Seasonal flower options for an autumn wedding

Autumn is such a wonderful time for wedding flowers, with earthy colours and an abundance of textures to choose from. If you're getting married in autumn then you'll know that it's a great time of year for coordinating your theme and colour palette to the season (I'm looking at you, pumpkin table centres!). I love making extra-special bouquets and buttonholes using delicate little details like seed heads, berries and some of the beautifully coloured foliage that you will only find at this time of year, and here are just some of my favourite varieties of seasonal flower options to combine them with for an autumn wedding.

Chrysanthemum

These flowers have long been associated with autumn, and are a great choice for wedding installations thanks to their hardiness, impact and versatility. Even better, they come in a range of seasonal colours, from deep burgundies and rich reds to golden oranges and buttery yellows, as well as in various different shapes and both spray and single-headed varieties. The level of variety in this type of flower is extensive, making it a favourite bloom of many florists. One of my favourite styles of chrysanthemum, also known as 'mums' or 'xanths', are the single-headed varieties like the Vienna Copper, a large and beautifully muted flower that adds elegance and charm to autumnal wedding designs.

Rudbeckia

Wonderfully bright and cheery with their wide open petals and deep black centres, making them look almost daisy-like, the rudbeckia is a late-blooming flower that really makes a statement. Usually seen in vibrant orange and yellow tones that stand out in any arrangement, there are also other colours of rudbeckia available that are truly stunning. 'Sahara' is one particular variety that's a favourite amongst gardeners and growers, which blooms in delicious pink and caramel colours, but for me it's the Cherry Brandy variety that's a particular favourite, which blooms in a rich, deep red burgundy colour that's perfect for autumnal bouquets.

Zinnia

Often thought of as a summer flower, but lasting right though to the autumn, the zinnia is a well-known and loved flower of many a gardener. The bright, almost neon-looking tones of the zinnia make them 'pop' in autumnal bridal bouquets and arrangements, and their cute size make them a great accent flower choice, working well alongside the larger and friller blooms of the rose, dahlia or chrysanthemum. The hot pink and bright coral colour options are some of my favourites, as well as the stunning two-toned 'Queen Lime' varieties, however they're also available in pastel tones and white.

Aster

Available in both shorter large-headed varieties and long, tall sprays of tiny flowers, the aster, or 'September flower', is a wonderful choice for an autumnal wedding. The lilac colour shown here is a simply stunning addition to a bridal bouquet or arrangement, adding a touch of delicacy and a pop of pastel that catches the eye. Meanwhile Callistephus, or 'China asters', have larger, ruffled Chrysanthemum-like blooms that are better used as focal flowers. The 'Duchesse Apricot' in particular is an absolute beauty, with its straw-yellow centre giving way to a pale pastel pink colour at the tips of its petals.

Helenium

A slightly more left-field choice, the Helenium flower works perfectly in bronze, red and orange-toned palettes, thanks to its unique flame-toned colour range. Also known as the rather comically-named 'Sneezeweed', it works as a great transitional filler flower to tie together different colours and tones in a design. If you're planning on going all-out with a Halloween-themed wedding or using pumpkins in your styling, Helenium flowers will complement these perfectly and will add interest, contrast and a hint of drama to your florals.

Are you planning an autumnal wedding for next year or beyond and want to chat flower colours, seasons and styles, I'd love to hear from you! Simply fill in an enquiry form on the wedding page of the website and I'll be in touch within 24 hours.

Mel x