Wedding flowers in February are bright, bold and full of personality. It’s peak summer in New Zealand, which means the flower market is overflowing with incredible seasonal options, like show-stopping dahlias to elegant hydrangeas and sculptural orchids. February weddings can be anything you want them to be; colourful, modern, romantic or totally unique.
Why February is Great for Weddings
February is still peak summer in New Zealand, bringing long, sunny days and an incredible selection of seasonal flowers. It’s a beautiful month for couples who love bright, vibrant weddings or elegant all-white styling. Whether you’re getting married at a winery, overlooking the beach or celebrating in a lush garden, February offers endless inspiration. The only thing to keep in mind is Valentine’s Day, which can have a surprising impact on flower availability and pricing.
Here’s our top picks for seasonal flowers that are in full bloom in February nationwide.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are in their prime during February and are a firm favourite for weddings thanks to their lush, voluminous texture. They bring an effortless luxury to table arrangements, bouquets, and ceremony backdrops in a true minimalistic way yet still speak a statement. You’ll find them in so many colours like dreamy pastels to rich, saturated tones. Antique hydrangeas are especially beautiful this time of year with their muted, vintage hues that blend perfectly with natural summer palettes. They also last well in the heat, which is a huge bonus for outdoor weddings.
Photo by Skye Carter Photography
Dahlias
Dahlias are one of my favourite flowers ever. February and dahlias are a match made in heaven! With hundreds of shapes and colours to choose from, these bold, sculptural flowers always make a serious impression. There are the giant dinner-plate dahlias (hello statement bouquet!) or the smaller ball and pompom types that add lovely structure and detail. From super soft café au lait tones to vibrant oranges and deep berry shades, dahlias are the ultimate summer wedding flower – full of texture, depth and romance. Just be mindful these guys get tired in the blazing sun and can wilt quickly, so plan accordingly.
Wildflowers
Wildflowers are perfect for couples who want that relaxed, garden-party feeling. Cosmos, scabiosa, Veronica, cornflowers, achellia, nigella and matricaria are just a few of our favourite wild varieties that thrive in February. They add movement and charm to any bouquet or arrangement, creating that beautifully unstructured, freshly-picked vibe. Wildflowers work wonderfully on their own or paired with a few more luxe stems like orchids or dahlias for balance.
Phalaenopsis Orchids
Few flowers say “modern elegance” quite like Phalaenopsis orchids. Their long, graceful stems and cascading blooms bring instant sophistication to your floral design. Available in white, blush and fuchsia (the blush ones are dyed, but done so beautifully), they’re a go-to for couples wanting a high-end, chic aesthetic. Because most Phalaenopsis orchids are imported, booking in advance is key to ensure they arrive in time for your wedding.
Gypsophila (Baby’s Breath)
Gypsophila, or baby’s breath, continues to be a bride favourite. Used en masse, it creates those dreamy, cloud-like installations that have taken over Pinterest boards everywhere. For February weddings, we love it mixed into bridal bouquets, table runners or styled in soft pastel tints for something a bit different. It’s light and airy, and adds a delicate contrast to heavier statement blooms.
Calla Lilies
Calla lilies bring a sleek and sharp element to your wedding flowers. These elegant stems are ideal for modern, minimalist styling or for adding contrast within more abundant arrangements. White callas are import-only and often hard to secure in February without booking well in advance, but local growers produce stunning alternatives in rich raspberry, burnt orange, yellow and deep black. They look incredible paired with orchids or tropical foliage for that editorial, fashion-inspired edge. Side note: I carried a black calla lily bouquet on my wedding day!
Roses in February: What You Need to Know
Here’s a hot tip: February is not the month for budget-friendly roses. With Valentine’s Day smack in the middle of the month, demand skyrockets for every rose on the market, no matter the colour. Prices for all red, pink, blush and burgundy flowers also surge since they’re all considered “romantic tones” and the demand is equally as high. I promise it’s not that florists are charging more for weddings – growers simply can’t grow enough of them to meet the sheer demand, and therefore the flower auction prices go crazy as florists battle it out. If you’ve got your heart set on roses or those romantic hues, just plan for a higher flower budget or chat with us about clever ways to balance your design.
