Baby’s Breath wedding flowers have made a serious comeback.
Once one of the most ubiquitous flowers in 1980s and 90s floral arrangements, Baby’s Breath eventually developed a reputation for being cheap, dated and a little bit “Grandma”. But in recent years, it has had a major revival. Today, Baby’s Breath wedding bouquets, floral installations and even entire wedding ceremonies filled with clouds of tiny white flowers are incredibly popular.
And there’s a good reason. Baby’s Breath is delicate, romantic, surprisingly versatile and lasts for ages. It can look classic and vintage, soft and romantic, wild and natural, or incredibly modern depending on how you use it.
You might know it as Gypsophila, or if you’re a florist in New Zealand, probably just Gyp. But if you’re a bride searching for it online, you’re much more likely to call it Baby’s Breath.
What is Baby’s Breath?
Baby’s Breath is the common name for Gypsophila, a flowering plant with masses of tiny flowers branching from fine, delicate stems. The most commonly used cut-flower species is Gypsophila paniculata. In New Zealand, both “Baby’s Breath” and “Gypsophila” are recognised common names.
Florists often shorten Gypsophila to Gyp, so you might hear a florist say things like “white Gyp” or “a bunch of Gyp”.
But if you’re planning your wedding and have been searching Pinterest or Google for this flower, Baby’s Breath is the term you’re most likely to see.
The name actually describes the flower beautifully. It has hundreds of tiny, airy flowers on delicate branching stems, giving it a cloud-like appearance.
Are Baby’s Breath wedding flowers popular?
Very. Baby’s Breath has gone through a fascinating cycle in the wedding flower world.
In the 1980s and 90s, it was everywhere. It was one of those flowers that appeared in almost every kind of floral arrangement, usually as a filler around larger flowers.
Then, by the mid-2000s, when I first started working in floristry, Baby’s Breath had become something of a taboo. It was considered cheap. Dated. Tacky. “Grandma flowers.” As its popularity declined, fewer growers produced it commercially.
And now? It’s so popular again.
I have a lot of brides specifically requesting Baby’s Breath for their wedding flowers, and they’re not all asking for the soft, feminine arrangements you might expect.
I’ve used Baby’s Breath alongside anthuriums, for example, creating something much more contemporary and unexpected. That’s what I love about its comeback. We’re not necessarily using Baby’s Breath the way we did 30 or 40 years ago. We’re letting it be the star.
Is Baby’s Breath still popular for weddings?
Yes, and the current popularity of Baby’s Breath wedding flowers is quite different from its old-fashioned reputation.
Rather than using a few wispy stems as invisible filler, florists are increasingly using Baby’s Breath in volume.
Some of the ways florists are styling it are:
- Giant clouds of Baby’s Breath
- All-Baby’s-Breath bouquets
- Compact, rounded arrangements
- Baby’s Breath arches
- Hanging ‘cloud’ installations
- Long runner table arrangements
- Baby’s Breath mixed with modern sculptural flowers
- Coloured or dyed Baby’s Breath
- Loose, meadow-style Baby’s Breath arrangements
It’s a completely different way of looking at the flower. And I think that’s why it has made such a successful comeback.
Is Baby’s Breath expensive for wedding flowers?
Surprisingly, yes. Baby’s Breath has traditionally had a reputation for being an inexpensive filler flower. But that isn’t necessarily the reality in New Zealand today.
Commercial Baby’s Breath is grown by a relatively small number of specialist growers, while demand for it is high. NZ flower wholesalers note that supply can be limited and prices can fluctuate significantly depending on availability and demand.
So while Baby’s Breath can be expensive per bunch, there’s an important catch:
One stem goes a long way.
A good stem is incredibly bushy, with masses of tiny flowers branching from it. That means you can create a lot of volume from comparatively few stems.
So I wouldn’t automatically think of Baby’s Breath as an expensive choice just because the individual bunch price is higher than you expected. For a large installation, though, you can obviously need a lot of it.
Is Baby’s Breath cheaper than other wedding flowers?
No. Baby’s Breath is still considered a filler flower, rather than a focal flower. In other words, it’s usually not the hero flower in a bouquet in the same way that a peony, garden rose or dahlia might be.
But “filler” doesn’t mean cheap.
A flower’s role in a bouquet doesn’t necessarily tell you what it costs. And when you use Baby’s Breath in huge quantities, it can become the main event.
