Want a Peony Bouquet? Here’s What You Need to Know.
A floral expert’s tips on how to get (or best substitute) the peony bouquet of your dreams.
Kasestyles is a wedding and event planning team, but we also specialize in floral arrangements of all kinds. More specifically, Kasey, our creator, does. With years of floral expertise, here’s what she said about getting a peony bouquet—and what to do if you can’t.
Peonies are in bloom for a short time
A very short time. The real season for peonies is the month of May. You can get them from late April to early June, but May is when they are really at their peak. This is something to keep in mind when you’re looking into bouquet ideas. Are you getting married in May? Then full steam ahead! Peonies will be easy to source.
If you aren’t getting married during bloom time, you still have options
If you’re set on peonies, don’t worry, you can still get a peony bouquet outside of May. However, you should be aware of the cost. Sourcing peonies in the off-season means ordering them from far away, where the weather is right for them. So, they will cost more to get to you. Peonies range anywhere from $3-$10 a stem. That wide range can make a big difference when all the arrangements are said and done.
Prioritize your bouquet
If you are set on peonies for your bouquet but they are out of season, then prioritize your budget by buying peonies for your bouquet but go without for other arrangements like centerpieces and other floral details. Just match the color of your peonies to the other flowers for a cohesive look.
That way, you get all the peony beauty you want—on the day and immortalized in your wedding pics—while staying within budget. And if you decide that a peony bouquet just isn’t in the cards for you…
Consider all of the beautiful alternatives
If you like the look of peonies but don’t want to spring for the cost, you can still achieve an absolutely gorgeous bouquet that gives off the same vibe.
English garden roses look very similar to peonies when fully bloomed. They are lush, voluminous, and come in a dizzying array of color options.
Another favorite substitute is the cabbage rose. They’re thickly layered and gorgeously large. Additionally, roses bloom from spring to fall so they are more readily available for various wedding dates.
You can also get the peony look in a different size by using ranunculus, which looks similar although smaller. Ranunculuses have a bloom time of 7 weeks, so twice as long as peonies.
If it’s the textured edges of peonies that you like, then carnations could also serve as an alternative.
Cream Garden Roses and White Ranunculus White Ranunculus and Brown Sugar Tulips Pink Carnations and Roses with White Ranunculus
If you’re working with a good florist, they’ll have plenty of creative ways to achieve your vision. If they aren’t getting it quite right or if you’re going it alone, then this article is a place to get you started. Also, check out this article for more awesome bouquet ideas and fresh inspiration, or hit us up to get the peony bouquet of your dreams!