By Julie Christensen

They say, “April showers bring May flowers,” but April has plenty of colorful blooms, too. Bulbs like tulips and daffodils are an obvious choice for an April wedding, but don’t forget other options, such as flowering tree or shrub blossoms.

Forget the stark shades of winter. Spring weddings call for soft, romantic pastels. Think about texture too. Pussy willows add softness, while branches add vertical interest. 

Alstromeria. Florist’s alstromeria is available almost year-round, but is especially pretty in the spring. These lily-like flowers come in shades of pink, yellow and orange, and are affordable enough to use with extravagance. Use them as a filler with other flowers or alone.

Calla lily. In the garden, calla lilies bloom in midsummer, but greenhouses offer them almost year-round. Calla lilies, with their elegant fluted blooms, are available in both creamy white and bright yellow, purple and orange.

Cherry blossoms. How about an arbor of cherry branches in full bloom or even simple arrangements filled with the lovely branches? Simply stunning!

Cornflower. Also known as bachelor’s button, this humble blue flower makes a charming addition to a casual, wildflower bouquet. Assemble it in glass or white pitchers for a country feeling.

Daffodil. Whether you call them daffodils, narcissus or paper whites, members of the daffodil family make beautiful wedding flowers. Choose yellow or white flowers, depending on your decorating scheme. Daffodils

Delphinium. Tall spikes of extravagant flowers make delphinium an excellent choice for a spring wedding. These flowers hold up well and create a romantic, old-fashioned effect.

Freesia. Fragrant, beautiful freesias look a bit like tulips or even roses, but their petals are almost translucent for an ultra-soft, romantic feel.

Hyacinths. Hyacinths, with their strong, vertical presence, actually look better as cut flowers than they do growing in the garden. Make an all-white arrangement with white hyacinths and other white flowers, or mix and match pastel hues. Try packaging hyacinth bulbs for a simple, yet sweet, take home gift.

Lilacs. Depending on your climate, lilacs typically bloom between April 1 and Mother’s Day. These gorgeous, fragrant flowers don’t last long so make arrangements at the last possible moment. Mix lilacs with snowball viburnums, peonies or hydrangeas for a beautiful, old-fashioned wedding theme.

Lisianthus. These flowers look a bit like ruffled, old-fashioned roses. They come in a variety of colors, including white tinged with pink.

Lily of the Valley. Tiny, fragrant bell-like flowers make lily of the valley a charming choice for an April wedding. Use these delicate blooms as an accent flower or alone.

Peonies. Because peonies are so large, a few go a long way. Use soft white or pink peonies and combine them with other old-fashioned flowers for a romantic, sweet-smelling bouquet.

Poppies. Poppies appear in early to late spring and make lovely wedding flowers. They have a casual, modern look and are lovely gathered en masse, or with just a few in a vase.

Pussy Willows. Sweet, charming and so affordable, pussy willows can stand alone or combine with daffodils and other spring blooms.

Ranunculus. Ranunculus are among the most beautiful flowers for weddings. They have a tight, round, multi-flowered form and strong, sturdy stems. Mix these long-lasting flowers with roses or other blooms, or use them alone. Ranunculus comes in white, yellow, pink, orange or red.

Roses. Spring brings to mind shades of pink, yellow, cream and white – and roses make a stunning choice. Roses are easy to work with and long-lasting. They’re also widely available and fairly affordable.

Sweet peas. Sweet peas are the ultimate April flower – fragrant, delicate and utterly charming.

Julie Christensen learned about gardening on her grandfather’s farm and mother’s vegetable garden in southern Idaho. Today, she lives and gardens on the high plains of Colorado. When she’s not digging in the dirt, Julie writes about food, education, parenting and gardening.