12 Sturdy, Long-Lasting And Crowd-Pleasing Flowers For Your DIY Wedding

Planning your wedding is a whirlwind of excitement, and choosing the perfect flowers can add just the right touch of natural elegance and beauty to your special day. However, the last thing you want is for your beautiful blooms to wilt before the night is over. That’s where long-lasting wedding flowers come in! In our previous post we went over 10 Common Flowers To Avoid At Your Wedding. In this guide, we’ll explore 12 stunning flowers that not only hold up well throughout your wedding day but will also continue to brighten your home for days to come because of their long lasting qualities. We’ve also included our favorite faux flower recommendations from Etsy.com since so many couples are choosing that route for the convenience and budget-friendly nature.

Read More: How Many Flowers Do You Need For A Wedding? [+Free Printable]

12 Sturdy, Crowd-Pleasing Flowers For Your DIY Wedding

Here’s list of 12 gorgeous, sturdy flowers that are long-lasting and not heavily fragrant or allergy-inducing that your wedding guests will love and thank you for!

This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. Learn more.

Roses

Roses are a timeless choice for weddings, loved for their beauty and durability. They come in various colors and types, each with its unique charm and resilience. Some rose varieties known for their longevity include:

Tibet Rose:

This variety boasts large, fragrant blooms in shades of pink, red, and white.

Grandiflora Roses:

With their large, high-centered blooms, these roses come in a wide range of colors, perfect for creating bold, dramatic arrangements.

Hybrid Tea Roses:

Recognized for their classic rose shape and long, sturdy stems, these roses offer a plethora of colors, from soft pastels to vibrant hues.

Incorporating roses into your wedding decor can be done in many creative ways:

• Use them in bridal bouquets for a classic and elegant touch.
• Create stunning centerpieces by mixing roses with other flowers or using them alone in bud vases vases.
• Add rose petals to the ceremony aisle, reception tables, or as a romantic addition to your wedding photos.

Orchids

Orchids are exotic, elegant wedding flowers known for their resilience and long-lasting blooms. They come in a wide array of colors, shapes, and sizes, making them a versatile choice for wedding decor. Some resilient and long-lasting orchid varieties include:

Phalaenopsis Orchids:

Also known as moth orchids, these orchids have delicate, butterfly-like blooms and come in shades of white, pink, purple, and even spotted or striped varieties.

Cymbidium Orchids:

These orchids have large, broad petals and come in vibrant colors like yellow, green, and burgundy.

Dendrobium Orchids:

With smaller, delicate blooms, these orchids are available in a wide range of colors, including white, purple, pink, and even blue.

Ideas for using orchids in bouquets, centerpieces, and other wedding arrangements:

• Create a cascading bridal bouquet using phalaenopsis orchids for a dramatic and elegant look.
• Use cymbidium orchids in tall centerpieces to add height and color to your tables.
• Incorporate dendrobium orchids into boutonnieres or corsages for a unique and exotic touch.

Lavender

Lavender adds elegance and a delightful fragrance to your wedding decor, lasting for days after cutting. It comes in shades of purple and blue and is available in both fresh and dried forms. Lavender is also easily grown in zones 5-9 making it a great flower for a DIY wedding on a budget.

Creative ways to showcase lavender in your decor:

• Use fresh lavender stems in your bouquet or as part of your table centerpieces for a natural and fragrant touch.
• Incorporate dried lavender into wedding favors, such as sachets or candles, for a lasting reminder of your special day.
• Use lavender in place of traditional confetti at your wedding ceremony.
• Use lavender sprigs to decorate your wedding cake or as part of your table settings for a rustic and elegant look.

Delphinium

Delphiniums are tall, stately flowers that come in a variety of colors, including blue, purple, pink, and white. Known for their durability, they can last for several days after cutting, making them ideal for wedding flowers.

Examples of how you can use delphiniums in your wedding decor:

• Create dramatic aisle decorations by lining the aisle with delphinium stems or petals.
• Use delphiniums in tall centerpieces to add height and color to your tables.
• Incorporate delphiniums into bridal bouquets or boutonnieres for a striking and elegant look.

Sunflowers

Gorgeous sunflowers are bold and cheerful flowers that add a pop of color to your wedding decor. Known for their longevity, they can brighten up any wedding venue. Sunflowers come in shades of yellow, orange, and red and are available in various sizes.

Tips for incorporating sunflowers into your wedding decor:

• Use them in bridal bouquets or bridesmaid bouquets for a vibrant and rustic look.
• Create stunning centerpieces by mixing sunflowers with other flowers or using them alone in decorative vases or containers.
• Use sunflowers to decorate your ceremony arch, reception tables, or as part of your wedding cake decorations for a fun and festive touch.

