Choosing Wedding Flowers by the Season

September 21, 2012

It’s been said that if the bride is the center of attention on her wedding day, the floral arrangements are the accessories that really complete the look. Flowers add life, color and a wonderful aroma to any environment. That said, choosing the right flowers is an important part of planning your wedding.

Between bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, and floral arrangements for the church and reception site, flowers can consume a large part of your wedding budget. One of the easiest ways you can save money in this area is to choose flowers that are in season at the time of the wedding. When you do that, you’ll avoid the exorbitant shipping costs associated with bringing in blooms from out of the country.

To understand all your options, page through bridal magazines, do your research online and check out gardening books to get a feel for what’s out there. After that, a meeting with your local florist is your best resource when it comes to choosing flowers for the big day. To get an idea of what you’re looking for, he or she will ask you questions about your personal style, color preferences and budget. (And here’s a great guide put out by the National Florist Directory, which details the kinds of questions you should be asking as well.)

You can’t go wrong with classic wedding choices. Roses, peony, lily of the valley, hydrangea, orchid and calla lily are all flowers that stand the test of time. But if none of those are your style, or aren’t necessarily available during the time of year when your wedding will take place, use the following as a guide.