Chrysanthemums bloom in autumn, and in Italy they are the flower of 2 November, the day for remembering the dead. As a result they are associated with mourning, and almost every Italian guest would notice them at a wedding. In other countries they carry completely different meanings, which is why this is one of the customs couples from abroad do not know about.
It is not a ban, it is a sensitivity: some small, daisy-like varieties go unnoticed, while large ball-shaped chrysanthemums do not. In autumn there are alternatives with a similar effect, such as dahlias, roses and coloured foliage. The guide to flowers and Italian wedding traditions explains why; the one on the meaning of flowers gathers other cases; the guides to flowers in October and November suggest seasonal alternatives.
What to ask: whether your florist would use them and in what form, which autumn flowers can replace them.
