The best seasonal autumn wedding flowers
If you're planning an autumn wedding, you might want your ceremony to match the season. For many, this means earthy colour schemes, nature-inspired decorations and some suitably seasonal autumn wedding flowers.
Of course, it's your wedding and the theme is your prerogative. It's perfectly OK to throw a tropical-flavoured bash in the depths of November if that's what you want. But choosing seasonal flowers is about more than just décor – it can pay off in other ways.
In this article, we explore why seasonal florals are worth it and take a look at some classic autumnal blooms.
Why choose autumn wedding flowers for an autumn ceremony?
We'll start by nipping one misconception firmly in the bud: seasonal wedding flowers are not "cheap" or "tacky". Quite the opposite, in fact.
Seasonal blooms were likely lumbered with this reputation because they are, well, cheaper – in financial terms, at least. It's simple economics: seasonal flowers are more readily available and travel fewer miles. This leads to cost savings that can be passed on to customers.
The upshot for you is that you'll pay less for your flowers and they'll be of higher quality. Seasonal flowers tend to be plumper, stronger and more attractive than their out-of-season counterparts.
They're better for the planet, too. Choose autumn wedding flowers for an autumn ceremony and there's a good chance they'll have come from local growers. This cuts down on carbon emissions (no fuel-guzzling cargo planes necessary) and gives the local economy a welcome boost. Win-win.
Roses
Ah, roses. La fleur de l'amour. Is there anything more suited to a celebration of a couple's love?
The good news is that roses tend to bloom from late spring to early autumn, so they should be a shoo-in for your autumnal arrangements.
More good news: you'll never be short of colour options. Clever growers have cultivated more than 30,000 varieties of roses, covering shades from pure white to deep purple. Choose jewel-toned accents for a pop of season-appropriate colour or go for dusky pinks or ivories for a sublimely understated look.
Missed growing season? Rosehips – the fruit of the rose plant – grow after the roses flower and are plentiful in autumn. Add these rich, red berries to your arrangement for a warm vibe that verges on festive.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are not the most obvious choice for autumn wedding flowers. Most associate their delicate, dome-like blooms with the height of summer. That's when hydrangeas are at their plump, bright best.
But to ignore hydrangeas in autumn would be missing a trick. See, as the trees swap their green glow for ochre and gold, hydrangeas follow suit. Gone are the flamboyant shades of summer – instead, hydrangeas take on a beautiful palette of muted red and bronze.
These versatile flowers can work in any type of arrangement. However, they're particularly suited to large statement pieces – think wreaths and garlands.
Dahlias
The dahlia might be the quintessential autumn flower. While most of their floral kin have finished blooming by late summer, dahlias often save their big reveal for September.
In fact, you can expect to find this colourful, characterful flower all the way into late autumn. Think of it as one last hurrah for the summer crop before the winter chill sets in.
Like roses, dahlias are available in a wide spectrum of shades. Look for rich, spicy colours for your wedding arrangements – burgundies and purples work well.
Dried flowers
How things change. Not too long ago, the sight of dried flowers at a wedding might have made you think the florist had got their dates seriously mixed up. But nowadays, dried flowers are a bona fide wedding trend – spurred on by celebrity brides like Mandy Moore and Charlotte Casiraghi.
If you want to embrace the trend, now's the season. With their crisp, delicate look and naturally muted palette, dried arrangements work particularly well as autumn wedding flowers. Pair them with some equally understated décor – think raw wood and craft paper – and you'll only accentuate the warm, homely vibe.
Dried blooms have more boons. For one, they're sustainable. While fresh flowers need energy-hungry hydroponic wizardry to keep them at their best, dried flowers can keep for years with minimal intervention. And as we all know, using less energy makes for a happier planet.
This also means you can weave your favourite (dried) summer florals into your arrangements without worrying about seasonality. Bonus!
Evergreens
Floral arrangements are a little like Hollywood films. The flowers are the stars, sure – but they need a supporting cast of textural and filler elements to shine at their brightest.
This is where evergreen foliage comes in. Not only will it bring a welcome green garnish to your arrangements, but it will also help add body and create a beautiful backdrop for your autumn wedding flowers.
And, of course, it's evergreen – so it will look just as vibrant in autumn as it did in the summer months.
You'll find hundreds of varieties on sale, so the earth is your oyster. Herbs like sage and rosemary are ideal if you're going for a rustic theme. Or try a hardy, UK-grown eucalyptus for a juicy, radiant look.
Still searching for that perfect venue?
The right flowers can be the final flourish that makes your wedding pop. But choose the right venue and you'll turn a special day into a truly unforgettable occasion.
That's why we'd like to cordially invite you to explore our charming wedding venue in Birmingham.
Westmead is a family-run hotel located on the leafy outskirts of the city. With convenient transport links, flexible event spaces and more than 15 years of wedding planning experience, we have what it takes to make your ceremony sublime.
Let our trusted planners guide you to craft the wedding of your dreams. Or choose from our budget-friendly all-inclusive wedding packages and relax in the knowledge that everything's covered.
Either way, we wish you the very best for your 'I do's. Happy planning!