Flower Guide: Winter Wedding Flowers
A roundup of my favorite unexpected and overlooked wedding flowers for the winter season.
Fritillaria
The snake’s head variety, in particular. This checkered bell-shaped lily is super delicate and whimsical. Ideal for petite arrangements, like in a shallow ikebana dish in a tablescape, or a bridal bouquet. Fritillaria kind of marks the entrance to Spring from Winter, and there’s truly no other flower like it.
Heather
We tend to see Heather pop up around Valentine’s Day as it comes in shades of pink, lavender, and white. While commercially it tends to be used as filler, its soft, organic, sweeping texture makes it the perfect fit for a large-scale floral installation, all on its own. Heather has my heart.
Hellebore
These are easy to come by locally in the San Francisco Bay Area, and there’s a window of time in the winter that we find the most beautiful shades — from muted pinks and ivories, to deep moody purples and blacks. These soft focal blooms are delicate yet hearty, and make a beautiful addition to a bridal bouquet.
Sweet Pea
The varieties we see in the winter months are imported from Japan and Holland, versus the shorter, viney varieties found in the San Francisco Bay Area come summer. But they are the most beautiful out there. They come in a range of hues, from muted blush to cool lavender to bright coral. Soft, delicate, and with a sweet scent, these are the perfect fit for the romantic bride. Sweet Pea is a go-to ‘line’ flower in my designs.
Kumquat
Adding any fruit to an arrangement instantly makes it more dynamic, and citrus is especially appropriate for winter. I love using Kumquats for their bright and cheery color, typically placing them low in an arrangement and hanging off the lip of the vase. Ideal for a colorful wedding design!
Amaryllis
Commonly known as a Christmas flower bulb, but with so much more potential. These show-stoppers are bold and long-lasting. Amaryllis stems are upwards of 2’, so they can really shine in tall arrangements or large-scale installations, especially when all on their own. They come in the prettiest winter hues -- creams, pinks, corals, deep burgundies, and mixed varietals.
Lily
I’m cheating a bit with these because they’re generally available year-round, but lilies are long-lasting, come in many varieties, and have a memorable scent. They’re a great option for a large-scale floral installation (like this one by Color Theory Design Co.) used all on their own or with minimal other ingredients, and a perfect fit for an adventurous bride looking to make a statement.
Carnation
Easily one of the most under-appreciated flowers. But let me sell you on these! Carnations are hearty and long-lasting, which is why you often see them used in commercial arrangements (and why they get a bad rap). But they can be found in an endless variety of colors, my favorite being the more muted tones. I love using carnations in a monochromatic palette for added texture.
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For more wedding tips, head back to my blog for posts like 7 tips for creating your wedding moodboard. I am currently accepting wedding inquiries for 2022. Schedule a complimentary floral consultation here. I’d love to hear more about your day!
Anastasia Andenmatten is a floral design studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area with a modern approach to customizing florals for weddings, businesses, and events.