Peonies are among the most popular bridal flowers: lush, fragrant, soft and symbolic. In Ukraine they are in season from late May to June, right at the start of wedding season. Here is which varieties and colours to choose, what to combine them with, how many stems you need, how to time the buds to open on the day, and what to do for an out-of-season wedding. Learn more in peonies in a vase.
In China the peony is the ‘king of flowers’ and a symbol of a happy marriage, prosperity and honour. In European tradition it stands for tenderness, romance and a wish for the new family to flourish.
Blush-pink Sarah Bernhardt is the top wedding variety, with large double blooms and a soft scent. White Duchesse de Nemours and Festiva Maxima (with crimson flecks) are classics for an all-white palette.
Coral Charm and Coral Sunset open deep coral and fade to peach — striking for a summer wedding. Red Charm gives a rich red for contrasting bouquets.
More about varieties and flower forms in our peony guide.
What to combine peonies with
The best partners are garden and spray roses, ranunculus, lisianthus, stock and eucalyptus or ruscus foliage, all supporting a soft garden-style look.
Shape: a round, compact biedermeier suits a classic gown, a loose garden style suits boho, and a cascade suits a full skirt and a tall bride. Ideas for the whole celebration are in wedding floristry.
How many peonies you need
A compact bouquet needs 5–9 peonies, a lush one 11–15. Peonies are heavy, so a large mono bouquet can weigh over a kilo; discuss this with your florist so the bride is comfortable all day.
For the groom’s buttonhole use a small peony bud, a spray rose or a sprig of eucalyptus to match.
Timing the buds for the big day
Buy peonies 2–3 days before the wedding at the ‘marshmallow’ stage, when buds feel soft and show colour. Hard green balls may never open.
To speed opening, stand them in warm water in a warm, bright room; to slow it, keep them cool at +3…+5 °C. Arrange the bouquet on the day or the evening before.
If the wedding is out of peony season
In autumn and winter peonies come from the Netherlands, Chile or New Zealand; they exist but cost much more and are not always available to order.
The best alternative is peony roses: the same lush shape, year-round availability and longer vase life. See peony roses for varieties.
Peony bouquets for bridesmaids
For cohesive wedding photos, bridesmaids’ bouquets echo the bride’s in a smaller, simpler form:
Size — 3–5 peonies, or 1–2 peonies with spray roses and greenery, about half the size of the bride’s.
Colour — a shade darker or lighter, or the wedding’s accent colour in one or two flowers.
Out of season — use peony-style garden roses, similar in shape and available all year.
Ribbon to match the bridesmaids’ dresses and tie the looks together.
Wedding bouquets with delivery
Our florists make bridal bouquets with peonies in season or peony roses all year, delivered on the wedding day in Kyiv.
2–3 days before, at the soft-bud stage when colour is showing.
Which peony variety is most popular for weddings?
Blush-pink Sarah Bernhardt, plus white Duchesse de Nemours and Coral Charm.
What can replace peonies out of season?
Peony roses, which look similar and are available all year.
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
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