Why Choose Seasonal Summer Wedding Flowers?
Planning a summer wedding? You’re in luck—summer offers some of the most beautiful, vibrant blooms of the year. Choosing seasonal summer flowers for your wedding means you’ll have access to fresh, high-quality arrangements at better prices than out-of-season alternatives.
Whether you’re dreaming of a rustic barn wedding or an elegant garden celebration, the right flowers set the tone for your entire day. And the best part? Many summer blooms preserve beautifully as lasting keepsakes of your special day.
According to the Society of American Florists, summer weddings account for over 35% of all weddings in the United States, making it peak season for floral availability and variety.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best flowers for June, July, and August weddings—plus tips for keeping them fresh and preserving them as heirloom art.
Best Flowers for June Weddings
Peonies
Peonies are the quintessential June wedding flower. These lush, romantic blooms feature layers of delicate petals in shades of blush, coral, white, and deep magenta. They’re highly sought-after for their intoxicating fragrance and full, luxurious appearance.
Preservation note: Peonies change color slightly when pressed, typically becoming a bit more muted. The results are still stunning and capture that romantic peony shape beautifully.
Garden Roses
Garden roses are romantic, richly shaped flowers with an incredible fragrance. Their layered petals come in warm peaches, soft pastels, and classic reds. These versatile blooms work beautifully in cascading bouquets, elegant frames, and centerpieces alike.
Popular varieties for summer weddings include Quicksand roses (dusty pink with lavender undertones), Juliet roses (peach), and Patience roses (white).
Ranunculus
While ranunculus peak in spring, early June still offers beautiful availability. These rose-like flowers feature tissue-thin petals in vibrant colors. They’re a favorite for brides who love a romantic, garden-inspired aesthetic.
Best Flowers for July Weddings
July brings the height of summer—and the height of bold, cheerful blooms. These flowers thrive in the warmth and add vibrant energy to your wedding bouquet:
Sunflowers
instantly evoke summer joy. They’re perfect for rustic or outdoor weddings and hold up remarkably well in heat.
Sunflowers make a stunning statement in a natural wood frame when preserved—their large size and distinctive shape create dramatic, eye-catching art.
Dahlias
July marks the beginning of dahlia season, which continues through fall. These intricate blooms come in virtually every color and range from small pom-pom shapes to dinner-plate sized showstoppers. According to the American Dahlia Society, there are over 50,000 registered dahlia varieties.
Dahlias add incredible texture to bouquets and press beautifully for preservation.
Zinnias
Zinnias are tough flowers that handle summer heat with ease. These cheerful, multicolored blooms come in virtually every shade—from bright coral to deep burgundy to soft cream. They’re budget-friendly and add wonderful texture to summer arrangements.
Best Flowers for August Weddings
Late summer weddings enjoy a unique mix of summer favorites and early fall blooms. Here are the best flowers for August:
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are lush, versatile blooms available in white, blue, pink, purple, and green. Their large, full heads create volume and impact in bouquets and centerpieces. One word of caution: hydrangeas can be sensitive to heat and need plenty of water, so work with your florist to keep them fresh for outdoor August celebrations.
For preservation, hydrangeas create stunning results—especially in resin pieces like coasters or serving trays.
Lisianthus
Often called the “budget peony,” lisianthus offers romantic, ruffled blooms at a fraction of the price. These elegant flowers come in white, pink, purple, and bi-color varieties. They’re excellent for summer brides who want a soft, romantic look.
Stock
Stock flowers add height and a wonderful spicy-sweet fragrance to summer arrangements. Available in white, pink, purple, and cream, they’re a florist favorite for adding texture and depth to bouquets.
Unique Summer Flowers to Consider
Delphinium
Tall and dramatic, delphiniums add vertical interest in deep blue, soft pink, and white. They’re stunning in arrangements and preserve well in larger frames.
Note: Delphiniums are considered delicate flowers that require careful handling during shipping and preservation.
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flowers)
Scabiosa offers unique, dome-shaped centers surrounded by delicate petals in burgundy, lavender, and white. They add fun texture and a whimsical quality to summer bouquets.
Cosmos
These delicate, daisy-like flowers feature thin petals in shades of pink, white, and magenta. They create an airy, romantic feel and are incredibly photogenic.
Sweet Peas
Sweet peas offer delicate, butterfly-like blooms with an incredible fragrance. They’re available in soft pastels and add a romantic, vintage feel to summer arrangements. Peak season is early summer (June), so plan accordingly.
Summer Wedding Color Palettes
The flowers you choose often depend on your wedding color palette. Here are popular summer combinations:
Bold & Bright
Coral, yellow, and turquoise create a vibrant, energetic palette perfect for beach or tropical weddings. Pair sunflowers, zinnias, and dahlias for maximum impact.
