Summer Wedding Flowers: Your Guide to In Season and In Style Blooms

Summer is peak season for weddings, with its warm weather, lush greenery, and abundant flowers. Whether you're planning a beach wedding, a garden wedding, or an indoor wedding, you can't go wrong with stunning summer wedding flowers. From classic roses and peonies to lesser-known but equally beautiful blooms, here are some ideas for breathtaking summer wedding flowers to consider for your big day along with tips from wedding experts.

Check out these 8 stunning options for your summer wedding flowers

1. Roses

Roses are a timeless and versatile choice for summer weddings. Available in a wide range of colors, from pale pastels to vibrant reds and pinks, roses can fit any wedding theme or color scheme. They also come in various sizes, from small spray roses to large garden roses, which can add texture and depth to your floral arrangements.

Some popular rose varieties for summer weddings include:

● Juliet: A peachy pink David Austin rose with ruffled petals and a romantic, vintage look
● Pink O'Hara: A blush pink rose with a strong, sweet fragrance and a classic, elegant appeal
● White Cloud: A pure white rose with a soft, delicate texture and a timeless, minimalist style

Roses are perfect for bouquets, centerpieces, boutonnieres, and corsages. Maybe you want to fill out your bridal bouquet with a mix of Pink O’Haras and sweet peas, or create a dreamy archway with White Clouds and fluffy peonies. Mixing these summer flowers will be a surefire way to wow all of your guests—and yourselves.

2. Peonies

Peonies are another classic and beloved summer wedding flower. Known for their fluffy, soft, and fragrant blooms, peonies come in a variety of colors, from white and blush to coral and magenta. They are also available in different sizes, from small buds to large, fully opened flowers. We love all types of peonies, but some of our favorites, include:

● Sarah Bernhardt: A light pink peony with double flowers and a delicate scent, perfect for a romantic or vintage wedding
● Coral Charm: A coral peony with a unique, ombre-like color and a bold, cheerful personality, ideal for a beach or tropical wedding
● Festiva Maxima: A white peony with a prominent red center and a classic, elegant style, great for a traditional or formal wedding

Peonies are ideal for summer wedding bouquets, as well as centerpieces and floral installations. Their soft and full blooms make great focal points, whether in your bouquet, to frame the altar, or to spring up on your tablescapes. They do have a reputation for being quite expensive, so consider using them in arrangements that you’ll reuse, like repurposing the small arrangements lining the aisle in the ceremony to your reception table centerpieces. They can also be used as accents or fillers in other floral arrangements, which should save you a little dough, too.

3. Dahlias

Dahlias are a showstopping summer wedding flower, with their bold colors, intricate shapes, and dramatic size. Available in various shades of pink, red, orange, yellow, and purple, dahlias can add a pop of color and personality to your wedding decor. They also come in different shapes, from ball-shaped to pom-pom to dinner-plate, which can create a playful or sophisticated effect.

With their vast variety, dahlias come in some stunning varieties, including:

● Cafe Au Lait: A creamy beige dahlia with a soft, dreamy texture and a bohemian or rustic appeal
● Karma Choc: A dark burgundy dahlia with a velvety, rich texture and a dramatic, glamorous look, ideal for a black-tie or formal wedding
● Pompon Mix: A mix of small pom-pom dahlias in various colors, perfect for a playful or eclectic wedding

Since they have such an interesting structure and bright color, dahlias are perfect for statement pieces, such as large bouquets, hanging installations, or floral arches. If your wedding is mostly comprised of pastels, think about using dahlias in your archway to provide a showstopping pop of color. Or pair some Karma Choc dahlias with some Cupani sweet peas for an upscale and modern look.

4. Sunflowers

Sunflowers are a cheerful and sunny choice for summer weddings, with their large, bright, and friendly flowers. Available in different shades of yellow, as well as brown, orange, and red, sunflowers can add a rustic or whimsical touch to your wedding decor. They also come in different sizes, from small and cute to tall and majestic, which can create a playful or dramatic effect.

While most people think sunflowers are just the big yellow ones we see in the fields, they actually come in a huge variety of shades and sizes. Some of our favorite varieties for summer weddings include:

● Lemon Queen: A pale yellow sunflower with a delicate, feminine appeal and a natural, garden-inspired style
● Moulin Rouge: A dark red sunflower with a bold, sophisticated personality and a dramatic, bohemian look
● Dwarf Sunspot: A small, round sunflower with a cheerful, cute vibe and a perfect size for boutonnieres and corsages

Sunflowers are perfect for outdoor and country-style weddings—think casual and laid-back ceremonies—but they can also provide a touch of nature to a more structured environment. Because they have such a cheerful essence, they make any space look more welcoming. If you’re having a modern wedding, think about using Lemon Queen sunflowers on your centerpieces to bring a bit of happiness to an otherwise sleek affair. They can also be used in bouquets, centerpieces, aisle markers, and cake toppers.

5. Zinnias

Zinnias are a vibrant and charming summer wedding flower, with their colorful and playful blooms. Available in a wide range of hues, from pink and orange to purple and white, zinnias can brighten up any wedding venue. They also come in different shapes—single-flowered, double-flowered, cactus-flowered, and more—which can create a varied and interesting effect.

