Flowers are a key part of every wedding, adding beauty, fragrance and style to the venue and your celebrations as a whole. A lot of thought will go intochoosing your wedding flowers, and the biggest decision will be which particular blooms to use, as well as what style of flower arrangements, from bridal bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres to table centerpieces and even your wedding cake. To help you narrow down your options, here is a rundown of the ten most popular wedding flowers with our customers, which have remained timeless, and will hopefully inspire your selection.
Most popular wedding flowers
1. Roses
Asymbol of beauty and love, roses are arguably the most popular wedding flower, with around 120 varieties in many colours to choose from, including solid hues, bicolours and even striped roses. Classic roses have tightly cupped blooms with overlapping petals, while garden roses have a denser petal count. You can also get smaller spray roses which are perfect for fillers and other small arrangements.
Roses can be arranged in many styles. For example, you can create a beautiful bridal bouquet with soft white roses, alongside classic flowers like lilac or white freesias, or for something a little unexpected, add a dramatic darker element such as leafy foliage or twigs. Large, fluffy, multi-petaled varieties are ideal for floral showstoppers and wedding centrepieces, while smaller ones add a delicate touch to any arrangement.
2. Peonies
Cultivated in Asia for over a thousand years, peonies are highly sought after by brides due to their fluffy romantic shape, strong scent, and vibrant colours. There are two types — the herbaceous and the tree peony, the latter of which has woody stems that stay above ground all year, while the stems of the herbaceous die each winter. And despite being one of the most expensive flowers, they’re still a firm favourite, and a gorgeous bouquet can be made using only peonies as they make such a strong impact. A classic posy design with clean lines works wonderfully, though you could also pair them with roses for a more traditional affair.
3. Dahlias
Dahlias have symmetrical round heads and fluffy manes, and their rounded, unusually pointed petals can create a dramatic statement. Dahlias are available in every colour imaginable throughout summer, including the popular café au lait variety which is a pale coffee brown colour. Some species also have striped petals, or tips in a different hue to the rest of the flower, which will draw immediate interest to your bouquets.
For a simple, elegant look, pair white dahlias with a loose bundle of greenery, or create a bolder look using café au lait dahlias, pink and burgundy tulips and different fillers such as baby’s ferns and Queen Anne’s lace. Orange, red and pink dahlias complement each other beautifully, and add a classy pop of colour when blended with darker blooms such as chocolate cosmos.
4. Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas have a fluffy, cloud-like head in intense shades of pink, blue, burgundy and purple. One of the most popular varieties changes colour from bubblegum pink to sky blue as it grows. They’re very versatile and can be used in any bouquet style, from romantic and formal to whimsical and modern. What’s more, you can source them all year round, they’re moderately priced, and you’ll only need a few as they’re so voluminous. The only possible drawback is that they are scentless unless you reach for the lovely Annabelle Hydrangeas. Pale pink hydrangeas exude femininity and elegance, while white ones are great for a clean, minimal arrangement, and can also work well in a large round arrangements.
5. Ranunculus
A relative of the buttercup, this popular wedding flower originates from Europe and South East Asia, and is delicate with beautiful ruffles of tissue-thin layered petals, and a mild scent. Ranunculi symbolise charm and beauty, and during Victorian times, people would give them to the person they were attracted to. The fern-like foliage adds movement and wildness, and is most commonly used as an accent in wedding bouquets. Pastel shades are especially romantic when combined with garden roses, dahlias and seeded eucalyptus, or the flowers’ vibrant tones can add bold splashes of colour to a bouquet.
6. Orchids
Although they are best known as common houseplants, orchids are a popular wedding flower. Timeless and exotic, they make a fresh focal point of any arrangement, and are available in many different colours and sizes. The most common variety is the moth orchid, which has a fluttering appearance resembling the wings of its namesake insect. A bridal bouquet made entirely of white orchids exudes elegance or, for the opposite effect, try a moody and dramatic arrangement of cascading mini orchids arranged with velvety roses, chocolate cosmos, ranunculus and amaranthus.
7. Tulips
The national flower of the Netherlands, tulips are available most of the year, and have oblong-shaped petals which can be found in many hues, including white, pastel, magenta, red, orange and purple. Standard tulips are sleek, with one bloom per stem, and a unique cupped and starred shape. Dutch, French and parrot tulips are common and affordable, while rarer species will cost more. You can create a variety of looks with tulips, and they are as gorgeous in isolation as they are with other blooms. For example, mixing them with fresh yellow daffodils creates a bouquet with a lovely summertime feel.
8. Sweet peas
Sweet peas were brought to England from Sicily in 1699, and over in France, the flower was believed to be a good omen. Their sweet, candy-like scent, ruffled blossoms and almost translucent petals makes them a popular wedding flower, signifying lasting pleasure while oozing romance, fun and cheer. Sweet peas range in colour from white and intense pink and purple, to burgundy and blue, and even fancier bicolour varieties.
Sweet peas look lovely alone in a bouquet, and can also add texture and lightness to other flowers. For instance, a cluster of sweet peas tied with silk ribbon creates a romantic, feminine bridal look, while pairing them with calla lilies is very visually striking. As sweet peas are a spring flower, you might want to use them with other seasonal blooms, such as hellebores, hyacinths, ranunculus, lilacs and delphinium, in soft shades of blue and purple.
9. Calla lily
This elegant trumpet-shaped flower originates from Africa and symbolises magnificent beauty. Calla lilies are eye-catching, charming and beautifully enhance any bouquet, especially for spring and summer weddings. Types of calla lily range from those with large heads and long, smooth stems, to a miniature version, which is ideal for smaller floral arrangements. Creamy ivory and white are the most common colours, but varieties can also be found in yellow, orange, mauve pink and dark purple. Calla lilies look pretty in a single colour or among a mixed bunch — white combined with fresh greenery creates a pure, natural arrangement, while red or purple calla lilies also make for an opulent bouquet.
10. Anemones
Known for their pretty, delicate petals and bold, dark centres, anemones are an uplifting bloom, and a great way to add colour and personality to your wedding bouquet. The most common varieties have bright white petals and jet black centers, but they can also be found in blush pink, cherry red, burgundy, and even bright blue. Mix traditional white and black anemones with burgundy-leaved foliage for a daring look, or combine them with fresh greenery for a more natural looking bouquet. For a dash of colour, purpley pink anemones complemented by yellow-centered poppies are the perfect combination for a summer wedding.
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