Red wedding flowers are bold, romantic and impossible to ignore.
I’ll be honest, red isn’t usually the colour I reach for first. Give me burgundy, plum or a deep berry red and I’m very happy! But bright red is a completely different story, and it deserves its own place in the wedding flower colour palette.
From classic red roses to scarlet anemones, bright red tulips and dramatic red anthuriums, red wedding flowers in NZ can be incredibly stylish when they’re used with intention.
Red can be romantic, glamorous, playful, dramatic or even fashion-forward, depending on the flowers and colours you pair it with.
And there is one very important thing to know if you’re planning red wedding flowers in February: Valentine’s Day can have a serious impact on the price of red flowers.
What shades of red can you use for wedding flowers?
Red isn’t just one colour. For wedding flowers, you’ll find everything from bright, true red through to scarlet and deep crimson.
Bright red
Bright red is the classic, unmistakable red. It’s energetic, romantic and full of impact.
Scarlet red
Scarlet is a vivid red with a slightly warmer, fiery quality. It’s gorgeous for a bold summer wedding or a colourful floral design.
Crimson
Crimson sits towards the deeper end of bright red. It’s rich and dramatic without moving all the way into burgundy or plum.
If you’re looking for wine, burgundy, berry or plum tones, check out my guide to burgundy and berry wedding flowers. That’s where we get into the deeper, moodier side of the red colour family.
The best red wedding flowers in NZ
There are some seriously gorgeous red flowers available to wedding florists in New Zealand. For this guide, I’m sticking to the brighter red, scarlet and crimson shades rather than the deep burgundy and plum flowers covered in my other colour guide.
| Red flower | Typical NZ season | Florist notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roses | Year-round | ‘Naomi’ and ‘Prestige’ are NZ-grown; ‘Explorer’ and ‘Freedom’ are imported. The classic red wedding flower. |
| Anthuriums | Year-round, some imported | Glossy, sculptural and wonderfully modern. A great choice for an editorial look. |
| Anemones | Winter–spring | Gorgeous bright red petals with their distinctive dark centres. |
| Tulips | Late autumn–spring | Simple, elegant and beautifully fluid in bouquets and arrangements. |
| Dahlias | Summer–autumn | Lots of gorgeous shapes and textures, including brilliant bright reds. |
| Amaryllis | Winter–spring | Big, dramatic flowers with serious impact. |
| Ranunculus | Winter–spring | Romantic, layered petals and lovely for bouquets. |
| Freesia | Winter–spring | Delicate, pretty and fragrant. |
| Gerbera daisies | Year-round | Bright, cheerful and playful, with a bold flower head. |
| Gladioli | Summer–autumn | Tall, architectural flowers that bring height and drama. |
| Waratahs | Spring | A spectacular Australian native with a strong architectural shape. A real statement flower. |
| Celosia | Summer–autumn | Textural and unusual, with a wonderfully velvety, sculptural quality. Great for adding something different to red arrangements. |
Red roses for wedding flowers
Red roses are probably the first flower most people picture when they hear red wedding flowers, and for good reason.
For NZ-grown roses, some varieties to look out for include ‘Naomi’ and ‘Prestige’. Imported options include ‘Explorer’ and ‘Freedom’.
Rose varieties vary in colour, size, shape and availability, so if you have your heart set on a particular variety, let your florist know early.
And if you’re getting married in February, there’s something else you absolutely need to know about red roses…
The truth about red roses on Valentine’s Day
No, your florist isn’t simply cranking up the price because it’s Valentine’s Day. I promise, they’re not being greedy. If anything, the margin is probably less than usual.
The reality is supply and demand.
Valentine’s Day creates an enormous spike in demand for red roses, and February is the biggest month for rose imports into Auckland. In February 2024, around 30 tonnes of roses were imported through Auckland Airport, primarily from Colombia and India. Just imported! We have so many red rose growers in NZ too.
Red roses are particularly affected because they’re the traditional Valentine’s flower. When thousands of florists and flower sellers are all trying to buy the same red roses at the same time, wholesale prices rise.
And it’s not just roses. All red flowers become more expensive around Valentine’s Day because demand for red flowers increases across the market.
In New Zealand, red rose prices have historically increased by around 60-100% around Valentine’s Day, with premium roses sometimes reaching roughly double their usual price.
Getting married in February?
If you’re getting married around Valentine’s Day and want lots of red roses, budget accordingly.
Prices start climbing in the lead-up to 14 February, peak around Valentine’s Day and can remain high for a short time afterwards as the market settles.
And here’s the frustrating part: getting married a few days after Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean your florist can simply buy cheaper roses. Your florist will still need to purchase your flowers through the Valentine’s Day market, depending on your wedding date and when they need to order your flowers.
So if you’re planning red wedding flowers in NZ for a February wedding, tell your florist your date early. They can help you work out what is realistic for your budget and whether another red flower might give you the look you want for less.
Why is red important in Chinese weddings?
Red has a particularly important cultural significance in Chinese traditions.
In Chinese culture, red is traditionally associated with good fortune, happiness, prosperity and celebration. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art describes red as an auspicious colour in China, associated with life-generating energy, celebration and prosperity.
Red also has a long history in Chinese wedding traditions. Traditional wedding customs have used red extensively in clothing, decorations and wedding objects, including red bridal clothing, red decorations and the double-happiness character 囍. Official Chinese cultural sources describe red as a colour of happiness and good fortune in traditional wedding celebrations.
So for couples incorporating Chinese heritage or traditions into their wedding, red wedding flowers can have a meaning that goes well beyond simply being a beautiful colour choice.