That’s the difference between using Baby’s Breath as a little bit of filler and designing an entire wedding around it.
How long does Baby’s Breath last?
Forever. Almost. Okay, maybe not literally forever, but Baby’s Breath is one of those flowers where you’ll probably get sick of looking at it before it actually dies.
It has an excellent vase life and is also fantastic for drying.
That’s another reason Baby’s Breath wedding flowers are so useful. A bouquet or arrangement can remain looking good for considerably longer than many delicate wedding flowers, and dried Baby’s Breath can be kept long after the wedding day.
If you’re sentimental about your wedding flowers, it’s one of the easier flowers to preserve.
Can Baby’s Breath be used on its own?
YES! And this is where modern Baby’s Breath wedding flowers get really interesting.
Traditionally, Baby’s Breath was used to fill the gaps between other flowers. Now we’re increasingly using it on its own.
A huge, compact cloud of Baby’s Breath can be incredibly striking. It can look soft and romantic, but it can also look clean, modern and almost architectural depending on the shape of the arrangement.
The key is to stop thinking of it as filler. If Baby’s Breath is the flower you’re choosing, let Baby’s Breath be the flower. Don’t feel like you need to add roses just because you’ve always seen Baby’s Breath used with roses.
What colours does Baby’s Breath come in?
Natural Baby’s Breath is most commonly white, and that’s the only one that’s commercially grown in NZ. There are naturally pink varieties too, but NZ florists unfortunately don’t have access to it.
You can also find coloured Baby’s Breath that has been dyed or otherwise coloured for floral design.
Depending on what’s available, you may see:
- White
- Pink
- Blue
- Purple
- Yellow
- Green
- Other dyed colours
Coloured Baby’s Breath can be particularly fun if you’re planning a bright or unconventional wedding.
White is still the classic, but there is absolutely no rule saying Baby’s Breath has to be white.
Can Baby’s Breath be dyed?
Yes. This is how you get those vivid blue, purple, pink, yellow, green and even rainbow-looking versions you may have seen.
Dyed Baby’s Breath can be a great option if you want to bring a particular colour into your wedding flowers without relying on a specific flower variety being available in that exact shade. It can also be quite fun for an intentionally colourful or playful wedding.
Personally, though, I think white Baby’s Breath has so much versatility that I’d always start there unless the colour is part of the overall design concept.
Is Baby’s Breath available in New Zealand?
Yes, but don’t assume that because it’s a common flower name, there’s an unlimited supply sitting at the flower markets.
Commercial Baby’s Breath is a relatively niche crop in New Zealand, with a limited number of growers supplying the cut-flower market. Demand can be high, particularly during wedding season.
That means pre-booking is important, particularly if you’re planning to use a large amount. Your florist can work with their flower supplier to secure the quantities required for your wedding. And this is another reason I wouldn’t recommend leaving your Baby’s Breath order until the last minute.
When is Baby’s Breath in season in New Zealand?
Baby’s Breath is primarily a summer flower in New Zealand, with natural flowering occurring through the warmer months.
Commercial availability can extend beyond the traditional growing season because Baby’s Breath is also grown under protected conditions and supplied commercially throughout more of the year. Avant Garden’s NZ flower season guide currently lists Gypsophila as commercially available throughout the year, while specialist wholesale suppliers note that availability and supply can become much more limited outside the main season.
So yes, you can potentially use Baby’s Breath for a winter wedding, but expect it to be more expensive and harder to source.
If you’re getting married in summer, you’re in a much better position for NZ-grown Baby’s Breath.
What flowers look good with Baby’s Breath?
This is where we can have some fun, because Baby’s Breath works with much more than the traditional rose-and-Baby’s-Breath combination.
Baby’s Breath and roses
This is the classic. And I mean classic. If you’re going for a vintage, romantic wedding, it doesn’t get much more nostalgic than roses and Baby’s Breath. And honestly? If that’s the look you love, lean into it. There’s nothing wrong with doing something traditionally beautiful.
Baby’s Breath and carnations
Want to go full vintage? Baby’s Breath and carnations is the combo. Both flowers have been unfairly labelled as old-fashioned, but put them together intentionally and you can create a very cool nostalgic look.
If you love the 80s and 90s aesthetic and want to bring it back in a deliberately modern way, I’d absolutely consider it.
