These Are the 17 Most Popular Types of Wedding Flowers

Roses

This one is a no-brainer. We all know what a rose is! What you may not know is that there are more varieties of roses than you can shake a bouquet at. The larger, fluffier, and more multi-petaled kinds—like garden roses—make perfect face flowers (meaning, the showstoppers of a bouquet or centerpiece) and are ideal for when you don't want to use a peony. Smaller ones—like spray roses—add a delicate accent to bouquets and centerpieces. While most roses are in peak bloom from spring to fall, many are cultivated in greenhouses and available all year round. "They make a great design choice for guaranteed availability," says Owens.

As for their cost? "Standard roses are more affordable than garden roses, but are often more hearty and long stemmed, making them great for arches, tall centerpieces, and installations," Owens adds. She still thinks the lusher garden iterations are best for "more detailed work, like bouquets, centerpieces, and cake flowers," despite the price increase.

Peonies

Hands down, this is the most highly coveted of all wedding flowers. "I think these will forever be a favorite of brides everywhere," affirms McNeff. Yes, their large faces and high petal counts make them romantic and feminine, but they're also one of the most expensive blooms out there—which is why McNeff recommends reserving them for special moments or large floral budgets. If you must have peonies, but you don't have a big budget, use them in your bouquet and at the head table (if you're having one) only.

These highly sought-after blooms have an extremely short spring season, and are often only available from April to June. They hold up well so long as they are fresh, says McNeff; older blooms will start to lose their petals quickly.

Anemones

"Anemones aren't for everyone, but for those looking for a statement, this is certainly an easy one to gravitate towards," say Lauren Anderson and Rachel Bridgwood of Sweet Root Village. These graphic flowers are best for the modern bride, and usually come in black and white; they also come in some other varied styles (think green centers, red or purple petals, and more), they add.

The beauty of anemones is that they're amenable to working alone in a mono-fleur arrangement (the Sweet Root Village founders love using them en masse in centerpieces) or mixed in with other flowers as more of an accent. But beware: These wilt-sensitive beauties tend to be on the more delicate side, so if you're getting married out in the heat, make sure your florist water-picks the stems—and while they'll work in a bride's personal arrangement, skip them for boutonnières, say our experts. Colder months are prime time for these contemporary flowers, whose season extends from August to May.

Anthurium

Anthurium has become very popular for modern and nontraditional couples, explain Anderson and Bridgwood. "They are shiny, eye-catching, and offer bold, clean lines that enhance a variety of styles and designs," they say. They're available for most of the year and come in a variety of colors and sizes. "They don't love cold temperatures, but they are very hearty otherwise," the floral designers share. "They can be added to bouquets, focal installations, and centerpieces. They do beautifully mixed with other blooms, as well as featured all on their own."

Dahlias

One of our all-time fave blooms, dahlias are great face flowers because they have such a grand presence (dinner plate dahlias can be as large as your head) without packing the punch price-wise of a peony. Plus, they come in so many beautiful colors and a wide array of sizes, so there's a variety out there for every kind of wedding theme. Fall brides, rejoice! These stunners bloom from mid-summer through autumn.

They do have a few limitations, however. "As gorgeous as they are, they do not always ship well, so if there’s not a local source, finding hearty blooms can be challenging," says Owens, who says dahlias are her favorite flower on this list. "They also don’t do well in extreme heat, so high-temperature outdoor weddings beware." They can also be inconsistent in their durability, she explains. All in all, if you manage to have dahlia-centric wedding, you're very lucky, she says.

Lilacs

One of the sweetest smelling blooms, lilacs are drapey and romantic and can also work well on their own in a simple bouquet. Coming in shades of purple and white, lilacs are also quite delicate, so you have to be very careful to prevent wilting. Once it starts to go, there's pretty much no reviving it. Springtime weddings are optimal for these buds, which peak from April through June.

Ranunculus

You've probably seen these little guys in 75 percent of the arrangements you have pinned on your flower Pinterest board. And for good reason: They're a professional darling. "Ranunculus continue to blow us away with their dainty perfection—and they add incredible transition tones between other flowers to really enhance a palette," say Bridgwood and Anderson.

They are usually used as accents and not as the stars of the show. Ruffly petals with wiggly stems, these are great for adding a little movement and wildness to your bouquet or centerpiece. They come in a huge spectrum of colors, but are all around the same size. These flowers prefer cooler temperatures, blooming from February through May.

