Bride in lace wedding dress holds autumn wedding flower bouquet
Wedding planning

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

Our autumn wedding flowers guide will help you pick beautiful, seasonal posies, advise on bouquet arrangements, suggest complementary tablescapes and décor, plus provide you with a handy list of questions to ask your wedding florist.

Read time:

5 minutes

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. 

Colourful autumn wedding flower bouquet is placed on upholstered chair

Credit: Alex Beckett

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. 

Bride leaves church holding a beautiful autumn wedding flower, while her bridesmaids fixes bride's dress.

Credit: Lavender Green

‘Getting married in the autumn is in vogue,’ Sue Barnes, creative director of Lavender Green, whose clients are rumoured to include A-listers and members of the Royal Family, tells us. ‘And autumnal weddings allow brides to use the most interesting combinations of colours and seasonal flowers all year.’ As Barnes explains, the longevity of autumn flowers is another bonus. ‘Stems are full of water and hardy,’ she told us, adding, ‘And there’s no harsh sunshine that could lead to wilting on the day.’ ‘And autumnal weddings allow brides to use the most interesting combinations of colours and seasonal flowers all year.’

What flowers are best for an autumn wedding?

Fresh autumn wedding flowers

Autumnal wedding flowers look particularly striking when they reflect the season with a warm colour pallet using seasonal blooms, Barnes explains. ‘Autumn flowers offer an abundance of earthy tones that herald the beginning of winter,’ Barnes explains. ‘UK-grown flowers that fit within this colour band are dahlias available in an array of colours, scabious, flame-coloured red-hot-poker flowers, single-petaled marigolds, cosmos in a variety of warm shades and grasses of all different types with their lovely feathery, seed heads.’ For those favouring a more traditional approach, vibrant or deep autumnal shades can be mixed with classic choices, such as white roses or lilies. Wedding florist Neil Birks, creative director of NB Flowers, explains, ‘We look to the colours of autumn diluted with whites or creams to keep the overall look wedding-like.’

Dried autumn wedding flowers

Dried flowers are a beautiful option for a floral display at any time of year, but are particularliy suited to an autumn wedding. ‘Dried flowers can be incorporated into wedding florals to echo the end of harvest time,’ Chris Waugh, a Bloom & Wild florist, tells us. ‘Try adding dried wheat and poppy heads to add texture and autumnal tones to your arrangement.’ Most flowers will lose their bold shade when dried, resulting in a muted colour palette, regardless of which blooms you choose, creating the perfect aesthetic for a rustic theme. Due to their robust and long-lasting form once dried, Waugh adds, ‘dried flowers are also ideal for installations, such as a dried flower arch or hanging arrangements, which make striking focal points.’ As well as dried flowers, consider incorportating in dried foliage, grasses and herbs for a striking effect.

A building front with beautiful autumn wedding flower arch
An autumn wedding flower arrangement on wooden fireplace mantelpiece

Credit: Lavender Green

Dried flowers vs fresh flowers at a wedding

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. 

Fresh flowers pros

  • Beautiful scent
  • Vibrant colours
  • Available in a variety of shades
  • Immediate visual impact 
  • Bring life into the space

Dried flowers pros

  • Rustic or vintage look
  • ⁠More sustainable
  • Can be kept and reused
  • Don’t require as much attention throughout the day 
  • ⁠Cost-effective (but this can vary for bespoke flowers) 

What flowers are in season in autumn in the UK?

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.’

For showstopping flowers that last the whole season, look to dahlias, chrysanthemums, marigolds and zinnias. Anna Panova, creative director of London florist Floetica, explains, 'The cooler autumn months provide the perfect backdrop for flowers like dahlias, which maintain their deep hues from September to November, making them ideal for bouquets and centrepieces.

An autumn wedding flower bouquet placed on themed wedding table.

