Rhiannon Hendricks
Flowers are an essential part of a wedding, adding colour, scent and symbolism to the day. From bouquets to centrepieces, flowers are a key decorative feature of most weddings. The type of flowers chosen can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the season, location, colour palette, and the symbolic meaning of the blooms. For example, roses are a classic choice, often used to symbolise love and romance, while peonies are believed to bring good luck and wealth. The best wedding flowers are those that are meaningful to the couple and suit the wedding's style and location.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Any colour of the rainbow, but usually softer shades |
| Variety | Roses, lilies, orchids, chrysanthemums, carnations, peonies, sunflowers, wildflowers, daisies, baby's breath, succulents, hydrangeas, and more |
| Fragrance | Fragrant flowers include roses, peonies, orchids, and lilies |
| Seasonality | Choose flowers that are in season for freshness, affordability, and availability |
| Symbolism | Flowers can represent love, passion, purity, devotion, joy, friendship, new beginnings, wealth, honour, and more |
| Budget | Flowers can be expensive, so set a budget and allocate funds to the most important arrangements |
| Venue | Consider the venue when choosing flowers, and whether they will be used as the main source of decor |
| Florist | Consult a florist to bring your vision to life using seasonally available, locally grown blooms |
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What You'll Learn
Popular wedding flowers and their meanings
Flowers have been used to express emotions and convey secret messages for centuries and across multiple cultures. Floriography, or the language of flowers, was especially popular in Victorian England.
Today, the flowers you choose for your wedding can help your bouquet take on a new level of depth and meaning. Here are some of the most popular wedding flowers and their traditional meanings:
Roses are a timelessly beautiful and romantic choice for weddings. They symbolise love and passion, but depending on their colour, they can also convey other meanings. Red roses stand for love and desire, white roses for charm and innocence, pink for perfect happiness, orange for fascination, and yellow for friendship, joy, and gladness.
Calla lilies are another popular choice, especially for spring or summer weddings. The name comes from the Greek word "calla", meaning "beautiful", and they are associated with the goddess Hera. They symbolise beauty, faith, and new life.
Peonies are believed to symbolise compassion. In Japan, they are also known for bravery, courage, and good fortune, but they once meant anger.
Chrysanthemums represent optimism, joy, and a long life, making them a great addition to a bridal bouquet. They are also affordable and readily available all year round.
Sunflowers are a bold and vibrant choice, often symbolising joy and happiness. They are perfect for a whimsical garden wedding or a fall wedding.
Tulips are in season in spring and come in bold and beautiful colours, each with a different meaning.
Other popular wedding flowers include baby's breath, delphiniums, heather, magnolias, dahlias, cornflowers, hydrangeas, and anthuriums. These flowers symbolise innocence, protection, prosperity, friendship, perseverance, dignity, and abundance, respectively.
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Choosing flowers by colour
White Flowers
White flowers are a classic choice for weddings, symbolising purity and innocence. They go well with all dress colours and can be paired with dark green foliage to make them stand out against a white dress. White flowers include orchids, anemones, jasmine, baby's breath, and roses.
Red Flowers
Red flowers, such as red anemones, amaryllis, and ranunculus, evoke romance, passion, and sensuality. They pair well with a white wedding dress.
Pink Flowers
Pink flowers, from blush to rosy pink, create a romantic and soothing atmosphere. They are perfect for spring weddings and can be combined with blue and white flowers for a harmonious look. Pink flowers include ranunculus, peonies, and roses.
Yellow Flowers
Yellow flowers, from bright lemon to pale shades, bring cheerfulness and sunshine to your wedding. They are perfect for summer and autumn weddings and can be paired with purple flowers for a vibrant contrast. Yellow flowers include ranunculus, tulips, and sunflowers.
Purple Flowers
Purple flowers, from berry to dark purple, can be lifted with brighter colours like lime green and white. They are perfect for autumn weddings and can be paired with yellow flowers for a complementary colour scheme. Purple flowers include anemones, orchids, and sweet peas.
Remember, when choosing flowers by colour, it's important to select shades that you love and that blend well with your venue and dress. You can also consider a monochromatic colour scheme or use complementary colours for a bold statement.
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Wedding flower arrangements
The first step in planning wedding flower arrangements is to set a budget. Flowers can be a significant expense, with couples typically spending 10 to 15 percent of their total wedding budget on flowers. It is important to consider which arrangements are most crucial to the couple and allocate funds accordingly. For example, a statement bouquet might be more impactful than elaborate centrepieces.
