The most popular types of wedding flowers range from roses to carnations, depending on the theme of the wedding, the meanings desired, and more.
Have you ever wondered, “When did the brides start to carry flowers as they walked to the altar?”
Without thinking too hard about it, it makes sense to carry such beautiful things on our special day—but it’s much more meaningful than that.
People carry or wear flowers because of what they symbolize. Back in Ancient Rome, different types of wedding flowers were a symbol of fertility, fidelity, and new beginnings. Then we started giving flowers as a romantic gesture.
Combine these two and you have the perfect reason as to why flowers are a big deal in such a romantic ceremony. Flowers now bear a lot of responsibility in modern weddings, so you must choose them with care.
Want to find out which flowers you should use for your occasion? Check out the most popular types of flowers you’ll see at weddings below.
Roses
The ever-classic flowers that are appropriate for any celebration: roses.
They’re a universal symbol for romance, so they have their place in every wedding. They’re classy, elegant, and they say a lot depending on your choice of colors.
White symbolizes purity; red is for passion, while pink stands for grace and sweetness. Any of these are a great choice for a wedding. Brides are even incorporating yellow, blue, and such to bring a livelier atmosphere.
Other than the color, you must also choose the right type of this flower. Some might be more suitable for a bouquet, while others will look perfect in a flower crown.
Old garden roses are popular for bouquets because they’re larger than the common ones. They have a more interesting rosette – it looks fuller because the petals are more defined. They’re rarer, though, and for these reasons, they’re more expensive.
The hybrid tea rose, the kind you see most often, is cheaper and easier to produce. They’re great for table centerpieces and wedding décor.
Sweetheart roses are smaller, which makes them great for boutonnieres and flower crowns. Spray roses are another good choice for centerpieces as they grow in clusters.
Dahlias
Dahlias have different types, but they all have interesting flower forms. Some have tight florets, while some have a more ruffled appearance. Regardless, the one identifying look of dahlias is the countless florets around the central disc.
These flowers can go from small and round to huge and flat. Some dahlias might have long, pointed petals, like the cactus dahlias. Others might have rows upon rows of florets.
They’re popular in fall weddings because their colors suit the aesthetic of this season. They come in different hues of orange and red.
Aside from those, you’ll also find dahlias in pink and purple shades. You won’t be able to find blue varieties, though.
Peonies
Peony is the most sought-out flower at weddings because of its lush, fluffy appearance. It’s in almost every wedding flower checklist. Aside from its beauty, it also symbolizes happiness and prosperity.
This type of flower has rows upon rows of petals, too, but they look all scrunched up together. This creates a soft and charming look that’s perfect for any romantic moment.
They are rather big and rounded, which makes it a great choice for a focal wedding flower. Peonies can play well with other varieties to create a feminine bouquet. A mono-fleur bouquet with only peonies is also a great choice.
They’re crazy expensive, however, and they’re not available year-round. Due to this, some couples plan their wedding to align with the peony season. It’s often only used in the bridal bouquet because of its price, but if you can afford it, having the entourage and tables have peonies will make your occasion a wedding to remember.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are soft, delicate flowers that make them perfect for weddings. They’re pretty versatile; they’re popular in modern, romantic, and rustic weddings.
They’re great on their own because of the voluminous blooms. A single cluster can make for a great centerpiece, but who’s stopping you from going for more?
Brides also put hydrangeas in their wedding bridal bouquets or their entourage. Its circular shape creates a wonderful focal point. If you use hydrangeas as the filler, they make a cute round bouquet.
They usually come in powder blue and white, but they also have different colors. Some are even multi-colored.
Tulips
Tulips are all about grace and femininity, especially the white variety. A bouquet with nothing but tulips looks stunning, so it’s not uncommon for a bride and/or her entourage to carry an all-tulip bouquet with some greens for a fuller look.
They look great combined with other flowers, too, though. Tulips come in pastel and radiant colors, so they’ll work with any theme you have. These flowers are perfect for spring weddings, which is when these flowers bloom in Holland.
Tulips look more formal with closed bulbs and vibrant when open. You’ll most likely see closed tulips in an elegant wedding. Open bulbs are more common in mixed bouquets.
Calla Lilies
Calla lilies have a simple flowering pattern, making it great for minimalist themes. These flowers represent elegance, accentuated by its long straight stems ending with a single petal in a pointed form. They’ll look elegant in any space, even if that’s in a warehouse.
Like tulips, they also work great alone in a bouquet. A cluster of this flower creates a look you can’t replicate with other flowers.
Because of its unique shape, a calla lily might look even better without other flowers. Some might put some leaves or fillers like Baby’s Breath. Still, it’s rare to see this type of flower sharing the attention with others.
Calla lilies often come in white, but there are colors like pink, purple, and yellow, as well.
Phalaenopsis Orchids
If we’re talking about unique, the Orchid family has some distinctive flowers, too.
The Phalaenopsis orchids, in particular, have a beautiful cascading look. A single stem branches out to several flowers one after the other.
That’s why they’re a must-have for cascading-style bouquets.
While they can look great with other flowers, many like the look of a singular stem as a table centerpiece. The result is a sophisticated and elegant look.