Sweet Peas

There's nothing not sweet about sweet peas. Everything from their scent to their dainty stems and almost translucent petals is so special. They often come in variegated colors, which adds to their ethereal look and softness. "They are what florists call a line flower," says McNeff, explaining that the blossoms bloom along a line and offer structure.

These types of flowers are best when used in centerpieces or personal arrangements, adds McNeff. We love the idea of a simple, small bouquet of sweet peas held together by a loose silk ribbon. But, you may be surprised to hear that these sweeties don't relish warm temperatures. Their season extends from December to May.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are mainly seen in classic blue or white, but we're really digging the sophisticated, chic older sister of the aforementioned classics—hydrangeas that are dusty and multi-colored, known as antique hydrangeas. Not only are they hardier (the diva-ish blue and white variety will die the moment they are even the slightest bit uncomfortable), but they're also so much more interesting. Plus, their blooming season aligns perfectly with the prime wedding months, flourishing from May through early fall.

As for some other varieties to consider? "We love working with styles like Oak Leaf, Peegee, Lacecap, and Limelight—especially because these styles often change color as the season changes and we get some stunning soft pink mauve tones," say Bridgwood and Anderson.

Tulips

Like many of the other flowers we've listed, tulips are so much more than the generic variety you're probably picturing in your head. There are fringed tulips (that look just like they sound), double tulips (with twice as many petals than a normal tulip, making them much fuller), Rembrandt tulips (with beautiful red streaks running down their petals), and more. All varieties bloom from December to April. Plus, they aren't budget busters, which is always a pro.

Orchids

Although beautiful as houseplants, orchids have long been synonymous with a kind of tackiness when used too aggressively as wedding flowers—à la so many early aughts wedding mistakes. Recently, however, there's been a resurgence of using orchids in much more interesting ways—especially in gorgeous sherbet and pastel shades and some dusty colors that are really quite stunning. Take a chance on this modern classic which is available all year round. Their tropical origins make them a perfect fit for any beach or island nuptials.

Lily of the Valley

These darling buds have quite the regal repertoire. They were the flower of choice for both Kate Middleton's and Grace Kelly's royal wedding bouquets. With such an iconic history, it's surprising how much of a demure and inviting presence they have—making a serious case for statement-making simplicity.

Available in white and pink, these buds are only accessible during a short timeframe, from early to mid spring. "They can be very finicky and temperamental," say Bridgwood and Anderson. "It can also be an incredibly expensive flower per tiny, dainty stem, so expect a very high overall price even when looking at a petite bouquet."

Calla Lilies

Speaking of statement simplicity: Calla lilies are as luxe and dramatic as they are minimal. Think of them as the floral iteration of a chic art installation floating in the middle of a grand, but empty space. These poignant blooms look incredible in single-flower bouquets, but their long stems also lend themselves to a lot of artistic expression. While these sleek stunners may seem high maintenance, they can be sourced year round.

Hellebore

"I love hellebore for their beautiful, delicate faces in gorgeous antique tones," says Owens. The five-petal bloom can vary in color from white, pink, purple, and green—and can also help fill out and add some texture to your floral arrangements. As they are among the earliest to bloom each year, hellebore flowers are a great option for your winter or early spring wedding.  

Protea

Protea flowers have become a popular option for weddings. The large, unique, and very dramatic blooms make for attention-grabbing arrangements. The striking king protea is hard to miss, with its large, pincushion-like center surrounded by colorful pointed petals. With dozens of variations in a multitude of colors, it should come as no surprise to see a protea make it into one of your flower arrangements or bouquets. 

Carnation

Carnations have been a beloved flower dating back 2,000 years, with records of them being used in Greek and Roman ceremonies. Though they fell out of favor several years ago, they're back in a big way—and that's partly in thanks to the development of more impressive varietals and colorways. "The varieties and colors and styles available have continued to expand and these blooms are thankfully seeing a huge resurgence," says Anderson and Bridgwood. "They don't have a place in every type of wedding, but they can absolutely elevate a design when used well."

You'll find these lush beauties, which are hearty in all conditions and easy to transport, year round. They're also one of the most cost-effective floral options for your big day.

Gardenia

Another breathtaking wedding flower, popular gardenias are those with the bright white petals and glossy evergreen leaves. Gardenias can be a bit fragile to transport and costlier than other flower options. Still, the clean look makes them a beautiful selection for your summer wedding. Gardenias also have a pleasant scent, so they can be an excellent choice for boutonnières and corsages.