Ask the Experts: Will My Flowers Be Available?

Q: Will the date of my wedding affect the availability and price of flowers? I’m thinking of an early spring wedding but have my heart set on yellow-orange Sunny Sky roses.

A: Flowers are ruled by the seasons. “Availability will depend directly on the bloom’s specific flowering period,” says Brittany Gillespie, owner and designer of Petals Lane in Philadelphia. “As the flower gets further away from its optimal flowering time, the supply depletes and prices rise.”

Some growers set aside small quantities of wedding flowers, such as lily of the valley, stephanotis and gardenias, all year. And blooms can be FedExed from anywhere in the world. But be prepared to pay a premium if your bloom is out of season.
—Eileen Smith