The Darling Buds in May (The Seasonal Series)
May is always a popular time to get married, with the weather starting to get warmer and two bank holidays to take advantage of. And of course, the variety of flowers available continues to broaden as we move ever closer towards Summer. So, with that in mind, let’s deep dive into the seasonal specials for this month!
It’s finally here! May. The month all you peony-lovers have been waiting for! Peonies are at last starting to appear at the wholesalers and as popular as they are, they have quite a limited season and so if you do have your heart set on these for your wedding, then May or June is the best time to get married. One thing to bear in mind is that they can take a few days to open, but in the heat, blow open very quickly and sometimes the edges start to brown.
Another wedding favourite is gypsophila, often paired with roses. Both are in season in May and whist we think of roses as sweet-scented, not all varieties actually have a distinct smell. Chat with your florist about the best varieties to use if you’re looking for scent in your bouquet. Garden roses are a good place to start. On that floral note, as pretty as gypsophila can be, it does actually have quite an unusual and pungent smell, particularly when it’s very fresh. Maybe that’s why it’s often paired with roses to counteract that, but if you’re concerned about making your venue smell, use it sparingly and pair it with other scented flowers.
I recently did a poll on my socials to find out people’s favourite flower. I was surprised to discover that the allium won the vote, being amongst some other popular picks like roses and gerberas. They are a fantastic flower if you’ve got purple in your colour scheme as they add real texture and structure to your arrangements. There are a number of varieties of alliums too, some with smaller heads and others with very large heads, working best in a dramatic centrepiece or pedestal for the ceremony.
If you do want to bring some drama to your florals, you could also consider gladioli. They come in a variety of striking colours and are tall, so again, they are ideal for a tall centrepiece or pedestal arrangement. The name comes from the Latin ‘gladius’, meaning sword and they do have a sword-like quality about them!
Another textural beauty is the sweet william. These are in the dianthus family and are related to the carnation. The green part is quite fluffy and vibrant whilst the flowers are pretty and small, giving a real cottage core vibe. Also working well in this styling is tanacetum, which are small daisy-like flowers. They can give a real nostalgic feel to your wedding evoking childhood memories and are sometimes chosen for their significance.
Whilst blue can be a harder colour to bring out in your florals, there are a couple of extra choices coming into season in May. Both small dainty flowers, the cornflower brings a bold blue to your arrangements, whilst nigella can be found in brighter or lighter shades, as well as in white. Again, they add a lovely wild and natural feel and can be used to add a small pop of colour if you don’t want the blue to overtake your arrangements.
You may not think of adding mint to your flowers but not only does it have an aromatic scent, it has a beautiful, delicate, pointy, lilac-coloured flower. I wouldn’t recommend on snacking on it as you’re walking down the aisle however!
If you’re looking for something brighter and more exotic, check out fritillaria imperialis. They look a bit like amaryllis or upside-down lilies and come in orange and yellow shades. They have a tropical look and would look great in a centrepiece with some big leaves.
I hope you’ve picked up some ideas for your May wedding and are feeling inspired. If you need any more help with ideas and want to chat further, feel free to get in touch to book a consultation.
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