Blue Wedding Flowers and Bouquet Ideas

When it comes to wedding flowers, there are a variety of factors that may influence which florals you ultimately choose. But, for many couples, color is at the very top of that list—and one of the most striking colors you can incorporate into your wedding flowers is blue.

Blue wedding flowers are a great choice for couples that want to add a classic, yet unexpected, pop of color to their wedding flowers or bridal bouquet. But what are some of the most popular blue wedding flowers? What are the best ways to incorporate them into your wedding floral design? And what are some things that you and your wedding florist should consider when choosing blue wedding flowers to feature on your big day?

What Are Some of the Most Popular Blue Wedding Flowers?

First things first, before you choose which blue flowers to incorporate into your wedding florals, you need to know what blue flowers are available—and how to use them.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular wedding flowers that come in shades of blue—and some of the most effective ways to use them in your wedding floral design:

• Forget Me Nots. “Forget me nots are gorgeous, gorgeous tiny blue flowers,” says Emily Mathinson, US creative director of McQueens Flowers, a British florist which recently launched in New York. They make a lovely addition to centerpieces and table flowers, but are best left out of the wedding bouquet. “They do not last well in water, so I'd never suggest them for a bouquet—but they look gorgeous in table vases,” says Mathinson.
• Hyacinths. “Hyacinths are spring flowers that are available in a range of blue shades,” says Mathinson. Hyacinths can add visual interest to your wedding flowers, but they work best in bouquets. “[Hyacinths] are highly scented, so they are not really suitable for table flowers, but they can go into a wedding bouquet,” says Mathinson.
• Delphiniums. “Delphiniums are long-stemmed summer flowers,” says Mathinson. These flowers are highly versatile; they come in a range of blue shades and can be used in either bouquets or vases. “Delphinium, which can be found in light or dark blue colors, offers longer stems and great height for tall arrangements,” says Becca Atchison, founder and creative director of full-service wedding and floral design company Rebecca Rose Events.
• Tweedia. If you want to add texture to your bouquet or other wedding flowers, tweedia is a great option. “I love to use light blue… tweedia in bouquets, as they add a distinctive pop of color with interesting texture,” says Atchison.
• Hydrangea. If you want your centerpieces to pack a punch, you’ll definitely want to consider adding hydrangeas to your arrangement. “Blue hydrangea is a superstar flower for centerpieces or large installations,” says Atchison. “Its abundance of petals and size provide volume for high impact arrangements.”
• Anemones. If you’re looking for a darker, navy blue shade, “consider anemones, which have deep midnight blue centers,” says Atchison. These flowers would make a great addition to a bouquet.

What to Remember When Considering Blue Wedding Flowers

While there are a variety of blue wedding flowers to choose from, there are also some things that you’ll need to consider during the choosing process—starting with seasonal wedding flower availability.

“The nicest blue flowers have very short seasons, which makes them very exclusive,” says Mathinson. “A benefit of using blue flowers for your wedding is that they are very unexpected and so fleeting that you won't see them in everyone's wedding flowers… [but] a challenge of using blue flowers is that because most are very seasonal, there is a chance [that] your favorite blue flower will not be available.”

Another thing to note? Not all blue flowers will work for all wedding florals.

“Not all blue flowers work well as cut stems—even if they look beautiful in a garden setting,” says Atchison. “In fact, one of the most popular blue flowers—hydrangea—is terrific for centerpieces and installations that have a water source for them to drink from, but it’s not always a great choice for bridal party bouquets as those flowers wilt very easily when out of water.”

Another potential issue with blue wedding flowers—and, in particular, darker blue wedding flowers—has to do with the shade and tone of the flower.

“It is so important to consider that some of the darker blue flowers—such as veronica, dark delphinium, iris, and hyacinth—may often arrive looking more violet or purple than you want because of variations in soil [and other factors],” says Atchison. “Additionally, even if they’re blue at your wedding, they can easily look more purple in your wedding photos.”

If you want to avoid ending up with purple wedding flowers (when you were actually aiming for blue), Atchison suggests sticking with lighter blue flowers—and using other decor elements to really pull in that blue shade.

“Anytime I’m creating a floral design plan for a client who prefers true blue hues to violet or purple, I intentionally steer towards lighter blue flowers and look to fabrics, paper, ink choices, props, candles, or other [wedding decor] elements to pull in more saturate blue tones,” says Atchison. “That’s a safer choice that minimizes the possibility of inadvertently introducing a color that doesn’t belong in the wedding palette.”

What Can You Pair Blue Flowers With?

Choosing which blue wedding flowers you want to incorporate into your design is only one step of the process. Once you choose your flowers, you also have to choose what to pair those flowers with. Luckily, blue wedding flowers pair well with a variety of flowers and greenery.

If you want to keep things simple and timeless, “classic varieties of greenery such as ruscus, lemon leaf, ferns, camelia, or gardenia foliage look striking paired with blue flowers,” says Atchison. “Add some white flowers and you instantly have a sophisticated floral palette.”

Another option is pairing blue flowers with greenery and/or flowers in cool tones. "We love pairing silver-toned foliage with blue flowers, such as eucalyptus, senecios, and acacias,” says Mathinson. She also suggests flowers in cool-toned hues, such as “purple and lilac, or a very pale blue and white.”

How to Talk to Your Florist About Blue Wedding Flowers

Even if you know exactly which blue flowers you want to feature in your wedding flowers, you’ll need to work with your florist to bring your vision to life. And, when you do, you’ll want to be crystal clear about what shade of blue you’re envisioning.

"If a couple is set on blue flowers, my tip for them is to be very clear on which shade of blue [they] want,” says Mathinson. “Blue flowers range from a very pale blue nigella flower to a deep blue hydrangea, so try and be as specific as you can when communicating with your florist."

You also want to keep an open mind about which flowers make it into the final bouquet and wedding flowers. While you might have your heart set on a particular flower, your florist might have better (or more realistic) ideas.

“When working with any palette, it’s essential that you maintain a healthy attitude of flexibility,” says Atchison. “Your florist needs to know what you love, but [also] have your trust to be able [to] create something that accomplishes that aesthetic, while also navigating seasonal product disruptions, supply chain challenges, and [any other issues that may arise].”

Blue is a timeless color for wedding flowers. Now that you know everything there is to know about blue flowers, you have the information you need to design the perfect wedding flowers—in the perfect shade of blue.