Autumn wedding flowers guide — bouquet ideas, buttonhole tips, and the best blooms in season

Autumn wedding flowers are some of the most beautiful. There’s a reason autumn is so heavily romanticised in film and the arts. It conjures images of falling leaves, open fires, and candlelight - all of which can be worked into a seasonal autumnal wedding theme. Typical Fall bouquets range from cascading dahlias or roses in rich, deep hues, to more rustic bunches of pansies with dried grasses and thistle. Classic autumn colour schemes of deep burgundy, dusky pink, burnt orange and mustard yellow look striking in a wedding floral display too, whether these shades are used as accents or as vivid contrasting shades. 

While the popularity of Fall weddings is rising, there are still a few things to consider when it comes to autumn wedding flowers. In this guide, we’ll help you cross several things off your wedding checklist. You'll learn which seasonal flowers hold up best, why cascading, overflowing bouquets are so popular at this time of year, and what questions to ask a potential wedding florist. 

Dried flowers can offer a more sustainable alternative to fresh flowers and require less care on the day, with no need to keep blooms hydrated or any risk of them wilting. Still, for many, part of the appeal of fresh flowers is not only their striking visual impact but also their scent. It’s worth adding that dried flowers can also be a more affordable option for couples, though prices can match (or even exceed) those of fresh flowers if they are dried specifically for the wedding with a bespoke service. 

There are plenty of options when it comes to seasonal autumnal wedding flowers. And some summer flowers - such as the vibrant sunflower that lends itself well to bold bouquets and arrangements - are still in season in early autumn. Though flowers can change in colour throughout the year, so it’s worth researching your preferred blooms. ‘Dutch hydrangeas are also a beautiful choice for autumnal bouquets but are more suited to the start of the season when they’re available in wedding-friendly shades of pale pink and white,’ wedding florist Birks tells us. ‘As the season goes on, they become more mottled colours.’

• Amaranthus: Long, tassel-like panicles typically found in deep reds, green, yellow and bronze. 
• Asters: Large daisy-shaped flowers, also known as Michaelmas daisies, come in various colours, including white, pink, purple and blue.
• ⁠Astrantia: Tiny star-shaped blooms in a dome shape, found in greenish-white, pink or maroon
• ⁠Calla lilies: Large trumpet-shaped blooms available in bright yellows, deep burgundies, peaches, and oranges.
• ⁠Chrysanthemums: These striking flowers have 13 different variations, from open daisies to large pom-pom-shaped domes, available in autumn hues of yellow, russet red, and orange. 
• Dahlias: Pompon dahlias are balls of tightly placed petals, while ball dahlias are slightly larger but have the same round shape. Available in deep shades of purple and red or a sunset-like blend of pink and yellow. 
• Euphorbia Fulgens: Also known as the scarlet plume, these deciduous shrubs have long, arching green stems covered in tiny flowers, typically orange, red, or yellow. 
• Hellebores: Bell-shaped, open cup-shaped and saucer-shaped blooms in white, pink, red and purple, also known as Christmas or Lenten roses.
• Hibiscus: Large, trumpet-shaped flowers that turn from pinks to deep reds and oranges in autumn.
• Hydrangeas: Large, conical flowers available in pale pinks, blue and more mottled colours as the season progresses
• ⁠Lavender: Small evergreen shrubs with a purple colour throughout the seasons.
• ⁠Nerines: Smaller lily-like flowers in autumn in pink, white and red shades.
• ⁠Pansies: Small heart-shaped flowers that bloom in bright oranges and yellows during the season. 
• Petunias: Funnel-shaped flowers ranging from pinks, reds, and purples to soft pastel shades.
• Physalis (also known as Cape Gooseberry): Round, smooth berries on long stems in a deep orange shade. 
• ⁠English roses: Roses have a cupped shape with petals gathered around the pistle and are available in deep reds, white, and peach during autumn. 
• ⁠Sunflowers: Vibrant large flowers with a daisy-like shape in bright yellow and orange, but also deeper reds in autumn.
• Violas: Small, dainty flowers with heart-shaped leaves in various shades, including yellow, orange and white. 

