11 Protea Ideas for your Wedding

Whether you’re looking for a large statement flower or minimalist bouquet, the versatile protea flower if perfect for both! Measuring upto 12 inches wide, you can use a single flower as a simple bouquet, or create an extravagant arrangement with greenery and lush florals. They’re also long-lasting, sturdy flowers, so you can rest assured that they’ll look great throughout your celebration!

Protea Flower Types

There are over 1600 species of protea. Because of how diverse they are, the genus was named after Proteus, a Greek god who would morph into many shapes These five types of protea are popular in wedding bouquets:

King Protea – The king protea has the largest flower head. It looks like a large white bulb with pink, pointy petals sticking up around it. Its size typically ranges from 8 to 12 inches in diameter and 3 to 4 feet tall.
Queen Protea – The queen protea has the second-largest flower head, ranging from 6 to 8 inches. It’s known for its black-tipped center. Its petals tend to hug the center more closely than the spiky petals of the king protea.
Pink Ice Protea – The pink ice protea is popular for weddings because of its bold color. It’s typically brighter and slightly smaller than the queen protea. This makes it a good choice for those who want a flower with a texture that doesn’t overwhelm the bouquet.
Pincushion Protea – The bold pincushion protea looks like many thin pins are sticking out of it, giving it a very unique appearance. It comes in bright yellow, orange and red, making it perfect for a statement bouquet.

Blushing Bride – Measuring only inches wide, these delicate flowers are great accents to bouquets. They’re also good for corsages and boutonnieres. They are named for their pink “blushing” center that pokes out from among the petals.

Protea Flower Bouquet Ideas

Since protea flowers come in a range of colors, they lend themselves to both bold, bright bouquets and bouquets with muted tones. Add greenery, baby’s breath and soft pink flowers to play up the color and texture of the protea, or surround it with bright colors for a bouquet that pops!

Protea Flower Centerpiece Ideas

The size of proteas make them a great focal point for centerpieces. Complement them with unique vases and terrariums, or put them directly on the table among greenery for a unique floral table runner.

Top left photo by: The Wedding Scoop | Top right photo by: Wedding Chicks | Middle photo by: Southbound Bride | Bottom left photo by: Ivy Road Photography

These tropical blooms are sure to give you a unique idea for your wedding bouquet. Whether you use the king protea to make a statement or opt for the smaller pink ice protea to give your bouquet a pop of color, your wedding flowers will definitely make a lasting impression on your guests!

Sources

Missouri Botanical Garden | My Teleflora