15 Popular Spring and Summer Flowers for Bridal Bouquets
With so many flower species peaking during the spring and summer months, you’ll be spoiled for choice when selecting the perfect seasonal flowers for your bridal bouquet.
Here we’ll take you through 15 of the most popular types of flowers to consider for spring and summer brides. Plus, learn about their symbolism and color variants so you can find the perfect stems for your special day.
15 Beautiful Flowers for Spring and Summer Weddings
With Mother Nature showcasing such a diverse and eclectic mix of colors, fragrances, and botanical characteristics during the spring and summer months, the range of flower choices also means infinite pairing opportunities.
During these warm months, you’ll also be able to source locally grown and domestic flowers as opposed to relying on international imports (which can also help save a penny or two).
After you’ve booked your venue and found your wedding dress, it’s time to start exploring in-season flowers in your area. Pair a few of these together to build a personalized bridal bouquet for your big day.
Below you’ll find 15 time-honored, in-season flowers to consider for spring and summer weddings. Explore their characteristics and the types of weddings they are great for – this selection will help you build a list of options to discuss with your local florist.
1. Anemones
Anemones are unique and beautiful flowers native to subtropical and temperate areas all over the world. They come from the buttercup family and lend a delicate yet striking aesthetic to any spring or summer wedding bouquet.
The most common anemones you’ll find in wedding decor have white petals and a deep blue center. Anemones don’t have a scent, nor do they attract many pollinators, so they make an excellent choice for outdoor ceremonies.
Since anemones can close at night and open in the morning, they are a symbol of anticipation. This makes them a meaningful option for weddings, representing excitement for the moment you say ‘I do’.
- Colors – Violet, bluish violet, pink, red, and white
- Availability – Late spring to early fall
- Great for – Modern or contemporary weddings
2. Hyacinths
Hyacinths are flowering plants native to southwestern Asia and parts of Israel, Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria. Their fragrant flowers bloom along an upright stem, gathering together to create a minimal yet elegant bridal bouquet.
Hyacinths come in several colors, but the most common for weddings is a soft bluish purple. They look beautiful when paired with white flowers and greenery or arranged as a single-flower bouquet.
According to Greek mythology, the hyacinth represents devotion and love. The story says that Apollo named the flower after it bloomed from the blood of his fallen hero, Hyakinthos. In Victorian times, the flower also conveyed a sense of playfulness.
○ Colors – Red, purple, pink, blue, white, and pale yellow
○ Availability – Blooms throughout spring each year
○ Great for – Traditional weddings
3. Peonies
The peony is a flowering plant native to parts of Europe, Asia, and western North America, with 33 known species. Their flowers bloom with rows of broad petals that have a soft and sweet aroma.
This flower comes in many shades and varieties, but the most common for weddings are white, pastel pink, and bright pink. These blooms burst from any bouquet, producing an abundant and feminine aesthetic.
The peony takes many meanings in cultures around the world. It represents everything from honor, riches, and beauty in China to bashfulness in the Victorian language of flowers.
○ Colors – Yellow, white, red, purple, bright pink, and pastel pink
○ Availability – Late spring through early summer
○ Great for – Traditional or contemporary weddings
4. Lilacs
Lilacs are a flowering plant in the olive family that is native to the hills of the Balkan Peninsula. The plant blooms in clusters of purple or white flowers with a sweet and intoxicating fragrance.
Lilacs look beautiful arranged in bridal bouquets featuring various purple hues or as a delicate accent to an all-white arrangement. They even work well in bohemian wedding florals, adding a dreamy touch to bouquets mixed with wildflowers and greenery.
In the Victorian language of flowers, lilacs represent signs of first love. Their presence in wedding decor can symbolize the transition you’ve made as a couple, from those initial sparks to the day your marriage begins.
○ Colors – Most are pale purple, though some varieties are pink, magenta, and white
○ Availability – Blooms throughout spring
○ Great for – Traditional or boho weddings
5. English Garden Roses
English garden roses are a timeless choice for wedding decor and bridal bouquets. They are a cherished symbol of love around the world and bring an effortless beauty to any wedding aesthetic.
