Push pause on the peonies for a moment, and take a longer look at the blooms that florists are singing the praises of each season, with originality, durability—and most important, availability—in mind.
Spring
“Couples are really spoiled with choices in spring,” says Dawn Weisberg, principal designer and owner of Tularosa Flowers. “There’s so many beautiful flowers, and new varieties are introduced all the time, making it hard to choose.” Her most requested flowers of this season are peonies, garden rose, and anemone, but she’s a sucker for anything with flowering branches, like cherry blossoms. “If your wedding happens to be when they are in bloom, take advantage, because it will make the wedding look so different. If you want to incorporate flowering branches, it’s important to trust your florist and give them creative freedom with the design. The availability can be tricky. These are very much at the mercy of mother nature.”
Summer
Don’t be afraid of color—that’s Lisa Montecinos’s plea to brides and grooms. “Blush and greenery weddings are beautiful, but it really is just as beautiful to step out of the norm with other colors and textures.” And that’s where the owner and founder of Tre Fiori Floral Studio steps in with recommendations like dahlias and proteas in summer. “One of my favorite flowers is the blushing bride protea. I can’t get enough of them! It’s definitely a flower that has a season—around late June or early July.” As for those dahlias, especially the coveted cafe au lait dahlia, be aware of the weather. “Blooms like dahlias are most prominent in summer months, but you have to be cautious of where you use them because they’re fragile and wilt easily.”
Fall
“Fall, for me, is reflected in the gorgeous options of garden roses,” explains Rissa Walters, owner of Studio Palma. “They’re in full bloom, and I try my best to use as many as I can when they are in season and locally grown.” She’s also been known to use dried-out versions in the fall. It’s not only reminiscent of the season, but in some instances more common-sense for the weather. “Always keep the weather and venue in mind. If you’re having an outside wedding, make sure you choose hardier flowers. There’s nothing worse than having to put arrangements in direct sunlight and high heat.” Bottom line: “Trust your florist. It is extremely difficult to know what will be available until about two to three weeks out. Even then we’re hoping our growers are able to pull through. Avoid disappointment by setting your heart on a style and color palette, not on specific flower types.”
Winter
’Tis the season… for limited flower availability, reminds Monica Wyman, founder of RSVP Floral Design. For a winter wedding, “Christmas and Valentine’s Day will definitely affect pricing and availability of certain blooms, like reds, pinks, and white roses,” she says, and for this reason suggests asking your florists for a certain color versus specific flowers. “The most requested flowers I get for winter are not so much a certain type as much a color scheme—whites. Many couples lean toward a clean, fresh palette for this season. I love to mix hellebores into my designs. They add great character.”
Inside tip: If your wedding falls around Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day, expect to pay at least 20 to 50 percent more for your flowers, Weisberg adds. “You are probably going to get more attentive service from a florist who only does event flowers rather than a shop.”
