Russian Wedding Flowers: Why Roses Dominate and What Guests Should Know
The rose is the flower most used in Russian weddings. White, cream and pale pink roses make up the majority of bridal bouquets, and roses are also what most guests give the bride after the ceremony. Peonies, eustoma and spray roses come next, depending on the season.
In our Saint Petersburg shops, wedding questions come from two groups: couples planning their own bouquets and guests who need to bring or send flowers. The guests' questions are usually more urgent, so we start with them and then move to the bride's bouquet, the seasons and delivery. For the background on why the rose became the wedding flower, see Which Flower Is Most Used in a Russian Wedding? Roses, and Why.
What wedding guests ask us most
The first question is size. Guests usually hand their bouquets to the bride right after the registration at the registry office, and she receives a dozen or more within a few minutes. A compact, neat bouquet of seven to fifteen roses or a mixed bouquet of similar size is the practical choice: the bride can hold it for a photo, and a bridesmaid can carry several at once. Very large bouquets look impressive, but they are hard to manage on a busy day.
The second question is colour. Light, fresh colours are always safe: white, cream, blush, soft peach or a light mix with greenery. Many guests worry that white is reserved for the bride, but in Russia it is not; white flowers are welcome from guests, and we explain the nuances in White Flowers in Russia. Deep red is acceptable but reads as passionate rather than festive, and an all-yellow bouquet is better avoided, because some older guests still associate yellow with separation.
The third question is the number of stems. For any happy occasion the number must be odd, since even numbers are used for funerals. Once a bouquet passes about 25 stems nobody counts, but for small bouquets the rule is followed strictly, and the bride's grandmother will notice if it is broken.
The bride's bouquet: shape, weight and durability
Most Russian brides choose a round, compact bouquet that can be held in one hand while signing the register. Couples often ask us to keep it light, because the bride will carry it for hours during the photo session. A typical bouquet is built around roses, with spray roses, eustoma or a few peonies added for softness, and a small amount of greenery so the shape stays clean in photographs.
Durability matters as much as looks. The wedding day often lasts from early morning until after midnight, with a long walk for photographs in between. Roses, spray roses and eustoma cope well; delicate flowers such as sweet peas or garden roses with very thin petals fade faster in summer heat. We recommend that the couple keep a vase or a bucket of water at the banquet hall so the bouquet can rest between the ceremony and the evening.
The groom traditionally buys the bride's bouquet and brings it on the morning of the wedding. The groom's buttonhole is made from the same flowers so that the couple match. Many brides also order a smaller second bouquet to throw to unmarried guests at the end of the evening, keeping the main one as a keepsake.
Bouquets we can deliver
Wedding flowers through the seasons
Roses are available all year, which is one reason they dominate. The rest of a wedding bouquet follows the calendar. In Saint Petersburg the busiest wedding months are June to August, the time of the White Nights, and June is peony season: couples who marry then often ask for peonies alongside or instead of roses. Peonies open quickly in warm weather, so we advise ordering them slightly closed for a wedding day.
In spring, tulips and ranunculus brighten bouquets, though roses remain the base. Autumn weddings move towards warmer tones: cream and peach roses, chrysanthemums, eustoma and textured greenery. Winter weddings are fewer, and bouquets become denser and more classic, often white roses with a little silver or dark green foliage.
Whatever the season, the shape matters more than individual flowers. A guest bouquet in light colours with an odd number of roses suits any month of the year, which is why it remains the most popular choice in our shops.
Flowers beyond the bouquets
Russian weddings use flowers in a few places guests from abroad may not expect. After the registry office, many couples lay flowers at a war memorial or an Eternal Flame, a custom that goes back to Soviet times. In Saint Petersburg the photo walk along the embankments and bridges often includes such a stop, and a small separate bouquet, frequently red carnations or roses, is brought for it.
At the banquet, the couple usually thank both mothers with bouquets, often during a toast. These are classic, elegant arrangements in richer colours, quite different from the bridal bouquet. Wedding cars are decorated with a fixed floral arrangement on the bonnet, and tables at the banquet carry low centrepieces so that guests can see each other across the table.
Sending flowers to a wedding in Russia
If you cannot attend, a bouquet delivered on the day is a good way to congratulate the couple. We deliver across Russia; city delivery costs 500 RUB, and for remote districts and suburbs the operator confirms the price when confirming the order. Since the date is fixed, pre-order 1-30 days ahead and pick an exact time (plus or minus 30 minutes) or a window of 09-12, 12-15, 15-18 or 18-21. In Saint Petersburg delivery works around the clock, which helps when the flowers should be waiting at the couple's home late in the evening.
The best addresses are the couple's home in the morning or the banquet venue before the guests arrive. The registry office is a poor choice: the couple are busy, and a bouquet handed to the wrong person is easily lost. The courier calls the recipient about 15 minutes before arrival, and if nobody is there, we agree a second delivery the same day or leave the flowers with a neighbour or concierge with your consent.
Delivery is anonymous by default, so sign the free card with your names and a short congratulation. Payment is online by bank card, SBP or Yandex Pay, and foreign bank cards are accepted via Robokassa. Browse the Bouquets catalogue, and for questions about timing or the address call us on 8 (812) 507-67-05. Thinking further ahead, our guide to Russian Wedding Anniversary Names explains which milestones are marked with flowers. We deliver bouquets across Russia in 1–2 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Which flower is used most at Russian weddings?
The rose. White, cream and blush roses dominate bridal bouquets, and roses are also the most common gift from guests.
Can a guest bring white flowers to a Russian wedding?
Yes. In Russia white flowers from guests are welcome and are not seen as competing with the bride. Light colours in general are the safest choice.
How many roses should a guest give?
An odd number, typically seven, nine, eleven or fifteen. Even numbers are associated with funerals, unless the bouquet is very large.
Can I order wedding flowers to Saint Petersburg from abroad?
Yes. Pre-order with an exact time, pay online with a foreign bank card via Robokassa, and in Saint Petersburg delivery is available around the clock.
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