Calla Lilies are one of the most distinctive wedding flowers you can choose. Their clean, trumpet-shaped flowers have an effortlessly sculptural quality, and they can look incredibly modern when used on their own or alongside other architectural flowers.
They’re also available in some seriously gorgeous colours, from classic white and pale pink through to buttery yellow, bright yellow, raspberry, burnt orange and a deep purple that is almost black.
And despite their common name, Calla Lilies aren’t actually lilies. They’re members of the Zantedeschia genus and belong to the Araceae family, the same broader plant family as flowers such as anthuriums.
As a florist, I love Callas because there really isn’t anything else quite like them. They can be minimalist and elegant, dramatic and fashion-forward, or, depending on the colour, even a little bit goth.
My own wedding bouquet was made with black Callas, so I’m particularly fond of them.
What are Calla Lilies?
Calla Lilies, also commonly called Callas, are trumpet-shaped flowers from the Zantedeschia genus.
They have a beautifully clean silhouette, with the flower curling elegantly around itself to create that distinctive trumpet or funnel shape. Their stems are long and smooth, and the flower itself has a naturally sculptural quality.
Despite being called Calla Lilies, they aren’t technically lilies. They’re not part of the true lily family, Liliaceae.
For wedding flowers, it’s their shape that makes them so special. You can use a handful of Callas with almost nothing else and still create a striking bouquet or arrangement.
Are Calla Lilies good for wedding flowers?
Yes!
Callas are perfect if you want wedding flowers that feel modern, clean and sculptural.
They’re not a traditionally fluffy or romantic flower. You won’t get the ruffled, abundant feeling of a peony or garden rose. Instead, Callas give you shape.
And then there are the colours.
White Callas can be incredibly minimalist and sophisticated, while deeper or brighter colours completely change the personality of the flower.
Burnt orange Callas are fantastic for an autumnal wedding. Deep purple-black Callas can feel dramatic and slightly gothic. Raspberry Callas are romantic without being overly sweet, while yellow Callas can bring a really cheerful, modern pop of colour.
There really isn’t anything quite like them.
My own Calla Lily wedding bouquet
I have a bit of a soft spot for Callas because my own wedding bouquet was made with black Callas.
They’re not actually a true black, but the deepest varieties are such a dark purple that they look almost black. And honestly? They’re incredible.
There’s something about a black Calla that feels completely different from almost any other wedding flower. They’re sleek, dramatic and just a little bit goth.
If you’re looking for a wedding flower that makes a statement without needing loads of other flowers around it, Callas are hard to beat.
Are Calla Lilies expensive for weddings?
I’m sorry to say that yes, Calla Lilies can be an expensive wedding flower.
This is particularly true if you’re after white Callas in New Zealand.
White Callas are not currently commercially grown here, so they need to be imported. Imported flowers are more expensive to begin with, and Callas have another problem: they bruise incredibly easily.
When we order imported white Callas for a wedding, we have to allow for some stems to potentially arrive damaged. You can’t quality-control imported flowers before they arrive in New Zealand, and if you only order the exact number of stems you need and some arrive bruised, there isn’t necessarily anywhere to buy replacement stems at short notice.
So florists have to order additional stock to allow for potential losses.
This is one of those behind-the-scenes things that can make a flower look surprisingly expensive on a wedding quote.
And white Callas are generally special ordered, rather than something your florist can simply pick up from the auction at the last minute.
Are Calla Lilies available in New Zealand?
Yes. New Zealand-grown Callas are available in some beautiful colours, including:
- Bright yellow
- Buttery yellow
- Burnt orange
- Raspberry
- Light pink
- Deep purple, almost black
White Callas can be imported into New Zealand, but as mentioned above, they’re more expensive and need to be specially ordered.
If you love Callas but you’re working with a particular budget, it’s worth talking to your florist about the colours and locally grown varieties that may be available around your wedding date.
When are Calla Lilies in season in New Zealand?
Callas are primarily a summer flower in New Zealand.
Exact availability can vary depending on the grower, variety and growing conditions, so your florist will be able to advise what’s looking best around your wedding date.
If you’re planning a summer wedding and love Callas, you’re in a particularly good position to use NZ-grown varieties. For more information about seasonal flowers throughout the year, take a look at my New Zealand Flower Seasons Calendar.
What colours do Calla Lilies come in?
This is one of the things I love most about Callas.
They’re not just white.
