Fall wedding flowers come in all shapes and sizes for you to incorporate into your wedding. Here's your complete guide.
Last updated February 5, 2024
Spring and summer wedding flowers—orchids, daisies, hydrangeas, tulips—are fairly well known. However, those hosting a fall wedding will be happy to know that their fall wedding flower options are aplenty. Whether you’d like to add texture to your autumn wedding centerpieces, want to create the perfect fall bouquet, or need an eye-catching filler flower, fall offers many options.
Sourcing flowers that are blooming during the time of your wedding ensures the freshest possible blooms. “By selecting in-season flowers, you are often paying less overall, and you’ll have a better chance of getting them,” advises CeCe Todd, owner of CeCe Designs in Birmingham, Alabama. “Flowers are a natural resource, and it’s difficult for any florist to ever guarantee what they can get. In-season flowers are just easier to access and tend to be more affordable.”
Our list of fall wedding flowers includes blooms available either locally or easily shipped during the autumn season. Let these selections inspire the palette and shape of your fall wedding flowers and centerpieces.
Large, sunny, petal-filled sunflower blooms are considered joyful, yet rustic fall wedding flowers. They are abundant in early autumn and are locally grown in many regions, making sunflowers a familiar favorite.
Dahlias come in various colors, ranging from soft pastels to bold, bright tones. Additionally, their dense, petal-packed heads are noticeable in fall wedding flower arrangements. “Depending on the variety and color, dahlias can be costly, but the tradeoff is that they are larger, which means you can use just a few in an arrangement,” says Joan Wyndrum, owner of Blooms by the Box in Watchung, New Jersey.
Depending on the areas climate, Ranunculus flowers may still be in season around early fall. They thrive in cool-weather climates and go well with garden roses. Although you may have seen them before in lighter pinks and whites, they can also be orange, red, and yellow, fitting into a myriad of fall color schemes.
“One of the most luxurious fall flowers is a personal favorite—fritillaries,” states Todd. These flowers are related to lilies and are a bit rare and somewhat pricey. “Because it only comes in certain hues, it only works for particular weddings with a complementary palette. But if I can get my hands on fritillaries, I’m buying it.”
If there’s one flower that takes up residence at nurseries and front porches in early fall, it’s chrysanthemums. Also known as mums, these flowers are incredibly economical. “Mums are the perfect fall flower for a budget-conscious couple,” offers Wyndrum.
Although it’s an odd name for a flower, stock can add a lot of dimension to fall wedding flower table arrangements. Similar to gladiolus and delphinium, stock features many blooms along the length of a single stem.
Unfortunately, these blooms are named for their color and not their flavor. However, if you want to include brown tones in your autumn wedding table flowers, chocolate cosmos is perfect.
“Zinnias are symbolic for lasting affection,” says Todd. They’re not only meaningful, but budget-friendly, too. “Zinnias are more economical for the fall. They are in season, so it will normally be a smarter choice when particularly budget-conscious.”
These happy, little blooms feature a prominent yellow center with a flat spray of thin petals. Asters come in a wide variety of tones and are small enough to be considered lovely filler flowers.
This hardy plant is often dried because it retains its mauve hue long after it’s viable. The rigid stalks of the statice offer structure to bridesmaid bouquets, and they are perfect fall flowers for wedding centerpieces.
Wheat isn’t technically considered a flower; however, the stalks do have tiny blooms. With the rise in incorporating dried flowers into boho weddings, wheat combines beautifully as alternative fall wedding bouquet flowers.
Although they originated in Asia, camellias have made their way to the US. In some species, the blooms are reminiscent of miniature roses and are available in various hues.
From garden roses to spray roses, if you love this flower, you are in luck any time of year. Depending on the type, roses are tolerant and have a long growing season. They also come in many colors, which makes them perfect for fall wedding flower arrangements.
Paperwhite—or narcissus—bulbs are often forced by placing the bulb in water indoors. The result is a lovely, fragrant collection of white blooms, which are beautiful in late fall wedding arrangements.
Although not technically a flower, eucalyptus is gorgeous on its own or when used as a filler. Eucalyptus is available in many varieties, including a flowing, seeded version and the more common, rigid types.
“Pansies are particularly wonderful when used in wedding arrangements or bouquets, as they symbolize love and admiration,” advises Hanson. What’s more, they’re a great alternative to anemones.
Whether you pair burgundy with monochromatic pinks and reds, or lighten it up with white and cream tones, burgundy is one of the most popular fall colors. Include the hue by choosing amaranthus, hypericum berries, mums, roses, carnations, and burgundy eucalyptus into your fall wedding arch flowers.
