We love weddings year-round. That said, summer weddings are a certain kind of special. Plenty of people are looking to travel, children and educators are out of school, and everyone’s ready to celebrate in the sunshine.

Planning for a warm-weather wedding means paying close attention to the temperatures to ensure your decorations look fresh. If you’re looking for summer wedding flower ideas, we’re breaking down everything you need to know to select the most beautiful—and hardy—florals.

Table of contents:

• Part 1: Everything You Need to Know About Heat-Tolerant Flowers
• Part 2: Types of Heat-Tolerant Flowers and How to Pick
• Part 3: Fresh Cut Flower Alternatives: The Complement to Heat-Tolerant Flowers
• Part 4: How to Utilize Heat-Tolerant Flowers in Your Wedding

What Are Heat-Tolerant Flowers?

In short, they’re florals that can withstand and, in some cases, thrive in hot conditions. So, if your wedding is taking place in the summer months or in a tropical locale, it’s essential to pick the right flowers so that your blooms aren’t wilted before your vows. Luckily, there are plenty of heat-tolerant flower options out there, perfect for any wedding venue or theme.

Part 1: Everything You Need to Know About Heat-Tolerant Flowers

Why Should You Have Heat-Tolerant Flowers?

Flowers are a major focal point for many weddings, and lots of couples plan to utilize blooms when designing their dream celebration space, no matter the season. From bouquets to centerpieces to ceremony decor, blooms are an integral part of weddings for many couples, no matter the size of their celebration. If you’re getting married in the summer, however, it’s important to consider the heat when selecting your flowers. Some blooms—such as hydrangeas and peonies—have a harder time withstanding the hotter temperatures and will not only take extra care, but oftentimes wind up looking wilted and less-than-flourishing when subjected to the summer heat. If you want your florals to flourish on the big day, it’s important to choose blooms that can take on the warmer temps.

Do You Need to Have Heat-Tolerant Flowers?

Chances are that you have a vision for your big day, whether it’s seasonally themed or not. Ultimately, all that matters is that your celebration feels true to you and your relationship. If fresh florals aren’t a major focus—or you don’t need them to flourish for long—choosing heat tolerant flowers might not be as crucial for your celebration. That said, if you’re having an outdoor celebration in the summer sun (or are just in warmer climates with extra high temps), you’ll want to seriously consider heat-tolerant flowers, so that you get the most bloom for your buck.

Are Heat-Tolerant Flowers More Expensive?

Speaking of cost, there’s some good news: Heat tolerant flowers aren’t usually any more expensive than daintier florals. Selecting an in-season summer flower is the key to keeping your floral prices down, and since you’re shopping for flowers that are thriving in the summer, you’ll likely get the best deal. That said, there are plenty of options for every budget, depending on where you buy from, what your vision is, your wedding location, and what type of flowers you purchase. It’s always a good idea to get quotes from multiple florists and be flexible with your vision so that you don’t go over budget.

Are Heat-Tolerant Flowers a Good Option for Your Wedding?

If you choose to have blooms at your celebrations, there are a wide variety of floral options that are more heat-tolerant than the average cut flower. The most hearty florals for a summer wedding tend to be tropical blooms and species that are used to exotic environments—think orchids, birds of paradise, and even some types of lilies. If you’re having a tropical-themed wedding, a beach affair, an outdoor celebration in the warmer months, or an event in a warm locale any time of the year, heat-tolerant flowers are a good choice.

Part 2: How to Pick your Wedding Summer Flowers Your Venue

If your venue is outdoors—especially in the summer—you’ll want to take extra care to ensure that your flowers stay fresh. Consider your venue's locale and natural beauty to better narrow down your heat-tolerant flower choices. If you’re having a tropical or beach wedding, hibiscus, anthuriums, and birds of paradise will look right at home, whereas, if you’re getting married in a garden or more traditional venue, roses, lilies, or carnations would fit the bill.

What to Consider When Selecting Your Heat-Tolerant Flowers

Your Venue

If your venue is outdoors—especially in the summer—you’ll want to take extra care to ensure that your flowers stay fresh. Consider your venue's locale and natural beauty to better narrow down your heat-tolerant flower choices. If you’re having a tropical or beach wedding, hibiscus, anthuriums, and birds of paradise will look right at home, whereas, if you’re getting married in a garden or more traditional venue, roses, lilies, or carnations would fit the bill.