The colour scheme is the first port of call when deciding on a bouquet. One option is a base of whites with accents of autumnal shades such as apricots, nudes, and peachy pinks. Birks suggests using ‘white hydrangea and white roses, presented with apricot dahlia, pearl avalanche roses, nude stocks, and stabilised eucalyptus’ to achieve this look. Or, try shades like burnt oranges, russet reds, peaches, dusky pinks, and burgundies if you favour a more intense colour scheme. Regarding the structure, Barnes explains that in her experience as a florist, ‘Autumnal wedding bouquets are generally looser, naturally beautiful and not fixed or formulaic in shape. The outside edge of the bouquet is delicate, wild and free-flowing, complementing the soft, warm autumnal shades.’ Anna Panova, creative director of London florist Floetica, also notes the maximalist trend in floristry and how autumn wedding flowers are particularly well suited to this, adding, ‘More is more in the autumn season - think lush, overflowing arrangements that celebrate the bounty of the harvest season.’ 

Autumnal wedding bouquets provide plenty of opportunity to experiment with texture. ‘To add layers and visual interest, consider incorporating ‘butterflies’ - elements that add visual depth - such as Butterfly Ranunculus or soft scabiosa,’ Panova tells us. ‘Complement these with seasonal foliage to introduce an extra layer of texture.’ In bouquets for brides and bridesmaids, berried foliage is a striking addition. ‘We also have berried foliage such as Guelder foliage, branches of rose hips, and fruiting branches of blackberry and crab apples at this time of year,’ Birks explains. Looking for more ideas for autumn wedding bouquet flowers? We asked florists to suggest some examples of bouquets that reflect autumnal colours and themes.  

• A helichrysum bouquet mixed with roses is beautiful with geranium foliage - Neil Birks
• Dahlias in deep purples and reds contrasted with the bright, sunny faces of marigolds and the soft, romantic petals of garden roses - Anna Panova 
• A white, cream, burgundy, and pink scheme also works well with flowers such as café au lait dahlia, four seasons roses, burgundy dahlia, white or pink snowberry, chocolate cosmos and pale pink astilbe - Neil Birks
• For those who prefer more understated elegance, monochromatic bouquets featuring whites and creams, accented with soft greenery and dried elements, offer a timeless yet contemporary look - Anna Panova
• Dahlias are a real show-stopper stem. Team with floaty florals such as phlox and cosmos to create autumnal magic - Chris Waugh

• Roses and berries
• ⁠Seed pod heads and feather grass with a sprig of rosemary or lavender
• ⁠Sunflowers
• ⁠Lavender and thistle
• ⁠Dahlias
• ⁠Dried wildflowers 

• Small apples: A scattering of small apples, or crab apples, on tables along with petals and leaves. Use coloured candles to get that cosy autumnal feel - Neil Birks
• Baskets: For an English countryside look, you can use baskets in gold tones with beautiful woven grasses. These are fantastic as containers for larger designs or as table centres and can be filled with beautiful flowers for bridesmaids as a replacement for bouquets - Sue Barnes
• Ribbons: To accessorise, consider adding ribbons in rich tones - think deep burgundy, gold, or forest green - tied in flowing bows that add movement and elegance - Anna Panova 
• Darker foliage: Deeper-toned foliage and dried foliage work well for autumnal arrangements. Try eucalyptus, ferns, grasses and ivy with autumnal-hued flowers - Chris Waugh
• Metallic accents: Subtle touches of gold or copper in the form of metallic leaves or berries can elevate the overall look, making it feel both seasonal and sophisticated - Anna Panova

Before deciding on a florist, it’s important to ask to see their previous work to ensure your vision is aligned. It’s also a good idea to prepare a visual snapshot of your desired look - whether that’s in a scrapbook form, on Pinterest or saved posts on Instagram - to determine what they can do and can’t do and the restrictions of the venue. 

There are no strict rules regarding wedding floristry - your vision is yours alone. But our takeaway advice for autumnal wedding flowers is to lean into the season and its richness. 

Main Photo Credit: Lucy Henzell