Zinnias are very popular summer wedding flowers, with some of the most common varieties including:

● Magellan Mix: A mix of small zinnias in various colors, perfect for a casual or bohemian wedding with a DIY touch
● Benary's Giant: A large zinnia with double flowers and a bright, bold appearance, ideal for a tropical or beach wedding
● Persian Carpet: A medium-sized zinnia with single flowers and a soft, muted color palette, great for a garden or vintage wedding

Zinnias are ideal for informal and fun weddings, as well as for eco-friendly and sustainable ceremonies. They can be used in bouquets, centerpieces, garlands, and floral crowns. And because they have such a tropical feel, they can uplevel any beach wedding. If you’re a fan of bold colors, Benary’s Giant and a Pompon Mix of dahlias would make for an eye-catching bouquet. Or class up your vintage affair with some Persian Carpets and Juliet roses.

6. Lisianthus

Lisianthus, also known as Eustoma, is a delicate and elegant summer wedding flower, with its soft, ruffled petals and pastel shades. Available in different colors, including white, pink, lavender, and blue, lisianthus can create a romantic and dreamy atmosphere. They also come in different sizes, from small and dainty to large and showy, which can add depth and dimension to your floral arrangements.

If you’re not familiar with lisianthus, some popular varieties for summer weddings include:

● Echo Blue: A light blue lisianthus with a subtle, ethereal charm and a romantic, vintage style
● Mariachi Pink: A hot pink lisianthus with a vibrant, joyful energy and a modern, bold appeal
● ABC 1-2 Lavender: A lavender lisianthus with a classic, timeless elegance and a sophisticated, feminine look

With their soft and feathery appearance, fluffy lisianthus is perfect for bridal bouquets, as well as for centerpieces and boutonnieres. Because lisianthus comes in so many color families and intensities, the options are pretty much endless. Mariachi Pink with some Cloud White roses would be lovely, or pair Echo Blue with Café au Lait dahlias for a beachy, relaxed feel. They can also be used in floral wreaths and hair accessories, if you’re feeling particularly bohemian.

7. Sweet Peas

Sweet peas are a fragrant and delicate summer wedding flower, with their soft, pastel blooms and sweet scent. Available in different shades of pink, purple, and white, sweet peas can add a romantic touch to your wedding decor. They also come in different forms, like single-flowered to ruffled to frilly, which can create a whimsical or vintage effect.

As one of the more classic flowers, sweet peas come in so many varieties. Here are some of our favorites:

● Old Spice Mix: A mix of sweet peas in warm, spicy colors, such as cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, perfect for a rustic or bohemian wedding
● Cupani: A deep purple and maroon sweet pea with a classic, elegant appeal and a refined, sophisticated look
● Royal Mix: A mix of sweet peas in cool, regal colors, such as blue, lavender, and lilac, ideal for a garden or country club wedding

Sweet peas are great for romantic and intimate weddings, especially garden and outdoor ceremonies. They can be used in bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, and table arrangements. Consider the theme and venue when you’re using sweet peas: Old Spice Mix would look stunning on a vineyard, and a Royal Mix would pop beautifully with a sophisticated theme.

8. Cosmos

Cosmos are a whimsical and charming summer wedding flower, with their daisy-like flowers and delicate foliage. Available in different shades of pink, white, and lavender, cosmos can add a playful and feminine touch to your wedding decor. They also come in different heights, from short and compact to tall and airy, which can create a natural and organic effect.

Cosmos are a beautiful flower with some of our favorite varieties, like:

● Sonata Mix: A mix of cosmos in soft, pastel colors, such as blush, ivory, and lavender, perfect for a romantic or bohemian wedding
● Purity: Pure white cosmos with a fresh, clean appearance and a modern, minimalist style, great for a beach or city wedding
● Versailles Mix: A mix of cosmos in bold, vibrant colors, such as fuchsia, orange, and yellow, ideal for a tropical or destination wedding

Cosmos are ideal for casual and fun weddings, as well as for eco-friendly and budget-friendly ceremonies. While they come in fewer colors than some of the other options on this list, they really do draw everything together when they’re used in the right arrangement. Purity cosmos make for an eye-catching bouquet. Pair a Sonata Mix with other pastel flowers, like roses, peonies, or sweet peas, to immerse yourself in a world of romance.

Some honorable mentions that didn’t quite make the list:

• Hydrangeas: White and pastel purples, blues, and pinks make these round flowers a stunner. They are on the expensive side, don’t necessarily travel well, and are only available for a few months. These are truly a right-place-right-time kind of flower.

• Orchids: One of the classic, structured flowers, orchids are great for minimalist, modern, and tropical destination weddings. Much like hydrangeas, they’re on the expensive side, and they don’t go with every wedding theme.

• Tulips: While they’re a very widely available flower that comes in a multitude of varieties and colors, they’re primarily a spring flower, and the availability of good quality tulips might go down as the weather heats up. We always recommend local and fresh flowers, whether you’re opting for a florist or going to DIY it.

Now you’re ready to design your dream décor with summer wedding flowers!

Summer wedding flowers offer a wide range of options for every taste and style. Whether you prefer classic roses, exotic orchids, or playful cosmos, you can find the perfect bloom for your special day. Bookmark this page so you can refer to it when exploring all of the stunning options this warm and vibrant season has to offer!

If you're planning ahead and you're a little flexible with your dates, check out our guide to spring wedding flowers!