Your Complete Guide to Wedding Flowers

These flowers have small, bright blooms that grow in clusters and often have freckled petals. They’re best used as a backdrop to primary flowers (but make a lovely and cost-effective bouquet). 

Season: year-round

Colors: white, yellow, orange, pink, red, lavender, purple, flecked

Scent: none

Cost: $

Inspiration: The size and structure of this bloom are ideal for a boutonniere, and the subtle patterns on the petals are enough to be noticed but still fly under the radar.

See more alstroemeria photos from real weddings.

Brides desiring maximum impact may choose this impressive flower, which features two to five large, trumpet-shaped blossoms that open in succession at the top of its extra-long stalk. Grown from a bulb, the amaryllis originated in the tropical rainforests of Africa and South America and is now available in white, pale yellow, pale green, pink, salmon and red. Very rare and expensive, these flowers are long-lasting and offer a lot of drama with just a few stems.

Season: November–April

Colors: white, yellow, green, pink, red, burgundy

Scent: none (belladonna variety has a mild sweet fragrance)

Meaning: splendid beauty, pride

Cost: $$

Inspiration: The light pink hue is a true coral color, making it the perfect addition to a pretty summer wedding bouquet.

See more amaryllis photos from real weddings.

Greek mythology has two legends about the anemone. These jewel-toned flowers were said to have sprung up from the blood that was shed by Aphrodite’s lover, Adonis, when he died. The ancient Greeks also believed that Zephyrus, the god of the west wind, favored the bloom, hence its other name: windflower. Though unscented, this relative of the peony and ranunculus is sought after for its vibrant magenta, red and purple hues. Just a few bright blooms breathe color into bouquets and arrangements.

Season: November–May; primarily spring

Colors: white, pink, purple, magenta, burgundy

Scent: none

Meaning: expectation

Cost: $$

Inspiration: Planning a black and white wedding? You’ll have white blooms a plenty, but there are very few black varieties. Look to white anemones with black centers for some contrast in your florals.

See more anemone photos from real weddings. 

Glamorous Weddings

Awe-inspiring from grand displays down to gilded accents

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Still Deciding?

Take your time! There are so many gorgeous themes

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Rustic Weddings

Down-to-earth with organic elements and personal touches

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Modern Weddings

Simple-yet-sophisticated with playful nods and unique accents

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Romantic Weddings

Flowy, feminine and just what love’s made of with a luxe look

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Glamorous Weddings

Awe-inspiring from grand displays down to gilded accents

See More Glamorous

Still Deciding?

Take your time! There are so many gorgeous themes

See All Themes

Rustic Weddings

Down-to-earth with organic elements and personal touches

See More Rustic

Modern Weddings

Simple-yet-sophisticated with playful nods and unique accents

See More Modern

Romantic Weddings

Flowy, feminine and just what love’s made of with a luxe look

See More Romantic

Glamorous Weddings

Awe-inspiring from grand displays down to gilded accents

See More Glamorous

Still Deciding?

Take your time! There are so many gorgeous themes

See All Themes

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This flower is perfect for fleshing out a classic wedding bouquet or arrangement. It has clusters of small, star-shaped blossoms bursting from a leafy green stem and is very delicate.

Season: year-round

Colors: white, peach, pink, red

Scent: faint

Meaning: enthusiasm

Cost: $

Inspiration: If you like bouvardia, supplement with some stephanotis blooms as well. They share a similar structure, but vary just enough to catch your eye.

Also known as the arum lily, this trumpet-shaped blossom originated in Africa and symbolized “magnificent beauty” to the Victorians. Two types are commonly available: one with a large head and a long, smooth stem, suitable for tall arrangements or presentation bouquets; and a miniature version ideal for nosegays and boutonnieres.

Season: year-round, winter to late spring is the peak

Colors: ivory, yellow, orange, light pink, dark pink, red, dark burgundy

Scent: none

Meaning: ardor, magnificent beauty, feminine, modesty

Cost: $

Inspiration: Calla lilys have a sturdy, strong stem. Consider using them to add height and additional structure to tall centerpieces.

See more calla lily photos from real weddings.

