When it comes to outdoor weddings in Australia, keeping your flowers fresh can be one of the biggest challenges. Between scorching 40-degree days, gusty winds, and unpredictable weather that can change in an instant, outdoor celebrations test even the most seasoned florists. But with the right preparation, flower choices, and expert care, your wedding florals can still look breathtaking from ceremony to reception. On Polka Dot Wisdom, Melbourne based, Prim Petal Co. shares professional tips and clever tricks to help couples plan for the elements and keep their blooms picture-perfect all day long.

A 40-degree day, an alfresco wedding, with no shade and high wind. It’s the stuff of nightmares for a wedding florist and it’s a reality of getting married in Australia. Heat, sun, wind and rain. Or if you’re in the southern states, sometimes it’s four seasons in one day! Lots of clever thinking and some core care tips can keep your wedding florals looking fresh and fabulous all day long.

Hydration

Water is the source of life for cut flowers; this goes for everything from bouquets to arbours and aisle flowers. Ask your florist to suggest wedding flower features that include vases or vessels to ensure maximum hydration.

For your bouquets, ask your florist ahead of time to provide a vase or water vessel for your bouquets. Most florists will do so free of charge. When your bouquets are delivered, leave them in water up until the moment you need them for photos, that way they’re as hydrated as possible. When you aren’t holding your bouquet, pop it back in a vase of water to prolong its freshness (and protect any delicate flower heads from getting squashed!).

Smart flower choices

Preparation and foresight are key here! Ask your florist for suggestions of flowers that will last out of water or can take a bit of heat or wind.

Some flowers, such as cosmos, daisies or queen anne’s lace, while beautiful and floaty, can wilt or quickly in the heat without water or can be damaged easily by wind. Mixing in hardier blooms like, roses, chrysanthemums or proteas, mean that your fresh flowers will last in the elements much longer.

Photography: Christopher Winship 

Incorporate foliage

Most foliage does well in the great outdoors. Ask your florist to suggest a sturdy foliage with woody stems to complement your flowers, think magnolia or ivy berry. The foliage can support more delicate flowers and provide fullness and structure to larger arrangements.

Weights

Wind and less than flat surfaces have been the enemy of many a ceremony setup.

Well placed weights and anchors are essential to the success of any outdoor floral installation.

Ensure your florist is aware if your ceremony space is on grass, uneven ground or prone to wind gusts, so they can have suitable weights or anchors ready and available during setup.

Opt for shade over sun

A common mistake is thinking that cut flowers benefit from the sun because that’s how flowers in the garden grow. Nope. The sun will wilt or even gently fry flowers left in its rays for too long, especially if you don’t have them in water.

Where possible, keep your wedding flowers out of the sun for as long as possible, to ensure they remain perky for the whole day. Many alfresco wedding ceremony spaces are in the full sun, so it’s worth considering looking at any shady alternatives at your venue, your flowers (and your guests) will thank you!

About Prim Petal Co.: Weddings are where it all began for Prim Petal Co. and we’re excited to share your big day with you! Prim Petal Co. will work in partnership with you to bring the flowers for your wedding day to life. You can think of us as your floral bestie! We’ll be there every step of the way and can suggest in season, locally grown blooms, flower colour palettes or styling accents to suit your taste.