How to Choose Flowers for Your Wedding Day

Co-authored by Pilar Zuniga and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: May 16, 2022 Approved

A wedding just wouldn’t be the same without flowers—but which ones are the best choice for your special day? With countless styles and combinations, it can be a challenge to narrow down your options. Not to worry! We’re here to answer all your frequently-asked questions, so you can get ready for your big day.

1

Pick Flowers That are in Season

Out-of-season flowers can be pricey, and can rack up your flower budget. Not to worry—there are plenty of seasonal options to choose from that will be much kinder on your wallet.^{[1]
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- For example, you might add mums, strawflowers, or chrysanthemums to a bouquet for an autumn wedding.^{[2]
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- Lisianthus, veronica, roses, gypsophila, and alstroemerias are available throughout the year, and might be a good option for a winter wedding bouquet.^{[3]
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- Peonies, hydrangeas, anemone, and garden roses are all great options for a spring wedding.^{[4]
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  Research source} They’re also excellent choices for a summer wedding!^{[5]
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2

Choose Flowers That Match Your Venue and Theme

Is your wedding going to be modern and sleek, or rustic and charming? Try to pick flowers that add to this theme while meshing well with your venue.^{[6]
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- For instance, a bouquet of wildflowers would feel out of place in a ballroom, but would look great in an outdoor, rustic wedding.
- A white orchid centerpiece would fit better in a hotel or ballroom than an outdoor pavilion.

3

Select Flowers That Come in Multiple Colors

Mums, carnations, lilies, dahlias, and other flowers come in many different colors, and are great flowers to consider if you already have a wedding color scheme nailed down. Roses, tulips, peonies, hydrangeas, anemones, and lisianthus flowers are also bred in a wide variety of colors.^{[7]
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4

Know What Flower Types Represent

Some flowers, like anemones, represent “expectation,” while other blooms, like calla lilies, signify “magnificent beauty.” Pick out some flower meanings that you really resonate with—this is a great way to take your bouquets to the next level!^{[8]
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- Baby’s breath represents innocence, while cornflowers signify prosperity and friendship.
- Daffodils stand for happiness, and dahlias represent an everlasting commitment.
- Gardenias symbolize purity and joy, while irises signify faith and wisdom.
- Orchids represent beauty; sunflowers represent loyalty and adoration; and peonies signify happiness, love, and ambition.
- The color of a flower can sometimes change its meaning. Red roses mean “love,” while pink roses signify “elegance” and “grace.”^{[9]
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5

Pick Flowers That Match Your Color Scheme

Your flowers don’t have to match exactly with your invitations and decorations, but they should complement the color scheme nicely. Iron out of your wedding’s color scheme first, and then settle your flower colors.^{[10]
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- With all the flower bouquet combinations, picking the best wedding flowers can feel a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry—just take it one step at a time!
- Emerald and ruby; yellow and blush; green and ivory; and blue and gold are just a few color combinations that work well in any season.^{[11]
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  Research source} If you’d like, you can also choose a color scheme based on the season when you’re holding your wedding.
- Neutral colors, like white, blush, and cream, can add a beautiful, minimalistic touch to your bouquet.^{[12]
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6

Make a Flower Budget

Dedicate 8% of your total wedding budget to flowers. Your total flower budget should include the bridal bouquet, bridesmaids’ bouquets, corsages, boutonnières, and any other flowers for the ceremony and reception. Outline your complete wedding budget first, and set aside 8% of the total for your flowers.^{[13]
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- If your wedding budget was $10,000, you’d set aside $800 for the wedding flowers.

7

Choose Flowers That Match Your Dress

Pick out the perfect wedding dress first—this will really help narrow down your options. Ideally, pick a bouquet that’s smaller than your waistline, so the flowers blend in seamlessly with your dress.^{[14]
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- For instance, if your wedding dress has a lot of material along the back, you might pick a larger bouquet to balance it out.
- If your wedding dress has floral patterns or designs, you might pick a subtle bouquet that doesn’t look too busy with your dress.
- If your gown has a thin waistline, you might pick a smaller bouquet instead of a larger, bulkier one that overshadows your dress.
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8

Select a Bouquet That's Easy to Hold

While wearing your dress, hold the bouquet in 1 hand, dropping it slightly beneath your hip. Don’t hold the bouquet flush with your dress; instead, hold it in front of your gown, so your dress shape is easy to see.^{[15]
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9