New Zealand-grown varieties can include:
Bright yellow – Cheerful, vibrant and fantastic for summer weddings.
Buttery yellow – Softer with a black eye in the centre.
Burnt orange – Absolutely gorgeous for autumnal colour palettes.
Raspberry – Rich, romantic and a little bit dramatic.
Light pink – A softer option if you want the shape of a Calla without the stronger colour.
Deep purple / almost black – The ultimate statement Calla. These are the ones I used in my own wedding bouquet.
And then, of course, there are white Callas, which remain hugely popular for weddings despite needing to be imported into New Zealand.
What is the difference between Calla Lilies and Arum Lilies?
This is one that can get a little confusing.
There are larger flowers that look very similar to Callas but are often referred to as Arum Lilies, including varieties such as Green Goddess and Childsiana. They have that same distinctive trumpet shape, but they can be significantly larger with very thick stems.
They’re generally too large and bulky for carrying in a bridal bouquet, but they make fantastic statement flowers in vases and larger arrangements.
If you’re after a really dramatic single-flower arrangement, they’re worth considering. Again, despite the names, these aren’t true lilies either.
Can Calla Lilies be used on their own in a bouquet?
Yes, and I absolutely love this look.
A bouquet made entirely from Callas can be incredibly modern and minimalist.
You don’t necessarily need to add greenery, filler flowers or lots of other varieties. In fact, adding too much can sometimes take away from what makes Callas special in the first place.
A bunch of long-stemmed Callas, tied simply, can be incredibly elegant. This works particularly well for modern, minimalist, editorial or fashion-forward weddings.
And if you’re brave enough to choose a dramatic colour such as deep purple-black or burnt orange, the flower can do all the work for you.
Can Calla Lilies be mixed with other flowers?
Definitely. Although Callas can stand beautifully on their own, they can also be fantastic within a more complex floral design. The key is to think about shape.
Callas already have such a strong, sculptural form that I tend to pair them with flowers that have a similar sense of structure or movement rather than lots of tiny, delicate filler flowers.
Some of my favourite combinations include:
Callas and orchids
Elegant, sculptural and luxurious.
Callas and anthuriums
This combination is much more modern and editorial, with strong shapes and a slightly tropical feel.
Callas and hanging amaranthus
The long, trailing moment of amaranthus creates a beautiful contrast with the clean shape of the Calla.
Callas and other sculptural flowers
If you love an architectural floral design, lean into it. Think strong shapes, interesting silhouettes and flowers that have a presence of their own.
Are Calla Lilies good for modern weddings?
They’re one of my favourite choices for a modern wedding.
Their shape is inherently contemporary. They’re clean, simple and architectural without needing much embellishment.
A bouquet of white Callas can look incredibly sleek against a modern wedding dress.
Coloured Callas can take it somewhere completely different, particularly if you’re using an unexpected colour palette.
And black Callas? Very cool.
Are Calla Lilies good for minimalist weddings?
Absolutely perfect for them! In fact, Callas are one of those rare flowers where less can genuinely be more.
A small number of beautifully conditioned Callas in a simple vase can have more impact than a huge arrangement containing dozens of different flowers.
They’re perfect if you want your wedding flowers to feel considered rather than abundant.
Can Calla Lilies work for a romantic or garden-style wedding?
They can, but they’re not automatically my first choice.
A romantic garden-style arrangement usually relies on flowers that feel soft, dainty, loose and whimsical. Callas are none of those things.
They’re strong, sculptural and architectural, so they naturally pull a design in a more modern direction. But if you love Callas and you’re having a garden-style wedding, I’m always up for a challenge.
The trick would be to soften their strong shape with the right flowers, movement and colour palette rather than trying to make them something they’re not.
Sometimes the most interesting wedding flowers come from combining two styles that you wouldn’t immediately put together.
How long do Calla Lilies last?
Callas are a surprisingly long-lasting wedding flower.
With good care, they can last at least a week and often closer to two weeks.
One thing to know is that you’ll usually notice the stem deteriorating before the flower itself looks finished. The stems can become soft and mushy while the flower still looks perfectly good.
This makes them a great choice if you’re looking for wedding flowers with good vase life.
Are Calla Lilies good for hot-weather weddings?
Yes. Callas tolerate sun and warm conditions particularly well, making them a good option for summer weddings.
As always, your florist will still need to manage the flowers carefully before and during the wedding, particularly if arrangements are sitting outside in direct sunlight for extended periods.