A symbol of loveliness and beauty, this multipetaled relative of the tea plant was originally from China. The flower had a notable role in Verdi’s opera La Traviata, which he adapted from the play The Lady of the Camellias. In the story a courtesan named Violetta always wore a white camellia, except for the few days of the month when she was “not available” and donned a red camellia instead. 

Season: late winter to early spring, fall

Colors: white, cream, pink, red

Scent: mild, sweet

Meaning: excellence, beauty, perfected loveliness, contentment

Cost: $$

Inspiration: Think of camellia’s as a cross between ranunculus and peonies. In other words, it’s great swap for out-of-season stems.

Don’t turn up your nose at the common carnation—this long-lasting flower is full of possibilities for weddings. The ruffled-heads look offers an inexpensive way to bring lushness and color to bouquets and arrangements. When massed, they also make a pretty bouquet of their own.

Carnations have a long history; they were reportedly used to make ceremonial crowns in ancient Greece, and they were on hand at the wedding of Maximilian of Austria, the emperor of Mexico (1864–67), symbolizing marital bliss. Today, more than 300 species (in large, single blooms and miniature spray varieties) are available.

Season: year-round

Colors: white, yellow, apricot, pale pink, dark pink, red, burgundy, also bicolors and flecked

Scent: spicy, clove-like

Meaning: admiration, fascination, strong and pure love, unfading beauty

Cost: $

Inspiration: Flower walls and stand-out arrangements call for hardy and long-lasting blooms, which are two things carnations are known for.

See more carnation photos from real weddings. 

About a thousand varieties of long-lasting, versatile mums can be found in single blossoms or sprays. The mum has been cultivated in the Far East for more than 2,500 years, even making appearances in the writings of Confucius. What it lacks in sweet perfume, it makes up for in a range of bold colors.

Season: year-round, peak in late summer and fall

Colors: white, yellow, green, orange, russet, red, burgundy

Scent: strong, musky

Meaning: cheerfulness, optimism, long life, joy

Cost: $

Inspiration: When arranged en masse, small flowers have a striking effect. Decorate your aisle with pomanders of button chrysanthemums to give your guests some eye candy as they shuffle into their ceremony seats.

See more chrysanthemum photos from real weddings.

Named the coxcomb due to its resemblance to a rooster, this vibrant flower is sure to make a statement. Coming in a variety of colors, it looks brilliant when cut short and used as a centerpiece. 

Season: late summer to late fall

Colors: yellow, green, orange, pink, crimson

Scent: none

Cost: $

Inspiration: Paired with dahlias and garden roses, these three flowers with their unique architectural components create eye-catching centerpieces.

See more coxcomb photos from real weddings. 

In medieval lore, it was believed that a girl who placed a cornflower beneath her skirt could have any bachelor she desired—which is perhaps how the flower acquired its other name, bachelor’s button. An inexpensive choice appropriate for a casual wedding, the cornflower comes in white, pink, dark magenta and, most commonly, blue, with feathery blue-gray foliage. Its button head and colorful legend make it a charming boutonniere flower for groomsmen.

Season: summer to early fall

Colors: white, pink, blue

Scent: none

Meaning: delicacy, felicity

Cost: $$

Inspiration: Offset bigger headed blooms like peonies and garden roses with small additions of cornflowers in centerpieces and bouquets.

Brides hoping to capture the look of a summer garden in full bloom would succeed with cosmos. This daisylike flower grows in shades of pink and magenta on long stems with feathery foliage. A striking chocolate color is also available and can be used to create rich, late-summer arrangements.

Season: mid summer–fall

Colors: white, pale pink, dark pink, chocolate

Scent: none

Meaning: modesty

Cost: $$

Inspiration: For a little twist on traditional daisies, look to cosmos to offer a modern-looking aesthetic.

Shakespeare and Wordsworth both created rhapsodies about this humble bulb flower. Perhaps it is so well liked since its merry yellow bloom is one of the first to appear after winter’s frost subsides. The daffodil (and members of its family, including the narcissus and the jonquil) is a flower of true variety—blooms can be single or multiple, with large or small cups, in solid colors or in combinations of white and yellow with touches of orange. 

Season: November–April

Colors: white, yellow, apricot, orange

Scent: clean, sweet or none, paperwhite narcissus has a very strong scent

Meaning: regard, respect, chivalry, gracefulness

Cost: $$

Inspiration: We love the look of bright, sunny orange and yellow arrangements. Add daffodils into the mix with ranunculus for a summer-ready bridal bouquet.

