A winter wedding opens up a flower palette most couples never consider. White roses, calla lilies, orchids, ranunculus and anemones are all available through the colder months, and they pair beautifully with cedar, eucalyptus and red berries that only look right this time of year.

Nancy's Floral has designed wedding flowers in Gresham and across the greater Portland area for more than 30 years. Here is what we tell couples planning a December, January or February wedding.

Which Flowers Are in Season for a Winter Wedding

Many wedding flowers are available year round because growers ship them from all over the world. Winter still has its own stars, and leaning on them usually means fuller, fresher stems on your wedding day.

• Roses. White, ivory and deep red roses are the backbone of most winter bouquets, and they hold up well in cool rooms.
• Calla lilies. Clean and sculptural, especially in a simple all white bouquet.
• Ranunculus and anemones. Layered petals and dark centers that feel romantic and a little dramatic. Both come into their best from late winter into spring.
• Orchids. Dendrobium and cymbidium orchids add an elegant, long lasting touch to corsages and centerpieces.
• Amaryllis. Big trumpet blooms in red or white that look right at home at a December reception.
• Winter greenery and berries. Cedar, pine, silver dollar eucalyptus and red hypericum berries add texture and that unmistakable winter feel.

Our White Mini Calla Lily Bouquet shows how far a single flower can go. Nothing but calla lilies and a clean wrap, and it photographs beautifully against a winter white gown or a dark suit.

Winter Color Palettes That Feel Right for the Season

Color does a lot of the seasonal work for you. These are the palettes we see most often for winter weddings:

• All white with greenery. White roses and callas with cedar or eucalyptus. Timeless, and it never looks dated in photos.
• Red and white. The natural choice for a December date. Deep red roses against white feel festive without relying on holiday decor.
• Soft blue and white. Cool and calm, a lovely fit for January or February.
• Burgundy and plum. Rich jewel tones that glow in candlelight at an evening reception.

Planning a smaller wedding or an elopement? Our bridal party personal packages come in several of these color stories, including all white, red and white, and blue and white, and you can order them online.

Flowers for the Whole Wedding Party

The bouquet gets the attention, but a cohesive look comes from carrying your flowers through every piece. For a winter wedding that usually includes:

• A bridal bouquet, with bridesmaid bouquets in a smaller version of the same palette.
• Boutonnieres for the groom, groomsmen and fathers.
• Corsages for mothers and grandmothers. Wrist corsages are easy to wear with long sleeves and winter wraps.
• Ceremony and reception flowers such as altar pieces, garlands, centerpieces and cake flowers.

The All Red Boutonniere pairs a red rose with red hypericum berries. It is a small detail, but it ties the groom's look to a red and white winter bouquet.

Planning Around Oregon Winter Weather

Winter weddings around Portland come with rain, cold snaps and the occasional east wind out of the Gorge. A little planning keeps your flowers looking fresh from the first photo to the last dance.

• Cool is good, freezing is not. Keep bouquets inside the venue between the ceremony and reception rather than in a cold car.
• Plan for wet photos. Roses and callas handle a damp afternoon far better than delicate garden flowers.
• Book early for December. December weddings overlap with the busiest holiday weeks for florists. We recommend setting an appointment several months before your date, although we can often help with a wedding just a few weeks out.
• Tell us about holiday decor. If your venue will already have trees, garlands and lights up, let us know so the flowers complement the room instead of competing with it.

How Wedding Planning Works at Nancy's Floral

We do not sell full weddings as preset packages. Every wedding is designed around the couple, so you pay only for what you need.

Planning starts with a consultation with our wedding and event florists, and a scheduled appointment is required. Bring fabric swatches, photos and any sketches you have. We will walk you through our portfolio of past weddings and talk through your venue, your colors and the flowers that will be at their best on your date.

A 20% deposit reserves your wedding order, and the balance is due two weeks before the wedding.

A Few Winter Wedding Favorites

Plan Your Winter Wedding Flowers in Gresham

Whether your date is a few weeks away or next winter, we would love to help. Visit our weddings page for details, or call Nancy's Floral at 503-661-0911 to set up a consultation. You can leave a message or appointment request any time, day or night. We are at 620 NE Burnside Rd in Gresham and design wedding flowers for couples throughout the greater Portland area.