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Updated Oct 14, 202424 Sunflower Wedding Bouquet Ideas That Make Us Smile
Your bouquet looks like sunshine and so do you.
There's something so sweet about a sunflower. Symbolizing joy and positivity, these blooms are a perfect fit for late-summer or early-autumn nuptials in a rustic, relaxed setting. A sunflower wedding bouquet always feels whimsical and bright, but sometimes contending with these statement-making, popular wedding flowers that usually are as big as your head can be intimidating. That's why we've tapped two wedding pros—Samantha Leenheer of Samantha Joy Events and Joan Wyndrum of Blooms By The Box to weigh in. Their key tips and considerations will help you get a sunflower wedding bouquet that speaks to your sunny personality, whether you plan on using these distinct blossoms as accent flowers or a focal point. And if you're wondering how to source a pro florist of your own, check out The Knot Vendor Marketplace. After you input your wedding location, filter by "Flower Arrangement," then "Bouquets" to find a pro that's in the know.
In this article: Meaning | Cost | Ideas | Expert Tips
Sunflower Meaning
Because they turn their faces toward the sun, sunflowers symbolize positivity, optimism and happiness. In Chinese culture, the blooms mean good luck and enduring joy (two great traits for heading into a marriage, no?), while many Native American belief systems note that the sunflower is symbolic of abundance. Flower meanings are fun to explore in your wedding bouquet, since you choose blooms that represent qualities you're hoping for in your marriage.
Average Sunflower Bouquet Cost
The average cost of a sunflower bouquet in particular ranges from florist to florist, but sunflowers are relatively more inexpensive wedding flowers. The overall average cost of wedding flowers, according to The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study is $2,800, including the bouquet, for reference. Add an inquiry about pricing to your list of questions to ask your wedding florist.
Sunflower Wedding Bouquet Ideas
Looking for real-life examples of bouquets with sunflowers for weddings? Find some lovely examples here. Whether you're set to wed in the fall or late summer, sunflowers are appropriate flowers for cozy, casual nuptials.
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1. Colorful Daisy, Sunflower and Rose Bouquet
Photo: Amber Marie Photography
,Floral Design: Chuck Currier Silks Flower Shop
This vibrant daisy, sunflower and rose bouquet for a wedding keeps the iconic flowers as the focal point, but builds out the bouquet with other bright blooms. A pink gerbera daisy—along with orange lilies and some creatively placed succulents—adds color and texture.
2. Matching Sunflower Bouquets for DIY Backyard Wedding
White hydrangea blooms complemented the eye-catching sunflowers in these bouquets. And a touch of twine wrapped around the stems drives the homey feel of this rustic sunflower wedding bouquet home.
3. Sunflower Bridal Bouquet with Protea and Greenery
King protea is another flower that has an equally commanding visual presence as sunflowers. However, by adding in greenery, this floral designer ensured the two bold blooms complemented each other, instead of competing against each other.
4. Sunflower Bouquet with Feathers and Eucalyptus
When planning your bridal look, it's important to think holistically about how your dress will match your hairstyle, makeup and bouquet. Hairstyles with loose waves, like this bride sported, look great with boho-inspired sunflower bouquets.
5. Sunflower Bouquet with White Roses and Greenery
Since the colors go so well together, a yellow sunflower and blue wedding bouquet is always a lovely choice. Thistle is a great option to accent the sunflowers, as seen in this cascading sunflower wedding bouquet.
6. Colorful Bridesmaid Bouquets with Teddy Bear Sunflowers
This bride's wedding party attendants walked down the aisle with bouquets made with a sunflower variety known as Teddy Bear sunflowers. The vibrant yellow blooms popped against the neutral bridesmaid dresses they wore to the Missouri wedding.
7. Peach Sunflower and Rose Bouquet
Photo: Jessa Schifilliti,Floral Design: Twisted Willow
Peachy-pink sunflowers are a breath of fresh air in this blush-toned bouquet. Ranunculus and roses in creamy whites and neutrals balance them out, while sprigs of eucalyptus soften the overall silhouette.
8. Fall Bouquet With Sunflowers, Roses and Chrysanthemums
A palette of purple and yellow with glimmers of peach is a fresh take on fall colors. Hypericum berries add a dash of whimsy.
9. Purple and Yellow Wildflower-Inspired Bouquet
Purple and yellow are opposite colors, so they're guaranteed to pop when paired together. The addition of sunset-orange flowers make this wedding bouquet idea suitable for a golden-hour summer bash or autumn wedding.
10. Calla Lily and Sunflower Bright Bouquet
Photo: Love Tree Studios
,Floral Design: Simply Stunning Design
Bright red coxcomb, hot-pink roses and dusty-purple calla lilies bring interesting textures to this bouquet. Two sunflowers are vibrant accents that tone down the bouquet's formality.
