Wedding Flower Substitutes Guide, Part 1
As a floral designer who started in the industry in 2020, finding last minute substitutes has always been a part of my process. I don’t think I’ve ever had an order which didn’t need some substitutes (or let’s be real, many.) I’ll provide some insight into my process of how I approach this and also chat about some possible swaps when it comes to wedding flowers.
This is definitely not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are SO many factors that go into selecting the flowers for each couple and event. We always tell couples that we will follow the color palette and general vibe, but the exact flowers can’t be guaranteed. The overall vibe and aesthetic also need to be considered when selecting appropriate substitutes.
First, I look at shape and size when thinking about substitutions. What is the purpose or function of that flower in the design? Is it a large focal bloom? Is it a line flower? Is it a floaty, dancing flower to add movement?
Next, I would look at color availability. While delphinium and larkspur are similar looking line flowers, the colors are very different. Staying true to that agreed-upon palette is super important and that is what clients will notice first and foremost.
Finally, I look at the general aesthetic of substitute options. It has to make sense with the venue and the style we’re going for. Something that reads very “wildflower” probably won’t make sense in a hotel ballroom. I’ll get into this in more detail with the specific examples.
Budget is also an important factor in making these decisions. Japanese anemones tend to more expensive than cosmos so that has to be factored into the equation as well. It might not be a simple 1:1 swap. The Mayesh flower library is a great resource to looking into sub ideas since it’s so extensive.
I’m definitely not a flower farmer or professional wholesaler. So these observations are purely from my experience as a designer—so please take these suggestions with a grain of salt. While I do love using PNW locally grown flowers as much as possible, I do lean on imports more or less throughout the year depending on availability.
Focal flowers
Peonies and Garden Roses
Most couples LOVE peonies and they are a commonly requested flower in wedding design. Locally grown ones are only available for a few weeks in the late spring/early summer so their season is short and sweet. Peonies can be shipped in from Alaska later into the summer and early fall but it comes with a heftier price tag. In my experience, the quality is excellent so this is a great option for a peony lover getting married later in the season and still supports US-based flower farms. Imported peonies are available throughout various parts of the year but the quality and size can vary drastically.
Fluffy garden roses are a great peony alternative and we have beautiful varieties that are grown on the west coast. Garden roses’ shape and size can vary greatly so finding the right variety as an appropriate sub for a peony is key. PNW-local ones are available in late spring, summer, and into early fall. Imported garden roses from South America are available year-round as an alternative.
Photo by Shaunae Teske Photography
The pink flower on the bottom right of the bouquet is a peony and the two large mauve flowers next to it are garden roses.
Dahlias and Mums
Luckily, we have tons of farms in the PNW that grow gorgeous dahlias all through the summer and into early fall. Dahlias are definitely best when locally grown as they don’t ship well. Dahlias come in a ton of different shapes, colors, and sizes. Dahlias are a popular flower among our wedding clients.
Mums are a great hardy alternative to dahlias. Locally grown ones come in spectacular colors and shapes and are typically available in the fall months. Imported mums are available year-round and in particular, the “ball” varieties make a great dahlia dupe.
The dahlia/mum swap is more nuanced than peonies and garden roses, in my opinion. Peonies and garden roses are both so classic and are easily interchangeable. Mums can come off as more casual or rustic than certain dahlias. I probably wouldn’t put a textured mum into a design for a wedding at the Fairmont. I would look more carefully at the shapes and textures available before making the swap.
Photo by Koral Bleu Photography
Two varieties of dahlias with very different shapes and sizes. The darker pink dahlias on the left are ball dahlias, while the lighter pink large flowers on the right are the cafe au lait variety.
Line flowers
Delphinium and Larkspur
Delphinium is super popular because it’s one of a handful of true blue flowers. It’s so versatile and I use it a lot in my design work that requires blue flowers. It’s available most of the year and is suitable for many different styles and venues. Delphinium is available in shades of blue, purple, white, and pink.
Larkspur is a very similar looking flower but has more of a wildflower vibe. Unfortunately it doesn’t come in blue, but it does come in white, pinks, and purples. It also tends to be a little more economical than delphinium.
Photo by TM Inspired Photography
Light blue delphinium is very popular in wedding designs and is adaptable to work with many different aesthetics.
Photo by Shaunae Teske Photography
The deep pink line flowers in this design are larkspur. The texture and size are very similar to the light blue delphinium pictured above.
Campanula and Foxglove
These are two line flowers with larger blooms in a unique shape. I love both of them and use them frequently in my work!
Foxglove is locally-grown and typically available in late spring and early summer. It leans more “informal” with wildflower vibes. It comes in shades of white, cream, pinks, and purples.
Campanula comes in similar colors and has a similar bell shape. It’s blooms locally in the summer and imported varieties are available at other times of the year as well. This could be used in a more formal setting if paired with “classic” wedding flowers like roses or peonies. I would say campanula has more flexibility to mix and match with different wedding aesthetics and venues.
Photo by Stormy Peterson Photography
Warm purple foxglove on the right for a late spring styled shoot.
Spirea, Calycinia, and Astilbe
Wedding palettes tend to include white/ivory and many of our couples want textural elements in their designs. Spirea is one of my favorite flowers and is truly stunning, but it’s only available locally in the spring months. It adds beautiful texture and movement to any design and is so versatile in terms of aesthetic. Imported spirea is pretty cost prohibitive so I can’t image using it in large quantities.
Calycinia is probably the closest visually to spirea and adds a really lovely texture to designs. I’ll be honest though, I cannot get a grasp on when it’s available during the year. It seems like more of a late fall or winter flower but I’ve seen it at the wholesaler at random times throughout the year. That being said, if you can get your hands on it—it’s a beautiful spirea alternative.
Astilbe is more delicate but can be a really beautiful if it’s healthy. It grows locally in the summer. Imported varieties can be very hit or miss in terms of quality. For touches of texture though, it can be used in bouquets, centerpieces or other smaller designs. All 3 of these flower varieties come in shades of white and pinks. Astilbe also comes in burgundy/red tones.
Photo by Kayla Sprint Photography
A late April photoshoot featuring an arch covered in spirea with touches of spray roses.
There’s always a ton of nuance when it comes to making substitute decisions. I will revisit this topic again with more information about secondary and “floaty” flowers.
More soon,
Sam