Winter Wedding Flowers, Fillers, and Floral Arrangements

We love everything about winter weddings, from the sights and smells to the savings. Venues tend to have more availability, bookings are less expensive, and many vendors offer discounts to capture business during their slowest season. Getting hitched in the off-season helps couples cut costs, and working with seasonal decorations, like winter wedding flowers, can stretch their budget even further.

You may be surprised to learn that many different flower species bloom in the winter, providing color and warmth even in the grayest months. If you’re searching for the perfect winter wedding flowers to fit your unique style and budget, you’ve come to the right place.

The best winter wedding flowers for your big day

Keep your color scheme in mind as you move through the dazzling winter wedding flowers on this list. If you haven’t established your color palette and are looking for inspiration, we can help. Classic winter wedding colors include:

• Red
• Burgundy
• Snow white
• Emerald
• Navy blue
• Blush
• Cream
• Bronze
• Plum
• Gold
• Black

Fresh flower ideas for your winter wedding

Stunning wedding flowers are available year-round—you just have to know what to look for. Research late-flowering plants native to your region and cultivate a wedding garden, or work with a florist to design gorgeous arrangements using winter wedding flowers, such as:

1. Primrose

Although most primrose varieties bloom in early and mid-spring, some flower species bloom in late winter. They remain evergreen in warmer locations, like Texas and Florida, blooming through winter and into spring. Add cream-colored primrose blooms to soften rich arrangements of burgundy or violet flowers.

2. Violets

Purple is one of our favorite colors for winter weddings. Versatile and romantic, purple flowers add vibrant color and a dash of whimsy to any wedding design. Avoid smaller violet varieties, as their stems are quite fragile. Instead, look for larger species that will hold up better in bouquets and arrangements. Primrose, celandine, and wood anemone pair well with these beautiful blooms.

3. Roses

Roses and romance go hand-in-hand, and because they are always in season, roses are affordable options for budget-conscious couples at any time of the year. Although roses grow in an array of colors and varieties, deep red, burgundy, snow white, and purple petals accent winter wedding color schemes particularly well.

4. Amaryllis

Many species of Amaryllis bloom in winter, reaching between four and ten inches high. The flamboyant blooms come in many color variations, including deep burgundy, salmon, apricot, white, red, and rose tones. The eye-catching flowers make show-stopping bridal bouquets and wedding centerpieces.

5. Calendula

Calendula generally prefers cooler climates, but their sunburst blooms are no match for heavy frost. Although they do not stand up well to harsh northern winters, this perennial commonly blooms late winter through spring in warmer climates. With blooms resembling marigolds, Calendula stands beautifully on its own while also serving as a fabulous filler flower for winter wedding bouquets, centerpieces, and decorative baskets. 

6. Camellia

Many varieties of camellia bloom in the winter, including “snow flurry,” a bushy species that produces hundreds of white flowers resembling miniature peonies early in the season. The snow-white blooms and glossy foliage look stunning in bridal bouquets and winter wedding arrangements. The “Winter’s Snowman” camellia variety also produces delicate white flowers that grow on a deep green evergreen shrub.

7. Snowdrops

Snowdrops are aptly named for their immaculately pure white color. The blooms are exquisite but relatively small compared to many other flowers on our list, making them ideal winter flowers for brides who prefer a more petite bouquet.

8. Orchids

As of 2022, more than 28,000 individual species of orchid have been identified, many of which produce breathtaking blooms in the winter. Orchids in the Cattleya genus, like moth orchids and the lady’s slipper, flower during the coldest months of the year.

9. French tulips

Although we commonly associate tulips with springtime, they also do well in cold temperatures, with a cold tolerance limit of 29 degrees. French tulips are fantastic flowers for wedding arrangements, as their long stems are as strong as they are elegant. With blooms averaging two to three inches, French tulips have a long vase life, maintaining their beauty long after cutting.

10. Witch hazel

Witch hazel (or witch-hazel) blooms in the winter months during warm spells, opening its ribbon-like petals when the sun is warm enough to draw them out. Regarded for its unique shape and healing properties, witch-hazel adds body and texture to winter wedding arrangements.

11. Winter honeysuckle

Honeysuckle vines are dripping in personality, with each limb growing, branching, and blooming in a unique manner. Winter honeysuckle blossoms in the late winter and early spring, bringing with it the sweet smells of the upcoming season. Use honeysuckle as floral edging, draping the branches over planters and baskets to add dimension and a whimsical waterfall effect to wedding arrangements.

12. Paperwhites

Also known as the Narcissus flower, Paperwhites are perennial flowers that bloom each winter. A close relative of daffodils, Paperwhites produce lively clusters of fragrant blooms. These perky bulbous plants are very easy to grow, requiring only water and pebbles or stones to thrive.

13. Pansies

Although delicate and dainty, pansies are surprisingly cold-hardy flowers. They can bounce back from a frost or two, making them fantastic for early to mid-winter weddings. Even if a heavy frost kills a pansy’s winter blooms, they will bounce back and bloom again in the fall—as long as the main body of the plant survives.  

14. Winter Jasmine

Jasminum nudiflorum, also called the winter jasmine, is one of the very first plants to bloom each year, as early as January. Winter jasmine is bright yellow, without the fragrant characteristics of summer jasmine. This vining shrub from the olive family produces cheerful, vibrant flowers that add a splash of sunlight to winter weddings.

15. Baby’s breath

Inexpensive and versatile, baby’s breath is a popular wedding flower for ceremonies in every season, including winter. The delicate white flowers look chic against deep greenery, soften dense arrangements, and add an air of romance to any winter bridal bouquet.

