November is a transitional month for wedding floral design, blending the last vestiges of autumn with the approaching winter aesthetic. Planning requires understanding which flowers are naturally at their peak versus those reliably available commercially. Choosing blooms that thrive in late fall helps ensure maximum freshness and quality while managing costs associated with transport. This approach allows couples to achieve an aesthetic that feels authentic to the season.
Naturally Available Blooms in November
The late-season garden provides hardy blooms naturally acclimatized to cooler temperatures, making them excellent choices for November arrangements. Chrysanthemums, often called mums, are a prime example, offering a dense, textured bloom in deep jewel tones like burgundy, bronze, and purple. Their robust nature ensures they hold up well throughout a long wedding day, providing volume and color saturation for autumnal designs.
While their peak is past, certain late-flowering rose varieties can still be harvested locally in milder climates. These garden roses often exhibit a more relaxed, petal-heavy form compared to standard commercial roses, carrying the season’s rich, warm color palette. Similarly, dahlias, known for their intricate petal structure, may still be available in the first half of November in regions with a late frost, though their season is quickly drawing to a close.
The trumpet-shaped amaryllis, often associated with the holiday season, begins its availability in November. It offers a dramatic, large-format bloom that instantly adds sophistication to arrangements. Smaller, daisy-like asters provide a delicate contrast and are valued for their late-season hardiness. Asters are often used as a filler flower in shades of purple, pink, and white.
Reliable Year-Round and Imported Favorites
The commercial floral trade ensures a wide array of imported and greenhouse-grown flowers are accessible year-round for couples seeking specific varieties or colors. Standard roses, for instance, are continually available due to extensive cultivation and global importation, guaranteeing the classic bloom regardless of the season. This steady supply allows for precise color matching. However, the price point is higher than that of seasonal flowers.
Peonies, a popular spring flower, are made available in November through international sourcing, primarily from growers in the Southern Hemisphere. Their voluminous, ruffled texture makes them highly sought-after for bridal bouquets, but their imported nature contributes to a premium cost. Similarly, calla lilies, with their sleek, architectural form, are reliably sourced from greenhouses, presenting an elegant, modern option in white, deep purple, or orange.
Exotic options like orchids, including Phalaenopsis and Cymbidium varieties, are consistently available as they are grown in specialized commercial settings. Hydrangeas, especially antique varieties that hold their color well, can also be sourced. They offer a large, rounded bloom that fills out arrangements quickly.
Foliage, Berries, and Textured Accents
November arrangements gain depth and visual weight by incorporating non-floral elements that reflect the landscape’s transition. Berries are particularly prominent, offering both color and texture. Hypericum berries, available in shades of red, green, and burgundy, are popular, while privet berries transition to a deep, near-black purple, providing a sophisticated accent.
Foliage options move away from the delicate greens of summer toward more robust, long-lasting varieties. Eucalyptus, with its silvery-green hue and distinctive scent, is a year-round staple that pairs well with the muted tones of late fall. Copper beech provides vibrant, naturally dried leaves in autumnal shades of gold, copper, and deep red, adding a striking color contrast.
For additional texture and bulk, designers often turn to branches and seed pods. Amaranthus, with its cascading velvet-like ropes, is frequently used to add movement and drama to bouquets and installations. Seed pods, such as those from the lotus flower, or hardy evergreens like cedar and pine, introduce a rustic, wintry feel that complements the season’s rich palette.