Roses are fragrant blooms that grow in temperate climates worldwide. However, garden roses are said to originate from 18th century China.
In the Victorian language of flowers, roses conveyed different messages depending on their color. For example, red roses symbolized deep love and romance, while yellow roses represented devotion.
○ Colors – A wide range of hues. The most common are vibrant yellow, red, orange, pastel pink, peach, orange, cream, and white.
○ Availability – Blooms throughout summer
○ Great for – Any type of wedding, from traditional to contemporary
6. Tulips
Tulips are vibrant flowers that come from southern Europe and central Asia, though today they are cultivated around the world. This flowering plant has showy, bell-shaped blooms that lend a crisp fragrance to any spring wedding bouquet.
Tulips make gorgeous wedding flowers whether they complement other flowers or stand alone in a minimalist bridal bouquet. Some brides choose one color tulip for their bouquet, while others mix several for a vibrant show of colors.
This flower is most commonly known as a symbol of love, though you can use the flower to represent various meanings depending on its color. Red tulips might express deep love and romance, while yellow tulips can convey the joy you feel on your wedding day.
○ Colors – The most common are bright red, pink, yellow, orange, and white.
○ Availability – Blooms throughout spring
○ Great for – Traditional weddings
7. Daisies
Daisies are delicate flowers native to various regions throughout Europe. They are mildly fragrant flowers with narrow petals that surround a bright yellow center.
The daisy makes an excellent choice for bridal bouquets. This flower brings a unique aesthetic to weddings, ranging from traditional to breezy and bohemian themes. It works well in single-flower bouquets or paired with a range of other blooms.
The white daisy is a common symbol of innocence. In Norse mythology, the flower also represents new beginnings.
○ Colors – The most common color is white, though some are pink or red. All daisies have yellow centers.
○ Availability – Late spring through the summer months
○ Great for – Traditional or boho weddings
8. Astrantias
The astrantia is a unique summer flower native to parts of central, eastern, and southern Europe. Its blooms are white, pastel pink, or red. Unfortunately, astrantias are known for a subtle unpleasant aroma.
Despite its fragrance, the astrantia looks beautiful when arranged with other flowers in a bridal bouquet. Mix it in with garden roses for an elegant addition to your traditional wedding decor.
Astrantia flowers are said to symbolize strength, protection, and courage. They can also convey meaning based on their color. White flowers often represent innocence, pink can signify grace or adoration, and red usually means love or passion.
○ Colors – White, pastel pink, and red
○ Availability – Blooms throughout summer
○ Great for – Traditional weddings
9. Sweet Williams
The Sweet William is a fragrant flower with serrated petals that come in several colors. This perennial flowering plant is native to parts of Asia and southern Europe.
Due to their various shades and patterns, Sweet Williams look lovely in both traditional and contemporary wedding bouquets. In fact, Kate Middleton even had Sweet Williams in her bridal bouquet to pay tribute to her husband, Prince William.
Sweet Williams symbolize various things, from love and admiration to gallantry and masculinity. They make a nice addition to bridal bouquets, whether you want an all-white arrangement like the duchess of Cambridge or a mix of reds, purples, and pinks.
○ Colors – White, red, purple, pink, and variegated patterns with white and deep magenta coloring
○ Availability – From late spring to early summer
○ Great for – Traditional or contemporary weddings
10. Cosmos
Cosmos are herbaceous perennial or annual flowers that belong to the sunflower family. They are sweet-smelling, daisy-like flowers native to meadows in Mexico.
This delicate flower makes a lovely choice for your spring or summer wedding bouquet, as it is beautiful on its own and versatile enough to work well in any arrangement. You could also mix various shades of cosmos in one arrangement for a simple and unique spin on the traditional wedding bouquet.
Cosmo flowers symbolize modesty and peace, so they can bring serenity to your wedding celebration. A variety called chocolate cosmos has become popular for weddings in recent years, as it offers a unique richness and is said to smell like red velvet cake.
○ Colors – Pink, red, and various shades of purple.