16. Grassy Lassie

A species of the aloe plant, the “Grassy Lassie,” is a sturdy, winter-ready succulent. This easy-to-care-for species produces coral-orange flowers and inviting blue-green leaves.

17. Poinsettias

The quintessential Christmas flower, poinsettias are perfect for Christmas weddings. However, the stunning star-shaped flowers are toxic to pets, so keep them out of reach of any furry or four-legged guests.  

Non-floral filler ideas for winter wedding arrangements

Add texture and diversity to winter wedding arrangements by incorporating pinecones, lush greenery, grasses, and other non-floral elements, like:

• Sweet azalea buds. Although sweet azalea blooms in the Spring, the gorgeous plant produces colorful yellow and red buds throughout the winter. Interestingly, the stems that include buds do not have any foliage in the winter. Use them to add length and dimension to floral wedding arrangements without contributing extra bulk from greenery.

• Dusty miller. Also called Lamb’s Ear, Dusty Miller is a staple filler in wedding arrangements and bouquets. The silver-green leaves of the frost-tolerant plant are beloved for their soft, velvety feel.

• Eastern Hemlock. The Eastern Hemlock is an attractive evergreen tree native to North America. Shaped like a Christmas tree, the conifer produces a pleasantly piney scent, small cones, and flat foliage, which looks right at home in winter wedding arrangements and decorations. Hang a hemlock installation over the head table at a formal lodge wedding.

• Winterberry. Ilex verticillata, or winterberry, is also called “Winter Gold.” A tall shrub, winterberry bushes produce mesmerizing golden, orange, and fire-engine-red berries that stand out against winter landscapes. 

• Birch branches. Earthy and rustic, birch branches are incredibly versatile decorative elements. Place a few branches in a slender glass vase for a sleek, modern look, or add birch branches to floral arrangements to give them shape.

• Holly. Although the holly bush does produce lovely blooms, they are not present during the coldest part of the year. However, its deep green leaves and bright red berries perfectly capture the beauty of winter. The Druids viewed holly as a sacred plant, a symbol of eternal life and fertility, and Celtic chieftains commonly wore crowns of it for good luck. Incorporate holly sprigs into wedding arrangements and boutonnieres, or use lush berry bunches to decorative accent wreaths, centerpieces, or the wedding arch.

Sprucing up winter wedding arrangements

In addition to filler flowers and greenery, you can use other seasonal items to create one-of-a-kind arrangements, centerpieces, and floral tablescapes for your winter wonderland wedding. Experiment with various objects and textures in your design.

Fruits & berries

Stone fruits, winter citrus, and berries make aesthetically pleasing edible additions to floral arrangements and winter wedding decor. Use edible elements in bouquets and tablescapes to add texture and create unique shapes. Explore floral designs that include vibrant, in-season fruits, like:

• Orange kumquats
• Blood oranges
• Meyer lemons
• Pomelos
• Ruby grapefruits
• Red apples
• Pomegranates
• Plums
• Purple grape clusters
• Berry bunches (e.g., blueberries and blackberries)

Candy

Wow your wedding guests by using individually wrapped or colorful candies in your floral arrangements. Celebrate the season with peppermints, candy canes, and gumdrops. Fill glass vases with gumdrops or peppermint sticks and top with red and white roses. Add candy canes to flower baskets for a fun and festive flair.  

Holiday decorations

If your wedding date is close to the holidays, use that to your advantage. Spice up your winter wedding floral arrangements with wreaths, garlands, and other holiday decorations, such as: 

• Stars
• Tinsel  
• Icicles
• String lights
• Ornaments
• Artificial snow

Tips for taking winter wedding flowers to the next level

We’ve compiled a list of tips to help hands-on engaged couples choose winter wedding flowers that fit their style, match their budget, and hold up for the entire event. Keep reading to learn more about preserving, arranging, and maintaining winter wedding flowers.

1. Consider the layout of your wedding venue when selecting flowers for the event. Is the entire event indoors, or will some of it take place outside? The temperature and weather will significantly impact how long arrangements hold up outdoors.  

2. Order two sets of bouquets and boutonnieres. Reserve one set for outdoor photos (like the first look and wedding party pictures) to ensure that ceremony flowers stay lush and lively.

3. Schedule a winter wedding earlier in the day. The earlier the ceremony, the longer flowers will hold up outside in freezing temperatures for photographs.

4. Keep winter wedding flowers safe inside until ready to use. Store arrangements indoors, covered, and away from direct heat sources, like indoor heaters, radiators, and air vents.

5. Use potted evergreens or garland for aisle markers to create a lush, welcoming ceremony space. Miniature trees add a breath of fresh air to any event design, and wedding party members can take them home afterward.

6. Create seasonal scent bombs using lightly scented flowers, citrus, and fragrant winter spices like clove and cinnamon. Place them throughout the event space to fill the room with warm, welcoming smells.
 
7. Choose blooms that complement each other and match the wedding theme. Pale blush, burgundy, and cream combinations are soft and romantic, while pairings of deep red and snow-white roses create a much more dramatic look.

8. Don’t be afraid to splurge on statement blooms, as you can save money on wedding flowers by rounding out arrangements with affordable fillers.

Put this list of winter wedding flowers to good use!

With a list of winter-friendly wedding flowers and preparation tips at your disposal, it’s time to get to work. Whether working with a florist, DIYing your arrangements, or growing a garden full of winter wedding flowers, give yourself plenty of time to get everything done.

If your wedding planning journey has just begun, the first step is finding a venue fit for your winter wedding. Keep reading to discover mountain-top lodges, canyon resorts, ice hotels, and more. Join us as we explore 11 of the world's most beautiful winter wedding venues.