A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO SEASONAL WEDDING FLOWERS IN THE UK

Whether you are a flower enthusiast or just beginning to delve into the world of wedding planning, understanding the seasonality of flowers can significantly enhance your wedding flower arrangements. Seasonal flowers not only offer the freshest and most vibrant blooms but also contribute to a more sustainable and cost-effective wedding. In this guide, we'll explore the exquisite choices of flowers available during each season in the UK, along with expert tips and budget considerations.

The Value of Seasonal Flowers

Before delving into specific flowers, it's crucial to address the misconception that seasonal flowers equate to lower costs. Choosing local, in-season flowers can lead to savings by eliminating travel miles and reducing shipping costs. Therefore, by opting for seasonal and local blooms, couples can achieve both aesthetic excellence and sustainability.

Spring Wedding Flowers

Spring is a magnificent season for weddings, offering a bounty of stunning flowers, including peonies, lilacs, tulips, and garden roses. Floral experts unanimously agree that spring provides an array of choices, especially with the emergence of bulb flowers.

March

Daffodil: Symbolizing the arrival of spring, daffodils in yellow and white exude sunny vibes. Legend suggests avoiding a single daffodil in a boutonniere for good luck.

Tulip: Versatile tulips come in various colours, symbolizing perfect love and adding a vibrant touch to arrangements.

Flowering Branches and Shrubs: Highlight spring with spirea, quince, cherry blossom, and more, offering texture, height, and pops of colour.

Other flowers: Marigolds, Carnations, Lily of the Valley, Queen Anne’s Lace, Paphiopedilum Orchids: Welcome spring with classic blooms like carnations and the delicate Lily of the Valley.

April

Sweet Pea: Delicate and textured, sweet peas in shades of pink, blue, white, purple, and red add movement and beauty to bouquets.

Lilac: With a short blooming season, lilacs in pale and dark purple, as well as white, bring fragrance and fleeting elegance.

Lily of the Valley: Known for its presence in Kate Middleton's bouquet, these delicate bell-shaped blooms are timeless.

Additional flowers: Spray Carnations, Forget-Me-Nots, Genistas, Oncidium Orchids, Ranunculus: As temperatures rise, explore the vibrant colours of spray carnations and the tiny flowers of forget-me-nots.

May

Peony: Fluffy and fragrant, peonies are a springtime favourite, though they come with a price tag ranging from £9 to £20 per stem.

Pieris Japonica: Also known as andromeda, this shrub with urn-shaped blooms adds texture and depth to arrangements.

Iris: Versatile irises in a spectrum of colours complement any palette.

Additional flowers: Stock, Sweet Peas, Viburnum Opulus, Scabiosa, Queen Anne's Lace, Phlox: As spring progresses, indulge in the fragrant blooms of peonies and sweet peas.

Summer Wedding Flowers

Summer weddings in the UK are characterized by long, warm days and a variety of flower choices. Considerations for flowers that withstand heat become essential, especially for bouquets and boutonnieres.

June

Garden Rose: Often mistaken for peonies, garden roses with more petals and unique shapes provide a burst of colour and fresh scent.

Hydrangea: Versatile hydrangeas in white, blush, blue, purple, and green add volume to arrangements but require ample hydration.

Clematis: Buttercup-shaped flowers in pink, white, red, purple, blue, and bi-colour options offer versatility in arrangement styles.

Additional flowers: Dahlias, Zinnias, Snapdragons, Veronica, Sweet William, Solidago, Roses: Embrace the summer with the bold hues of dahlias and the playful petals of zinnias.

July

Cosmos: Star-shaped and wispy, cosmos in white, pink, yellow, maroon, and orange bring a touch of whimsy to summer arrangements.

Delphinium: Available in bold shades like blue, purple, white, and sometimes yellow, delphinium adds height and colour.

Foxglove: Tall stems with bell-shaped flowers in red, pink, yellow, white, and purple offer height and vibrancy.

August

Zinnia: Symbolising friendship and thoughtfulness, zinnias in pink, burgundy, yellow, orange, and green are suitable for various arrangements.

Fruiting Branches: Blueberries and other fruiting branches add unexpected texture and vibrancy to bouquets, boutonnieres, or centerpieces.

Autumn Wedding Flowers

Autumn weddings in the UK are characterised by mild temperatures, spectacular foliage, and an abundance of in-season flowers. The season's stars include dahlias, Japanese anemone, and various foliage.

September

Dahlia: Fall's favourite flower, dahlias in various shapes and colours make a statement.

Japanese Anemone: Petite flowers in white, pink, and purple add cheerfulness to fall arrangements.

Foliage: Various foliage options provide colour and movement.

October

Chrysanthemum: Florist-quality chrysanthemums in colours like yellow, rust, burgundy, white, and orange are affordable fillers.

Hanging Amaranthus: Ideal for overhead installations, this textural greenery in burgundy, green, and rust adds movement and elegance.

November

Moluccella (Bells of Ireland): Eye-catching with bell-like flowers, Moluccella is ideal for bouquets and provides a touch of greenery.

Gomphrena: Easily dried, gomphrena in various colours serves as excellent filler for decorations or arrangements.

Winter Wedding Flowers

Winter weddings in the UK offer surprising options, from the traditional amaryllis and ranunculus to the unique beauty of hellebores and winter camellias.

December

Poinsettias: Perfect for Christmas-themed weddings, poinsettias with red and green foliage bring festive elegance.

Hellebores: Available in various colours, including mauve, eggplant, green, burgundy, and beige, hellebores add winter tones and texture.

Winter Camellias: Evergreen shrubs with paper-like petals offer unique blooms for winter weddings.

January

Hyacinths, Chrysanthemums, Tulips, Phalaenopsis Orchids, Cymbidium Orchids: Embrace the cold with a variety of blooms, from the fragrant hyacinths to the vibrant sunflowers.

February

Anemone, Delphiniums, Banksia, Bottlebrush, Calla Lilies, Roses, Lilac, Lisianthus, Protea, Narcissus: Plan ahead for Valentine's Day with red roses and delicate anemones.

Choosing seasonal wedding flowers in the UK can be a delightful and rewarding experience. From the freshness of spring blooms to the warmth of summer flowers, the rich colours of fall, and the unexpected beauty of winter blossoms, each season offers a unique palette for couples to create their dream wedding arrangements.

Remember to consult with your florist, consider your wedding theme and colour scheme, and factor in your budget when selecting flowers. By embracing the natural beauty of each season, you not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your wedding but also contribute to a sustainable and eco-friendly celebration. Happy wedding planning!