○ Availability – Bloom throughout summer
○ Great for – Traditional weddings
11. Snapdragons
Looking for a unique option to include among your summer wedding flowers? Snapdragons are native to parts of Europe, the United States, and North Africa. This sweet-smelling plant gets its name because its blooms are said to resemble a dragon’s face.
Snapdragons bring a bold and textured look to a bridal bouquet, making them a perfect fit for modern and contemporary wedding themes. They’re striking when arranged on their own and add depth when combined with other flower varieties.
Since this flower thrives in rocky environments, it is said to represent strength. This would be an excellent choice for couples who want to convey the strength of their relationship.
○ Colors – Red, orange, yellow, pink, purple, white, and a few multi-colored varieties
○ Availability – From April to June, and again from August to October
○ Great for – Modern or contemporary weddings
12. Chrysanthemums
The chrysanthemum is a flowering plant native to northern Europe and eastern Asia. This disc-shaped flower has narrow petals that fan out from the center in a range of colors and bi-color varieties.
Chrysanthemums are a fantastic addition to modern bridal bouquets. They look gorgeous as an all-white arrangement, mixed with some simple greenery or arranged with pops of bold color.
This flower’s symbolism makes it an ideal pick for weddings as well. Chrysanthemums symbolize happiness, longevity, and joy, all wonderful sentiments to convey on your big day.
○ Colors – Yellow, white, purple, orange, red, and some bi-color varieties
○ Availability – Late summer to early winter
○ Great for – Modern weddings
13. Dahlias
Dahlias are round, textured flowers native to Mexico and Central America. They come in a range of colors and varieties, and most do not have a significant aroma.
This flower works well in bridal bouquets as it adds a unique texture to any color scheme. Orange dahlias look lovely in an autumnal arrangement, while the pastel pink variety compliments soft white and cream flowers.
Dahlias are known to represent commitment in a relationship as well as standing strong in your values. These meanings make it a fantastic choice to represent devoted couples on their wedding day.
○ Colors – Nearly every color besides blue. The most common colors are pink, orange, magenta, yellow, and red.
○ Availability – Mid-summer to autumn
○ Great for – Contemporary or boho weddings
14. Astilbes
Astilbes are a woodland flowering plant native to Asia and North America. Their flowers grow in textured plumes, and some have a pleasant yet heady fragrance.
Astilbes make an excellent choice for wedding decor as their versatile appearance works well in both traditional and modern wedding themes. In fact, Megan Markle had astilbes in her classic all-white bridal bouquet.
Astilbes represent devotion and patience, two perfect ideals for your wedding ceremony. Add these flowers to your bouquet to denote the commitment you’re making on this momentous occasion.
○ Colors – White, pink, peach, red, and purple
○ Availability – Blooms throughout summer
○ Great for – Modern, chic, or traditional weddings
15. White Lace Flower
Orlaya Grandiflora is a white flower with branching stems and blooms of small, delicate florets. They are native to the Mediterranean region of Europe.
Given its name, you may be able to guess why the white lace flower is a popular selection for weddings. Its blooms look gorgeous with traditional white, lacy wedding decor and they’re great as an accent for any type of floral arrangement.
This flower’s symbolism is not as well known as other species, but its appearance conveys a sense of charm and elegance. Pair it with darker hues for a striking and sophisticated aesthetic.
○ Colors – White
○ Availability – Blooms throughout summer
○ Great for – Traditional or modern weddings
A Bouquet Befitting a Blushing Bride
There are so many beautiful flowers to choose from for a spring or summer wedding. Start by researching in-season blooms near you, and narrow the selection based on factors like your venue, wedding dress, and style preferences.
With these options in mind, you’re sure to make an excellent choice when it comes to your spring or summer bridal bouquet.
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Andrew Gaumond
Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic, a site dedicated to showcasing local floristry, exceptional floral design, and celebrating the world of flowers and plant life. Andrew holds a BSc Degree in Plant Sciences and has trained at leading floristry schools including McQueens in London and l'École des Fleuristes de Paris.
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