See more daffodil photos from real weddings.

These bold, bushy flowers have a history as dramatic as their appearance. Conquistadors found the dahlia in the gardens of the Aztecs and caused a sensation when they brought the flower back to Europe. As the dahlia gained popularity, the pursuit of its potatolike tubers was conducted with intrigue and deception—dahlia tubers were reportedly stolen even from the garden of the Empress Josephine.

Season: summer–early fall

Colors: white, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple

Scent: spicy

Meaning: gratitude, dignity, forever thine

Cost: $

Inspiration: Look no further for the perfect fall bloom. Arrange with globe thistle, scabiosa pods and Queen Anne’s lace for a whimsical, un-done bouquet.

See more dahlia photos from real weddings. 

You may find the daisy a fitting flower for your wedding if you plucked its white petals in a game of “he loves me, he loves me not” as a child. Generally available year-around, the affordable daisy is a lovely and whimsical flower for a casual wedding.

Season: summer–early fall

Colors: white

Scent: none to faint

Meaning: innocence, simplicity, I share your sentiments

Cost: $

Inspiration: Is there anything more cheerful than a vaseful of daisies? We think not.

See more daisy photos from real weddings.

A classic in English cottage flower beds, the delphinium has towering spires and clustered florets. The delphinium and its sister, the larkspur, lend a country-garden feel to wedding arrangements while adding height and drama. Delphiniums can be found year-round, but most colors are at their peak from summer to early fall.

Season: year-round, peak June–October

Colors: white, pink, lavender, purple, blue

Scent: none

Meaning: well-being, sweetness

Cost: $$

Inspiration: If you’re a fan of monochromatic color pairings, look no further than the vivid blue delphinium—it’s the perfect addition to powder blue hydrangeas, tweedier or thistle.

See more delphinium photos from real weddings.

Widely available, this flower shouldn’t be overlooked just because it’s fairly common; its versatility and wide range of colors make it a wonderful flower at weddings. Dutch tulips have shorter stems and smaller blossoms than the French tulip.

Season: November–May

Colors: white, yellow, orange, pale pink, dark pink, red, purple

Scent: none to mild, sweet scent

Meaning: declaration of love, honest, happy years, memory

Cost: $$

Inspiration: Tulips are classic, but that doesn’t mean your arrangements have to be—mix in some statement details like pheasant feathers for an edgier look.

See more tulip photos from real weddings.

A favorite of perfumers for its fresh, fruity scent, freesia packs a lot of fragrance in just a few blossoms. A couple of stems are all it takes to make a sweet-smelling bouquet. The green buds clustered along the thin, arched stem open gradually into delicate flowers.

Season: year-round

Colors: most colors are available, except for blue

Scent: very sweet, almost fruity

Meaning: innocence

Cost: $

Inspiration: Freesia’s lengthy stock of blooms is the perfect structure to add a little height to a petite bouquet.

See more freesia photos from real weddings.

Large, tapered heads spring from graceful stems in this elegant tulip variety. The extra-long stems can be 12 inches or longer, making the French tulip a natural for presentation bouquets or tall centerpieces. More expensive than the Dutch variety, the French tulip is most often seen in cream, soft pink and yellow pastels.

Season: November–May

Colors: ivory, pale yellow, pink

Scent: none

Cost: $

Inspiration: We love the look of low, boxed centerpieces filled with tall tulips and wide succulents.

See more tulip photos from real weddings.

Surrounded by waxy, dark green leaves, the exquisite gardenia exudes a heavy and sultry scent. It’s intoxicating fragrance once captivated an English sea captain traveling through South Africa in 1754, prompting him to bring home one of the native plants as a souvenir. But the delicate, creamy ivory petals of this expensive flower can bruise easily, so handle with care. Fragrant gardenias have many uses—carry a few as a posy, wear one as a corsage, or float a few in a low bowl for a minimalist centerpiece. Large three-to four-inch blossoms, as well as a miniature variety, are available.

Season: year-round

Colors: ivory

Scent: very fragrant perfume

Meaning: transport of joy, ecstasy, I love you in secret, purity, peace

Cost: $

Inspiration: Looking for an elegant bloom to accessorize your bridal updo? A couple gardenias paired together look bridal and beautiful.

