Here Are 10 of the Most Popular Wedding Flowers Ever
A wedding isn’t complete without flowers. Floral arrangements soften a banquet hall and create a beautiful space that sets the right tone for a romantic event. What most people planning their weddings don’t realize is that using different kinds of flowers for weddings is an ancient global tradition.
People have used flowers at weddings throughout history to bless the union with the gifts of nature. Most importantly, brides carried bouquets of fragrant flowers, herbs, and other plants to bring good fortune and to ward off bad luck.
While these superstitions may be old-fashioned today, we carry on many of the ancient traditions and give them a modern meaning. Today, the choice of flowers at a wedding also considers the theme and color scheme of the event, the season, budget, and of course – the bride’s favorites. If you’re planning a wedding and looking for inspiration, here is a list of the most popular wedding flowers of all time.
- The Rose
The use and popularity of certain flowers waxes and wanes with time. One that will always be popular for romantic events is the classic rose. The usage of the rose in weddings peaked during the Victorian era. This time was when people believed in the symbolism of flowers, and roses meant “love.” This association may not be as strong as in the past. However, roses still symbolize true and romantic love, making them regular choices for bridal bouquets and table arrangements.
Roses come in nearly any color you can imagine, from deep reddish-black to pure white, and have a lovely aroma. They may not be blooming where you live, but they grow well throughout the seasons in many parts of the world. It’s never too difficult to get the exact color and number of roses for a wedding any time of year.
If the standard rose is a little too stuffy for your event, try the garden rose. Although this variety costs more, it has an open flower head that looks more natural. It’s an excellent choice for a boho or shabby chic wedding without seeming off-trend and austere.
- Dahlias
Like roses, dahlias are bride favorites because of their accessibility and the options you have in terms of size, color and petal-type. For instance, dinner plate dahlias are huge and make a big statement in a bouquet. As for ball dahlias, they are round and compact. Cactus dahlias have spiky leaves. These are just a few of the classifications available that are suitable for most events.
In terms of color, you can find these flowers in every shade under the sun, even black. Some dahlias are multicolored, with striped petals or a contrasting center. Some varieties have petals with an ombre effect.
Dahlias are usually reasonably priced and easy to find during their growing season, typically fall through late spring. Fall is the best season to find the most variety at the best price.
- Peonies
Peonies top the list of most popular wedding flowers because of their romantic look and heady fragrance. The large, ruffled pink and white blooms are stunning in a bouquet or arrangement with a little added greenery.
Many brides choose peonies in a soft pink-to-white shade, perfect for a feminine look. They also come in deeper or brighter shades of pink, magenta, and shades of peach or yellow. The main downside to ordering peonies for a wedding is the price. The growing season is short, so getting peonies out of the season is difficult and costly. For the bride with a larger budget for flower bouquets and arrangements, this is a perfect choice.
- Ranunculus
The ranunculus is perpetually in favor in wedding bouquets and arrangements. Florists love these blooms for their hardiness. They hold up well in flower bouquets and boutonnieres and can take much abuse before they crumble or fall apart. In other words – they’re the perfect party flower.
These types of flowers are also great accent pieces. They add a little natural flair to an arrangement. They also slightly resemble peonies, so choose ranunculus if you love peonies but can’t afford them or get them out of season. The blooms are round with ruffly petals that are often tightly packed, but some are more open. You can find ranunculus during the winter and spring seasons.
- Lilies
Lilies are a timeless group of blooms for weddings. You can hardly go wrong selecting from this group of flowers that range from the austere and elegant white calla lily to the ostentatious and fragrant pink and white stargazer lily.
The versatility of lilies is one reason they’re so popular – there’s one for virtually any theme. A simple bunch of long-stemmed calla lilies needs no other accompaniment for an elegant wedding. A bouquet of several different lilies in a few colors is a playful choice for a bride making a statement.
Lilies are also easy to find and reasonably priced. Some types of flowers grow year-round, but they also have overlapping seasons. If you have your heart set on lilies, you can always find at least a few varieties available, no matter when your wedding is being held.
- Lily of the Valley
Despite the name, this is not a true lily and belongs in a separate category of wedding flowers. Lily of the valley is actually related to asparagus. Gardeners use it as a groundcover in shady spots. The low plants bloom in spring with sprays of delicate, white, bell-shaped flowers that smell divine.
A simple bouquet of lily of the valley flowers nestled in their dark green leaves is a perennial favorite but best used in spring. It’s especially popular with royals. Several members of the British royal family and others chose this flower for their big days.
- Hydrangea
Hydrangea flowers are small and grow in dense clumps that give a bridal bouquet a soft, rounded look. Choose this flower if you want a feminine, romantic tone and if you want to save money. In season, which is summer, hydrangea is readily available and inexpensive.
You can find hydrangea in a few different colors, including pale and deep blue and both pale pink and deep magenta. This variety is also a good choice if you have a green color scheme. Not many flowers come in green, but there is a green hydrangea that fades to white.
- Orchids
The popularity of using orchids as wedding flowers has varied over time. Currently, they are seeing a strong resurgence. Orchids lend an exotic feel to wedding décor, but they can also be versatile. You can create a simple, elegant bouquet with solid white orchids, for instance. You can also find this flower in wild colors, like deep purple, black, and chartreuse green.
You can find orchids available year-round and are not too expensive, depending on the variety you choose. Some of the rarer types will be costly. Orchids can also be budget-friendly because they make a strong statement in small numbers. You don’t need huge arrangements of these striking blooms to create a beautiful table.
- Anemone
The anemone is another striking flower that florists often use alone or with few accompaniments. A popular type has delicate white petals offset by a dark center. Although they stand alone, anemones also mix well with other flowers.
The classic black and white anemone is perfect for a simple color palette and an elegant wedding. Still, these flowers also come in many other colors: bright red, deep purple, pale pink, deep burgundy, coral, and more.
You’ll find anemones primarily available in winter and spring when they are reasonably priced. They tend to be more delicate than other flowers, so bear in mind they may wilt on a hot wedding day. They may also crush easily if not handled carefully.
- Sweet Peas
This is another delicate flower, but one that is worth the risk if you’re looking for something natural and feminine. The ruffled, small flowers are so pretty and different from any other bridal flower. They don’t compete well with other, showier blossoms but look beautiful in simple arrangements with or without added greenery.
You can find sweet pea mostly in winter and spring. They come in various shades but are most prized for the soft pastel colors: white, cream, lavender, and pale pink. The deep red variety is stunning and unexpected, while the electric blue sweet pea adds a splash of color to a white backdrop.
In addition to the beautiful bouquet of flowers and feminine arrangements you can make with sweet pea flowers, brides also treasure them for their aroma. The smell is intensely sweet. If you don’t want the fragrance to compete with dinner, though, restrict sweet pea to the bouquets and leave them out of table arrangements.
The choice of wedding flowers is important. They set a tone and either add to or take away from a bride’s chosen theme. Use this list as inspiration, but also talk to an experienced florist. They can help you select the best flowers for your vision and your budget.