But compared with some more delicate wedding flowers, Callas can be a very good choice for a warm-weather celebration.
Can Calla Lilies be used in wedding buttonholes?
Absolutely. This is actually one of my favourite ways to use them.
A single Calla makes a gorgeous buttonhole because the flower already has such a strong shape. You don’t need to surround it with lots of other flowers. It’s clean, elegant and a little bit unexpected.
You can also choose the colour to tie directly into the bridal bouquet or wider wedding palette.
Can Calla Lilies be used in wedding centrepieces?
Yes. They’re particularly beautiful in vases, where you can take advantage of their long stems and sculptural shape.
One thing florists don’t particularly love about Callas is that their stems are soft, which can make them awkward to work with in floral foam. There’s a florist trick for this, though. A skewer can be carefully inserted into the stem to give it additional support before placing it into the foam.
So yes, Callas can absolutely be incorporated into foam-based arrangements. They just require a little more technique than some sturdier-stemmed flowers.
Can Calla Lilies be used in wedding arches?
They can, although again, their soft stems mean they require some thoughtful construction.
Your florist may use techniques such as stem reinforcement to securely position them within a floral installation.
They’re particularly effective in an arch or larger arrangement when you want individual flowers to create strong, sculptural points amongst other flowers.
That said, I think Callas are often at their best when you let them be seen rather than burying them amongst hundreds of other flowers.
Are Calla Lilies actually lilies?
No! Despite the name, Calla Lilies aren’t true lilies.
Callas belong to the Zantedeschia genus and the Araceae family, while true lilies belong to the Liliaceae family. The common name has simply stuck.
So if you’re a flower nerd and want to be technically correct, you can happily call them Callas.
FAQs About Calla Lily Wedding Flowers
Are white Calla Lilies available in New Zealand?
White Callas can be imported into New Zealand, but they aren’t currently commercially grown here. Because they need to be imported and are prone to bruising, they can be significantly more expensive than NZ-grown coloured varieties.
What is the most popular Calla Lily colour for weddings?
White remains a classic choice, particularly for minimalist and modern weddings. However, coloured Callas can create a much more distinctive wedding look, particularly burnt orange, raspberry, yellow and very dark purple varieties.
Are black Calla Lilies really black?
Not technically. The varieties commonly described as black are an extremely deep purple that can appear almost black, particularly in photographs and darker lighting.
Are Calla Lilies expensive wedding flowers?
They can be. White Callas are particularly expensive in New Zealand because they need to be imported and additional stems may need to be ordered to allow for damage during transit. Locally grown coloured Callas can be a more accessible option.
Are Calla Lilies good for bridal bouquets?
Yes. They can be used on their own for a minimalist bouquet or combined with other sculptural flowers for something more elaborate.
What flowers go with Calla Lilies?
Callas work beautifully with orchids, anthuriums, hanging amaranthus and other sculptural flowers. They can also be combined with softer flowers if you want to contrast their strong shape.
Are Calla Lilies good for summer weddings?
Yes. Callas are a summer flower in New Zealand and tolerate warm, sunny conditions well.
Can Calla Lilies be used in buttonholes?
Yes. A single Calla makes a particularly elegant and modern buttonhole.
Can Calla Lilies be used in floral foam?
Yes, although their soft stems can make them more difficult to position. Florists can reinforce the stems with a skewer when necessary.
Alyssa’s florist verdict
If you want wedding flowers that are clean, sculptural and a little bit unexpected, I love Callas.
They’re one of those flowers where you don’t need a huge amount to make an impact.
White Callas are effortlessly elegant. Burnt orange Callas are incredible for an autumn wedding. Raspberry is romantic. Yellow is fun. And the deep purple, almost-black varieties? They’re my favourite.
I might be biased, given that I carried them in my own wedding bouquet, but there’s genuinely nothing else quite like them.
And if you love Callas but your wedding style doesn’t immediately seem like the obvious match, don’t write them off. Bring me the idea and we’ll work out how to make it work.
Planning Your Wedding Flowers?
At Avant Garden, I create bespoke wedding flowers for couples across Auckland, using seasonal New Zealand flowers alongside carefully sourced specialty flowers when needed.
You don’t need to know exactly what flowers you want before you get in touch. Tell me about your wedding, your style, your colours and the flowers you’ve fallen in love with, and we’ll work out the rest together.
Explore Avant Garden’s Auckland Wedding Florist services or get in touch to start planning your wedding flowers.
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