Choosing Flowers for Your Catholic Winter Wedding

Planning a beautiful, Catholic winter wedding? This article is for you!

There’s a special magic to Catholic winter weddings: the coziness, the familiarity, the rich colors of Advent and Christmas-time, and of course, the snow! But for couples who are more familiar with spring or summer weddings, a lot of questions can come up during the planning process: what colors should we choose, where should we take portraits, and what flowers will be in season?

We teamed up with one of our TCBC vendors to hear her expertise on how to plan your florals around the winter months (December to February) and learn why she loves winter weddings!

Special thanks to Maria for contributing to this blog post! More on her below…

Photos by Identical Love Photography

Q. Why do you love winter weddings?

“I was married in December. Even before becoming a bride (or a florist!) I would always fantasize about a dreamy, cozy winter wedding! I’d close my eyes and see snow, with dark, bold, rich colors to contrast. Formal satin floor-length gowns for bridesmaids and fur coats with hats and gloves… 

My husband and I got married on December 1, 2012, in San Diego, CA, on a perfectly sunny, beautiful day. Needless to say, my vision didn’t exactly come to life as I dreamed, but as always, God’s plan is the best plan! My bridesmaids wore ruched satin knee-length dresses in maroon with formal up-dos. I wore an elegant long-sleeved lace bolero to match my custom-made lace gown. My flowers were the most perfect curation of deep red hues, delicate champagne and ivory, evergreens, and exotic tropical accents. I had tall manzanita trees with hanging crystals and warm glowing candles, Eiffel Tower vases crowned with rich red mokara and white dendrobium orchids, and sweet mini arrangements in varnished wood boxes finished with ivory lace ribbon trim.

Fast-forward to the present, the weddings we book in December, January, and February hold a special place in my heart, and will always remind me of my own winter wedding. I love a wedding with rich reds and maroons with gold and champagne accents, the classic all white with mixed greenery, or any shade of blue imaginable from dusty and faded to royal or navy, with silver accents. Winter weddings will always be timeless, elegant, and romantic: fit for royalty and exactly what a wedding should be! 

Not to mention, flowers love winter weddings; once they’re cut, the clock on their shelf life starts ticking, but with the cooler weather, your flowers will last much longer. Summer weddings are gorgeous, don’t get me wrong, but flowers are much harder to keep alive and perky when it’s hot, especially outdoors!” 

Photos by Epoch Visuals

Q. What are your top floral recommendations for the winter?

“Asking a florist to list their favorite flowers is like asking a parent to name their favorite children! But if I had to narrow it down, I’d say… 

• Roses
• Cymbidium Orchids
• Hellebores
• Calla Lilies
• Amaryllis

Roses are highly cold-tolerant and available year-round. In those rich, darker varieties, the texture of their petals is thick and velvety. Our company is named ‘Our Lady’s Roses’ for a reason! Keep in mind, however, that you will run into a seasonal surcharge for red roses in February. (St. Valentine, pray for us!) 

Hellebores are also known as the ‘Christmas Rose.’ They thrive in deep winter, peaking in January. Their downcast flower heads are extremely versatile and can be used in loosely structured “boho” looks or straightened out for tighter, round, hand-tied styles. 

Calla Lilies provide sleek and modern architectural lines, and hold up much better in the winter than in any other season. 

Amarylis blooms are big and bold in their gorgeous, dramatic trumpet shape; definitely the most high-impact winter flower there is! 

Some honorable mentions are also gardenias, hypericums, ranunculuses, anemones. Although technically not ‘in season,’ gardenias might be available for your florist to source. This is one you have to be ok with swapping out if necessary, but if you can get them, their scent is divine! We use gardenia greens often. Hypericum are our favorite for fun, filler accents, and ranunculus and anemones are frilly, whimsical, and in season.”

Q. What’s a flower perfect for winter you wish more brides picked for their florals?

“Cymbidium orchids! They reach their peak in December and January, are easy to maintain after they’re cut, come in a variety of beautiful hues suitable for multiple color palettes, and provide a unique sophistication. They’re absolutely gorgeous.”

Photos by Alexa Christine Photography

Q. What has your favorite winter bouquet consisted of? Why was it your favorite?

“And I thought picking a favorite flower was hard! I’ll have to say my bouquet, designed by my business partner and wonderful friend, Tisha. It was a cascade bouquet consisting of blush and champagne roses, white/ivory calla lilies, cymbidium, cattleya, and dendrobium orchids, gardenia, speedwells (veronica), red hypericum berries, and italian ruscus greens.”

Q. Do you have any additional tips, tricks, or advice when it comes to picking your florist or your wedding flowers?

“Definitely pick a florist who is praying for you before, during, and after your wedding! Do your research. Discern what you value—is it stretching every dollar, or is it luxurious, premium quality. Talk to more than one to see who’s the best fit not only with your budget, but with your vision, communication style, and personality. 

As far as picking flowers… trust your florist! Give us your colors and your overall look, and let us worry about the specific blooms that may or may not be available or need to be substituted. Our best work happens when we’re told, ‘we trust you,’ versus, ‘this is exactly what I want, recreate it or I don’t want it.’”

Happy wedding planning!

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