Credit: Floetica

A red vintage wedding car with autumn wedding flower wreath

Credit: Weddings by Nicola & Glen

Chrysanthemums also stand out, offering a wide range of colours from golden yellows to deep purples, while roses in warm tones, such as burnt orange and peach, remain consistent in quality despite the shifting temperatures. Additionally, hardy blooms like marigolds and zinnias bring vibrancy and last well throughout the season, ensuring your wedding flowers look fresh and rich in colour from start to finish. The key is choosing flowers that naturally thrive in this climate, adding beauty that endures.'

Flowers in season during an autumn wedding

  • 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. 

Autumn wedding flower arrangement

Credit: Emily Rose Hamilton

How to choose flowers for your autumn wedding bouquet

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.’ 

‘Think lush overflowing arrangements that celebrate the bounty of the harvest season.’

Anna Panova, creative director of London florist Floetica

A woman holds a yellow and orange autumn flower bouquet
A bride sits in sunlit room on a chair holding autumn wedding flower bouquet

Credit: Mathias Hannes (left), Alex Beckett (right)

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.  

Bride and bridesmaids pose with serene autumn wedding bouquets

Credit: Emily Rose Hamilton

Autumn wedding bouquet flower ideas

  • 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

Stylish autumn flowers in groom's jacket buttonhole

Credit: Nikki Leadbetter

Which flowers are best for buttonholes in autumn?

First and foremost, durability and longevity are vital considerations for buttonhole flowers. ‘You need a flower that will survive out of water for a day and be resilient enough to withstand a hug,’ wedding florist Neil Birks suggests, adding, ‘Roses are always perfect for a buttonhole, with an embellishment that shouts autumn, such as berries.’ Adding grass and herbs to a buttonhole will complement a boho aesthetic. ‘Encapsulate the wildflower meadow look with seed pod heads like Rudbeckia and feathery grass, which can be augmented with a fresh sprig of rosemary and lavender,’ Barnes tells us. 

‘You need a flower that will survive out of water for a day…and be resilient enough to withstand a hug.’

Neil Birks, creative director of NB Flowers

Autumn wedding flower buttonhole ideas

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

What flowers are good for decorating an autumn wedding?

The harvest is a good starting point for autumnal décor inspiration. Incorporate seasonal plants and foliage, autumn produce, and accessories crafted from natural materials like rattan baskets. Flickers of candlelight will enhance the mood at any wedding, but especially an autumn wedding. Use coloured candlesticks to match your scheme or wedding seating plan cards and display, or contrast vivid colours with a clean white or soft cream. If you don’t want — or can’t have — candles at your venue of choice, then here are a few ideas from our experts for décor to complement your autumn wedding flowers arrangements.

A wedding venue with hanging foliage and autumn wedding floral décor placed on cream tables

Credit: Alex Beckett

  • 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

A wedding table décor featuring luxury autumn wedding flowers arrangements

Credit: Neil Birks

Questions to ask your wedding florist

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. 

Budget

  • Do you have a minimum budget for a wedding? 
  • What can we do for the proposed budget? 
  • Do you have any suggestions on maximising budget? 
  • What is the payment breakdown?

Type of flowers

  • Which flowers would you recommend based on the theme and colour scheme? 
  • Which flowers are in season? 
  • Are there any accessories or props you would recommend to complement the flowers? 

Background

  • How long have you been in business and how many weddings have you worked on?
  • Can I see your portfolio to understand your style and the types of weddings you have worked on?
  • When was the last wedding you worked on?

Preparation

  • Will you prepare the bouquets yourself or have a member of the team do so? 
  • Are you available to walk through the venue, and does this come at an extra cost? 
  • Will we have a meeting shortly before the event to run through logistics?

Practicalities on the day

  • Will there be someone assigned to maintain the displays and check flowers aren't wilting? 
  • Do you recommend specific vases and do we hire those from you, or source ourselves? 

After the wedding

  • What is the procedure for removing the flowers from the venue? 
  • Are you able to help preserve the bouquet, and does this come with an additional fee?

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 

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