Baby’s Breath and peonies
This gives you a softer, romantic combination. The fluffy, substantial shape of the peony contrasts beautifully with the tiny flowers of Baby’s Breath.
Baby’s Breath and Phalaenopsis orchids
This is where things get interesting. Orchids are sculptural and sophisticated, while Baby’s Breath is delicate and airy. Together, they can feel much more contemporary than you’d expect.
It’s a good example of why Baby’s Breath doesn’t automatically mean “feminine and frilly”.
Baby’s Breath and sweet peas
For something soft, delicate and garden-inspired, this is a gorgeous combination. The fine texture of Baby’s Breath works beautifully with the movement and delicate petals of sweet peas.
Baby’s Breath on its own
Honestly, sometimes this is my favourite. You don’t always need to pair Baby’s Breath with anything. A huge cloud of it can be the whole design.
How do you make Baby’s Breath look modern rather than dated?
This is probably the question I get most excited about. Because Baby’s Breath itself isn’t dated. The way you use it is what can make it feel dated.
Don’t automatically use it as a collar
One of the classic ways Baby’s Breath was used was as a fluffy collar around a bouquet of roses. If that’s what you love, go for it. But if you’re aiming for a contemporary look, there are other ways to use it.
Group it
I love Baby’s Breath when it’s grouped into intentional, compact sections. Instead of little bits dotted throughout an arrangement, create chunks or clouds of Baby’s Breath. It gives the flower more visual impact.
Don’t dot roses through it
If Baby’s Breath is the star, let it be the star. You don’t necessarily need to poke individual roses evenly throughout it. That’s where the old-fashioned feeling can creep in.
Or go completely loose
If you want a loose, wild, meadow-style arrangement, that’s great too. But let it actually be loose. Don’t try to control every little stem. Use greenery and other flowers to give the arrangement structure and make the overall result feel intentional.
The important thing is that you’re making a design choice. Compact and intentional or loose and wild. Both can be beautiful.
Can Baby’s Breath look elegant?
Absolutely. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about the flower.
Because Baby’s Breath was so heavily associated with traditional arrangements, it’s easy to assume it can only look romantic, rustic or vintage. But a huge, sculptural cloud of white Baby’s Breath can be incredibly elegant.
Pair it with a minimalist wedding dress, clean-lined venue and simple styling and it can feel almost editorial. Or combine it with orchids and other sculptural flowers and it can look completely unexpected.
The flower itself isn’t dictating the aesthetic. The design is.
Can Baby’s Breath work for a wildflower or meadow-style wedding?
Definitely. Baby’s Breath has a naturally airy, branching structure that can work beautifully in a meadow-style design. It can be particularly effective when mixed with flowers of different shapes and sizes.
A combo we love is:
- Baby’s Breath
- Cosmos
- Scabiosa
- Sweet peas
- Delphinium
- Matricaria
- Veronica
- Dahlias
The key is not to make everything the same shape or height.
For more ideas, read my guide to wildflower wedding flowers and meadow-style wedding flowers.
Can Baby’s Breath be used for wedding bouquets?
Yes. There are so many different ways to use it in a bridal bouquet.
You could have:
An all-Baby’s-Breath bouquet – A giant cloud of white flowers.
Baby’s Breath and roses – Classic and romantic.
Baby’s Breath and peonies – Soft and luxurious.
Baby’s Breath with orchids – Modern and unexpected.
Baby’s Breath in a colourful meadow bouquet – Loose, playful and full of texture.
The best option depends entirely on the look you’re trying to create.
Can Baby’s Breath be used throughout the wedding?
Of course. And because it’s so versatile, you don’t have to restrict it to your bridal bouquet.
Baby’s Breath can be used for:
- Bridal bouquets
- Bridesmaid bouquets
- Buttonholes
- Table arrangements
- Bud vases
- Ceremony flowers
- Floral arches
- Hanging installations
- Aisle arrangements
- Large clouds or statement installations
It’s particularly effective when you use it in quantity. A little Baby’s Breath tucked into a bouquet gives you one effect. Hundreds of stems creating a giant cloud above a ceremony space gives you something completely different.
Why is Baby’s Breath so popular again?
I think part of the reason is that we’re no longer trying to hide it.
For years, Baby’s Breath was treated as something that filled the gaps around the “important” flowers. Now, we’re designing with it. That’s a huge difference.