See more gardenia photos from real weddings.

This graphic flower is so flawless in its form that it almost doesn’t look real. Grown in the hottest climates of Asia and Africa, the gerbera is a year-round gem that comes in a crayon-box array of colors—nearly 350 intense shades are available, including bright orange, pink, red, yellow and burgundy.

Season: year-round

Colors: white, yellow, orange, pale pink, dark pink, red

Scent: none

Meaning: needing protection, friendship

Cost: $

Inspiration: Decorate your cake with a few fresh daisies to give it some springtime vibes.

See more gerbera daisy photos from real weddings. 

Standing tall and proud, the gladiolus has a spiky stem with large florets that open in succession; miniature varieties with fewer florets are also available. Full stems can be used to add height to arrangements, while the individual florets make lovely boutonnieres. The flower’s name is derived from the Latin word for sword, gladius, after the shape of its leaves.

Season: year-round, peak during summer

Colors: white, yellow, green, apricot, orange, pale pink, dark pink, red, lavender, purple

Scent: none

Meaning: generosity, strength of character, you pierce my heart

Cost: $

Inspiration: To create a grand, glamorous effect, style gladiolus stems with tall curly willow branches.

While technically not of the lily family (it grows on a climbing vine, not from a bulb), this flower’s refluxed petals and stamens bear a resemblance to those of actual lilies. Generally pinkish red and tipped with yellow, the gloriosa, or Rothschild lily, adds a tropical punch to bouquets and arrangements.

Season: year-round

Colors: red with yellow edges

Scent: none

Cost: $$

Inspiration: The interesting shape of these flowers make for a totally unique boutionere. 

See more lily photos from real weddings. 

Grape hyacinth gets its name from the shape of its flower and perhaps from its mild, sweet scent. Its cone-shape resembles a miniature bunch of grapes perched upside down on a slender green stem. Sometimes called muscari, grape hyacinth is available in greenish white but is most often seen in a pretty purplish blue. This springtime bulb flower can be expensive, so it is best used as an accent or massed in small bunches.

Season: November–May

Colors: white-green, blue-purple

Scent: sweet, like grapes or candy

Meaning: usefulness

Cost: $$

Inspiration: The size and shape (and smell!) of these stems are great for a personalized boutonniere—add a fern or silver dollar eucalyptus for a little greenery.

See more hyacinth photos from real weddings. 

In ancient mythology Hyacinthus was a figure in a tale of tragic love. Today, we know this stocky bulb flower as a fragrant signature of spring. The hyacinth’s scent is strong, so only a few flowers are needed to make their presence known in centerpieces or arrangements.

Season: November–May

Colors: white, yellow, peach, pale pink, fuchsia, lavender, purple, blue

Scent: very sweet, stronger as florets open

Meaning: benevolence, play

Cost: $

Inspiration: Clusters of this colorful flower add an interesting architecture and shape to traditional bouquets.

See more hyacinth photos from real weddings. 

With its big, bushy head and intense colors, a stem or two of this moderately priced, scentless shrub flower helps fill out arrangements and bouquets. Hydrangea is most popular in shades of bubble-gum pink, white and sky blue.

Season: July–November

Colors: white, green, pink, burgundy, purple, blue

Scent: none

Meaning: devotion, remembrance, boastfulness

Cost: $$

Inspiration: Hydrangea’s large floral head makes it the perfect bloom to span garlands the length of a table runner, cover big arches or cascade down tiers of a grand cake.

See more hydrangea photos from real weddings. 

This unusually shaped flower has been admired by many throughout history. Ancient Greeks associated it with their gods, and ancient Egyptians linked it to their pharaohs; to the medieval Europeans, it signified chivalry and served as a model for the French fleur-de-lis symbol. Painters like Monet and Van Gogh were captivated by its appearance too. Myth and majesty aside, the three most common varieties are the Dutch iris, the graceful Siberian iris, and the large “bearded” iris, all grown in numerous shades of white, yellow and purple.

Season: year-round, peak in spring and early summer

Colors: white, yellow, purple

Scent: none to sweet depending on variety

Meaning: message, eloquence, my compliments, promise

Cost: $$

Inspiration: We love the edgier vibe from the stark contrast of deep purple and bright yellow. Incorporate it into your dessert display for an attention-grabbing presentation.

