What flowers do you need for a wedding?
We think about what will feel right in the space, what reflects you as a couple, and what’s in season.Not everything is necessary – just what feels considered and meaningful.
Here’s a simple guide to the floral pieces you may wish to include.
Personal Flowers
These are the flowers you wear or carry – the ones closest to you.
THE BRIDAL BOUQUET
The heart of your floral story.
Whether abundant and unrestrained or refined and sculptural, your bouquet should feel like an extension of you. It often sets the tone and colour palette for the entire wedding day.
At May & June, we design with texture, form, colour and even scent. Every flower is thoughtfully selected for its unique character and beauty.
Some brides also opt for an additional “tossing bouquet” – a smaller arrangement they are happy to send soaring into their for the traditional bridal toss. (I had one at my own wedding!)
THE BRIDESMAID BOUQUET
We like to think of bridesmaids’ bouquets as a ‘soft echo’ of the bridal bouquet – harmonious, but never competing.
With matching colours, textures and shapes, they create a sense of unity across the bridal party. Each bouquet is designed to give every bridesmaid a moment of joy.
Something to hold, breathe in, and enjoy – a tangible reminder that she is cherished.
THE BUTTONHOLE
A buttonhole (or boutonniere) is the floral piece the groom wears on his suit jacket. It’s one of the smallest and most delicate floral details of the day yet it features in most, if not all, of the most meaningful moments. That quiet pause before the ceremony, as the buttonhole is pinned into place, is always a treasured photograph.
Matching buttonholes for groomsmen, dads and grandads help tie the entire floral story together.
THE CORSAGE
These delicate pieces are traditionally worn by mums and grandmothers but can be created to honour any loved one. Designed as a subtle extension of the bridal bouquet, they’re a thoughtful way to make some feel included in the celebration.
Ceremony Flowers
THE URN
Pedestal or urn arrangements are a favourite for church and marquee weddings. Typically placed at the front, they frame the ceremony space beautifully, drawing the eye and creating a sense of occasion.
THE MEADOW
Wild, natural, and artfully imperfect, meadow or ground florals feel as though they have grown in the space itself. One or two meadows can beautifully frame a welcome sign or order of service table. Or you may wish to line the aisle with them for a truly immersive effect.
How extensively they feature depends on your budget but they are one of our favourites to design!
THE GARLAND
A garland is a beautiful way to decorate the table upon which you will sign the register. It draws the eye and creates a memorable focal point for this intimate moment. It can be repurposed later for a top table or sweetheart table decoration.
THE ARCH
A floral arch can provide a stunning focal point for your ceremony, creating a frame for the moment you say your vows. Standing beneath it, you and your partner are enveloped in the floral story of the day, making the moment even more unforgettable.
Reception Flowers
THE CENTREPIECE
Our view is that table centrepieces should be a key part of every floral story because they can completely change how a room feels. Centrepieces might be wild and abundant, spilling across long tables, or delicate and refined in bud vases.
THE TOP TABLE CENTREPIECE
The table you sit at is, quite simply, the most important one in the room. Throughout dinner and speeches, all eyes naturally return to you. As you sit there, soaking in the joy of the day, the table arrangement becomes part of your own sensory world. Soft petals, gently swaying foliage and a delicate fragrance all envelop you in the moment.
Investing in a thoughtfully designed table arrangement ensures that every look, every memory and every photograph captures the atmosphere and feeling you want to create.
THE CAKE MOMENT
The wedding cake is often one of the most photographed details of the reception. Flowers can turn it from cake to a statement or focal point.
So what flowers do you need for a wedding?
You need what feels aligned with your day.
Some weddings call for abundance. Others ask for a single sculptural installation moment and the softest bouquet.
At May & June, sustainability, seasonality and thoughtful sourcing shape the decisions just as much as budget.
As a new florist, I believe in choosing flowers slowly and carefully. Locally grown British stems when possible. A mix of fresh and dried where it feels right. Designs that feel natural, never forced.
Your wedding flowers should feel like they belong – to the season, to the setting, to you.
And sometimes, what you need is simply this:
A bouquet in your hands.
A table made beautiful.
A space that feels quietly, deeply yours.
We are May & June where romantic, enchanting blooms are crafted with quiet care and intention. Each flower is thoughtfully selected for its unique beauty; the gentle curve of a petal, a delightful twist of a stem, or a hue as delicate as watercolour.
Tags
Related musings
What British flowers are in season in May and June?
If you are planning a wedding or special event for May or June, you will have a wonderful selection of British flowers to choose from. This guide explores some of the most loved and widely used British flowers in season.
The case for British flowers: seasonality, place and people
There is a reason chefs use local, seasonal ingredients. They taste better, fuller, richer. This same principle applies to flowers. When we use local, seasonal flowers, they are more beautiful, more fragrant, more alive.
Finding my way back to myself through flowers
My first season at Tallulah Rose Flower School was in autumn. What I could never have anticipated was just how magical the experience would be…
