Natural garden-style wedding arch with lilac, peonies and cow parsley at Hamswell House — *Image by* *Courtney Marie* at Hamswell House

Planning a spring wedding in the Cotswolds? May is one of the most enchanting months for flowers. With nature in full swing, the landscape offers an abundance of seasonal blooms perfect for a romantic, garden-inspired wedding. Working with what’s in season not only ensures your flowers are at their peak but adds a sense of place, rhythm, and authenticity to your floral story.

At The Petal Emporium, we specialise in wedding flowers in the Cotswolds and Bristol, and we seek to include locally grown stems wherever possible. Here’s a curated list of seasonal favourites available in May, including both beloved blooms and under-the-radar stems that will set your floral design apart.

Classic Seasonal Favourites

Much loved blooms that a May wedding would be lost without. Plush ruffles, sweet scents, and delicate whimsical, fairytale beauties.

Peonies

Perhaps the most iconic May wedding flower, the peoples princess, peonies bring soft, luxurious drama to any arrangement. They typically start blooming from mid-May and are available in romantic shades like blush, cream, coral, and raspberry.

Lily of the Valley

Delicate, highly scented, and steeped in tradition, Lily of the Valley is a true wedding classic. Its petite white bells and dainty stems bring a sense of purity and quiet elegance to any arrangement. Often found in Royal bouquets it’s a truly special stem.

Ranunculus

Ranunculus adds a refined, petal-packed look to arrangements and is available in both soft pastels and rich, jewel tones. Their compact size and delicate nature make them incredibly versatile.

Sweet Peas

Known for their fluttery petals and gentle scent, sweet peas are a spring staple. They add lightness, romance, and fragrance to arrangements. Coming in almost every colour I simply can’t picture a late-spring wedding without them.

Lilac

Fragrant and nostalgic, lilac adds softness and depth to spring florals. It works beautifully in looser, naturalistic designs and brings a touch of classic garden elegance. Don’t let the name trick you, it also comes in white and soft pink shades.

More Unusual May Flowers

These are the kinds of stems that we seek to include to give arrangements personality and originality. Some bolder and more vibrant options, as well as soft and romantic.

Geum

Bright, bouncy, and full of charm, geum is an underused gem in wedding floristry. Its papery petals in soft orange, coral, and yellow hues add a wildflower-like informality that’s ideal for Cotswold settings.

Corncockle

Tall, graceful, and often found in wildflower meadows, corncockle offers star-shaped blooms in soft lilac or magenta. It adds lightness and movement to arrangements, giving that just-picked-from-a-field feel.

Orlaya

Pretty lace-like blooms, like the dressed up sister to Cow Parsley, with more structure and refinement. It’s brilliant for layering and lends a dreamy, frothy, vintage vibe to any arrangement.

Aquilegia

With nodding, uniquely shaped flowers and soft foliage, aquilegia adds interest and movement. It's a true cottage garden flower that feels very ‘Cotswolds in spring.’ Coming in a whole range of colours and shapes, they’re cute and fun.

Foxgloves

Tall and graceful, foxgloves are a quintessentially English flower that brings vertical movement and natural drama to floral arrangements. Their bell-shaped blooms add a soft wildness, especially suited to country garden or woodland-style weddings.

Viburnum opulus

A late-spring favourite, Viburnum opulus offers generous, globe-like clusters of fresh green blossoms that gradually fade to white. They bring volume and texture to arrangements while softening more structured blooms.

Designing with Seasonal Flowers in May

At The Petal Emporium, we specialise in creating wedding florals that echo the rhythm of the natural world. May allows us to embrace soft, fresh colours and interesting textures, perfect for couples looking for a romantic, natural aesthetic that feels effortless and elevated. This list merely scratches the surface of the beauty available for May weddings.

Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a larger celebration, we’ll guide you through a bespoke floral plan rooted in what’s locally and seasonally available, to perfectly suit the aesthetic of your day. From airy bouquets to meadow-style aisle flowers and arch installations that look as if they've been grown just for you, May gives us the most magical ingredients to work with.

Thinking of a Cotswolds Wedding in May?

We’d love to help bring your vision to life with florals that celebrate the beauty of spring. If you're drawn to thoughtful, seasonal designs filled with soft colour, natural movement, and a touch of the unexpected, we’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch to enquire about availability