See more iris photos from real weddings. 

Their fresh, perfume-like scent is unmistakable, and it’s hard to believe such a delicious fragrance can come from such tiny flowers. With its bell-shaped florets dangling from a thin stem, the lily of the valley is sometimes called “the ladder to heaven.” In Norse mythology, the flower is linked to Ostara, the goddess of springtime, and while most plentiful during this season, it remains available—and expensive—year-round. Though most people only know of the white lily of the valley, a very rare rosy pink variety exists too.

Season: available year-round in limited quantities, peak in spring

Colors: white, pale pink (rare)

Scent: very fragrant perfume

Meaning: return to happiness, delicacy

Cost: $

Inspiration: Royals (like Kate Middleton) have been known to walk down the aisle with a sweet and simple bouquet of lily of the valley. Follow suite with tradition, or add a few of your favorite stems into the mix.

See more lily of the valley photos from real weddings. 

This cupped flower somewhat resembles a rose or ranunculus that’s missing a few petals. Lisianthus boasts multiple blossoms and buds on a single stem and has a slight peppery scent. Its wide range of colors make it an excellent choice as a secondary flower for bouquets and arrangements.

Season: year-round

Colors: white, cream, pale green, peach, pink, lavender, purple

Scent: none

Meaning: showiness

Cost: $

Inspiration: If you like roses, you’ll love lisianthus. Their rose petal-like structure and size is identical, but their open centers show off a little bit more color with the yellow and green pollen.

See more lisianthus photos from real weddings.

Sexy and exquisitely gorgeous, the orchid is a star at any wedding. Thousands of species are cultivated worldwide, which means there is an orchid for every type of bride. A full spray of orchids can be used in bouquets and arrangements, or a simple blossom can be plucked to make an exotic boutonniere.

The main types of orchids commonly used at weddings: cymbidium (usually green; popular, yet expensive; durable yet perishable in cold temperatures); dendrobium (sweetly scented; used in classic Hawaiian leis); oncidium (often referred to as “spray orchids”; they come on slender long branches); vandas (summer-blooming; comes in a rare, yet stunning bluish purple); and phalaenopsis (popular and widely used; usually comes in white and purple).

Season: year-round

Colors: white, yellow, green, apricot, orange, pale pink, dark pink, red, burgundy

Scent: some varieties are fragrant

Meaning: luxury, nobility, lust

Cost: $$

Inspiration: Because of their long stems and multiple blooms, orchids are an excellent flower for creating cascading arrangements.

See more orchid photos from real weddings.

This flower is known particularly for its ability to open in the morning and close in the evening. Add it to your bouquet or let it fill in your centerpieces.

Season: year-round

Colors: white, ivory, yellow, orange

Scent: slight to none

Meaning: purity

Cost: $

Inspiration: Once cut, this flower can last a couple weeks in an arrangement, making it perfect for your outdoor summer wedding.

Also known as the Rembrandt or parakeet tulip, this showy bloom is noted for its ruffled, striped petals in intense colors. Some varieties feature fringe-tipped petals for added drama. Although beautiful, their full, heavy heads tend to sag and droop and may cause stems to curve, which make them somewhat unpredictable when used in arrangements.

Season: November–May

Colors: white/green, yellow, red, orange/green, pink/green

Scent: none

Cost: $$

Inspiration: Parrot tulips add interesting shape to any arrangement. Mix complementary hues with their bi-colored petals for a harmonious color scheme.

See more tulip photos from real weddings.

The peony is showy in its lush and full-headed structure, sweet perfume and bright colors. Despite these traits, the flower became a symbol of bashfulness. Cultivated in Asia for more than a thousand years and developed further by the French, the peony is a cherished wedding flower. A relative of the ranunculus and the anemone, the peony is available in two main types: the herbaceous and the tree peony (the latter flowers do not last as long when cut).

Season: spring; imported, scentless variety available in fall and winter

Colors: white, cream, peach, pink, burgundy

Scent: sweet and mild to very aromatic

Meaning: beauty, welcome, bashfulness

Cost: $$

Inspiration: Looking for a big-headed bloom to adorn your cake, without overwhelming the beautiful design? Peonies take up just the right amount of real estate.

