Wedding Flower Availability Checker
Check Your Flower Availability
Select your wedding month, location, and preferred flowers to see if they're available seasonally.
Choosing the right month for your wedding isn’t just about the weather or the vibe-it’s about what your flowers can actually do. If you’ve ever seen a bouquet that looked flat, faded, or just plain sad next to your dress, chances are you picked the wrong month. Some months are simply not good for wedding flowers-not because of tradition or superstition, but because of cold snaps, droughts, and the brutal reality of global supply chains.
January and February: The Flower Desert
If you’re planning a winter wedding in the Northern Hemisphere, January and February are the toughest months for fresh, vibrant blooms. Most local flower farms are dormant. Greenhouses are running at full capacity just to keep roses and carnations alive, and even those cost 40-60% more than in spring. In New Zealand, where I live, February is still late summer-but in places like the U.S., Canada, or the U.K., it’s deep winter. That means imported flowers have to fly halfway across the globe. A single peony in February might cost $15 instead of $4 in May. And don’t expect lush garden roses or ranunculus-they’re not in season anywhere near you.
What you’ll get instead? Limited options like chrysanthemums, static grasses, or dyed filler flowers that look artificial. I’ve seen brides cry over their bouquets because they looked like they came from a grocery store in December. It’s not romantic. It’s just expensive and disappointing.
July: Heat Kills the Delicate Stuff
July sounds perfect-long days, sunshine, warm nights. But heat is the silent killer of wedding flowers. Many popular blooms like gardenias, hydrangeas, and anemones wilt in temperatures above 30°C (86°F). If your ceremony is outdoors in July and your florist didn’t use cold-chain transport, your bouquet could be drooping by the time you say "I do."
In cities like Atlanta, Phoenix, or even parts of Australia, July isn’t just hot-it’s brutal. Florists in these areas often refuse to use certain flowers during peak summer. They’ll substitute them with hardier options like sunflowers or proteas, but if you dreamed of soft pink peonies or delicate lisianthus, you’re out of luck. Even if you’re in a cooler climate, July is when flower farms are harvesting for wholesale markets, not boutique weddings. Supply drops. Prices spike. Quality drops.
August: Too Late for Spring, Too Early for Fall
August is the awkward middle child of wedding months. It’s not hot enough to be a summer disaster, but it’s not cool enough for fall favorites like dahlias or chrysanthemums to be in full bloom yet. In many regions, the transition between seasons means a gap in availability. Peonies are gone. Roses are fading. Tulips? Not a chance. You’re stuck with whatever’s left over from June and whatever’s just starting to peek out from September.
Florists in places like the Pacific Northwest or Northern Europe often warn couples against August weddings because the flower supply is thin. You’ll pay premium prices for mediocre blooms. I’ve worked with brides who booked August weddings and ended up with bouquets that looked like they were assembled from a florist’s leftover bin. It’s not the month’s fault-it’s just that nature doesn’t care about your timeline.
September: The Real Winner
Wait-didn’t you ask for the bad months? September is actually one of the best. But it’s worth mentioning because it’s the opposite of what you’re looking for. In September, dahlias explode. Sunflowers are still strong. Chrysanthemums and asters come into season. Prices drop. Availability soars. That’s why most florists say September is the sweet spot. If you’re avoiding a month, it’s not September. It’s the ones before it.
What About Tropical Destinations?
If you’re having a beach wedding in Bali, Mexico, or the Caribbean, you might think seasons don’t matter. But they do. In places like Thailand or the Philippines, the rainy season hits hard between June and October. Heavy downpours mean flowers get waterlogged, petals rot, and stems turn slimy. Even if your venue is covered, transporting flowers from farm to altar becomes a nightmare. I’ve seen weddings in Phuket where the bouquet arrived looking like it had been through a hurricane. The florist had no choice-they used plastic flowers just to save the look.
And don’t assume tropical flowers are always available. Frangipani? Great in April. But in August, it’s scarce. Orchids? Reliable, but expensive if you want rare varieties. You still need to plan around local bloom cycles, not just the calendar.
What Flowers Can You Actually Use in the Worst Months?
Let’s be real-you’re not going to cancel your wedding because of a bad month. So what can you use when the options are limited?
- January/February: Evergreen branches, dried eucalyptus, pinecones, amaranthus, and preserved roses. These look luxurious and cost less.
- July: Sunflowers, zinnias, succulents, and proteas. Tough, heat-resistant, and bold.
- August: Dahlias (late bloomers), cosmos, rudbeckia, and hypericum berries. They hold up well and add texture.
Florists who know their stuff will tell you: it’s not about forcing a flower into a season. It’s about working with what’s alive. A good florist won’t try to make peonies bloom in January-they’ll make your wedding look stunning with what’s actually there.
How to Avoid Flower Disasters
Here’s how to make sure your flowers don’t ruin your wedding day:
- Ask your florist what’s in season. Not what they can import. What’s growing right now, locally. If they can’t answer, find someone else.
- Check bloom calendars. Most flower associations publish seasonal guides. Look up "flower calendar [your country]"-you’ll find real data.
- Don’t fixate on one flower. If peonies are your dream, have a backup. Maybe it’s ranunculus in spring, or dahlias in fall. Flexibility saves money and stress.
- Book early, but not too early. If you’re marrying in January, book your florist by June. If you’re marrying in July, book by February. Florists fill up fast when supply is low.
- Consider dried or preserved flowers. They’re not just for boho weddings. Preserved roses, lavender, and ferns look elegant and last forever. And they’re immune to weather.
Bottom Line: It’s Not Magic, It’s Biology
There’s no magical "bad" month for weddings. But there are months when nature says no. January, February, July, and August are the hardest for flowers because of cold, heat, or seasonal gaps. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful wedding. It just means you need to plan smarter. Work with the season, not against it. Your flowers will thank you-and so will your wallet.
Is it really bad to have a wedding in January?
Yes, if you want fresh, colorful, and affordable flowers. January is deep winter in most of the Northern Hemisphere, and flower farms are dormant. What’s available is mostly imported, expensive, and limited to hardy blooms like roses and chrysanthemums. Peonies, tulips, and ranunculus won’t be in season anywhere near you.
What’s the cheapest month for wedding flowers?
Late September through October is typically the cheapest. Dahlias, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, and asters are in full bloom, supply is high, and demand starts to drop after summer. Prices can be 30-50% lower than in May or June.
Can I use artificial flowers to avoid bad months?
Absolutely. High-quality silk or preserved flowers look realistic and aren’t affected by weather or season. Many modern brides choose them for durability, cost savings, and the ability to reuse them. They’re no longer seen as "cheap"-they’re practical and stylish.
Do florists know which months are bad for flowers?
Good ones do. They follow seasonal bloom charts, track crop yields, and know local growing cycles. If your florist doesn’t mention seasonality upfront, they might not be experienced. Ask them: "What’s in season for my date?" If they hesitate, it’s a red flag.
What if I really want peonies for my July wedding?
You can get them-but you’ll pay $12-$18 per stem instead of $4-$6. They’ll be imported from countries like Colombia or Ecuador, flown in, and may not last past the ceremony. Consider using them only in the bouquet and centerpieces, not in large arrangements. Or swap them for ranunculus, which look similar and thrive in summer.
