Summer in the Washington DC area is, without a doubt, prime time in the floral department, so you’re in serious luck if you’re a summer bride or groom! With everything available from bright pink peonies, dahlias and classic sunflowers, the summer blooms come in a variety of colors to suit any Washington DC area wedding style and theme. As a follow up to our previous seasonal floral inspiration posts (best fall wedding flowers, best winter wedding flowers and best spring wedding flowers) we talked to some of our favorite Washington DC area wedding florists to see what they had to say about the best flowers to use for DC area weddings in the summer. Here’s what they had to say¦

Photo Credits: Bergeron’s Flowers (left), Love Struck Images (right) with flowers by Bergeron’s Flowers

Christi, owner of Bergeron’s Flowers:

We love to see orchids and summer selections from local growers in the summer! Some of the best are summer grasses along with gomphrena, penstemon, scabiosa pods, and zinnias. Hydrangeas, as they have started to come available in their vibrant colors on the Holland market and soon will be available locally. Since they are water lovers, we tend to recommend that these blooms stay on a water source and out of the sun!  Later in summer, we love dahlias in the myriad of colors and sizes. They continue to be a hot trend. Succulents still top the popularity lists for summer and into fall designs, so keep an eye out for these beauties.

Photo Credits: Anne Robert Photography with flowers by by Holly Heider Chapple Flowers

Holly, owner of Holly Heider Chapple Flowers:

I love to see couples use local product like zinnia, salvia, gladiolas, amaranthus, herbs, and I love, love, love, when the dahlias start blooming! Queen Anne’s Lace is another summer flower that is dainty and romantic and hydrangea is abundant as well. In addition to the dahlias, sunflowers and ornamental grasses are very popular and easy to find from local sources.

Photo Credit: Carmen Wang Photography with flowers by Petals and Promises, LLC

Lisa, owner of Petals and Promises, LLC:

Summer offers a great scope of options for the brides of this season. There are many more types, colors, sizes and shapes for couples to choose from. Summer flowers tend to be soft and flowing. I love using flowering vines such as jasmine, clematis and honeysuckle with some of the more eclectic choices such as scabiosa pods, Nigella Love in the Mist with Queen Ann’s Lace and Veronica. Mixing these choices with lush hydrangea and dahlias are a beautiful contrast of texture and form.

Photo Credit: Elegance & Simplicity, Inc. with flowers by Elegance & Simplicity, Inc.

Katie, owner of Elegance & Simplicity, Inc.:

Anyone getting married in June should always go for peonies” brides covet and want them year round and they are at their peak in June. Local hydrangea is so pretty in the summer and, in late summer, the blooms start to change colors into deep purples and red for a pretty antique feel. These are also great for drying as a keepsake after the wedding. While snapdragons are available year round, they really start to bloom in people’s yards in the summer. It gives weddings a pretty nostalgic feel. I love lavender in the summer as they become so fragrant and really lend a scent of romance to a wedding. Couples love the calming aromatherapy they give to bouquets as well. Zinnias are great for the summer and super colorful and bright jewel tones”even green!

Photo Credits: Amie Otto Photography (left), Kurstin Roe Photography (right) with both flowers by Petal’s Edge Floral Design

Gerry and Rebecca, owners of Petal’s Edge Floral Design:

Without a doubt, summer is HOT!  What that means for your flowers is that you might want to consider heartier choices, especially if you are going to be taking pictures in advance or going to be outside for lengths of time. Good choices that are hearty include roses, calla lilies, and orchids. You will not want to use hydrangea without being conscious of the heat factor.  Other good choices are non-floral elements such as berries, brunea pods and hypericum berries, craspedia and echevaria (succulents). In terms of season, summer is when the wild flowers are most readily available, such as Queen Anne’s lace, solidago, yarrow, sunflowers and daisies. Garden flowers like roses, garden roses, snapdragons, dahlia, stock, and many more are great choices, too.

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I’m feeling so inspired with summer florals! And a big thank you to some of our favorite local floral designers for their input during their busiest time of year. Leave a comment and tell us what flowers you be using for your spring wedding! And, if you are having (or attending!) a local summer wedding, don’t miss this post from last week with tips for summer DC area weddings.

For the best florists to bring your floral dreams to life, check out out local vendor guide for Washington DC area floral designers. And, if you are looking for more floral inspiration, be sure to check out our local DC wedding galleries, too!