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.
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)
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.
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.
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.