As you’re getting ready to talk to your florist about bridal bouquets you love and ideas for your overall wedding floral décor, be sure to keep seasonal flowers in mind. While blooms are available year-round thanks to next-day air and the Southern Hemisphere’s opposite growing season, opting for seasonal flowers will be a cost-effective and eco-friendly choice.
For instance, what’s seasonally available for an October wedding in the New Jersey/New York area is drastically different than what’s growing in January, May or August. But don’t worry about this getting in the way of any of your design choices. Many flowers have a seasonal alternate that can be substituted for a similar look. So keep saving photos of bouquets you love. Your florist is the expert and will know how to substitute and guide you in your choices so that you get the look you want.
The Benefits of Seasonal Flowers
Choosing seasonal flowers for your wedding brings a host of benefits that extend beyond cost savings. First, seasonal blooms are naturally abundant and at their peak freshness, ensuring vibrant colors, exquisite fragrances and optimal longevity. These flowers are often grown locally, reducing transportation distances and carbon footprints, making them an eco-conscious choice. Additionally, seasonal flowers are more readily available, allowing florists to source them easily, resulting in lower costs and a wider range of options.
Cost-Effectiveness of Seasonal Blooms
Weddings can be expensive affairs. And every engaged couple wants to maximize their budget while creating an unforgettable experience. Opting for seasonal flowers is an excellent strategy to achieve this. Since seasonal blooms are readily available, their prices are generally lower compared to out-of-season flowers. Florists have better access to locally sourced seasonal flowers, eliminating the need for expensive international shipping and reducing transportation costs. Moreover, seasonal flowers are often grown in larger quantities, leading to competitive pricing.
Another advantage is that when flowers are in season, they require less intervention to grow, reducing cultivation expenses. This cost-effectiveness allows you to allocate more of your budget to other essential elements of your wedding, while still enjoying stunning floral arrangements.
Seasonal Flowers by Season
SPRING
- Tulips: These elegant flowers symbolize perfect love and are available in various colors, including white, pink, red, and purple.
- Peonies: With their lush, romantic blooms, peonies are adored for their fragrance and range of colors, from delicate pastels to vibrant corals.
- Ranunculus: Known for their intricate layers of petals, ranunculus flowers come in soft hues such as blush, peach, and yellow.
- Snapdragons: With more than 60 colors available, snapdragons add vibrance and structure to any arrangement.
- Roses: This classic flower is available year-round and comes in a large range of varieties and colors.
SUMMER
So many varieties to choose from, but keep in mind that some don’t do as well as others in the heat and require a LOT of water. Your florist will be able to guide you to the hardier blooms, especially for any arrangements placed outside.
- Sunflowers: Exuding warmth and cheerfulness, sunflowers make a bold statement with their bright-yellow petals and striking centers.
- Dahlias: These showstoppers feature intricate blooms in vibrant shades of red, orange, pink and purple, perfect for adding drama to summer weddings.
- Lavender: Not only does lavender fill the air with a soothing aroma, but it also adds a touch of elegance and a pop of color to arrangements.
- Garden roses: These are not the same as standard roses. Garden roses are a great alternative to out-of-season peonies, giving the same fluffy look at a fraction of the price.
- Hydrangeas: Perhaps the flower most synonymous with summer. Available in a variety of colors including blue, green, pink and white, hydrangeas take up a lot of space and work beautifully in centerpieces.
- Clematis: The vining plant comes in a variety of colors and is great for a trailing look in bouquets, centerpieces, and hanging floral décor.
- Cosmos: This small daisy-like bloom has a vibrant yellow center, with petals in a variety of colors including white, pink, yellow, maroon and orange.
- Delphinium: This blue tall flower makes a statement, and is great in a long-stemmed bouquet or prominent centerpieces.
- Zinnia: This is an excellent choice due to the huge variety of color and shape for both bouquets and centerpieces. They also offer a long vase life.
- Fruit branches and fruit: For the perfect summer touch, add fruit branches such lemon, orange, or blueberry branches. You can also add whole or cut lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit for a unique look to your table landscapes.
FALL
- Dahlias (continued): Dahlias continue to shine during the autumn months, transitioning to deeper tones like burgundy, deep purple and burnt orange.