It’s rare to see them in huge clusters. That arrangement doesn’t highlight the beauty and uniqueness of the Phalaenopsis. Its long and arching stem with its white, graceful flowers is usually the center of attention wherever it’s placed; it helps that they’re pretty tall, as well.
Anemones
Going for a dramatic look? Anemones are a perfect choice.
The contrast between its crisp, white petals and a dark green or black eye catches the attention of any onlooker.
As such, they’re great for mono-fleur arrangements, as well. They can work great with other flowers. But, if you want the attention to another type of flower, use fewer anemones or don’t use it at all.
They come in many other colors, though, like blue, pink, and purple. These create less contrast, but they look unique and stunning, nonetheless.
Gardenias
Gardenias have that clean, modern look thanks to white color and large petals. Although they look stunning in a bouquet, they shine the brightest when alone.
We’re talking about a single bloom — on the napkin, the hair, or the cake. It also looks perfect in a bowl, floating on top of the water or beads.
This wedding flower is popular for its amazing scent. You should take that into account, though, when putting it on top of each napkin. Some guests might be sensitive to fragrance.
Gerber Daisies
Who says daisies are good for nothing as weeds? Daisies are beautiful flowers, and they have their place at weddings, too.
The term daisy encompasses a wide variety of different flowers. Nonetheless, all of them add a cheerful vibe to weddings. Gerbera daisies, in particular, are the most popular choice, though.
Daisies are available in different colors, so they can work in any theme. You can put them in centerpieces, bouquets, and other wedding decors.
They’re great for vintage and rustic weddings, as well. Daisies look great in rough arrangements and bouquets with wildflowers.
Baby’s Breath
Baby’s breath is the ultimate filler. Its small, delicate flower clusters can make a bouquet look full and airy at the same time. It helps that they’re inexpensive, too.
They’re popular for flower crowns, aisle markers, wedding arches, and more. You can put them everywhere and they’ll create a romantic space in an instant.
They can save you some money by using them instead of having intricate arrangements. Put a few focal flowers if you want, which will make it look like a fuller piece.
But have you ever considered making a bouquet with nothing but baby’s breath?
More and more brides are choosing the simplicity of a pure baby’s breath bouquet. It’s getting more common to see bridesmaids carrying a dainty bouquet of baby’s breath.
Wax Flowers
Wax flowers are a colorful alternative to baby’s breath flowers. They form clusters, too, but their flowers are a bit bigger.
They come in pink, lavender, and yellow, so you can use these instead as fillers for your colorful bouquet. White wax flowers are popular, as well.
A sprig gives off the same “picked-off-the-garden” look, but they have more dimension. As such, they’re perfect for rustic weddings, alone or with other types of wedding flowers.
You can put them in a bouquet, in flower crowns, and anywhere else.
Carnations
Carnation was once a filler flower, but more people are now appreciating its beauty as a focal flower. Their frilly petals can look luxurious in the right arrangements. The look deceives, though, as they’re pretty affordable.
Couples on a budget can replace some of their roses with carnations instead to achieve the same look.
They have a wide range of colors, which make carnations pretty versatile. The lighter colors will work with soft and romantic set-ups, while reds and oranges are perfect for rustic designs. Some varieties are two-toned, creating an intriguing look.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons get their name from its flowers resembling a dragon’s mouth. They even seem to open when squeezed from the side.
They’re a line flower, the term that designers use for flowers with tall stems. Their function is to add height and width to any arrangement. They usually dictate the shape of the bouquet.
Snapdragons are some of the most common ones. They’re not always in a perfect line, though. The tips would often curve, adding another layer of interest to the arrangement.
Snapdragons aren’t only great for adding texture, though. They can stand well on their own in a bouquet or centerpiece. Cut the tips to get a piece that’s perfect for boutonnieres, as well.
Bells of Ireland
Bells of Ireland are another example of a line flower. It has a tall stem, from which clusters of flowers grow. Depending on who you ask, the flower has a shape of a bell or a shell.
This is quite interesting because the flowers are green. They add a unique texture to arrangements, although it’s rare to see them alone.
There’s no shortage of this flower, and it lasts long out of the water, which lends to its popularity to florists. It’s popular for couples, as well, because it represents luck.
Bonus: Succulents
There’s another plant that’s popular in weddings today, though you’re not likely to see them in the flower of the month club boxes. We’re talking about succulents.
While these aren’t flowers, succulents have become popular focal points in bouquets. They provide a unique and refreshing look; perfect for making a statement.
The most popular succulents used in weddings are those with rosette forms. They resemble flowers this way, and they come in various colors, too. Aside from green, you can find purple and even pinkish succulents for bouquets.
The good thing about these plants is that you can care for them for years to come after the wedding. It’s the perfect souvenir, provided you know how to keep them alive. That shouldn’t be too hard, though, as they’re hardy little things.
This is also why they have become popular wedding favors.
Choose the Right Types of Wedding Flowers
Your wedding is the perfect time to surround yourself with all your favorite flowers.
You don’t have to stick with one or two varieties. You can have many different types of wedding flowers on your special occasion.
Don’t stop here, however, as there is more to learn. If you need more tips, check out our blog posts.