Do Your Own Flowers for Your Wedding

There are plenty of easy, clever ways to put together your own arrangements without the help of a florist. You might create table centerpieces with succulents, or tie 6 small flowers together to make your own boutonnière—the choice is yours!^{[16]
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- You can reuse bridesmaids bouquets as table centerpieces once the ceremony is over.
- You might make a lush, budget-friendly bouquet with wildflowers and greens.
- A simple wreath and pillar candle make a great table centerpiece.
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10

Use Fresh Flowers for Your Bouquet

Prune and trim the flowers so everything looks uniform. Pull or trim off any thorns and extra leaves, along with any damaged petals. Then, place your flowers in a bucket of water. While they’re submerged, cut the stems at an angle, removing the bottom 2 in (5.1 cm) from each stem. Keep the trimmed flowers in a bucket of cool water until you’re about to arrange them.^{[17]
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- A bridal bouquet should have around 30-60 flowers, while a bridesmaid bouquet only needs 20-40.

11

Build Your Bouquet

Form a square shape with 4 flowers—this serves as the center of the bouquet. Then, layer the additional flowers in a dome shape around the 4 central flowers.^{[18]
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Tie the stems together about 3 to 4 in (7.6 to 10.2 cm) beneath the flower blossoms. Then, slide additional rubber bands or tape down the rest of the bouquet, so the flowers stay in place. For a uniform look, cut off the bottoms of the stems, so they’re all 7 to 8 in (18 to 20 cm) long. Once you’re finished, tie a ribbon around the stems.^{[19]
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12

Use Flower Alternatives

Feathers, parasols, and furs are all great alternatives. A stylish clutch, embroidery hoop, balloons, or lantern are other simple, elegant options to consider. Above all else, pick an accessory that matches your wedding’s theme.^{[20]
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- For an outdoor wedding, you might carry a lantern down the aisle.
- For a sleek, modern wedding, a clutch could be a chic alternative to a bouquet.
- Paper flowers, pomanders, and flower boxes are also excellent alternatives.^{[21]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

What flowers should not be in a wedding bouquet?

Pilar Zuniga
Floral Designer & Owner, Gorgeous and Green
Pilar Zuniga is a Floral Designer and the Owner of Gorgeous and Green, a floral design studio and Certified Green Business based in Oakland, California. Pilar has over ten years of experience in floral design. With a focus on being earth-friendly and supporting local growers, Gorgeous and Green has been featured in Energy Upgrade California, Molly My, Apartment Therapy, 100 Layer Cake, Design Sponge, and Trendy Bride. Her studio provides floral arrangements and gift basket, event and wedding design, and she teaches workshops on flower design and sustainability in her industry. Pilar received a BA in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley in 2001.

Pilar Zuniga

Floral Designer & Owner, Gorgeous and Green

Expert Answer

This can be a very philosophical question. Some people are very in tune to the different meanings of flowers.You can think about the bouquet in terms of simply color and texture, but there are historical meanings to certain flowers. I'm all for going for what appeals to you and what makes you feel good, but consider doing some research on the flowers you are considering to find out more information on their meaning and cultural significance.

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What flowers can I use for a bridal bouquet with a lavender and black theme?

Community Answer

You can begin building your bouquet with lavenders. Black roses are a bit gothic and might not work well for a wedding, so look for a more cheerful alternative. You might want to go with black Calla Lilies (extremely gorgeous with a rare style) or black Dahlias (very beautiful, but the color is actually very dark brown). You can ask a florist to further dye these to a color that suits your taste.

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Should the mother's and bride's bouquets look the same?

Community Answer

They can look similar, but not the same, as the bride should be unique.

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Tips

Keep your wedding venue in mind when choosing your flowers. If your wedding is being held in a park or garden, you might not need as many flowers.^{[22]
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Store your bouquets in the refrigerator until the big day. This way, they’ll stay nice and fresh!^{[23]
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There are no right or wrong choices when selecting flowers for your wedding—it’s your own personal choice. What matters most is picking flowers that fit into your theme and budget.^{[24]
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Expert Source

Pilar Zuniga
Floral Designer & Owner, Gorgeous and Green

Expert Interview. 12 March 2020.}

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Warnings

Check with your friends, relatives, and wedding party to see if they have a pollen allergy. Some flowers, like sunflowers, have more pollen, and may trigger a reaction.^{[25]
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