- Chrysanthemums: With their variety of shapes and colors, chrysanthemums are a versatile choice for fall weddings, offering rich shades of yellow, red and bronze.
- Roses: Classic and timeless, roses are available year-round, but autumn brings out stunning varieties in warm hues like deep reds and oranges.
- Foliage: So many varieties are readily available, while adding both color and texture. Nandia, amaranthus, bittersweet vine, celosia, maple vine, and different grasses are just a few of the choices.
WINTER
- Amaryllis: The elegant amaryllis blooms in winter, offering striking trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of red, white and pink, adding a touch of sophistication to winter weddings.
- Anemones: These delicate flowers have dark centers surrounded by velvety petals in shades of white, pink and purple, creating an ethereal winter aesthetic.
- Greenery: So many choices including balsam, cedar, spruce, white pine, boxwood, holly, juniper and magnolia.
FAQs about Seasonal Wedding Flowers
Q: What are some popular flower choices for wedding bouquets?
A: Popular flower choices for wedding bouquets include roses, peonies, hydrangeas, lilies, tulips, calla lilies, orchids, and sunflowers. These flowers are admired for their beauty, elegance, and symbolism in weddings.
Q: How do I determine which flowers are in season for my wedding?
A: The availability of flowers varies depending on your geographical location and climate. You can consult with local florists or conduct research specific to your region to determine which flowers are in season during your wedding month. Additionally, online resources and wedding magazines often provide guides on seasonal blooms.
Q: Are there any limitations to using seasonal wedding flowers?
A: The availability of seasonal wedding flowers can sometimes be unpredictable due to weather conditions, crop failures, or unexpected circumstances. It’s essential to have a backup plan or alternative flower options in case your desired blooms are not available.
Q: Can I choose flowers that are out of season for my wedding?
A: While it’s possible to source flowers that are out of season, it can be challenging and more expensive. It’s generally advisable to choose flowers that are in season during your wedding month to ensure better availability, quality and affordability. However, you can consult with your florist to explore alternatives or discuss the possibility of importing specific flowers.
Q: How far in advance should I order my wedding flowers?
A: It is generally recommended to order your wedding flowers three to six months in advance. This will give you ample time to communicate with your florist, finalize the flower arrangements and ensure the availability of your preferred flowers during your wedding season.
Q: How do I find a reliable florist for my wedding?
A: To find a reliable florist for your wedding, consider asking for recommendations from friends, family or your wedding planner. You can also research local florists online and read reviews from previous customers. Schedule consultations with multiple florists to discuss your vision, see their portfolio and get estimates. This will help you gauge their expertise and find the right fit for your wedding. To see some of our favorite florists in the NJ/NY/PA area, click here.
Q: How can I incorporate flowers into my wedding decor beyond bouquets?
A: Some ideas include creating floral centerpieces for tables, decorating the ceremony and reception venues with flower arrangements, using flowers to adorn the wedding arch or chuppah, incorporating blooms into the bride and groom’s attire (such as floral crowns or boutonnieres), and utilizing petals for aisle decorations or confetti.
Q: Are there any flowers to avoid for a wedding due to allergies?
A: Yes, if you or your partner have allergies or sensitivities, it’s best to avoid heavily scented flowers such as lilies or jasmine. Opt for flowers with milder fragrances or those that are hypoallergenic, such as orchids, roses, tulips or hydrangeas. Consult with your florist to find the best options that suit your preferences and minimize the risk of triggering allergies.
Q: How can I make my wedding flowers more sustainable?
A: To make your wedding flowers more sustainable, consider the following options: Choose locally grown and seasonal flowers to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation, opt for organic or eco-friendly floral practices, reuse or repurpose flowers and arrangements throughout the wedding day, donate the flowers after the event to nursing homes or hospitals, or even consider using dried flowers or potted plants as alternatives.
Q: What are some alternatives to traditional flower bouquets?
A: If you’re looking for alternatives to traditional flower bouquets, you can consider options like brooch bouquets (made from vintage brooches), fabric or paper flower bouquets, succulent or air plant bouquets, feather bouquets, or even carrying sentimental items like a family heirloom or a meaningful book. We’ve even seen puppy bouquets! True story!
