Seasonal flower selections for the lake tahoe bride
As a floral designer, one of my favorite parts of designing a wedding is helping couples choose flowers that feel like them and reflect the beauty of the season. In California we are fortunate to have nearly year round flower production, allowing couples to choose from an abundant selection of unique flowers. Lake Tahoe brides have an incredible range of blooms to work with: heirloom roses, wildflowers, mountain greenery, and a wide variety of hardy annuals that thrive in our climate.
Choosing flowers that are naturally in bloom gives your wedding an effortless sense of place. Your arrangements will feel connected to the lake, the mountains, and the time of year you are getting married. Here is a guide to the best California grown flowers available by season:
Spring flowers are known for soft, romantic, garden-style designs. they are effortless and timeless, with movement and natural texture, and the ability to create an airy feel. Flowers of spring include Ranunculus, Anemones, Tulips, Peonies, Iris, Daffodils, Hyacinth, Roses, Snapdragons, Larkspur, Agrostemma, Nigella, Violas, Queen Anne’s Lace, Digitalis (Foxglove), Campanula, Ammi, Columbine, Lupine, Heirloom Babies Breath, Sweet Peas, Poppies, Saponaria, Stock
Summer flowers are vibrant and full of color. These blooms hold up well in heat and sunlight. Celosia and cosmos add interesting unique shapes and texture, while hydrangeas and dahlias bring color and fullness. Flowers of summer include Dahlias (swoooon), Zinnias, Lisianthus, Garden Roses, Hydrangea, Coneflower (Echinacea), Gladiolus. Secondary flowers: Celosia, Aster, Cosmos, Snapdragons, Ammi, Queen Anne’s Lace, Campanula, Saponaria, Strawflower, Yarrow
Fall florals are rich, warm, earthy and textured. Dahlias and mums are the main characters with their abundance of colors, shapes and textures. Flowers of fall include Chrysanthemums, Dahlias, Marigolds, hydrangea, Amaranth, Lisianthus, Roses, Aster, Strawflower, Celosia, Cosmos, Rudbeckia, Larkspur
Winter weddings have an elegant and understated beauty. Hellebores and Iceland poppies offer soft, muted color. Evergreens add structure and natural texture. Flowers of winter include Camellias, Hellebores, Roses, Paperwhites, Iceland Poppies, Orchids, Evergreens
As a Lake Tahoe wedding florist, I very much enjoy designing with California grown flowers. I find they look better because they are fresher (often harvested from the field just a few days before your event), more fragrant (few to no pesticides and sprays that eliminate the natural fragrance of flowers), and are more unique and able to create a bespoke design. Seasonal flowers also support local farms and have a less environmental footprint.
Industry data and reports indicate that most commercially sourced wedding flowers travel approximately 1,500 to 2,500 miles by cargo plane and vehicle from the farm where they were grown to the florist who arranges them. Flowers in our studio travel an average of 70 miles by electric vehicle. A few of our favorite local farms to support are our farm (!) The Farm Grass Valley, our farm neighbor Sunfunnels, Fresca’s Farm & Vineyard, Fallen Pine Flower Farm, Dewey Farms, Green Valley Floral, Sweet Mabel’s Farm. We purchase mostly from farms that offer us wholesale pricing and we are so grateful our farmers <3
From my studio to your celebration, I always encourage couples to come to a design consultation with a desired vibe and color palette in mind, and let the season guide the selection. The flowers will do the rest.