Wedding flowers for an October ceremony often depend on what's available during the fall growing season. Most couples select an October wedding date to take advantage of decorations of autumn flowers and colors.
October Floral Options
When it comes to wedding flowers, you are no longer limited by the growing season in your local geographical location. Greenhouses often have exotic varieties and summer flowers well into fall and winter, and with innovative shipping techniques, virtually any flower can be flown in from far away location if it's not available. Of course, there are pros and cons to using both October flowers and out-of-season options.
Seasonal October Flowers
Depending on your area of the country, seasonal fall wedding flowers in October may include:
- Lisianthus
- Gardenias
- Dahlias
- Gerberas
- Hyacinths
- Freesia
- Aster
These are just a few of the flowers that look lovely in the fall. They are perfect for using in bouquets, centerpieces, and ceremony arrangements. Local, seasonal flowers are often cheaper than purchasing greenhouse-grown flowers or having flowers shipped in. They also offer a bright, fresh fall ambiance to your floral arrangements when you use seasonal flowers.
Out-of-Season Options
Almost any variety of flower is available at any time of the year. However, the more exotic the variety and the more delicate the bloom, the harder and more expensive it is to find. Additionally, some flower varieties may look out of place at an autumn wedding.
For the best of both options, consider mixing up seasonal October flowers and out-of-season flowers in order to cut costs but still look seasonal and fresh without sacrificing your favorite exotic blooms.
Styles of October Wedding Flowers
The filler used with your fall wedding flowers determines an overall look to your floral arrangements. Whether it is for an October wedding bouquet or a centerpiece, you need to choose filler that reflects your wedding style. Just because you are having a wedding in October does not mean it needs to look like the perfect Halloween wedding or even reflect the autumn abundance. Both the flower colors and the filler will contribute to your October flower style.
October Flower Colors
Just as important as the flower variety is the flower color you choose to use in your bouquets and arrangements in October. Use your fall wedding color palette to guide you in your flower color choices.
Choose rich autumn colors, like burgundy, marigold, and yellow for a very seasonal look to your flowers. For a less seasonal look that is still appropriate in October, consider adding in a few other colors to mix up the autumn shades. For example, add some ivory roses to a bouquet of yellow and orange. Deep purple and cream is another color combination perfectly suited for fall, accented with a little greenery.
Fall Flower Fillers
The filler in your wedding flowers will also reflect an overall fall feeling to your guests. For a very seasonal take on October flowers, add maple leaves, miniature pumpkins and gourds, and vines or branches to your bouquets. Raffia and dried grasses are other fillers that reflect the fall season.
Avoid looking like a typical fall wedding by adding some filler like the following, all of which are generally available in the fall:
- Statice
- Queen Anne's lace
- Grasses
- Green shrub leaves
- Berries, like hypericum or snowberries
In addition to using less-seasonal filler, you can also have bouquets and centerpieces that have October wedding flowers in fall colors without any filler at all. Consider having some crystal beads hung from a tall round centerpiece for a luxurious look to your wedding reception decorations. Strands of pearls wrapped into bridal and bridesmaid bouquets is another way to add some elegance to your October flowers if you want to avoid a rustic tone in your wedding flowers.
The October wedding flowers you choose do not necessarily have to be seasonal. Have your favorite flowers shipped in or choose a variety that is available year-round and use autumn colors for a fall-like appearance. The filler in your bouquets and centerpieces, along with your color choices, will also determine the style of your flowers. Whether you like the rustic autumnal look or not, the month of October is blooming with options for your wedding floral pieces.
