Winning Flower Combos for a Late Summer Wedding

There’s a lot to love about getting married on the edge of the Capital’s most vibrant seasons: from bold color palettes and picturesque photo ops to refreshing seasonal cocktails. Whether your wedding was postponed from last summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or you’ve had September 2021 as your date for as long as you can remember, you may be wondering what flowers will be in season when you tie the knot between August to October.

Before you start, we recommend honing in on your perfect color palette, which can be tricky for some couples tying the knot in a seasonal transition period. Is your dream wedding filled with saturated jewel tones, such as burnt oranges, deep fuchsia, and mustard yellow? Or would you prefer something softer and more muted - think dusty lavender, blush pink, ivory, cream, and soft green? 

Once you have your palette in mind, we'll help you figure out your perfect petals.

You’ll be happy to hear that, thanks to import programs from Holland and South America, as well as Florida farms that trek up the East coast, many of your favorites are actually available all-year-round. Take hydrangea and roses, for example, two flowers that have dominated wedding bouquets for centuries. It’s safe to say that white (and blue!) hydrangea and nearly every shade of rose are available 12 months out of the year, along with lilies, stock, snapdragons, and many tropicals. 

Want something markedly late-summer? Consider antique, mottled green and red jumbo hydrangeas dotted with orange roses and framed by fragrant eucalyptus for a refreshing spin on a classic favorite. This combination “marries” the bright citrus hues of summer with deep, darker fall vibes and we’re definitely feelin’ it!

Another striking way to use roses in the summer is to bundle them with a bunch of bold, local sunflowers. Farms from Virginia to Pennsylvania grow acres of sunflowers, generally peaking some time mid-September.  Try versatile red “Freedom” roses and yellow sunflowers for a perfectly wild look. This power pair will inspire all the summer lovin’ and are certain to “pop” against your white gown. 

How about those who are wild at heart?! Get the best of the fall and summer months with a textural assortment of dahlias, amaranthus and anemone. Consider combining different shades of the same color family, like plums, lavenders, and purples OR mauve, blush, and peach and include lots of feathery foliage. 

Trends come and go year by year and season by season. But at the end of the day, it’s your wedding, so remember to keep your unique style, venue, and preferences top of mind. We’ll help you figure out the rest!

What's your late summer wedding vision?

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