The Best Flowers for an April Wedding, According to the Experts

The delicate, colorful flowers that bloom in April make this month the perfect time to plan your wedding—not just for the sentimentality of rooting your marriage in the season of blossoming new growth, but also for the in-season flowers that you can incorporate into your floral design. Best of all, by choosing April flowers for spring nuptials, you'll be able to cut costs on your floral design by eliminating the need to import your blooms—plus, your flowers will be fresh and vibrant once it's time to walk down the aisle.

Here, we put together a roundup of the best April flowers to consider for your spring wedding. From vibrant yellow forsythia to delicate blue tweedia, and from fragile, aromatic gardenia to timeless white lily of the valley, these fresh florals are a perfect fit for couples planning elegant garden weddings or relaxed backyard affairs. So go ahead and add these striking shapes, colorful hues, and iconic blossoms to your design board for a dose of natural beauty.

Fritillaria

Bell-shaped fritillaria come in an array of sizes and colors that allow them to look right at home in any arrangement. “Some are two-plus-feet tall with bold orange petals that have a tropical vibe,” says Zeke Westerman, creative director at Putnam Designs. “Others are small and delicate with striped or checkered petals and long graceful leaves.”

Muscari

Delicate, round-bloomed muscari—also called grape hyacinth—grow in hues ranging from deep cobalt blue to white or pale pink. “These tiny flowers add a wonderful texture to a floral composition, look amazing as a mono-botanical arrangement, or really hold their own with just a stem or two in a bud vase,” says Westerman. “The blue variety is a personal favorite, as they add a bold and lovely pop to almost any color palette.”

Lily of the Valley

Westerman calls lily of the valley “the chicest and most timeless flower you can imagine for an intimate bridal bouquet.” The florist further shares that these blooms have been a timeless wedding staple for years and will continue to be "in style" for the foreseeable future. "These delicate little cupped flowers are contrasted by larger flat leaves which keep them from feeling too precious. I think they pair well with almost every dress that comes to mind," says Westerman.

Tulips

Whether you’re drawn to fringed, parrot, double, or French tulips, these simple and striking blooms come in a shade and silhouette to complement every floral palette. “I love tulips, all varieties, but especially a bold-colored fringed one—like an orangy red with yellow tips,” says Westerman. “I like how they add movement and gesture to any arrangement and are versatile enough to be used in any design."

Sweet Peas

While the expansive range of available colors for sweet peas is nearly unmatched, it’s the delicate, ruffled petals and lovely scent that make this flower an especially charming addition to a springtime bouquet. “Sweet pea adds such a pretty and soft texture to lots of garden-inspired arrangements, and the curly foliage can add a subtle and whimsical touch,” says Westerman. “I like designing with them for bouquets or grouping them in a mono-botanical arrangement to accompany a mixed centerpiece on a rectangular table.”

Snapdragons

Snapdragons have a whimsical vibe, come in upwards of 60 colors, and look sculptural either on their own, in a bouquet, or used sparingly with mixed blooms. Westerman typically incorporates these versatile stems into floral arrangements to add volume and height.

Gardenias

Fragrant gardenias, in shades of white and ivory, add texture to monochromatic and muted color palettes. “The smell alone cannot be beat!” adds Westerman. “These are best for personal flowers, like a boutonniere or to pin into the hair. They don’t have a long shelf life, so make sure to keep them in a cool spot—and try not to handle them too much.”

Roses

Whether you consider roses timeless or overdone, it’s impossible to deny their versatility. “They come in every color imaginable, from dainty spray varieties to large face flower varieties, and they can be used to add bold structure or a sweet softness depending on which type is used in an arrangement,” says Westerman. (The types you’ll get in a piece from your floral designer are also sculptural and beautiful—nothing like the supermarket roses you see most often.) “Roses can have a bad reputation,” adds the florist. “If you’re someone who ‘hates roses,’ try using a Distant Drum and you'll rethink your opinion—I promise!”

Orchids

Not only do orchids come in a huge range of colors (and patterns, for that matter), but they have countless varieties—mini orchids, huge orchids, and every shape imaginable. Use them alone in small vases to accent a larger centerpiece, hang the blooms to create a ceremony backdrop, or create a lush, draping bouquet in varying tones.

Peonies

“We love a full-petal, bold, and beautiful peony,” says Westerman. “The more standard varieties are so classic and stunning, but a more specialty option would be a Platinum Blonde, with its graceful petals and bold yellow textured center.”

Fun fact: While traditional peonies come in classic shades of white, pink, rose, and red, tree peonies and hybrid peonies come in a more extensive color palette—coral, yellow, dark mahogany, and deep purple.

Irises

Underrated irises come in colorways that go far beyond the typical purple—white, sunset, ombré—and Westerman is ready for their comeback. “They have a reputation of being antiquated, but I think they are timeless,” he says. “I particularly love the bearded varieties in spring with dark purple petals and bright orange centers. It's almost a shame to cut them...almost.”

Cornflower

Sweet, delicate cornflowers work well for a tiny pop of bold, blue color in your bouquet or centerpiece, says Westerman, though they do come in white if you'd like a classic aesthetic. Try them in a wildflower-inspired bridal bouquet or on top of a white wedding cake.

Forsythia

Make a major impact with vibrant forsythia in dramatic arrangements. “Nothing beats these long yellow branches in the spring!” says Westerman. “I want to take home large armfuls from the flower market and style them solo in oversized statement arrangements for an escort card table or flanking a bar in large cast iron urns.”

Lisianthus

In this colorful bouquet, frilly lisianthus complement a collection of dahlias, ranunculus, and garden roses. Look for these flowers in shades of white, blue, pink, and purple—and in hybrid versions that flaunt multiple hues on each petal.

Delphinium

Tall and stemmy delphiniums, which come in shades of blue and purple, add height and texture to arrangements—and are simple and elegant when gathered on their own. Using these blooms is a surefire way to make a statement on your big day.

Tweedia

Petite tweedia blooms are delicate additions to an all-white bouquet; we've even seen petite bouquets and boutonnieres made of nothing but tweedia. Opt for the subtle blue version to add an understated accent to centerpieces and arrangements.

Ranunculus

Westerman sometimes uses ranunculus instead of roses; though often similar in size, the textural petals are a less-expected option. “They are perfect on their own or in a lovely undulating structure,” Westerman says. “The frilly layers are captivating for every bride and beloved by all florists—or so I assume, as I've never heard of anyone not liking them!”