As Monet once said, “I must have flowers, always, always.” And I’m the first person to agree! Today I want to talk about all things wedding flowers for your outdoor wedding.
In celebration of this gorgeous time of the year, let’s talk about flowers. For an outdoor wedding, picking the perfect flowers for your bouquet or centerpiece can be a stress. Have no fear! We’ve put together a list of 5 sturdy blooms that won’t wilt in harsh weather conditions and 3 buds that you might want to steer clear from.
We connected with one of our favorite florists in Tennessee, Stephanie from Lang Floral Designs to get her thoughts on these too.
Best Flowers for Outdoor Weddings
Succulents
Starting off with succulents, of course! These are so hard to resist when planning your outdoor adventurous wedding. They have such a unique look and are so versatile, add them in your bouquet or in a bundle for your centerpieces. Some of them, like the air plant, don’t even need to be planted in soil so you could have them hanging from a ceremony backdrop for a dramatic effect.
Stephanie says: By nature, succulents are hardy even without a water source or in the hot sun. This is why they can hold up during an outdoor wedding, even if it ends up being a hot, sunny day.
Photo by Laura Goldenberger
Succulents have an extremely long life and need very little water. Another good thing is that they are sold fully bloomed, so no waiting time. I love how Lisa and Steven incorporated little succulents into their bouquet and boutonniere. With their wedding taking place before we got all this great rain, having some drought-resistant bits and pieces was key!
Photos by Jennifer Fujikawa
You can even use smaller succulents as wedding favors for your guests. A little something they can re-pot back home. The “Thank You” tags that we made for this wedding were actually made from seed paper which guests could take home, plant and watch the wildflowers grow!
Photo by Chloe Moore Photography
Craspedia Billy Balls
These flowers don’t even look real! Add these globe shaped blooms to your bouquet or centerpieces and you have yourself a whimsical-nature look perfect for any outdoor wedding.
Photo via Bloom & Wild & Photo by Heline Bekker
They bring such an interesting texture and visual interest to bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages.
They are in ready to use form and they last for days. Fun for adding pops of color, use these for your spring wedding! You can also find dried versions of them which would keep even longer. These would also look really good in tall wine bottles on long farm tables, am I right?
Eucalyptus
Ugh! I am obsessed with Eucalyptus. I think it is so woodsy, fresh and a great way to add greenery in bridal bouquets. Fun Fact: Eucalyptus trees can live more than 250 years. So these are extremely durable for your rustic garden wedding.
Photo by Chloe Moore Photography
This is the perfect touch if you’re imagining a cascading bouquet as you walk down the aisle. Eucalyptus adds more of a personal feeling to your wedding, showcasing your nature-loving spirit.
Photos by Amy Lynn Photography
Also, you can’t go wrong with a long eucalyptus garland on your ceremony arch or as a natural table runner. Bonus: they smell SO good.
Photos by Chloe Moore Photography
Garden Spray Roses
Now, I’m not usually a fan of roses. They’re almost too classic for me but the Garden Spray rose has a sort of Peony look to it. Rather than sprouting upward like a traditional sweetheart rose, the petals on these bloom more outward which makes for a fuller bouquet.
Stephanie says: There’s a reason why roses are used so commonly by florists. They last a long time and are strong. But don’t be fooled by the long standing tradition of roses for weddings. Roses come in great muted color pallets that are perfect for a modern wedding style. Garden roses offer an even more premium look and are show stoppers when fully opened. They hold up great to all the elements and will most likely even last several days after the wedding.
This gives your bouquet an eccentric, offbeat look while adding texture and fullness at a fraction of the price. Our bride, Misha’s bouquet made by Hilary’s Flowers and Such was all about being wild and free but with some soft pinks and blues to add a little romance.
These flowers also look BOMB on wedding cakes. Combined with greenery, you’ll have a dessert table that makes a statement.
Photos by Laura Goldenberger
These are also the most durable in the rose family, so if you’re looking for a touch of romance with a little bit of edge in your bouquet, this might be it!
Jasmine
It’s no wonder there’s a princess named after this flower. Jasmine is oh-so-soft and adds just the right amount of femininity. They look super graceful and fun in a bouquet and the best part is: They love the heat, so less stress for you!
Photo via Velvet and Twine
While I was looking for some photos of jasmine, I came across so many ideas for cakes that incorporated this beautiful flower.
Photo by Megan Welker // Flowers by The Little Branch
I mean.. I can’t get over how carefree and natural that is. Looks like the cake came out of the woods that way!
Worst Flowers for Outdoor Weddings
Now, I hate to do this but you’ll thank me later. If you are having an outdoor wedding, here are some not-so-great blooms you should stay away from when picking your bridal bouquet flowers .
Peonies
I know we’re going to have some angry and sad brides out there that may reach out to us. Peonies are such a popular flower in the wedding industry. They truly look stunning in bouquets but when it comes to their outdoor toughness, they’re a bit of a wimp. Sorry lovelies. Now, if you must have peonies on your wedding day, I recommend having them in your bouquet but not in your centerpieces as they will be the ones sitting in the sun.
Stephanie Says: Peonies are a favorite of many brides. However, once they bloom out to that perfect luscious size, their life is extremely short. Heat, wind or direct sunlight can make that life even shorter. And when the peony bloom is done, it doesn’t just look a little droopy, it usually drops ALL its petals at once. I just hate the thought of an entire large bloom falling apart from a gust of wind in the middle of a ceremony. There are several varieties of Garden Roses that look very similar that we like to use in its place for outdoor weddings.
Did you read that ladies? There are GARDEN ROSES that look like peonies! Yes mam, I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Do yourselves a favor and swap out those delicate peonies for some lush garden roses if you’re planning to be outside on your wedding day.
Hydrangea
“Such a sensitive little flower” No, literally. Hydrangeas have such soft, showy blooms that are so springy and fun but these must be kept hydrated and die pretty quickly (especially if you’re going to be out in the sun). Unfortunately, might not be worth the risk!
Gardenia
These are such a popular flower for wedding bouquets. But for an outdoor wedding? These flowers tend to brown super easily, especially if put in a harsh weather environment. Such a shame, these are such a classy and timeless flower.
Tulips
Crisp and dainty, these add a sophisticated sense of style to any bouquet. But tulips thrive in the ground where they are originally planted. The stalks will droop, petals will fall, and this flower will wilt at the sight of heat. It’s best to keep them in your garden!
Well there you go, some of the best and worst flowers to use for your outdoor wedding. Hopefully this was informative and gave you some inspiration. I know I’m feeling even more in the Spring mood after writing this. Remember, Spring is a lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be, so plant a garden and believe in tomorrow!
Want more spring time wedding inspiration? Check out this Joshua Tree Spring wedding!