See more peony photos from real weddings.

Perhaps phlox’s popularity at weddings is due to its meaning: “unification of the souls.” These dainty flowers originated in North America, where they are a backyard staple. With large clusters of small-petaled, disk-shaped blossoms atop branching stems, phlox provides a lush backdrop for featured flowers in a bouquet or arrangement.

Season: June–November

Colors: white, orange, pink, red, purple

Scent: sweet and mild to very aromatic

Meaning: our souls are united, proposal of love, sweet dreams, unanimity

Cost: $

Inspiration: These little flowers are perfect for a boho hairstyle with just a few blooms woved into a braid.

Known for the flower head’s similar appearance to lace, this wildflower symbolizes “protection.” 

Season: spring–early fall

Colors: white, green

Scent: grassy scent

Meaning: haven, protection

Cost: $

Inspiration: Organic, untamed florals are ruling the rustic world. Let Queen Anne’s lace be your filler in an arrangement of thistles, veronica flower and wax flowers, tied up with a sleek velvet ribbon.

See more photos of Queen Anne’s lace from real weddings.

Looking for a cost-effective alternative to the rose and the peony? Try the lush, multi-petaled ranunculus, a relative of the buttercup. This flower was first seen by Westerners in the Far East around the thirteenth century. Available in practically every color, the ranunculus features several blossoms and a stem with fernlike foliage. 

Season: November–April

Colors: white, yellow, apricot, orange, pale pink, dark pink

Scent: mild, sweet

Meaning: you are rich in attractions, I am dazzled by your charms

Cost: $$

Inspiration: These petit, petal-filled blooms are the perfect size and shape to supplement a headband of florals.

See more ranunculus photos from real weddings.

Is it any wonder that roses rank as the most beloved of wedding flowers? Long considered a symbol of beauty and love, the rose has captivated commoners and royalty alike. Legend has it that the Roman Emperor Nero required rose petals to be strewn at his feet and wore wreaths of roses at his many weddings; and that Cleopatra seduced both Julius Caesar and Marc Anthony with the flower.

Their accessibility means that roses can be surprisingly affordable. However, the price of roses goes up around key flower-giving holidays such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day—so if your wedding date is near one of these holidays, you may want to rethink your flower choice. Three main types of roses are likely candidates for your wedding flowers: hybrid tea roses, spray roses and garden roses.

Season: year-round

Colors: white, cream, yellow, apricot, orange, pale pink, dark pink, red, burgundy, lavender

Scent: none to intense, depending on the variety

Meaning: several meanings depending on color, general, love, beauty, grace, joy, unity

Cost: $$

Inspiration: For a ballroom or estate wedding, chose one variety of rose to create a couple big focal points, like a flower fall, bloom-filled fountain or rose-covered candelabras.

See more rose photos from real weddings.

It’s not hard to figure out how the scabiosa, with its tufted head atop a long, wiry stem, got its other name, pin cushion. This enchanting flower is right at home tucked in between showier blooms. After the bloom flowers, the scabiosa pod is equally as beautiful. It’s often used in rustic, wild-looking bouquets for a touch of organic whimsy. 

Season: spring–early fall

Colors: white, burgundy, lavender

Scent: none

Meaning: sensible woman

Cost: $$

Inspiration: Take your flower crown to the next level with a non-floral accent—scabiosa pods add an unexpected element to these boho hair accessories.

See more scabiosa photos from real weddings.

The name stephanotis means “marital happiness,” making the flower an obvious choice for weddings. The star-shaped, waxy florets grow on a flowering vine; each must be individually wired or placed onto a special holder before it can be used in a bouquet or boutonniere.

Season: year-round

Colors: white

Scent: slight to none

Meaning: “Will you accompany me?”

Cost: $

Inspiration: Looking for a traditional bridal bouquet? White roses and stephanotis create a perfectly round, structured arrangement.

See more stephanotis photos from real weddings.

Rising from a tall stem, stock has dense clusters of small single- and double- blossomed flowers. Stock first became known outside of the Mediterranean region toward the end of the Middle Ages. Stock is valued for its use as a complementary flower and its fragrant, spicy clovelike scent.