Peonies

Peonies are beloved for their large, luxurious blooms and durability, often lasting for several days after being cut. They come in a variety of colors, including white, pink, coral, and burgundy. The downside of having peonies at your wedding is that they are very seasonal and on the pricier side. One way to combat the price is mix them with roses to bring the cost down while still having an elevated look.

Creative ways to showcase peonies in your decor:

• Use them in bridal bouquets for a romantic and feminine touch.
• Create lush and full centerpieces using peonies as the focal flower.
• Since peonies are edible you can use them to decorate your wedding cake making even a simple 1 tier cake look gorgeous with just a couple of blooms.

Carnations

Carnations are a budget-friendly and long-lasting wedding flower option that come in a wide range of colors, including white, pink, red, yellow, and purple. Known for their frilly petals and sweet fragrance, they are a popular choice for weddings.

Creative ways to use carnations in your wedding decor:

• Create a stunning backdrop using carnation pomander balls or carnation-covered arches.
• Use carnations to fill out bouquets and centerpieces, adding texture and volume.
• Create a monochromatic look by using carnations in varying shades of the same color for a modern and cohesive aesthetic.

Dahlias

Dahlias are known for their resilience and long-lasting blooms, making them a great choice for wedding flowers. They come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and sizes, making them versatile for any wedding theme.

Suggestions for incorporating dahlias into your wedding flower arrangements:

• Use dahlias as the focal flower in your bridal bouquet for a bold and beautiful look.
• Create stunning centerpieces using dahlias in a variety of colors and sizes.
• Since dahlias are edible, you can use them to decorate your wedding cake or as part of your table settings for a cohesive and elegant look.

Protea

Protea, known for its bold and exotic appearance, stands out as a unique flower. It comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, making it a versatile choice for wedding flowers. Protea is also known for its longevity, often lasting for several days after being cut. While on the expensive side, since protea is such a standout flower, very few blooms are needed for a dramatic effect.

Ideas for using protea in bouquets, centerpieces, and other wedding arrangements:

• Create a statement bouquet using protea as the focal flower, paired with greenery and other blooms.
• Use protea in tall centerpieces to add height and drama to your tables.
• Incorporate protea into your wedding arch or other ceremony decor for a bold and unforgettable look.

Anthurium

Anthuriums are unique flowers known for their glossy texture and vibrant colors. They come in shades of red, pink, white, and green, making them a versatile choice for wedding decor. Anthuriums are also known for their long-lasting blooms, making them perfect for wedding flowers.

Creative ways to incorporate anthuriums into your wedding decor:

• Use anthuriums in bridal bouquets or bridesmaid bouquets for a modern and tropical look.
• Create striking centerpieces using anthuriums in tall vases or containers.
• Use potted anthurium, easily available at your local garden centers, for a beautiful display that you can take home later.

Read More: 23 Gorgeous Spring Wedding Bouquets That You Can Buy Or DIY

Zinnia

Zinnias are vibrant and colorful flowers that are known for their longevity. They come in a wide range of colors, including red, orange, yellow, pink, and purple. Zinnias are also easy to grow, making them a budget-friendly option for wedding flowers.

Tips for using zinnias in your wedding bouquets and arrangements:

• Create a colorful bouquet using zinnias in a variety of shades and sizes.
• Use zinnias, along with other easily grown wild flowers to create cheerful centerpieces for your reception tables.
• Incorporate zinnias into your wedding decor by using them to decorate your ceremony arch, aisle, or reception area for a vibrant and festive look.

Ranunculus

Ranunculus are delicate and romantic flowers known for their layers of petals and wide range of colors. They come in shades of white, pink, red, orange, and yellow, making them a versatile choice for wedding flowers. Ranunculus are also known for their long-lasting blooms, making them perfect for wedding flowers.

Suggestions for using ranunculus in your wedding decor:

• Use ranunculus in bridal bouquets for a romantic and feminine look.
• Create lush and full centerpieces using ranunculus as the focal flower.
• Ranunculus do great in flower frog arrangements using few blooms but still creating beautiful, grand look for your wedding.

Concluding Thoughts: Choosing the right flowers for your DIY wedding can make a significant impact on your special day. Opting for sturdy, long-lasting blooms not only ensures that your wedding flowers look fresh and vibrant throughout the event but also allows you to enjoy them for days afterward. Whether you prefer the timeless elegance of roses, the exotic allure of orchids, or the vibrant charm of sunflowers, there are plenty of options to suit every style and theme. By incorporating these crowd-pleasing flowers into your wedding decor, you can create a beautiful and memorable celebration that will be cherished for years to come.