Popular Wedding Flowers
Roses, lilies, and any kind of white flower are classic wedding blooms; rose bouquets, especially single-color bouquets in white, red or pink are the most traditional of all. Other popular flower choices include:- Gardenias -- fragrant yellow or white blooms.
- Hydrangeas -- large ball-shaped pink or blue flowers.
- Tulips -- in any color you can imagine.
- Stephanotis -- waxy white flowers.
- Lilacs -- fragrant lavender blooms.
Wedding Flowers by Season
Although you can find out-of-season flowers shipped from a distant greenhouse or tropical island at your local florist, since they will be more expensive and less fresh, it's best to find flowers that are in season and, when available, local. Here's a short guide to seasonal flowers:Spring Flowers:
- Lilies of the valley -- bell-shaped white flowers.
- Peonies -- big multi-flowered blooms in white, pink and red.
- Sweet pea blossoms -- pink, purple, and white.
- Violets -- tiny flowers in purple or white; also edible, so a good choice for cakes.
- Magnolias -- a fragrant Southern classic.
- Gardenias -- fragrant, classic white blooms.
- Camellias - white, pink and red.
- Roses -- also edible.
- Lilies -- in a variety of colors.
- Poppies -- usually red, also purple and white.
- Daffodils - sunny yellow blooms that announce spring.
- Forsythia - long branches covered in spiky yellow flowers.
- Anemones -- large, dramatic flowers.
Summer Flowers: (in addition to many spring flowers which are still available)
Autumn Flowers:
Winter flowers:
- Orchids -- many colors.
- Baby's breath -- tiny white flowers.
- Chrysanthemums -- available in every color.
- Pointsettias -- red, signifies the holiday season.
- Alstroemeria -- also known as Peruvian lilies; in many colors.
Typically Southern Flowers:
- Magnolia
- Gardenias
- Freesia
Picking a Florist
Few things can send a bride into a panic like a last-minute cancellation call from a florist admitting there were no pink roses to be had. You want to make sure you find a florist you can trust, and that means ideally meeting candidates in person. Flip through portfolios, gauge the florist's personality, read any reviews you can find and ask about references from former clients.Flowers on your Wedding Cake
Flowers are beautiful decorations for wedding cakes, but be careful; make sure you're using blooms that have not been treated with harmful pesticides. Organic flowers are best for this purpose; let your florist know what you're planning.Another option is edible flowers, often crystallized with sugar. Some edible flowers include:
- Apple blossoms
- Carnations
- Daylilies
- Hibiscus
- Honeysuckle
- Lavender
- Nasturtiums
- Pansies
- Roses
- Violets
Saving Money on Wedding Flowers
You don't have to spend the majority of your wedding budget on flowers to achieve a beautiful effect. Some money-saving tips to keep in mind:- Pick an outdoor setting like a garden or a park that's already bursting with plant life.
- Avoid a wedding date near a major flower-buying holiday like Valentine's Day.
- Stick to in-season flowers; they'll be cheaper as well as fresher.
- Reuse ceremony flowers at your reception.
- A few beautiful flowers can be as powerful as many; bridesmaids can carry single roses, and showy blooms can float in bowls of water.
- Consider alternatives to floral centerpieces.
- You could also borrow, buy or rent potted plants.
North Carolina Florists
Some places to start:Send Your Love Florist and Gifts: (Greensboro) Florist, floral designer and gift shop serving the greater Greensboro area.
University Florist: (Chapel Hill) Provides flowers and arrangements for special events in and near Chapel Hill.
Shady Grove Florist: (Asheville) Florist committed to local and sustainably grown flowers.
Island Florals: (Carolina Beach) Floral design by the sea.
