Wedding flowers in May NZ mark a beautiful shift into the cooler months. Autumn tones start creeping in, textures become a little richer, and the flower palette opens up in a really exciting way. May is one of those sweet-spot months where you still have some soft, romantic favourites, plus a few moodier or more interesting varieties starting to shine.
Why May is Great for Wedding Flowers
May weddings have such a beautiful atmosphere. The weather is cooler, the light is softer and couples often embrace richer colours and more textured floral designs. It’s also the month where we start seeing some gorgeous late autumn flowers come into their own, giving you a completely different look to a summer wedding. If you’re planning a cosy vineyard celebration, an intimate restaurant reception or a private estate wedding, May flowers suit the season perfectly.
Here are our top flower picks for May weddings and why we love working with them.
Tulips
Tulips are a standout in May and one of the most loved autumn wedding flowers.
They’re sleek, elegant and available in an incredible range of colours, from pure white and blush tones through to plum, orange, yellow and deep purple. Tulips work beautifully in both modern, minimal designs and loose, organic bouquets.
We love using tulips en masse for impact, or weaving them through mixed arrangements with roses and lisianthus. They bring a clean, contemporary feel while still feeling soft and romantic.
Lisianthus
Lisianthus are one of those quietly perfect wedding flowers. They’re delicate, floaty and rose-like, with soft layered petals and long elegant stems.
Available in white, apricot, pinks, lemon, lavender and deep purples, lisianthus fit beautifully into almost any colour palette. They’re especially great for couples wanting a romantic look without things feeling too traditional.
They work wonderfully in bridal bouquets, bridesmaid flowers and table arrangements, and pair beautifully with tulips, roses and freesias.
Freesias
Freesias are a May classic and loved for their beautiful fragrance.
They have a clean, elegant shape and come in a wide range of colours including white, cream, yellow, peach, orange, pinks and purples. Freesias are brilliant for adding gentle movement and scent to bouquets and arrangements.
They’re also great value compared to some premium blooms, which makes them a smart choice if you’re working within a budget.
Cymbidium Orchids
Cymbidium orchids bring a slightly bolder, more architectural element to May wedding flowers.
They’re long-lasting, sculptural and available in beautiful shades like cream, green, burgundy, chocolate, blush and speckled varieties. Cymbidiums look amazing in modern bouquets, structured arrangements and large-scale installations.
They’re perfect if you love mixing soft romantic flowers with something a little stronger visually.
Lilies
Lilies are another great option for May weddings.
They’re elegant, impactful and have strong, structured petals that make a statement. Oriental and Asiatic lilies are commonly used in wedding work and bloom in white, pink, yellow and deep tones.
They’re beautiful in bouquets and large arrangements, and a little goes a long way visually.
Irises
Irises add a pop of colour and personality to May wedding flowers.
Their unique shape and rich tones (deep violet) make them a fun addition to mixed bouquets. They’re great for couples wanting something slightly different and a bit playful. They’re also grown in white and yellow now, which are my personal favourites.
Irises pair beautifully with tulips, lisianthus and roses and bring contrast to softer palettes.
Roses
Roses remain a staple for May weddings and for good reason.
Garden roses are lush, ruffled and romantic, while spray roses add texture and detail with their smaller clustered blooms. With colours ranging from ivory and blush through to toffee, caramel, mauve and deep berry, there’s a rose for almost every look.
Roses anchor designs beautifully and help give arrangements fullness and cohesion.
Tropicals (Heliconia & Anthuriums)
If you’re looking for something a little different from a traditional wedding bouquet, tropical flowers are a fantastic way to add personality and create a modern, fashion-forward look that guests won’t stop talking about. For couples wanting something a little more bold or modern, tropical flowers like heliconia and anthuriums can work beautifully in May.
Anthuriums, in particular, have become very popular for their sleek, sculptural shape and glossy finish. They’re available in whites, blush, soft pinks, deep burgundy and chocolate tones. A super on-trend flower, but must be booked in advance as the majority of Anthuriums in NZ are imported.
Tropicals bring a contemporary edge and work well in modern city weddings or minimalist designs.
Florist’s Tips for May Weddings
May is a fantastic month for neutral colour palettes with plenty of texture, but it’s also the perfect time to embrace rich jewel tones if you’re after something a little more dramatic. Creamy whites, soft caramel, warm toffee and earthy greens, or lean into deep burgundy, plum and chocolate tones for a luxurious autumn feel.
One thing to be aware of is Mother’s Day, which falls in May and creates increased demand for flowers across New Zealand. While it doesn’t have quite the same impact as Valentine’s Day, flowers in soft feminine shades like blush, pink and lavender can be in higher demand around this time. If your wedding is close to Mother’s Day weekend, we’ll guide you towards the best seasonal flowers and make sure everything is ordered well in advance.
May is also a wonderful month for winery weddings, boutique venues, private Airbnbs and elegant indoor spaces where the flowers can really complement the cosy autumn atmosphere.
Planning an autumn celebration? Explore our Auckland Weddings page to see how we create bespoke wedding flowers for couples across Auckland.
Budget Tips for May Wedding Flowers
One of the biggest advantages of getting married in May is that there are still plenty of beautiful flowers available without the peak demand that comes with Valentine’s Day or the busy Christmas season. By choosing flowers that are naturally thriving, we can often create lush, full designs while keeping your budget working as efficiently as possible.
If you’re flexible with flower varieties and trust your florist to design around what’s looking its best, you’ll almost always get the most value from your wedding flowers. If you’d like to see how we help couples maximise their floral budget, have a look at our Affordable Weddings page.
Why We Love Designing May Wedding Flowers
May weddings have such a calm, elegant feel about them. Everything seems to slow down a little after the busy summer months, which gives us the opportunity to create really thoughtful floral designs that feel completely personal.
I also love that couples getting married in May are often open to trying flowers they hadn’t originally considered. Whether it’s the incredible colours of cymbidium orchids, the sculptural beauty of tropical flowers or the elegance of tulips, there’s so much creativity to be had when you lean into the season. And if your dream flowers aren’t available, don’t stress. We’ll always find something that’s just as beautiful, and often even more unique.
May weddings are all about balancing softness with a little depth. Choosing flowers that are naturally in season helps your wedding flowers feel cohesive, considered and at their best.
How to book your wedding flowers with Avant Garden
If you’d like help choosing your wedding flowers, Avant Garden makes the process easy and stress-free. You can enquire via our contact page to book a consultation, and we’re happy to chat via Google Meet, email, phone or in person. You’re also welcome to browse our portfolio for some inspiration from past weddings we’ve loved creating.
Continue Planning Your Wedding Flowers
Our Top Wedding Flowers by Month:
January | February | March | April | May | June
July | August | September | October | November | December
Continue planning your wedding flowers with these helpful guides:
Check out what’s blooming all year in our NZ Flowers by Season Calendar.
Read Auckland Wedding Florist Prices: What to Expect (and How to Make It Work) to better understand wedding flower pricing.
Learn How to Create a Wedding Floral Budget That Works NZ if you’re working within a specific budget.