Introduction
Dahlias are the dramatic stars of late summer and fall weddings. With varieties ranging from 2-inch pompons to 12-inch dinner plates, dahlias offer unmatched diversity in shape, size, and color.
Dahlia Season
Dahlias are available July through October from domestic growers. They cannot be commercially greenhouse-grown year-round.
| Month | Availability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| June | Very limited | Early varieties only |
| July | Good | Season starting, selection growing |
| August | Peak | Widest selection and best prices |
| September | Peak | Still excellent supply |
| October | Declining | Late-season varieties, frost risk |
| November-May | Unavailable | No reliable domestic supply |
Dahlia Types for Weddings
| Type | Size | Shape | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner Plate | 8-12" | Flat, wide, full | Statement pieces, bouquet focal |
| Ball | 3-4" | Round, tight petals | Filler, centerpieces |
| Pompon | 2-3" | Mini ball shape | Boutonnieres, accents |
| Cactus | 4-8" | Spiky, pointed petals | Texture, modern designs |
| Decorative | 4-8" | Classic flat shape | Versatile, all arrangements |
| Waterlily | 4-6" | Shallow, flat, open | Delicate, romantic |
Dahlia Pricing
| Type | Wholesale Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (mixed farm) | $4-5/stem | Budget-friendly |
| Premium varieties | $5-7/stem | Named cultivars |
| Dinner plate | $6-10/stem | Large, statement blooms |
| Cafe au Lait | $8-12/stem | Most popular wedding dahlia |
Cafe au Lait is the "it" dahlia — a dinner plate variety in blush, cream, and dusty pink tones. It rivals peonies in popularity and is the most requested dahlia for weddings. Book early with your grower.
Color Options
Dahlias come in virtually every color except blue:
- Blush/cream: Cafe au Lait, Wizard of Oz
- Burgundy/wine: Arabian Night, Karma Choc
- Coral/peach: Peaches N Cream, Labyrinth
- Purple/mauve: Thomas Edison, Blue Boy
- Orange/rust: David Howard, Chat Noir
- Red: Bishop of Llandaff, Apache
- White: Cafe au Lait Royal, White Perfection
Design Ideas
Dahlia Bridal Bouquet
3-5 dinner plate dahlias with garden roses, berries, and textural greenery. The dahlias serve as focal flowers, supported by smaller blooms.
Dahlia Centerpieces
Low arrangements featuring a mix of dahlia sizes — 1-2 dinner plates surrounded by balls and pompons with seasonal foliage.
Fall Arch
Asymmetrical arch installation with dinner plate dahlias, roses, amaranthus, and autumn foliage. Dramatic and seasonal.
Working with Dahlias
- They are fragile — Handle by the stem, never the bloom
- Short vase life — 3-5 days; use for day-of arrangements
- Condition in warm water — Unlike most flowers, dahlias prefer warm water
- Remove lower leaves — They rot quickly in water
- No floral foam — Dahlia stems are hollow; use chicken wire or kenzan
Upload dahlia arrangements to our Flower Cost Calculator for pricing. Create fall wedding proposals with WPro.AI.
Conclusion
Dahlias are the crown jewels of fall wedding floristry. Their dramatic size, rich colors, and seasonal exclusivity make them highly desirable. Master dahlia care, know your varieties, and book your grower early.
Related: Best Flowers for Fall Weddings | Best Flowers for Summer Weddings | Flower Cost Calculator
