Florists Say These Are the Blooms to Avoid Using in Your Spring Wedding Bouquet

If you love flowers, spring is one of the best seasons to get married, as stunning blooms such as peonies, sweet peas, roses, and hyacinth are all in-season and make for the prettiest big-day flower arrangements. While there's no shortage of fresh, beautiful blooms to choose from, it's important to keep in mind that not all flowers are created equal, and expert florists suggest that there are some seasonal varieties that don't hold up well in a bouquet.

To help you select the right flowers for your personal arrangement, we spoke to two florists about the in-season flowers they prefer not to use in a spring bouquet. From lilacs to peonies, here are six blooms to think carefully about. The good news? They work nicely in other places, like your ceremony and reception decorations, so you can work the flowers you love into your wedding in some way no matter what.

Peonies

Even though peonies may be one of the most sought-after wedding flower, our experts generally don't suggest using peonies in your bouquet. As Liz Mally, owner of LPF Blooms, points out, you'll be setting down your bouquet frequently and peonies bruise really easily-since peonies can be expensive (even during the spring!), you wouldn't want to see them damaged. If you have your heart set on them making an appearance at your wedding, Mally suggests choosing sturdier blooms for your bouquet and splurging on peonies for your centerpieces.

Lilacs

"Lilac is a nostalgic and wonderful smelling spring flower, but they aren't great for bouquets because they don't continue to open after harvest," Mally says. They have woody stems that need a lot of water, she adds, so they can become droopy quickly in bouquets that are out of water most of the day.

Daffodils

"Bright daffodils look great in our yards, but they shouldn't be used as wedding flowers because they can be harmful to other blooms," Mally explains. The pro says they release a toxic sap that kills other spring blooms like tulips when they share water, so they're not the best choice for mixing into centerpieces either.

Poppies

There's no denying that poppies can provide beautiful contrast against a white wedding dress in wedding photos, but Taylor Patterson, the founder of Fox Fodder Farm, says you should think carefully about using them. In her experience, the pollen can easily stain a wedding dress, which simply isn't worth it.

Hellebores

Hellebores may be synonymous with romantic charm and elegance, but Patterson says that this spring flower can be temperamental and wilts quickly. While it's a nice seasonal choice to add into your centerpieces, it's not always ideal for a bouquet.

Astilbe

Our experts agree that astilbe can add a gorgeous pop of color and texture to a bouquet, but it may not hold up throughout the day. Patterson says that this is another seasonal flower to avoid, as it doesn't do well out of water and can wilt unexpectedly.