Gaia, congratulations on your stepdaughterÂs upcoming marriage, must be so exciting! I wish I had some experience with creating flower arrangements for weddings to share with you, but no. I donÂt think I would be that brave to take it on. [g] I like your idea of using branches. It sounds very spring like. I wonder when dogwood starts blooming? Apple blossoms sound nice, I don't have any apple trees.

The weather patterns have been so erratic in recent years. I know this year, the bloom schedule in my garden was off by 3 weeks, so IÂd have a little anxiety trying to depend on a certain flower being in bloom for a wedding. I am in zone 6a, so not sure if my bloom schedule would be similar to yours. My lilac ÂAvalanche opened itÂs first bud in the 3rd week of April this year which was early and was already deadheaded by the 13th of May. Roses and Peonies, the first week of June. Viburnums depends on the variety. V. carlesii which to me is the most fragrant, is earlier. It bloomed for me the third week of April this year. Too early for Hydrangea in May, I think.

I wonder if potted plants might help out in doing table arrangements. Like daffodils and/or tulips? If there were one or two plants or flowers you could depend on, then you could take your chances on what else would be in bloom that you could add.

Other thoughts....there is a bloom sequence chart on the Arnold Arboretum site to give an idea of what they have that is in bloom when. It is Boston and not north shore though. You might call local nurseries and ask what they expect to be in bloom that time of year. They might have more experience in trying to predict that. Especially any nursery that prepares an exhibit for the Flower Show has to know how to have bloom ready by a certain date. Also, if I could have anyone do my flowers for a wedding, it would be Winston Flowers. You might call and ask them what flowers you could expect them to use to make up an arrangement in Mid May.

Hopefully, someone else can be of more help. Good luck!

You are so kind to even consider this! However,unless y ou have a greenhouse and a lot of experience IDK..the stress it causes you may not be worth the $ you save.

The potted tulip/hyacinth center peices would be pretty or I am giving you a link to DIY flowers you buy in bulk. Good luck and Congrats!

Here is a link that might be useful: easy wedding flowers