Most florists will admit that blue flowers aren’t as abundant as other tones. However, that doesn’t mean that you’re at a loss if you want to include oceanic hues. Blue thistle blooms from late summer to early fall and is often available dried. Eucalyptus and some succulents are also available in blue-green tones.
Many types of fall wedding flowers come in orange tones, which is another popular autumn color. For example, roses in hues of blush, orange, and peach will add texture to your fall wedding altar flowers. Other lovely orange blooms include alstroemeria, mums, marigolds, carnations, and dahlias.
Purple—whether its deep plum or a soft shade of lavender—adds a gorgeous touch to your fall wedding flowers. Centerpieces, bridal bouquets, and photo backdrops can all incorporate the hue. To add purple tones, request roses, carnations, mums, stock, poms, and alstroemeria from your floral designer.
Weddings are filled with happy moments, and sunny yellow blooms can make your nuptials even more joyful. Search for roses, billy balls, sunflowers, poms, mums, carnations, and alstroemeria. Yellow also pairs well with other bright fall tones, such as burnt orange. Additionally, yellow can also add a pop of color to more subtle palettes.
Having a white wedding is a lovely choice (as seen with the popularity of calla lilies), especially when white blooms are paired with textured greenery, such as eucalyptus. Roses, stock, carnations, alstroemeria, poms, mums, and paperwhites all come in creamy white tones.
“It is important for couples to utilize what colors they love,” says Wyndrum. “Just because you are having a wedding in autumn doesn’t mean you have to have a deep color palette.”
When you crave something a bit more traditional, yet unique, consider optional hues. “If you’re a fan of moody tones for fall, but you don’t necessarily want your wedding to look too autumn-themed, I would suggest branching out and opting for a singular bold color, such as forest green,” advises Hanson. He also suggests pairing deep green with terracotta, blush, and ivory tones to hint at the season.
“Eucalyptus garland is a great way to creatively incorporate floral greenery into your fall décor,” suggests Wyndrum. “You can utilize the garland down the middle of reception tables, on the back of ceremony chairs, or in a wedding arch.” Greenery is an easy way to extend your floral budget while still showcasing lots of foliage. Pro tip: It also works exceptionally well for rustic weddings.
Some of the more delicate flowers can get lost in larger bouquet ideas; however, they have a beauty all their own that deserves to be shown off. Scour thrift stores and antique shops for vintage bottles, or purchase new ones inexpensively at craft stores. Peppering your reception space, window sills, and restrooms with single blooms in small vessels adds interest.
“A lot of people forget about the flat lay. More photographers are shooting a flat lay to showcase a selection of the event day details, such as the wedding invitation,” says Todd. “The flat lay could potentially be made even more dynamic by incorporating some of your wedding day florals for a cohesive look.” Flat lays often include bridal shoes, rings, flowers, stationery suites, favors, and other items to document wedding day details.
Freshly picked flowers look simple, yet stunning when placed along the length of a table in mason jars. Start collecting vintage mason jars for a handmade feel. Another budget-friendly option is to have water-filled vases available at the reception. Doing so ensures that bridal bouquets can double as decor on the head table and in other areas.
“I love the idea of utilizing preserved elements and combining dried florals with freshly picked flowers,” offers Hansboro. “Given that autumn is associated with fall foliage and greenery on its last leg of the year, incorporating dried, hanging installations above reception tables or using bundles of preserved botanicals as part of your place settings are perfect ways to evoke the feeling of the season.” Pampas grass, billy balls, thistle, status, and bunny tail are all dried floral elements to consider.
Even if you don’t want to include clusters of pumpkins into your big day, think about how to use them creatively. Scoop out the inside, pop in a vase, and use the hollowed-out pumpkin to hold flowers. Secure a vintage, wooden wheelbarrow or cart, and fill it with wildflowers, mums, fall leaves (such as maple leaves), and wedding day signage. Even if you don’t wish to go all out with fall decor, incorporating subtle hints is appropriate.
“Seasonal florals planted in groups along the wedding ceremony aisle can completely transform the space as well, offering a whimsical garden look,” suggests Hansboro. Additionally, the plants can serve as wedding favors, depending on the number of guests. At the very least, potted mums and pansies can take up residence on your front porch after the wedding.
Succulent plants pair well with fall colors, so use this to your advantage, as most are available in green tones. However, many varieties have accents of blue or red to compliment your wedding day florals. Floral designers often infuse succulents into fall wedding bouquets, floral arrangements, and boutonnieres. Adorable, tiny succulent plants also make excellent additions to reception tables. They can also be set at individual place settings as a wedding favor.
From fall outdoor wedding ideas to unique wedding themes, inspiration abounds at Zola. Still unsure about an autumn wedding palette? Zola has you covered! From engagement photo inspiration to DIY decor, Zola is the place to go for all of your fall wedding ideas.
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