Getting married on Valentine’s Day: What You Need To Know
With Valentine’s Day being a super popular date to get married (that’s the 14th btw) – it is vital you book well ahead of time for two main reasons: 1. to guarantee the product and 2. to secure your florist. We accept weddings on Valentine’s Day at Avant Garden, and since it is such a popular day to get married, we book out early. But most florists won’t take on weddings at all due to the inundation of Valentine’s Day orders – they simply don’t have the capacity. We highly recommend booking in your wedding as soon as you can (before October is ideal) to ensure your florals are organised and booked in to avoid disappointment.
Florist’s Tips for February Weddings
February is the perfect month to embrace fresh whites alongside cheerful summer colours like buttery yellow, peach, apricot and soft coral. These combinations feel modern, joyful and effortlessly summery.
If you’re working within a budget, I strongly suggest to avoid building your colour palette around romantic shades like red, burgundy, deep raspberry or hot pink. Valentine’s Day creates huge demand for these colours, along with roses of every variety, so prices naturally increase across the market. It’s not because your florist is trying to rip you off, it’s simply supply and demand. If those colours are your dream, absolutely go for them, just allow extra room in your budget.
Another thing to consider is timing. If your wedding falls during Valentine’s week, ordering flowers well in advance becomes even more important, especially if you’re hoping for premium flowers or imported varieties.
Planning your wedding in Auckland? Learn more about our Auckland Weddings and how we design flowers around the season and your vision.
Budget Tips for February Wedding Flowers
February can be one of the more expensive months for wedding flowers because Valentine’s Day affects the entire flower industry, not just red roses. Many flowers in romantic colours become more expensive during this time due to increased demand.
The good news is there are plenty of ways to create beautiful wedding flowers without compromising on style. Choosing flowers that are naturally abundant, embracing seasonal colour palettes and being flexible with flower varieties can make a significant difference. If you’re trying to make your budget go further, have a look at our Affordable Weddings page to see how we help couples maximise their floral budget without sacrificing the overall look and feel.
Why We Love Designing February Weddings
February weddings always feel full of energy. Summer is still in full swing, flowers are thriving and couples are often a little more adventurous with colour than they are at other times of the year. We love helping couples create designs that feel personal rather than following every trend on Instagram.
One thing we’re really passionate about is educating our couples. If a certain flower isn’t the best choice because of availability or Valentine’s demand, we’ll always explain why and recommend alternatives that achieve the same overall look. Sometimes those substitutions end up becoming our favourite part of the entire wedding. Our job isn’t just to make beautiful flowers, it’s to help you make informed decisions so you can enjoy the planning process with confidence.
Planning Your February Wedding Flowers
Every wedding is unique, and your flowers should reflect your style and season. February’s floral lineup offers so many options from soft, timeless designs to big, bold and modern statements. If you’d like expert guidance choosing the right flowers for your wedding, Avant Garden makes the process easy, fun and stress-free.
How to book your wedding flowers with Avant Garden
Booking your wedding flowers with Avant Garden is simple. Visit our enquiry page to arrange a consultation. We can chat via Google Meet, email, phone or in person – whatever suits you best. Together, we’ll create wedding flowers that capture your summer vibe perfectly. And if you’d like to see some of our past work, take a look through our portfolio for inspiration.
Continue Planning Your Wedding Flowers
Continue planning your wedding flowers with these helpful guides:
Our Top Wedding Flowers by Month
Every month offers something different. Explore our month-by-month guides to discover which flowers are at their best for your wedding date.
January | February | March | April | May | June
July | August | September | October | November | December
- See what’s blooming throughout the year with our NZ Flowers by Season Calendar.
- Learn more about our Auckland Weddings service and how we create bespoke wedding flowers across Auckland.
- Planning around a budget? Visit our Affordable Weddings page for inspiration and practical advice.
- Read Auckland Wedding Florist Prices: What to Expect (and How to Make It Work) to understand wedding flower pricing.
- Learn How to Create a Wedding Floral Budget That Works NZ before your consultation.
- Browse our Wedding Portfolio to see real Auckland weddings we’ve had the pleasure of designing.
- Ready to start planning? Contact Avant Garden to book your consultation.