11. Whimsical Sunflower and Wildflower Wedding Bouquet
A sprinkle of petite daisies are a cheery addition to any sunflower bouquet. And coral mini roses as well as flowers in purples and blues make it appear freshly picked from the field.
12. Burnt Orange and Sunflower Bouquet
Photo: Neal Dieker Photography,Floral Design: Beards Floral Design
As far as fall sunflower wedding bouquets go, you can never go wrong with golden-yellow tones with kisses of copper. Bump up the greenery to give the blooms room to breathe.
13. Romantic and Vibrant Sunflower Bouquet
Photo: Mon Petit Studio,
Floral Design: ~Lotus Floral Designs~
Two sunflowers frame a fluffy pink peony in this modern sunflower bouquet. Spindly fuschia flowers and fern-like fronds soften its edges and bring some tropical romance into the mix.
14. Burgundy Sunflower Wedding Bouquet
Unique sunflowers like these—with peachy petal tips and rich, burgundy centers—feel more romantic than the typical yellow sunflower, especially when they're accented with a peach ribbon tied around the stems. Get ready to check "find my new favorite flower" off your wedding flower checklist.
15. Small Sunflower Wedding Bouquet
You don't need to go big with your wedding bouquet shape to make a statement. This little bouquet feels elegant, with a handful of sunflowers paired with delicate cream-colored roses. This style could also work as a single sunflower bouquet if you balance it with one other delicate bloom (and keep the lovely silk ribbon of course).
16. Simple Sunflower Wedding Bouquet
Nothing brings joy like a bunch of pure sunflowers. Sure, adding extra blooms is nice, but with these flowers, simple can make an even bigger statement.
17. Rainbow Sunflower Bouquet
Photo: Rockhill Studio
,Floral Design: Forsberg Flowers
This bouquet incorporates all the colors of the rainbow—ranging from orangey red to a nearly-navy blue. Purple alliums add some volume, while baby's breath and bleeding hearts bring softness.
18. Yellow and Fuschia Sunflower Bouquet
Pink and yellow is a poppy color combo for a summer wedding. Not to mention, the orange-tipped calla lilies help the two hues blend together.
19. Hydrangea and Sunflower Wedding Bouquet
Another summer blossom that rivals the sunflower in iconic reputations: the hydrangea. Blend the two together for a seasonal bouquet that sings. Irises and tea roses add extra dimension to the color palette.
20. Contrasting Sunflower Bouquets
Photo: Dan Stewart Photography,Floral Design: Copper River Farm
This bride chose to have sunflower bridesmaid bouquets that contrasted with her all-white arrangement. Each is composed of a different selection of blooms and has its own personality.
21. Bouquet With Thistles and Sunflowers
Photo: Jeanine Rose Photography,Floral Design: Gabriel's Hand Designs
The pairing of thistles and sunflowers feels natural and just-picked from the meadow. A cream organza ribbon makes the bouquet feel fit for a wedding.
22. Rustic Gerbera Daisy and Sunflower Bouquet
A ribbon of burlap secures the stems of these classic sunflowers arranged with red dahlias and hypericum berries. Billy balls add a little lightheartedness that complements the sunflowers perfectly.
23. Bouquet with Sunflowers, Aster and Scabiosa
Photo: Olivia Rae Photography
,Floral Design: Flowers by Meg
The rounded petals of aster blossoms work well with the pointed tips of the sunflower. Fluffy white freesias break up the swaths of color.
24. Yellow Sunflower and Baby's Breath Bouquet
Adding baby's breath to a simple sunflower bouquet feels boho and rustic without being overdone. This is a great option if you'd like to incorporate dried flowers in your bouquet, since baby's breath holds its color and texture well when dried.
Expert Tips on Adding Sunflowers to Your Bouquet
Sunflowers are a standby flower for whimsical, rustic weddings. They're in season year-round and have a long vase life, which means they'll stay fresh all day during your soiree. Here are a few pro tips for incorporating them into your day:
Use Wire in Sunflower Arrangements
"They can be tricky to arrange and sometimes require adding wire to the stems as the heads are often large and heavy," says Wyndrom.
Think Outside the Yellow Box
"When considering working with a popular flower like a sunflower, you want to think of how to use it in new ways," says Leenheer. "There are so many varieties of sunflowers and a great way to pull them into your wedding is to use a unique variety like the strawberry blonde or chocolate varieties that aren't your typical yellow colors."
Try Size Variation
"The size of them can cover more visual space, which can save you on other blooms," says Leenheer. "Sunflowers are available in smaller dainty blooms and some oversize giant ones as well, so you have a wide variety of options when working with them."
Switch Up the Vibe
"Sunflowers represent more of a rustic feel for weddings, but can certainly be used for a more sophisticated look," says Wyndrum. "Only including a small number of sunflowers in an arrangement or bouquet is one way to tone down the rustic vibe. If you are making a bouquet, include only two sunflowers, so they become more of an accent flower than a focal flower."
