Your Wedding Flowers – What Are Your Choices?
By Sher Matsen

Your wedding flowers usually tie to your wedding theme. When most of us envision wedding flowers we think of more of the traditional choices but there are literally thousands of flower choices that work very well for wedding bouquets, ceremonies, and receptions. Here are just a few flower variations to get you thinking. We’ve divided them by color to help make it easier to fit them to your theme.

YELLOWS/ORANGES

Dahlia – a late summer and fall bloom known for its wide variety of colors. Very affordable and they work great in centerpieces and bouquets.
Asclepia Beatix – very tiny flowers that throw a lot of punch! A 1” hybrid flower that works well in low arrangements.
Tulip – there are several tulip variants and plenty of color variety. Very affordable and they work great in centerpieces and bouquets.
Ranuculus – a beautiful spring flower but prone to drooping in hot weather. It looks terrific mixed with other flowers.
Chinese Lantern – is known to have 10-15 flowers on a stock so it is excellent for a focal point in centerpieces.
Sandersonia – these little bell shaped flowers work great in boutonnieres, corsages, and in flower girls baskets.
Poppy – Big, beautiful, and very affordable when purchased in its in season, spring. They are definitely an eye catcher!
Black Eyed Susans – The perfect country flower for a country wedding
Sunflower – blooms from late summer to fall and are available in a variety of colors and sizes. Very popular planted in pots.
Snapdragon – a very graceful and elegant flower that works well with simple bouquets and centerpieces. Reasonably priced, blooming in late summer.

WHITES

Flannel Flower – produces spiky star shaped blossoms that are long lasting. Perfect for both bouquets and arrangements.
Chamomile – is a common wild flower that blooms late summer. Very refreshing and great for wreaths, centerpieces, and bouquets.
Stephanotis – this year round flower is affordable and perfect for bouquets and boutonnieres.
Narcissus – blooms late winter early spring. Its fragrant blooms are great for centerpieces.
Cosmos – blooms in spring and summer. Not so impressive on its own but very glamorous when mixed with other flowers.
Snowberry – blooms late fall through December. Produces small pale fruit that works well in winter bouquets.
Dogwood – blooms in spring producing large flowers. Very nice in both bouquets and centerpieces.
Iris – many colors and varieties are available. There are iris choices for all four seasons. Very affordable with large blooms making it perfect for large arrangements.
Miniature Calla Lily – works very well in bouquets and centerpieces. There is a warning attached to this flower – it is poisonous to dogs.

BLUES/PURPLES

Veronica – these tiny spiked flowers add grace and elegance to bouquets and centerpieces. They mix well with round flowers.
Clematis – this vine blooms during summer months and is available in many colors and species varieties. It weaves nicely into wreaths
Celosia – blooms spring through fall producing velvety flowers. Perfect way to add texture to bouquets and centerpieces.
Hyacinth – this fragrant flower works well on its own or in arrangements.
Anemone – blooms September through March producing a variety of bright colors. Perfect for adding some color and cheer to this drabber season.
Frittilaria – these checkered flowers are perfect for small arrangements and bouquets.
Scabiosa – blooms spring through summer producing ruffled flowers. It makes a wonderful addition to bouquets and centerpieces.
Gomphrena - has a thistle type bloom and is very hardy. It won’t wilt so is perfect for bouquets, boutonnieres, and arrangements. Dries nicely too.
Cornflower – adds a nice fresh touch to bouquets and centerpieces.
Allium – these tiny petal flowers will add glamour. They smell like onions so they work best around food areas.

GREENS

Sand Catchfly – looks like miniature hot air balloons. It adds flare and depth to bouquets and centerpieces.
Spider Chrysanthemum – blooms year round so very affordable. Its spidery petal flowers add charm and excitement to bouquets and arrangements.
Benzelia Lanuginosa – Imported from New Zealand so can be a bit pricey. A wonderful exotic addition to all arrangements.
Nigella Pod – available late summer to early fall adding a sculptured accent to centerpieces.
Seeded Eucalyptus – very versatile adding texture to a centerpiece. It can easily be sprayed with metallic spray paint and it dries nicely.
Lady’s Slipper – very expensive but ever so exotic. Perfect for a corsage or bouquet. To pricey for table arrangements.
Solomon’s Seal – the bell shaped flowers work well in casual bouquet and centerpieces. It works well with lilies.
Fern – work well for fillers on bouquets and centerpieces. It presses nicely so also can be used for accenting menus or cards.

PINKS/REDS

Rose Hip – the post blossom fruit of the rose makes great filler for bouquets as well as all arrangements.
Vallota – bloom summer through fall producing 2” flowers shaped like a lily. Their smaller size makes them fit much better into arrangements.
Fringed Gerbera Daisy – these miniature flowers are whimsical and work well in bouquets. They also have a nice touch when floated in a bowl or brandy glass.
Tree Peony – blooms late fall to early winter in New Zealand. Because they are imported they are pricey. However, they certainly stand out and add color to a cooler season wedding.
Astrantia – this is an eye catching bloom that mixes well but stands out.
Cymbidium Orchid – perfect for corsages but also works well in large displays. Nicely scented it works well on table tops or floated in a bowl or glass. Floated in a martini glass adds a real nice touch!
Carousel Illusion Rose – this very large hybrid flower works well in bouquets and arrangements.
Antique Rose – this beautiful rose is very hard to come by and thus extremely pricey. However if you are looking for something romantic and rare this flower is a must have. Add to your bouquet for your own personal joy!
Curcuma – a tropical flower that blooms mid summer. Adds character to a bouquet or arrangement.

Flower choices are endless. I’ve only covered just a handful of what’s available. If your wedding is spring through fall learn what flowers are native to your area. You may be pleasantly surprised at what is available and of course the pricing will be much better on local flowers. If you’re looking for those more exotic flowers then set a budget and start checking early. This will give you an idea of what is available in your budget range. Remember exotic and tropical flower prices can change dramatically in one season depending on availability. You may be able to get a florist to lock into pricing or at least set a guarantee of the maximum price for your future wedding date. Often local florists grow some of the tropicals in their greenhouses to that may also help keep the pricing a little more affordable.

So choose your wedding theme, choose your colors, and then you can start to decide what flowers are right for your wedding. Best Wishes!

© Copyright Sher Matsen, All Rights Reserved.

About the author:
Sher from Estate Jewelry International have been serving customers for over 20 years, providing affordable estate jewelry, and a wealth of information on jewelry, fashion, designers, and beauty with on staff industry professionals. Please visit us at Estate Jewelry International.