In short
- In August you will find dahlias, zinnias, amaranthus, celosia, sunflowers and tuberoses, with figs and grapes.
- Around Ferragosto (15 August) markets, wholesalers and florists may be closed or on holiday.
- Heat remains the main problem; in many areas there is also a fire risk.
- It is the month of many destination weddings in the South and on the islands: logistics matter as much as flowers.
August is an unusual month for weddings in Italy. Many Italian families are on holiday and some local couples avoid it, while those coming from abroad often choose it because it matches their own summer break. For August wedding flowers it is a month rich in warm colours and fruit, with two concrete obstacles: the heat and Ferragosto week. This guide explains how to manage both.
Seasons are indicative; for the whole year see our guide to seasonal flowers in Italy month by month. If you are planning from abroad, our list of destination wedding florists in Italy brings together those who regularly work with international couples.
What is in flower in August
- Dahlias: entering their best season, in countless shapes.
- Zinnias and cosmos: bright colours, good staying power, a natural look.
- Amaranthus and celosia: trailing or crested, excellent for volume and texture.
- Sunflowers: still around, smaller and more branched.
- Tuberoses and lilies: fragrant and dramatic.
- Lisianthus and calla lilies: sturdy, elegant, good in the heat.
- Hydrangeas: starting to turn towards antique tones.
- Agapanthus: at the end of its season.
August flowers at a glance: availability, cost and colours
This table brings together the flowers and greenery you are most likely to find in August, in line with our seasonal flower calendar. Cost is relative to the other flowers of the same month and only indicative: it changes with the area, the supplier, quantities and the year. For indicative price bands per piece, see our guide to wedding flower costs in Italy.
| Flower | Availability in Italy | Relative cost | Typical palette | Best used for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dahlias | peak season | low | orange, terracotta, burgundy, pink | bouquets, centrepieces |
| Zinnias and cosmos | peak season | low | fuchsia, coral, white, orange | centrepieces, relaxed arrangements |
| Amaranthus and celosia | peak season | medium | burgundy, orange, pink | centrepieces, trailing arrangements |
| Sunflowers | still around, smaller | low | yellow | centrepieces, rustic style |
| Tuberoses and lilies | peak season | medium | white | entrances, ceremony |
| Lisianthus and calla lilies | all year | medium | white, green | bouquets, arrangements in the sun |
| Hydrangeas | late season, antique tones | medium | green, antique pink, faded blue | church, centrepieces in cool spots |
| Agapanthus | late season | medium | blue, white | centrepieces, seaside ceremonies |
| Wheat and dried grasses | peak season | low | straw, gold | rustic centrepieces, table runners |
| Figs (branches and leaves) and grapes | peak season | low | green, purple | long tables, buffet away from guests' seats |
| Mediterranean greenery (olive, myrtle, mastic, bay) | peak season | low | olive green | base, table runners |
Costs beyond the flowers themselves, such as dates, logistics and structures, are covered in the cost section further down.
Greenery and fruit in August
August is the month of figs with their big leaves, of grapes starting to colour, of blackberries and, in parts of the South, ornamental chilli peppers. Greenery is Mediterranean: olive, myrtle, mastic, bay, rosemary. Dried wheat and grasses from harvested fields find their way into many rustic arrangements and cope with the heat without water.
Fruit and sugary flowers attract wasps and other insects. Keep them away from seating and agree with the caterer what can sit near the food.
North, Centre and South in August
| Area | Typical weather | What works | Typical problems |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountains and lakes | Pleasant warmth, summer storms | Dahlias, cosmos, cultivated meadow flowers | Crowded resorts, heavy weekend traffic |
| Plains and historic cities | Muggy heat, half-empty cities | Sturdy flowers, air-conditioned indoor venues | Suppliers on holiday, markets with reduced hours |
| South, coasts and islands | Intense heat, wind, fire risk | Olive, figs, wheat, agapanthus, celosia | Full ferries, difficult access, bans on naked flames |
In Puglia, Sicily, Sardinia, the Amalfi Coast and Capri August is the very peak of the tourist season. Ferries are full, coastal roads are congested and parking is rare. The florist has to allow much longer delivery times, and sometimes a second van or a boat. In the big historic cities such as Rome, Florence and Venice, by contrast, traffic drops but many suppliers are closed.
Ferragosto: the week to plan for
15 August is a national holiday (the Assumption, known as Ferragosto), and around that date Italy slows down. What can happen:
- some wholesalers and flower markets close or cut their hours for a few days;
- some growers do not harvest or ship;
- several florists and their teams are on holiday;
- hire companies for vases and structures may have their warehouses closed.
If your date falls that week, ask your florist straight away how they will order the flowers, whether they will buy them earlier and where they will keep them cool. Delivery a few days early is normal, but it requires cold rooms.
Heat, fire risk and candles
August heat tests flowers as much as July, often more. The same rules apply: late set-ups, shade, containers with water, sturdy flowers. For details see our guide to flowers that cope with the heat.
There is, however, one more issue: fire risk. In summer many Italian regions set periods when naked flames near woods, fields and Mediterranean scrub are banned or restricted. The venue's own rules apply too. Before you design outdoor candles, lanterns or fire pits, ask the venue and check with the Comune (the local town council). Good quality LED candles are often the easiest solution. Read more in our guide to flowers and candles.
Venues and guests from abroad in August
If you are coming from abroad
Many foreign couples choose August because it matches their holidays. It is a valid choice, but it helps to know that for Italians August is the holiday month above all. Some Italian guests may already be travelling, and some suppliers work at a slower pace. Seaside resorts, on the other hand, are full and lively. If you are planning from a distance, ask your florist to confirm in writing who will work on your event and which support suppliers (hire, lighting, transport) will be operating on your date. Book guest accommodation and ferries early: on the coast and islands they fill up fast.
Typical August venues
In August the venues that work best offer shade and air: gardens with big trees, courtyards of villas and castles, terraces that catch the evening breeze, mountain and lakeside venues. Sun-baked venues without cover are best used only after sunset.
What tends to cost less, and more, in August
| Tends to cost less | Tends to cost more |
|---|---|
| Dahlias, zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers | Delicate flowers that need lots of spares |
| Wheat, grasses, Mediterranean greenery | Deliveries in Ferragosto week |
| Local figs and fig leaves | Logistics on islands and coasts in high season |
| Air-conditioned venues | Cold rooms and early storage |
Figures depend on the design. In August the item that surprises most in a quote is often logistics: travel, overnight stays for staff, ferries.
Colour palettes for August
- Terracotta and orange: dahlias, zinnias, celosia, fig leaves. Warm and sunny.
- Burgundy and grape: amaranthus, dark dahlias, bunches of grapes, velvet. A hint of autumn.
- Straw and white: wheat, white cosmos, olive, linen. Rustic and light.
- Fuchsia and coral: zinnias, dahlias, the venue's own bougainvillea. Lively, suited to the South.
Questions to ask your florist
- Do you work in Ferragosto week? How and when will you order the flowers?
- Where will you keep the flowers if you have to buy them early?
- How much time do you allow to reach the venue with August traffic?
- Are candles allowed? Who checks the fire-risk bans?
- Which flowers on my list would not cope with the heat?
Before and after August
Compare August with July, with sunflowers and lavender and without the Ferragosto closures, and with September, the favourite month of many couples for dahlias, grapes and gentler temperatures.
Once you have a date and a venue, ask for a quote and say straight away if the date is close to 15 August or the venue is reached by sea.
