“Brides and grooms are now more willing to try new things,” says George Cuellar of Coqui Designs in Cedar Grove (973-857-5695; www.coqui-designs.com). Here, some of the newest trends to inspire you:

Flower power Although the weather might be cooler, many couples are opting for tropical blooms like orchids, protea, and anthurium. “They come in fall shades, like red, yellow, and orange, but they’re a bit ‘hotter in color,’ so it’s less of a harvest feel,” explains Angie Schwartz of Antheia in Jersey City (201-309-9959; www.antheia.net).

Other trendy flowers include chocolate cosmos, gloriosa lilies (they come in a deep red and yellow), cockscomb (which comes in many fall hues), and evergreens. “I’ve had brides carry just a simple bouquet of evergreens down the aisle, and it looks absolutely classic,” says Cuellar. But don’t count out traditional favorites like roses and mini calla lilies. According to Cuellar, a new rose called ‘Selina’ is a pale chocolate-brown shade, while calla lilies come in a variety of colors to match any arrangement.

Seasonal touches Adding sprigs of berries, pinecones, or acorns to your bouquet or boutonniere is a great way to celebrate the season. In fact, many grooms are opting to ditch the flower boutonniere and go only with one of the above. “It makes more of a statement because it’s something many people don’t see,” says Nancy Zbikowski of Linda’s Florist in Short Hills (973-379-2188 or 877-806-9088; www.lindasflorist.com).

Creative concepts A small grouping of herbs—rosemary and sage, for example—can add an interesting touch to a bouquet, or even serve as a stand-alone boutonniere. Cuellar also recommends getting creative with fall ferns and even feathers. “Simply putting together a cluster of peacock tips and adding in a few berries can make an amazing bouquet or boutonniere,” he says.

Tie it up Hold it all together with an exotic leaf in a shade to complement your bouquet, or you can even wrap some feathers around the stems. And while ribbon is the most popular way to tie a bouquet, that doesn’t mean you can’t add a little twist. “I sometimes tie ribbon around the bouquet, but let the ends hang down like streamers,” says Cuellar. “It looks very dramatic when the bride is coming down the aisle.”