Arizona can be a tricky state to choose your wedding flowers because of the heat. To answer this issue I asked a local talented Arizona florist to educate us on the ideal Summer and Fall flowers to have at your dream Arizona wedding. Thank you Andrea for sharing your wisdom!

“One of the best things about working with flowers is that there is always something new with every season. I love to use plants that I find in my garden and each season there is something I can use that wasn’t ready to use before. Early in summer, budding branches or flowering vines like Jasmine, Honeysuckle or Sweet Peas are fun to mix in for a relaxed, natural look. Many flowering herbs like Lavender and Rosemary are in full bloom at this time of year also. Some of the most popular summer wedding flowers: Peonies, Garden Roses, Dahlia’s, Zinnia’s and Lisianthus are great for the focal point of arrangements and bouquets. Some of my favorite accent flowers to use in the summer are Queen Anne’s Lace, Astilbe, Nigella, Yarrow and Scabiosa. Almost all of these come in many shades and colors allowing for a lot of variety in color combinations ranging from soft pastels to more bright and vibrant. Foliage and greenery such as Eucalyptus and Ivy are a great way to add a natural, garden effect for summer or fall.

In the Fall garden, the blooms die off and leave pods or berries that create attractive texture in arrangements. The leaves begin to change to beautiful rusty orange, yellow and red shades and create a unique color palette that you don’t get any other time of year. You can also supplement with more earthy tones such as creams, golds and browns. Sunflowers, Hydrangea and Mums all come in many different colors and sizes and are fantastic focal flowers. Fill in with fall leaves and branches, pods, berries and even fruit. ”

Here is a cheat sheet of recommended Arizona Summer and Fall Flowers to have in your wedding!

“I began working in the floral industry in a small shop in 1984. Originally from Michigan, I’ve always been inspired by the changing seasons and have enjoyed art and gardening. Working in floral design was a natural transition for me. I love working with plants I can pick right out of my garden or find on trees or bushes in my yard. My designs are wild and nature-inspired while at the same time very simple and polished. I currently live in Arizona with my husband and have three daughters and two granddaughters.”

You can see more of this wedding on ASU SECRET GARDEN BOHEMIAN WEDDING !

MANY THANKS TO THE CREATIVE TEAM WHO HELPED WITH THE ASU SECRET GARDEN INSPIRATIONAL WEDDING SHOOT:

Venue: SECRET GARDEN AT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

Florist: GARDEN GATE FLOWERS

Jamberry Nails & Creator of the Inspiration: MICHELLE LINDSEY 

Watercolor Workshop Artist: PINK PUDDLE STUDIO

Wedding Dress: SUZANNES BRIDAL BOUTIQUE (Gown Designer: MAGGIE SOTTERO)

Wedding Planner: MICHELLE LINDSEY

Paper Goods Decorations: SHIKI

Stylist Assistant: Abbi Miles

Furniture rentals: VINTAGE CHIC RENTALS

Photographer: APRIL MAURA PHOTOGRAPHY

Cake and Cookies: BEAR AND THE HONEY

Videographer: SK WEDDINGS VIDEOGRAPHY

Beverage Vendor: TEASPRESSA

Drone Videographer: GREEN CHA STUDIOS & AZ DRONE RENTAL

China & Linen: TEA CROCKERY

Bridesmaid dresses: URBAN OUTFITTERS, FREE PEOPLE, NORDSTROM, H&M

Hair Stylist: HARLEY ANN CHAPMAN, HABIT SALON

Makeup Artists: Shelby Honea, ALYSSA MAY WILSON, MARICELLA

Models: Katie Smith (Bride), Daniel Alexander (groom)| (Bridesmaids) Tatiana Zivkovic, Emily Carney, Danielle Shelton, Koryna Gonzalez, Kat Wasserman