Soft & Romantic
Blush, lavender, and ivory offer a timeless, elegant combination. Garden roses, peonies, and lisianthus work beautifully together for this look—and preserve gorgeously in a white wood frame.
Rustic & Natural
Cream, sage, and terracotta evoke a warm, earthy aesthetic. Combine roses, dahlias, and plenty of greenery like eucalyptus and olive branches.
The Royal Horticultural Society offers excellent resources on color theory and flower combinations if you want to dive deeper into palette planning.
Summer Wedding Flower Themes
Nautical Theme
Embrace coastal vibes with blue hydrangeas, white delphiniums, and touches of greenery. This palette evokes the ocean and pairs perfectly with seaside celebrations.
Rustic Countryside
Sunflowers, daisies, and wildflower-style arrangements create that effortless countryside feel. A barn wood frame is the perfect complement for preserving a rustic bouquet.
Garden Party Elegance
Garden roses, peonies, and sweet peas create sophisticated, romantic arrangements reminiscent of an English garden. This style never goes out of fashion.
Tips for Summer Wedding Flowers
Summer heat can stress delicate blooms. Work with your florist to: - Choose heat-resistant varieties like zinnias, sunflowers, and dahlias - Keep bouquets in water and shade until the ceremony - Consider an indoor or shaded ceremony location - Have a backup plan for extreme heat days
Budget Wisely
Martha Stewart Weddings recommends allocating 8-10% of your total budget to flowers. To stretch your budget: - Choose in-season blooms (they’re fresher and more affordable) - Use greenery like eucalyptus, ferns, and ivy as fillers - Repurpose ceremony arrangements at the reception - Consider budget-friendly options like carnations, chrysanthemums, and daisies
Source Locally When Possible
Local flowers are often fresher and more affordable than imported blooms. Ask your florist about locally-grown options—you’ll support local farms while reducing your environmental footprint.
Plan for Preservation Early
If you want to preserve your wedding bouquet, plan ahead. Before your wedding: - Add preservation to your registry so guests can gift it - Learn how to care for your bouquet before and after the wedding - Review our shipping guide so your flowers arrive in perfect condition.
Budget-Friendly Summer Flowers
Want beautiful blooms without breaking the bank? These summer flowers offer excellent value:
| Flower | Why It's Budget-Friendly |
|
Sunflowers |
Abundant in summer, locally grown |
|
Daisies |
Cheerful, affordable, heat-resistant |
|
Carnations |
Underrated beauty, excellent longevity |
|
Hydrangeas |
One stem = lots of volume |
|
Chrysanthemums |
Versatile, long-lasting |
|
Zinnias |
Easy to grow, vibrant colors |
Talk to your florist about building arrangements around these affordable staples, then adding a few statement blooms for impact.
Preserving Your Summer Wedding Flowers
Your summer wedding flowers don’t have to fade away after your celebration. At Pressed Bouquet Shop, we transform wedding bouquets into pieces of floral artwork that last a lifetime.
Preservation Options
Pressed Flower Frames: Your blooms are carefully pressed and arranged in a custom frame
Resin Pieces: Flowers are pressed then encased in resin to create functional art like coasters, ring dishes, or serving trays
How It Works
After your wedding, ship your bouquet to our studio in Easton, Pennsylvania. Our team carefully presses each bloom, then creates a custom design based on your preferences. Learn more about our preservation process.
What to Expect
Different flowers respond differently to preservation. Summer favorites like roses, dahlias, and zinnias press beautifully and retain their color well. Some blooms, like white flowers, may shift slightly in tone—read our guide on color changes during preservation to set realistic expectations.
What are the most budget-friendly summer wedding flowers?
Sunflowers, daisies, carnations, hydrangeas, chrysanthemums, and zinnias offer excellent value. These blooms are abundant in summer, which keeps prices reasonable while ensuring freshness.
How do I keep summer wedding flowers fresh in the heat?
Choose heat-resistant varieties like hydrangeas and zinnias. Keep bouquets in water and shade until needed, and work with your florist to ensure proper hydration. For outdoor ceremonies, consider a shaded location or tent.
Can summer wedding flowers be preserved?
Absolutely! Summer flowers like roses, dahlias, sunflowers, and zinnias preserve beautifully. Visit our preservation page to learn more, or schedule a consultation with our team.
What flowers should I avoid for a hot outdoor summer wedding?
Delicate blooms like sweet peas, gardenias, and lily of the valley struggle in heat. If you love these flowers, consider an indoor or shaded ceremony, or save them for cooler evening receptions.
Ready to Plan Your Summer Wedding Flowers?
Whether you’re envisioning a bold sunflower bouquet or romantic garden roses, summer offers endless possibilities for beautiful wedding flowers. And when the celebration ends, we’re here to help you preserve those memories forever.
Next Steps:
View our gallery for summer flower inspiration
Contact us with questions