Sun Exposure and Temperature

Potted flowers—such as orchids, spray roses, or petunia—add the same amount of color and floral beauty as cut stems, but have a much better chance of withstanding heat. If you prefer cut florals, make sure that you have a good idea of how long the flowers will be exposed to the sun and heat to help you decide which blooms to select.

Your Wedding Theme and Wedding Colors

One of the biggest components to consider when selecting your florals is your theme and color palette. From an all-white wedding to pastels, your florals should seamlessly blend together the elements of your celebration. While the type of flower makes a difference, color is easier to notice at a distance, so ensuring that you have blooms that match the rest of your decor—or at least compliment it—is pertinent.

Your Budget

Considering your budget is crucial when selecting your florals. While heat-tolerant flowers tend to fall in the same general price range as average flowers (and fresh floral alternatives are usually even more budget-friendly), you’ll want to account for the extra care needed for some summertime flowers. If you shop for out-of-season florals or daintier blooms in the summer, the chances of your final bill being higher is likely. Shop for a summer flower that thrives in the heat to get the best flowers on a budget.

Part 3: Types of Heat-Tolerant Flowers

1. Anthuriums

2. Dahlias

3. Delphinium

4. Zinnias

5. Cymbidium Orchids

6. Proteas

7. Sunflowers

8. Wildflowers

9. Gerbera Daisies

10. Carnations

11. Lisianthus

12. Chrysanthemums

13. Garden Roses

Part 4: Alternatives to Complement your Summer Flowers

If you’re still undecided on your cut florals, or you’re not in love with any of the heat-tolerant plant or foliage options, there are an endless amount of fresh flower alternatives that will still elevate your decor and add plenty of freshness.

• Silk Flowers

• Fabric Flowers

• Paper Flowers

• Dried Flowers

• Herbs and Greenery (such as eucalyptus)

• Succulents

• Air Plants

• Potted Flowers

Part 5: How to Utilize Heat-Tolerant Flowers in your Wedding Celebration

Centerpieces

Whether your wedding centerpieces are made from faux flowers, succulents, air plants, or heat-tolerant blooms, as long as they decorate your space, adhere to your theme and color palette, and feel true to your event, you can be sure that they’ll wow your guests. Don’t feel like you have to have sky-high flower arrangements for a memorable centerpiece, especially if your event is outside. Lean into the built-in decor of the venue to save on costs and reduce the number of florals you have to purchase.

Bouquets

Bridesmaid and bridal bouquets are one of the most traditional ways to show off your florals, and luckily, they’re the easiest to keep looking spry. Keep summer wedding bouquets in water until right before walking down the aisle (just make sure to dry off the stems to avoid water droplets on dresses) to ensure that they look perky for their big moment.

Boutonnieres

Just as you would with your bouquets, wait until right before walking down the aisle to add your boutonnieres to ensure that they avoid wilting in the summer heat.

Wedding Decor

Instead of cut blooms lining your aisle or altar, opt for potted plants or other floral designs to not only cut down on cost, but avoid having wilted blooms. Ceremony spaces are one of the hardest to keep blooms looking fresh (since oftentimes they’re in the sun and not in water), so try to find other alternatives. If it’s not possible, be sure to chat with your florist so that you pick blooms that are up to challenge.

Reception Decor

If your reception is taking place inside (and your blooms have access to air conditioning, shade, and water), you have a little more flexibility when selecting your flowers. That said, considering elements such as travel, the amount of time spent outdoors/loading, and how long your event is will all come into play when selecting your reception decor. Even if your celebration is taking place inside, we suggest utilizing heat-tolerant flowers for summer weddings for the freshest wedding day decor.

Zola: Your Source for Flowers Fit for a Summer Wedding

While summer weddings provide a gorgeous backdrop, you’ll have to take extra care to ensure that your summer wedding flowers are up to the challenge of looking dapper all day. That said, with a few of our heat-tolerant wedding ideas in mind, keeping your flower bouquets, centerpieces, and other in-season blooms should be a breeze.