leaves as part of your table decorations, aisle decorations or bouquets.
• Frangipani leis are so easy to create.  It’s a fun way to spend your night before the wedding with your best girls – simply use fishing line and a large needle to thread frangipani blooms.  A beautiful favour for your guests.

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn