Spring in Los Angeles offers a breathtaking canvas for your wedding day, and nothing captures its essence better than the perfect floral arrangements. Choosing the right flowers not only sets the tone but also tells your unique love story through color, texture, and scent. For couples planning a spring celebration, navigating the world of seasonal blooms can feel overwhelming, especially when aligning them with your overall aesthetic. This is particularly true when considering how your floral choices will complement your venue, whether it's an indoor ballroom or a sun-drenched garden. As you plan your big day, exploring various outdoor wedding reception ideas can help you envision how flowers will integrate into a truly magical setting.
This comprehensive guide is designed to simplify that process and serve as your trusted resource. We will explore the 10 best flowers for a spring wedding, focusing on their unique characteristics, ideal style pairings, and practical tips for bringing your vision to life here in Culver City and across the greater Los Angeles area. From the timeless romance of peonies to the modern elegance of tulips and the delicate charm of ranunculus, you'll gain actionable insights for every floral element. We'll cover everything from bouquets and centerpieces to care instructions and budget-friendly substitutions, ensuring you can confidently select the blooms that will make your day unforgettable.
1. Peonies
Synonymous with luxury and romance, peonies are undeniably one of the best flowers for a spring wedding. These lush, full-petaled blossoms symbolize prosperity and a happy marriage, making them a meaningful and visually stunning choice. Their large, ruffled heads create an immediate sense of opulence, whether used as a focal point in a bouquet or clustered together for a dramatic centerpiece.
The sheer volume of a single peony bloom means fewer stems are needed to create a full, high-impact arrangement, offering a blend of extravagance and efficiency. Their soft fragrance adds an enchanting sensory layer to your wedding day atmosphere.
Availability & Popular Varieties
In Los Angeles, peonies are at their peak from late April to June. Popular varieties available to our Culver City clients include the soft pink ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ and the crisp white ‘Duchesse de Nemours’. For a more compact and perfectly round bloom, ask for the ‘Charlie Bucket’ variety.
Design & Pairing Inspiration
Peonies are incredibly versatile and suit various wedding styles, from classic romance to modern minimalist.
- For Bouquets: A classic pairing of white peonies, garden roses, and silver dollar eucalyptus creates a timeless and elegant bridal bouquet, reminiscent of royal wedding designs.
- For Centerpieces: Combine coral charm peonies with ranunculus and sweet peas in low, lush arrangements for a vibrant and romantic tablescape.
Budget & Handling Tips
Due to their short season and high demand, peonies are a premium flower. We recommend ordering them 4-6 months in advance to secure the best quality and pricing. When they arrive, your florist will carefully remove the outer "guard petals" to help the tight buds open into their full, glorious form. This is a crucial step in preparing peonies for your arrangements. The process of selecting flowers like these is an important part of your wedding planning; you can explore more about how to choose wedding flowers in our guide.
2. Tulips
As the quintessential symbol of spring, tulips offer a fresh, modern aesthetic and are among the best flowers for a spring wedding. These elegant, cup-shaped blooms symbolize perfect and deep love, making them a meaningful choice for your celebration. Available in nearly every color imaginable, from soft pastels to vibrant jewel tones, their versatility allows them to fit seamlessly into any wedding theme.
The clean lines of a classic tulip lend a sophisticated and contemporary feel, while fringed or parrot varieties add texture and dramatic flair. Their graceful form brings an effortless elegance to bouquets and arrangements without overwhelming other elements.
Availability & Popular Varieties
Tulips are a true spring flower, with peak availability in Los Angeles from March through May. We often recommend the double-petaled ‘Angelique’ variety to our Culver City clients; its lush, peony-like appearance makes it a beautiful and cost-effective substitute for roses. For a truly dramatic effect, Dutch Parrot tulips offer ruffled, uniquely colored petals that make a stunning statement.
Design & Pairing Inspiration
Tulips' simple elegance makes them highly adaptable for various wedding aesthetics, from minimalist chic to lush and romantic.
- For Bouquets: A monochromatic bouquet of white parrot tulips creates a striking, modern look. For a more classic feel, combine soft pink tulips with hyacinths and forget-me-nots.
- For Centerpieces: Use tall, slender glass vases filled with a single color of tulips for a clean and contemporary tablescape. For a more natural look, mix different tulip varieties and colors in low, sprawling arrangements.
Budget & Handling Tips
Tulips are generally a more budget-friendly option compared to other premium spring flowers. To ensure they look their best, we cut stems at a 45-degree angle and keep them in cool, fresh water. Tulips are known to "grow" and bend towards light sources after being cut, which creates a lovely, natural movement in arrangements. A tall, supportive vase can help manage this unique characteristic.
3. Ranunculus
Often called the "rose of the spring," ranunculus boasts delicate, paper-thin petals that swirl into a breathtaking, intricate bloom. Their romantic and feminine appearance makes them one of the best flowers for a spring wedding, offering a touch of whimsical elegance. The densely layered petals create a lush, full look that rivals more traditional flowers but with a uniquely modern and soft charm.
Their graceful, curving stems add beautiful movement to bouquets and arrangements. As a popular choice for Pinterest-trending and bohemian-inspired weddings, ranunculus adds a contemporary yet timeless feel to any floral design.
Availability & Popular Varieties
Ranunculus are readily available in Los Angeles throughout the spring, typically from March through May. For our Culver City clientele, we love sourcing the large, fluffy ‘Cloni’ varieties for their impressive size and the classic ‘Elegance’ series for its vibrant range of colors, including soft pastels, bold yellows, and deep burgundies.
Design & Pairing Inspiration
The versatility of ranunculus allows them to shine in both leading and supporting roles across various wedding themes.
- For Bouquets: Pair white and blush ranunculus with lisianthus and dusty miller for a soft, romantic bridal bouquet. Their texture is a key element in how to create a bridal bouquet with depth and visual interest.
- For Centerpieces: Create a vibrant, garden-style centerpiece by mixing orange and pink ranunculus with delphinium, chamomile, and sprigs of eucalyptus for a cheerful and sophisticated look.
Budget & Handling Tips
Ranunculus are moderately priced, making them a fantastic alternative to more premium flowers like peonies while still providing a high-end look. To ensure their longevity, they require careful handling. We condition them in cool water for several hours and remove any leaves below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth. Their delicate stems often benefit from the support of a floral grid or foam in arrangements.
4. Garden Roses
Often mistaken for peonies due to their lush, layered petals, garden roses are a sophisticated and romantic choice, solidifying their place among the best flowers for a spring wedding. Unlike standard roses, garden varieties are heirloom flowers bred for their stunning form and intense fragrance. Their full, ruffled appearance provides a timeless elegance and luxurious feel, famously used in royal weddings and by top designers like Preston Bailey.
The captivating scent and complex petal structure of a single garden rose can elevate any arrangement, making them a high-impact flower that exudes grace and opulence. Their remarkable longevity also ensures they look pristine throughout your entire wedding day.
Availability & Popular Varieties
Garden roses are available year-round, but many varieties peak in the spring, offering exceptional quality and fragrance. We source premium blooms for our Los Angeles clients, including coveted David Austin varieties like the iconic peachy-pink ‘Juliet’, the delicate blush ‘Keira’, and the antique-toned ‘Quicksand’.
Design & Pairing Inspiration
Their classic beauty allows garden roses to shine in nearly any wedding aesthetic, from a grand ballroom affair to an intimate garden ceremony.
- For Bouquets: A mono-floral bouquet of white ‘Patience’ garden roses creates a clean, sophisticated, and incredibly fragrant statement.
- For Centerpieces: Pair dusty pink garden roses with lisianthus and flowing jasmine vine in tall, elegant arrangements to craft a truly romantic and enchanting atmosphere for your reception.
Budget & Handling Tips
Garden roses are a premium floral choice, priced higher than standard roses due to their delicate nature and specialized cultivation. To maximize their beauty, order them well in advance from specialty growers. Upon arrival, your florist will carefully condition each stem with a floral preservative to ensure maximum hydration and longevity, allowing each bloom to open perfectly for your special day.
5. Lilacs
With their intoxicating fragrance and delicate clusters of blossoms, lilacs are an enchanting choice and one of the best flowers for a spring wedding. These romantic blooms symbolize the first emotions of love, making them a deeply meaningful addition to your celebration. Their lush, garden-fresh appearance brings an air of nostalgia and effortless elegance to any floral design.
The soft, full look of lilac branches adds texture and a "fresh-picked" feel that is perfect for garden-style or rustic-chic weddings. Their powerful scent can beautifully perfume an entire venue, creating a memorable sensory experience for you and your guests.
Availability & Popular Varieties
Lilacs have a very brief but glorious season in Los Angeles, typically from March through May. Due to their limited availability, we advise clients to be decisive. We often source classic purple ‘Common Lilac’ and pristine white ‘Madame Lemoine’ varieties for our Culver City studio, both of which are celebrated for their strong fragrance and classic shape.
Design & Pairing Inspiration
Lilacs are perfect for adding texture and fragrance to arrangements rather than serving as the main focal flower.
- For Bouquets: We love incorporating sprigs of white or pale purple lilac into a hand-tied bouquet with tulips and hyacinths for a truly spring-inspired, fragrant composition.
- For Centerpieces: Use lilac branches in taller vase arrangements paired with delphinium and greenery to create airy, romantic centerpieces that evoke a wild garden aesthetic.
Budget & Handling Tips
Lilacs are moderately priced but their short season can impact cost and availability. We recommend ordering as soon as they become available in March. To ensure they stay fresh, your florist will hammer the woody stems before placing them in water; this simple trick dramatically improves water absorption and extends their vase life. We're always exploring how classic flowers like these fit into modern designs; you can see more in our post about current wedding flower trends.
6. Sweet Peas
Delicate and intensely fragrant, sweet peas are a quintessential English garden flower and one of the best flowers for a spring wedding. Their ruffled, butterfly-like blossoms exude a whimsical, romantic charm that is perfect for creating an ethereal, cottage-garden aesthetic. The distinctive sweet scent of these blooms can fill a room, adding a memorable sensory layer to your celebration.
The airy, trailing nature of sweet pea vines brings movement and grace to any arrangement, making them a favorite for designers aiming for a natural, "just-picked" look. Their delicate appearance belies their powerful fragrance, which is a key reason for their popularity.
Availability & Popular Varieties
Sweet peas thrive in the mild Los Angeles spring, with peak availability from March through May. For our Culver City clients, we can source stunning varieties ranging from soft pastels like the creamy ‘Cupani’ to vibrant jewel tones. The bicolored ‘Heirloom’ varieties are particularly sought after for their unique charm.
Design & Pairing Inspiration
Sweet peas are incredibly versatile, adding a touch of delicate texture and heavenly scent to wedding florals.
- For Bouquets: A simple, hand-tied bouquet of sweet peas alone is breathtakingly romantic. For more texture, pair them with lily of the valley and jasmine vine for a fragrant and whimsical design.
- For Centerpieces: Weave sweet pea vines through low arrangements of garden roses and ranunculus to create a loose, organic tablescape with incredible fragrance.
Budget & Handling Tips
Sweet peas are delicate and have a shorter vase life, making them a mid-range to premium choice. They are sensitive to heat and require careful handling. To ensure their freshness, we recommend arranging them the morning of the wedding. Keep their stems in cool water and strip any foliage below the waterline to prevent bacterial growth and help them last through your special day.
7. Hellebores (Christmas Roses)
For a touch of moody elegance and artistic flair, hellebores are among the best flowers for a spring wedding. These early bloomers, often called Christmas Roses, feature sophisticated, nodding bowl-shaped flowers. Their subtle earth tones, dusky pinks, and deep plums, often with delicate speckles, offer a unique and refined aesthetic perfect for distinctive botanical designs.
Hellebores bring an almost painterly quality to arrangements, providing texture and depth that stands out. Their downward-facing blooms create intriguing movement and are ideal for adding an element of surprise to bouquets and tablescapes.
Availability & Popular Varieties
Hellebores are a true delight of the late winter and early spring season, typically available in Los Angeles from January through early April. Our Culver City clients love the ‘Winter Jewels’ series, which offers a stunning range of colors from deep purple to soft apricot and speckled whites. The ‘Double Ellen’ varieties provide extra petal-packed drama.
Design & Pairing Inspiration
Their unique form makes hellebores a versatile choice for styles ranging from wild, garden-inspired arrangements to modern, architectural florals.
- For Bouquets: Pair white speckled hellebores with delicate ferns, lily of the valley, and trailing jasmine vines for an ethereal and romantic bridal bouquet that feels freshly gathered from an enchanted forest.
- For Centerpieces: Use deep plum or green hellebores in low, sprawling centerpieces combined with ranunculus and seasonal foliage. Their nodding heads are perfect for arrangements viewed from above.
Budget & Handling Tips
Hellebores are a specialty flower and can be moderately priced. To ensure longevity, proper conditioning is key. We recommend cutting the stems on a 45-degree angle and placing them immediately in a floral preservative. For bouquets, your florist may carefully wire the delicate heads to ensure they face forward and remain visible.
8. Anemones
Known for their striking and modern aesthetic, anemones are a truly captivating choice and one of the best flowers for a spring wedding. These delicate, open-faced blossoms feature tissue-thin petals surrounding a prominent, dark center, creating a bold and artistic look. Their clean lines and dramatic contrast make them a favorite for contemporary, minimalist, and even bohemian wedding styles.
The graphic quality of an anemone adds a touch of high-fashion elegance to any floral design. Whether used sparingly for a pop of contrast or grouped together, their unique appearance ensures they stand out in bouquets and arrangements.
Availability & Popular Varieties
Anemones have a peak season from late winter through spring, making them perfectly timed for Los Angeles weddings from March to May. Our Culver City clients often request the classic white 'Panda' anemone with its inky black center. Other popular options include deep magenta, soft blush pink, and vibrant red varieties.
Design & Pairing Inspiration
Anemones are versatile enough to suit various themes, adding a modern twist to any arrangement.
- For Bouquets: A chic and contemporary bouquet can be created by combining white anemones with silvery dusty miller and a few stems of black-centered scabiosa for a sophisticated, high-contrast look.
- For Centerpieces: Pair anemones with ranunculus and delicate ferns in simple glass vases for a minimalist tablescape that feels both modern and romantic.
Budget & Handling Tips
Anemones are moderately priced but can be delicate. Their petals can bruise easily, so they require careful handling. To ensure they look their best, we recommend arranging them just 1-2 days before your wedding. Keep them cool and change their water frequently, re-cutting the stems each time. This meticulous care ensures their paper-like petals remain pristine for your special day.
9. Hyacinths
Known for their intoxicating fragrance and dense, colorful flower spikes, hyacinths are a truly memorable choice among the best flowers for a spring wedding. Each stalk is composed of dozens of small, star-shaped florets, creating a look of abundant texture and rich color. Symbolizing sincerity and playfulness, they bring an old-world charm and powerful sensory experience to any wedding celebration.
The structured yet lush appearance of hyacinths allows them to stand out in both formal arrangements and more relaxed, garden-style designs. Their incredible scent can fill a room, creating a romantic and unforgettable atmosphere for you and your guests.
Availability & Popular Varieties
Hyacinths are true spring bulbs, with their peak season in Los Angeles running from March through May. Our Culver City studio often works with classic varieties like the deep purple ‘Peter Stuyvesant’, the pristine white ‘Carnegie’, and the soft pink ‘Pink Pearl’. These jewel tones and pastels provide a rich palette for any wedding theme.
Design & Pairing Inspiration
Hyacinths' unique form and fragrance make them a versatile and impactful design element.
- For Bouquets: Weave individual white or blue hyacinth florets throughout a bouquet of tulips and daffodils for added texture and a delightful scent that follows the bride down the aisle.
- For Centerpieces: Use full hyacinth spikes in low, compact centerpieces combined with garden roses and lush greenery for a classic, romantic look that also serves as a natural air freshener.
Budget & Handling Tips
Hyacinths are moderately priced spring flowers, but their strong fragrance means a little goes a long way. We suggest ordering them 4-6 weeks in advance. Florists must handle the bulbs and stems with care, as they can cause mild skin irritation; wearing gloves is recommended. Due to their potent scent, consider the size of your venue and potential guest allergies when deciding on the quantity to use.
10. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
For a touch of pure whimsy and delicate romance, Bleeding Heart is an enchanting and unique choice, making it one of the best flowers for a spring wedding. These shade-loving perennials feature graceful, arching stems from which heart-shaped pink or white blossoms dangle. Their distinctive shape brings a storybook feel to any arrangement, perfect for a garden-style or woodland-inspired celebration.
The captivating form of Bleeding Hearts adds movement and an airy quality, creating arrangements that feel naturally gathered and effortlessly beautiful. Their charm lies in their untamed, botanical elegance, offering an unforgettable detail for your special day.
Availability & Popular Varieties
Bleeding Hearts have a prime season from April through early June in the Los Angeles area. We source these specialty blooms from local growers for our Culver City clients, ensuring maximum freshness. The most common variety is the classic pink 'Spectabilis', while the pure white 'Alba' offers a pristine, elegant alternative.
Design & Pairing Inspiration
Their unique cascading structure makes Bleeding Hearts a stunning addition to arrangements that require a bit of graceful drama and movement.
- For Bouquets: Weave stems of Bleeding Hearts through a loose, hand-tied bouquet with sweet peas, anemones, and ferns to create a whimsical, trailing effect that feels plucked from an English garden.
- For Centerpieces: Use them as an accent in elevated arrangements, allowing their arching stems to cascade over the sides of the vase for a dynamic and romantic centerpiece.
Budget & Handling Tips
As a specialty flower, Bleeding Hearts require careful sourcing and handling. We recommend placing your order 6-8 weeks in advance. These are delicate blooms, so it's crucial to handle them minimally to prevent petal drop. We immediately place them in cool water with a floral preservative upon arrival to ensure they are perfectly conditioned and ready for your wedding day designs.
Top 10 Spring Wedding Flowers Comparison
| Item | Implementation complexity | Resource requirements | Expected outcomes | Ideal use cases | Key advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peonies | Moderate — delicate petals, need sturdy support | Seasonal (Apr–Jun), order months ahead, careful handling | Luxurious, voluminous blooms, strong fragrance, 7–12 days vase life | Spring bridal bouquets, romantic/luxury weddings | Dramatic, photogenic, timeless romantic look |
| Tulips | Low–Moderate — stems may lean, some varieties need support | Widely available in spring, very large color range, affordable | Clean modern silhouette, architectural aging, 7–14 days | Contemporary/minimalist weddings, bold color palettes | Vast color variety, versatile and budget-friendly |
| Ranunculus | Moderate — fragile petals, short stems need support | Spring availability, cool storage, foam/grid supports often required | Soft, layered rose-like blooms, romantic look, 7–14 days | Bohemian/garden-style bouquets, soft-tone designs | Dense layered appearance, cost-effective rose alternative |
| Garden Roses | Moderate–High — careful handling, order well in advance | Premium cost, specialty growers, peak in spring but available year‑round | Full, fragrant, long-lasting blooms, 10–14 days vase life | Luxury/formal weddings, scented arrangements | Superior fragrance, premium romantic aesthetic, durability |