Of course, Chinese culture is incredibly diverse, and wedding traditions vary between families, regions and generations. Your own family traditions and preferences should always come first.
Red wedding flower colour combinations
Red is a strong colour, so the colours you pair with it can completely change the overall feeling.
Red and burgundy: depth and drama
This is at the top of my list. I love depth and drama, and combining bright red with burgundy creates exactly that. The brighter red stops the deeper tones from becoming too heavy, while the burgundy adds richness and sophistication.
If you love this darker colour palette, check out my burgundy and berry wedding flowers guide.
Red, magenta and amethyst: jewel tones
Red becomes seriously luxurious when you bring in other jewel tones.
Red, magenta and amethyst create a rich, saturated colour palette that feels glamorous and colourful without being traditional. This is one for the couple who isn’t afraid of colour!
Red and pink: tricky, but gorgeous
Red and pink can be a tricky combination to get right.
Get the shades wrong and it can feel a little too Valentine’s Day. But when the colours, flower varieties and proportions are right, it can be absolutely gorgeous.
The trick is in the styling. Rather than simply mixing any red and pink flowers together, your florist can choose shades that have the right relationship with each other and use different flower shapes and textures to keep the design feeling intentional.
For more pink inspiration, check out my pink wedding flowers guide.
Can red wedding flowers look modern?
Absolutely. Red has a reputation for being traditional and romantic, but the flowers you choose can completely change that.
Red anthuriums, calla lilies and tulips can create a much more contemporary look, while unusual flower combinations and sculptural arrangements can make red feel fashion-forward rather than classic.
Even red roses can look incredibly modern when they’re used in a more editorial design. For example, when we reflex the petals, it completely transforms them (see photo above).
It all comes down to the flowers, the colour balance and how they’re arranged.
Are red wedding flowers available all year round in NZ?
There are red flowers available at different times throughout the year in New Zealand, but individual flowers have their own seasons.
Roses, for example, can be sourced at different times of year, while flowers such as tulips, anemones and dahlias have more specific seasonal availability.
Imported flowers can also extend the range of options available to florists, but availability and price can vary depending on the time of year.
If you have your heart set on a particular red flower, talk to your florist about your wedding date early.
You can also check out my Wedding Flowers by Month category for a month-by-month guide to the best seasonal flowers.
What are the best red flowers for a bridal bouquet?
It depends on the look you’re after.
Red roses are the obvious classic, while anemones and ranunculus give you a softer, more romantic shape. Tulips bring beautiful movement, dahlias add texture and anthuriums create a sleek, contemporary feel.
Amaryllis are spectacular if you want something really dramatic, while freesia can bring a more delicate element to a bouquet.
Your florist can help you choose flowers based on your wedding date, overall style and budget.
Frequently asked questions about red wedding flowers
What do red wedding flowers symbolise?
Red is traditionally associated with love, passion and romance in many Western contexts. In Chinese culture, red is also strongly associated with good fortune, happiness, prosperity and celebration.
That makes red a particularly meaningful colour for weddings, although the symbolism attached to colour varies between cultures and traditions.
Are red roses more expensive around Valentine’s Day?
Yes, they are.
Valentine’s Day creates an enormous increase in demand for red roses, and wholesale prices rise significantly. In New Zealand, February is the peak month for rose imports, and premium red roses have historically reached around double their usual price during the Valentine’s period.
If you’re getting married in February, talk to your florist early about your red flower options and budget.
Can I have red wedding flowers without using roses?
Sure. There are plenty of other beautiful red wedding flowers, including anemones, tulips, dahlias, amaryllis, ranunculus, anthuriums, gladioli, freesia and gerberas.
Red roses may be the classic, but they’re certainly not your only option.
What colours go with red wedding flowers?
For a deeper, dramatic palette, red and burgundy is one of my favourites.
Red also works beautifully with jewel tones such as magenta and amethyst, while red and pink can create a gorgeous, playful combination when the shades are carefully chosen.
If you’re after deeper wine, berry or plum tones, check out my burgundy and berry wedding flowers guide.
Is red a good colour for a Chinese wedding?
It’s perfect. Red has a long-standing association with happiness, good fortune and celebration in Chinese culture and has traditionally played an important role in Chinese wedding customs.
For couples incorporating Chinese traditions into their wedding, red flowers are a particularly meaningful choice.
Planning red wedding flowers in NZ?
Red wedding flowers aren’t for everyone, and I’ll happily admit they’re not usually my first choice. But when they’re done well, they can be spectacular.
From classic red roses and romantic anemones to sculptural anthuriums and dramatic amaryllis, there are plenty of ways to use red flowers without your wedding looking like a Valentine’s Day card.
And if you love the drama but prefer your reds on the darker side, that’s where my [burgundy and berry wedding flowers guide] comes in.
At Avant Garden, we create fun, stylish wedding flowers for couples across Auckland and beyond. If you’re planning red wedding flowers in NZ, get in touch and let’s talk about what will work for your date, style and budget.
Explore our Auckland wedding florist services or find out more about affordable wedding flowers.
Continue Planning Your Wedding:
Explore More of Our Wedding Guides
- Wedding Flowers in Season – See what’s in season in NZ throughout the year.
- Wedding Flowers by Month – See what our top flower picks are for the month you’re getting married
- Wedding Flowers by Type – Get to know different flowers and when they’re available.
- Wedding Flower Colours – Check out our guides to different wedding flower colour palettes.
- Wedding Flower Planning – Get practical advice on budgets, costs and choosing your florist.
- Auckland Wedding Venues – Check out our florist’s take on some of Auckland’s wedding venues.
View the Avant Garden wedding flower portfolio for more wedding flower inspiration.