Season: year-round, peak in spring and summer

Colors: white, yellow, apricot, pale pink, dark pink, purple

Scent: strong, spicy clove scent

Meaning: promptness, lasting beauty

Cost: $

Inspiration: These sturdy stems are ideal for tall, slender centerpieces. For a rustic look, line a tall clear hurricane vase with stones, then style white stock flowers with branches.

See more stock photos from real weddings.

The head of the sunflower follows the sun as it moves across the sky, a trait that undoubtedly inspired its symbolism: “adoration” and “loyalty.” Bold and flashy, with raylike petals and disk-shaped dark centers, the sunflower is most at home at informal weddings. It comes in warm colors, from golden yellow to deep reddish brown.

Season: May–November, peak in summer

Colors: pale lemon, deep gold, orange, russet, brown

Scent: none

Meaning: loyalty, adoration, pride

Cost: $

Inspiration: Since yellow is a prime color, play up other colors in the rainbow (like blue, purple and green) for a scenic and harmonious variety of florals.

See more sunflower photos from real weddings.

The sweet pea was first brought to England from Sicily in 1699, and the English have had a love affair with this delicate flower ever since. Its sweet scent and rugged blossoms grown on a spindly green vine make this flower an old-fashioned favorite.

Season: November–June

Colors: white, cream, apricot, pale pink, dark pink, red, lavender, purple

Scent: intense, sweet fragrance

Meaning: everlasting pleasures

Cost: $$

Inspiration: Since these flowers pack such a fragrant punch, arranging them with other non-scented blooms will ensure you’re not overwhelmed with aroma when walking down the aisle.

See more photos of sweet pea from real weddings.

A native of Mexico, the tuberose has a very strong, heady scent, so small quantities of this flower go a long way. Its white, trumpet-shaped florets grow in clusters and open gradually along a light green stalk; the closed buds have a pink or green tinge. Most commonly used as a secondary flower, the tuberose lends bouquets a soft color and an intoxicating fragrance.

Season: summer–fall

Colors: ivory, pink

Scent: very strong perfume

Meaning: dangerous love, voluptuousness

Cost: $$

Inspiration: This dainty white bloom is beautifully romantic when arranged with pastel pink roses, blush dahlias and white anemones.

See more tuberose photos from real weddings.

Best used as an accent flower, these cheery, star-shaped blossoms grow on climbing branches. While available in white and pink, tweedia is most admired in its unusual soft blue hue. A delicate tweedia boutonniere provides a little “something blue” for the groom’s lapel.

Season: April–November

Colors: blue

Scent: none

Cost: $

Inspiration: This bright blue flower is perfect for a nautical or beachside wedding—dress them up with a few sea fairing details to complete the theme.

See more tweedia photos from real weddings.

Shaped like a plume, the tapered spike of veronica pokes out from the tops of arrangements and bouquets for a wild, garden-inspired look. Its white, pink or blue color meshes with its greenery to provide a lush complement to more prominent flowers.

Season: year-round

Colors: white, pink, purple, magenta, burgundy

Scent: none

Meaning: fidelity

Cost: $-$

Inspiration: Using flowers and greenery of the same size and shape help to create a uniformed look; pair this tall and slender stem with stems of eucalyptus or bells of Ireland.

See more photos of veronica from real weddings.

Brides seeking a spectrum of unforgettable color and a causal garden style will appreciate this perky, daisylike flower. The zinnia symbolizes “thoughts of friends,” which makes it an appropriate element in bridesmaid bouquets or reception centerpieces.

Season: June–September

Colors: yellow, green, orange, pink, red

Scent: none

Meaning: thoughts of friends

Cost: $

Inspiration: Simple and sweet, these flowers blend right into a vintage-themed wedding. Style them next to a stack of old school suitcases, books or antique frames. 

See more zinnia photos from real weddings.

Search by arrangement:

• Bridal bouquets
• Centerpieces
• Boutonnieres

Search by color:

• Pink flowers
• Red flowers
• Orange flowers
• Blue flowers
• Green flowers
• Yellow flowers
• Purple flowers
• White flowers

Feeling inspired? Head to The Knot Marketplace to find your wedding florist. 

For your next planning steps, create a free, personalized wedding website to keep your guests informed (and excited!) about your plans, and a time-saving Guest List Manager to organize your attendees. Even better? You can sync your Guest List Manager and wedding website to update everything at once.