The next step is to decide on the types of flowers to use. This can be influenced by the wedding theme and colour palette. For instance, a whimsical garden wedding might feature bright sunflowers and wildflowers, while a classic ballroom affair could include elegant roses and lilies in soft pastels. The symbolic meaning of flowers can also be considered, such as roses for love and passion, lilies for purity and devotion, and sunflowers for joy and happiness.
When selecting specific flowers, it is essential to think about the seasonality of the blooms. Flowers that are in season are typically more affordable and readily available. Choosing locally sourced, seasonally available flowers can also ensure the best quality, fragrance, and uniqueness. However, if a particular flower is desired that is out of season, it may be possible to source it at a higher cost or use alternative flowers that thrive in that season.
Finally, there are several types of wedding flower arrangements to consider. Personal flowers include the bride's bouquet, groom's boutonnière, petals for the flower girl, and corsages for the mothers of the bride and groom. Ceremony flowers can include arches with partial floral coverage and trailing greenery, while reception flowers might include centrepieces, cocktail table arrangements, and cake flowers. To save costs, some couples reuse arrangements from the ceremony at the reception.
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Wedding flower costs
Wedding flowers can be expensive, but there are ways to keep costs down. The average cost of wedding flowers in the United States is $2,200, with most couples spending between $500 and $3,500. Typically, couples allocate 8% to 15% of their total wedding budget to flowers, but depending on the location and size of the wedding, those costs can increase. For example, the average cost of wedding flowers in 2022 was $2,723 overall, with weddings of over 100 guests spending an average of $3,282.
There are several factors that influence the cost of wedding flowers. The number of floral arrangements, the types of flowers, the size of the arrangements, and the seasonality of the blooms will all affect the total bill. Flowers that are in season and grown locally tend to be more affordable, as they are easier to source and require less transportation. For example, flowers that are in peak season, such as peonies and lilies of the valley, will be more affordable than flowers that need to be imported, like out-of-season peonies.
To save money, couples can repurpose flowers throughout the wedding. For example, aisle flowers can double as stage decor, and bridesmaid bouquets can be placed in bud vases on cocktail tables after the ceremony. Couples can also mix expensive blooms with more affordable options, such as greenery or filler flowers, to create full-looking arrangements without breaking the bank.
It's important to communicate your budget and preferences to your wedding florist early on so they can provide cost-effective suggestions. Smaller, local florists and growers are often cheaper than larger florists. Additionally, going directly to a flower farmer instead of a florist can help cut costs.
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Selecting a florist
When selecting a florist, it is essential to find one who understands your vision and has a design style that aligns with your wedding aesthetic. Each florist has their own specialities, whether it be tall, ornate centrepieces or minimalist, boho arrangements. Consider whether you want a florist who will simply provide the basics or one who will help curate the overall look of your reception space. It is also important to discuss your budget with potential florists and ask for an itemized quote to understand what is included in their services.
Before meeting with florists, it is helpful to gather inspiration photos and create a mood board that reflects your desired wedding aesthetic. During consultations, you can discuss your unique vision and specific ideas, such as flower types, colour palettes, and any symbolic meanings you want to incorporate. Ask about their experience in creating similar designs and handling multiple events, ensuring they can prioritize your wedding and clearly understand your needs.
In addition to design and aesthetic, there are logistical considerations to keep in mind. Confirm the delivery times, setup requirements, and any special instructions for the wedding day. Inquire about additional fees, such as for venue walk-throughs or moving arrangements to the reception site. Ask about their sourcing practices and whether they can provide organic, pesticide-free, or sustainably grown flower varieties. Don't forget to also discuss the timing of their services, including when they will create the bouquets and arrangements, and how far in advance you need to secure their services.
By following these steps and asking the right questions, you will be well on your way to selecting a florist who can bring your floral dreams to life and create a magical atmosphere on your wedding day.
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Frequently asked questions
Roses are the most popular flowers used in weddings. They are beautiful, fragrant, and versatile. Other popular wedding flowers include lilies, sunflowers, peonies, orchids, chrysanthemums, and carnations.
Some unique wedding flowers include anemones, which close in the dark and open when it's bright, and parrot tulips, which come in a variety of colours, from soft pink to deepest eggplant.
Choose flowers that match your wedding theme and colours. Consider the symbolism of different flowers and select blooms that echo your chosen colour palette and message.
The average couple should plan to spend 10-15% of their total wedding budget on flowers. You can prioritise certain arrangements, such as bouquets and boutonnieres, which will feature in many photos. Using flowers as your main source of decor will require a larger allocation of your budget.
Before meeting with a florist, create a wedding flower checklist and set a budget. Discuss your floral vision and colour palette, and ask about the sourcing of the flowers. Trust your florist to bring your vision to life using seasonally available, locally grown blooms.
