Summer weddings fill our minds with visions of vibrant floral arrangements.   You hope for stunning colors and sweet scents to complement your joyous day.  While we stand behind the fact that summer weddings are magical, they can also pose some challenges.  We love summer weddings for the abundance of blooms and extended daylight hours, but at a certain point the warm, balmy weather turns hot and scorching.

Heat can take your beautiful blooms and wilt them in a matter of seconds, so it is important to use florals that can withstand hot weather and refrain from succumbing to the heat before you even start to head down the aisle.  Lucky for you there are a number of hardy flowers that can take on the summer with absolute style and grace. So if you are planning a steamy summer soiree, take a look at our blog for some tips on how to save your summer wedding blooms.

Choose Blooms That Hold Their Shape

Not all flowers are built for heat, and even the best florist is not going to get a delicate flower to stay in bloom on a hot summer day. Some flowers will collapse within an hour of being in the heat, so your first line of defense is to research the flowers that are hardy enough to last long after the dance floor has cleared. The trick is choosing blossoms with strong stems, firm petals and a natural resistance to heat. Bonus…if they are in season locally, they will last longer through travel and delivery. 

Time Your Florals With Careful Precision

 Flowers (unlike your guests) should arrive “fashionably late”. If you are having an indoor wedding from start to finish, make sure your flowers arrive during the coolest part of the morning. For flowers that will be outside for any length of time (and let’s face it, we love the summer for the mere fact that weddings can happen outdoors), arrange for them to be set up no more than one to two hours before the guests arrive.  Make sure that the flowers are stored in water for as long as possible, and assure that transport will happen in a cool, air-conditioned vehicle.  Keeping your flowers out of direct sunlight for as long as possible, will help preserve the beauty of these blooms much longer.

Plan Floral Placement

Where your florals sit matters just as much as what they are.  Some floral arrangements such as floral arches, entry florals and any blooms placed on escort tables tend to be exposed to direct sunlight for longer periods of time. To help these beauties withstand the heat, place installations in partial shade (if possible) or near fans, use heartier flowers for the sun drenched places and for outdoor tablescape florals, try smaller centerpieces that can easily be rotated out of direct sunlight or can be discreetly replaced if needed. 

Condition Your Flowers

Florists go beyond just snipping stems and placing arrangements.  Leading up to your big day, florists make sure to keep the blossoms hydrated, use special solutions to help preserve the flowers and keep the buds in a controlled and cool environment prior to the installation of your wedding decor.  Treating your flowers with care and making sure they have what they need will keep those breathtaking beauties vibrant all night long. 

Summer Florals That Stand Up

There is no lack of options of color, texture and style of blooms during the summer. And while the options may be bountiful, choosing durable and strong flowers are what you need to withstand the summer weather. Some of our favorites include lilies, orchids, roses, zinnia, dahlias, carnations and succulents.

At the end of the day, your floral design is more than just decoration, they are the mood setters, the memory-makers, the heart of the decor. With the right planning, the florals you choose will not only survive the heat of the day, but they will flourish in the glow of your love.

Keeping your flowers alive and thriving is important to the beauty of the day, but keeping yourself cool on a hot summer day can equally be a challenge.  Read our blog, Style Tips for A Hot Summer Day for some advice on how to keep cool on your big day. Happy Planning!