September wedding flowers

emmzy · May 2023

Hi,

I am getting married on the 27th September 2024 and i'm considering growing my own flowers to help decorate the venue and to create my centre pieces.

For flower decorations, i would most likely trim the foliage and flowers from the plants, and for the centre pieces i would like to go with small container pots for the tables.

I was just wondering if you could share your wisdom on what plants would still be in flower at the end of september and if you have any recommendations on what might be easy to grow and best to use?

Just a bit of extra information, i love ferns and snap dragons so hoping to incorporate these somehow.

Thanks all in advance

AnniD · May 2023

Congratulations

First of all, can you give some idea of the growing conditions you have. Is it a sunny or shady site, and whereabouts in the UK are you (just a general location will do).

emmzy · May 2023

Thank you

I am based in the east midlands in Derby and i have an east facing garden and flower bed but i have a garage to the side of my house which blocks out a lot sun in winter and spring but this time of year i get quite a bit of sun to the left of my garden which i could use to grow some plants in pots.

The soil in my garden is mainly clay, although we did turn it all over in the flower bed in 2020 and put 12 bags of manure in it so it is a bit better now.

hazle.wood1994 · May 2023

There is a wide variety of stunning blossoms to choose from for your September nuptials. Here are some of the most sought-after September flower alternatives in the United States:

Roses: Roses are ever-popular because of their traditional beauty and wide range of colour and size options. They are commonly used in weddings because of the meanings of love and beauty they represent.

Flowers like sunflowers, with their bright yellow petals and strong appearance, brighten up a September wedding with a hint of rustic charm. They work wonderfully for parties with a nature or garden theme.

For their versatility and visual impact, dahlias come in a broad variety of colours, styles, and sizes. The bouquets and centrepieces with these flowers exude an air of sophistication and romance.

Autumn weddings frequently feature chrysanthemums, commonly known as mums. They are available in a wide range of colours and add a welcoming, bountiful vibe to bouquets.

Colourful zinnias have petals that range from red to orange to pink and beyond. They capture the carefree attitude of September and work wonderfully in flower arrangements.

The addition of lilies to a wedding is like adding a touch of sophistication and elegance. They come in a wide range of hues and are frequently used to symbolise chastity and loyalty.

Hydrangeas are well-known for the dreamy, romantic vibes their full, enormous blooms evoke. They are available in numerous tones of white, blue, and pink.

Topbird · May 2023

Congratulations!😎

Things which would (fairly) reliably be in flower in September include roses, asters, dahlias, some chrysanthemums, cosmos, rudbeckia and heleniums.

Depending how many blooms you need, you probably don't have enough time to grow new rose and hydrangea plants to a large enough size to guarantee being able to pick enough next year. There will be some, but possibly not as many as you think.

Do have a think about whether you want the stress of trying to grow all your own flowers for your big day. Will you really have time for watering, deadheading, picking and arranging in the week / month before your big day?

If you have family members with established gardens perhaps they could supply some of the blooms and foliage? Lots of small donations from lots of people will give you a good supply and not be too much of a burden for each of them.

You could consider planting some asters and chrysanthemum plants now and with some decent TLC they should be big enough next year to produce your own small contribution.

I would definitely suggest sowing some cosmos next March / April. They produce lots of large daisy like blooms in one season and are at their peak in early autumn.You could sow pure white ones or a mix of white and various pinks. They're fairly easy and quite forgiving and a few stems makes a big bunch! Reasonable vase life too.

It could be quite stressful trying to grow everything and getting the timings right - especially if we have a 'difficult' summer like last year. As a back up, I would chat up your local friendly florist and explain what you'd like to do. Maybe consider putting in a small order for some flowers you would definitely like and ask if they would be able to increase the order at relatively short notice (say 2-3 months) if it looks as though the grow-your-own plan is not going to produce enough blooms.

Good luck!

PS - you could also take a look at Sarah Ravens website. She used to have suggestions for growing wedding flowers.

fidgetbones · May 2023

Dahlia cafe au lait is a favourite for weddings, one head per vase (or bottle). If you are doing your own flowers , start thinking about the vases. I found charity shops an excellent source , you could use empty fancy spirit bottles . Depending on where you are having the reception, I had mine in an old house near you and used old copper jugs. Cosmos make excellent fillers for that time of year.

Have you got a colour scheme planned?

These were mid september 2018 for a neighbours daughters wedding.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/38/9so7s6vqudke.jpeg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/tf/ociamrjwg0li.jpeg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/au/uvtp8hx5s2tk.jpeg

Ceres · May 2023

Have you thought about using dried flowers or seed heads as well as fresh flowers? If you grow opium poppies (papaver somniferum), they will have gone to seed by September and they produce the most wonderful large pods that look good in floral arrangements. Dried nigella pods are also beautiful.

Topbird · May 2023

Meant to say re the snapdragons.

Snapdragons may be a bit past their best come September but they will keep going if you dead head them.

You could experiment by buying some snapdragon plants from the garden centre now. Plant them up and tend them this summer. Keep on top of the dead heading and see what they're like in September this year.

If they're good then either sow your own next year (cheapest and best control over colour) or buy some new plants next spring to tend through the summer. I have known antirrhinums go from one year to the next but they're not as good the second year and can't be relied on.

Don't forget to post some photos next year!

fidgetbones · May 2023

Statice make good fillers too. Chiltern seed list separate colours.

emmzy · May 2023

Thanks all, I really appreciate your help and guidance.

I completely agree I don't want to be too stressed on the lead up to the wedding so bouquets, button holes etc I am leaving to a proper florist. Better to be safe than sorry!
Thanks topbird I like your suggestion about asking if I can increase my order closer to the date just incase.

In terms of the rest of the decor, thanks for all the suggestions. I have grown cosmos before and they were great so I will definitely be trying that one again next year.

Thanks for your reassurance there will still be a good selection of flowers in bloom and not too far past their best at the end of September. I have a bit of experience of growing seed and plants in the past but you don't really consider/take note of what is in flower at the end of September until you need to think about it

emmzy · May 2023

Ceres said:

Have you thought about using dried flowers or seed heads as well as fresh flowers? If you grow opium poppies (papaver somniferum), they will have gone to seed by September and they produce the most wonderful large pods that look good in floral arrangements. Dried nigella pods are also beautiful.

Thanks Ceres. I'd not considered dried flowers as of yet so tha ks for the suggestion. Do you have any reccomendadtions on best places to buy dried flowers or how to dry them yourself?

September wedding flowers

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