| Lilacs | High — short bloom window, woody stems need prep | Very limited 2–3 week season, immediate conditioning, short vase life | Intense fragrance, clustered garden look, 5–10 days | Outdoor/garden weddings, scent-focused displays | Powerful scent, nostalgic garden aesthetic |
| Sweet Peas | High — very delicate, require daily care and cool temps | Short season, frequent water changes, cool storage, affordable | Airy, ruffled blooms with strong scent, 5–10 days | Cottage-garden, hand-tied bouquets, intimate ceremonies | Exceptional fragrance, whimsical texture and movement |
| Hellebores (Christmas Roses) | Moderate — nodding blooms need wiring/creative placement | Early season availability (Feb–May), long vase life, careful stem prep | Unique botanical shapes, long-lasting (10–14 days) | Early‑spring, modern/botanical editorial arrangements | Distinctive look, excellent longevity, early-season option |
| Anemones | Moderate — very delicate petals, avoid rough handling | Spring availability, cool handling, sensitive to ethylene | Graphic open blooms with dark centers, elegant stems, 7–10 days | Minimalist, contemporary, bohemian weddings | Striking contrast centers, highly photogenic, versatile |
| Hyacinths | Moderate — short stems need foam/support, manage strong scent | Spring bulbs, strong fragrance (consider allergies), cool conditioning | Dense fragrant spikes, full textural impact, 7–12 days | Formal/traditional weddings, scent-forward installations | Intense fragrance, compact fullness, classic spring charm |
| Bleeding Heart (Dicentra) | High — very fragile, limited commercial availability | Short vase life, specialty sourcing, immediate conditioning | Whimsical, dangling heart-shaped blooms, 5–7 days | Garden/cottage-style weddings, unique botanical accents | Distinctive, storybook/romantic novelty, delicate charm |
Bring Your Spring Wedding Vision to Life with Fiore
Your wedding florals are more than just decorations; they are the living, breathing essence of your celebration's aesthetic, setting the tone and creating an atmosphere that will live on in your memories and photographs. This guide has journeyed through ten of the most enchanting blooms the season has to offer, showcasing why they are consistently among the best flowers for a spring wedding. From the abundant, romantic layers of peonies and garden roses to the unique, modern elegance of anemones and hellebores, the possibilities are as vibrant and diverse as the season itself.
We’ve explored how tulips can offer sleek sophistication, how ranunculus provide a delicate density of petals, and how the intoxicating scent of lilacs and hyacinths can create a powerful sensory experience for your guests. Each flower, with its own specific bloom time, color palette, and symbolic meaning, offers a unique tool for telling your personal love story. The key takeaway is that seasonality is your greatest asset. By choosing in-season flowers, you not only ensure the highest quality and freshness but also embrace the natural beauty of the moment you say "I do."
From Inspiration to Implementation
Transforming these ideas from a curated list into tangible, breathtaking arrangements is the next exciting step. Remember the actionable insights we discussed for each bloom:
- Consider the Full Sensory Experience: Think beyond color and shape. How will the subtle perfume of sweet peas in your bouquet or the fresh scent of hyacinths at the entrance enhance the ambiance?
- Balance and Proportions: Use dynamic, textural flowers like bleeding hearts or anemones as focal points, supported by the lushness of garden roses or the delicate structure of ranunculus.
- Budget with Strategy: Don't be afraid to mix high-impact, premium blooms like peonies with more cost-effective yet beautiful options. A few well-placed statement flowers can elevate the entire design.
Building a team that understands your vision is paramount to a seamless experience. As you finalize your plans, tapping into a network of reliable suppliers for every aspect of your day is crucial. Exploring a list of trusted wedding 'friendors' can connect you with top-tier professionals who, like us, are dedicated to making your celebration flawless. Your floral design is a collaborative art, and we are here to be your expert partner in that process.
Ready to start designing? The team at Fiore specializes in translating your unique vision into bespoke floral art for your Los Angeles wedding. Visit Fiore to schedule your complimentary consultation and let's begin the journey of creating your unforgettable spring wedding florals together.