We’re using it as a focal point, creating enormous clouds, pairing it with unexpected flowers and using its natural shape rather than trying to force it into a traditional arrangement.
It’s also incredibly photogenic. Those masses of tiny flowers create a beautiful texture in photographs, particularly when they’re used in large quantities. And unlike some wedding flower trends, I think Baby’s Breath has enough versatility to keep evolving.
What should I tell my florist if I want Baby’s Breath wedding flowers?
Tell them! If you’ve been saving Baby’s Breath wedding bouquets on Pinterest or Instagram, send your florist the photos. Don’t feel like you need to decide exactly how much Baby’s Breath you want or what other flowers should be included.
Instead, tell your florist what you love about the look.
Do you want:
- A huge cloud of Baby’s Breath?
- A romantic vintage bouquet?
- Something modern and minimalist?
- A colourful meadow-style arrangement?
- Baby’s Breath mixed with orchids?
- Something deliberately nostalgic?
Your florist can then work out how to make that vision work with the flowers available around your wedding date.
FAQs About Baby’s Breath Wedding Flowers
Is Baby’s Breath the same as Gypsophila?
Yes. Baby’s Breath is the common name for Gypsophila, particularly Gypsophila paniculata, which is widely used as a cut flower. Florists in New Zealand often shorten Gypsophila to “Gyp”.
Is Baby’s Breath expensive for wedding flowers?
It can be. Despite its reputation as a cheap filler flower, commercial supply in New Zealand is relatively limited and demand is high. However, each stem is very bushy, so it can provide a lot of volume.
Is Baby’s Breath a filler flower?
Traditionally, yes. But it doesn’t have to be. Modern Baby’s Breath wedding flowers often use it as the main flower, particularly in large bouquets, installations and cloud-like arrangements.
Is Baby’s Breath still fashionable?
Yes. Baby’s Breath has made a major comeback after falling out of favour with florists in the 2000s. It’s now being used in much more contemporary ways.
How long does Baby’s Breath last?
Baby’s Breath has an excellent vase life and also dries extremely well, making it one of the more long-lasting wedding flowers.
Can Baby’s Breath be used by itself?
Absolutely. A large, cloud-like arrangement made entirely from Baby’s Breath can be incredibly beautiful and modern.
Can Baby’s Breath be dyed?
Yes. Dyed Baby’s Breath is available in colours such as pink, blue, purple, yellow and green, although availability will depend on your florist and supplier.
Is Baby’s Breath available all year in New Zealand?
Commercial availability can extend throughout much of the year, but summer is its main natural growing season and winter supply can be much more limited and expensive.
What flowers go with Baby’s Breath?
Baby’s Breath works beautifully with roses, carnations, peonies, Phalaenopsis orchids, sweet peas and many other flowers. It can also be used completely on its own.
How do you make Baby’s Breath look modern?
Try grouping it into compact clouds, using it in large quantities or pairing it with unexpected flowers such as orchids and anthuriums. Avoid automatically using it as a fluffy collar or evenly dotting roses through it if you want a more contemporary look.
Alyssa’s florist verdict
I have a confession. I actually love that Baby’s Breath is back.
When I started floristry, it was one of those flowers you almost didn’t want to admit you liked. It had such a strong association with dated arrangements that it was easy to write it off completely.
But flowers are funny. Give something enough time and suddenly the thing that was “old-fashioned” becomes cool again. And I think Baby’s Breath deserves its comeback.
The trick is how you use it. Don’t automatically treat it as filler. Don’t feel like you have to hide it amongst roses. If you want a giant cloud of Baby’s Breath, have a giant cloud of Baby’s Breath. If you want to pair it with anthuriums, do it. If you want to go completely vintage with roses and carnations, lean into that. And if you want something wild and loose, let it be wild and loose.
Baby’s Breath is actually a lot more versatile than its old reputation gives it credit for.
Planning Your Wedding Flowers?
At Avant Garden, I create bespoke wedding flowers for couples across Auckland, working with seasonal New Zealand flowers as well as specialty flowers that can be sourced specifically for your wedding.
You don’t need to know the difference between Gypsophila and Gyp before you get in touch. You don’t even need to know the names of the flowers you love.
Bring me your inspiration photos, your colour palette and the feeling you’re after, and we’ll work out the flowers together.
Explore Avant Garden’s Auckland Wedding Florist services or get in touch to start planning your wedding flowers.
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