In short
- In December the flowers are amaryllis, hellebores, anemones, greenhouse roses, with lots of greenery and citrus.
- Christmas changes everything: churches already decorated, suppliers busy with the holidays, venues dressed for the season.
- Holly and butcher's broom only if cultivated: in several regions the wild plants are protected.
- With darkness falling early, light and candles matter as much as flowers.
December divides opinion: some couples avoid marrying during the holidays, others choose it precisely for the atmosphere. Cities are lit up, historic venues are often already decorated, the mountains may be snowy. For December wedding flowers it is a month with a strong identity of its own, made of green, red, white and gold. The risk is sliding into a "Christmas theme" even when you do not want one. This guide helps you choose.
Seasons are indicative: the full picture for the year is in our guide to seasonal flowers in Italy month by month. In December many professionals also work on holiday decorations: you will find them in our list of Christmas floral decorations.
What is in flower in December
- Amaryllis: large, in red, white, pink and two-tone. Dramatic on tall stems.
- Hellebores, the "Christmas rose": delicate, in white, green and mauve.
- Anemones: in full season from Italian greenhouses.
- The first ranunculus: still small, but already available.
- Roses, calla lilies, orchids, carnations from greenhouses, all year round.
- Paperwhite narcissi and the first forced bulbs.
- Poinsettia: a pot plant rather than a cut flower, and its sap can irritate. Keep it away from the table and from children.
December flowers at a glance: availability, cost and colours
This table brings together the flowers and greenery you are most likely to find in December, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaryllis | peak season | medium | red, white, pink, burgundy | tall arrangements, church, entrance |
| Hellebores | peak season | medium | white, green, mauve | low centrepieces, small bouquets |
| Anemones | peak season (Italian greenhouses) | medium | white, red, purple | bouquets, centrepieces |
| First ranunculus | early season | medium | white, cream, peach | bouquets, buttonholes |
| Greenhouse roses | all year | medium, high for red around the holidays | white, cream, red | bouquets, centrepieces |
| Calla lilies, orchids, carnations | all year | medium, high for orchids | white, cream | bouquets, details |
| Paperwhite narcissi and forced bulbs | greenhouse | low | white | centrepieces, low vases |
| Conifers (pine, fir, cedar, juniper) | peak season | low | dark green | church, garlands, base for centrepieces |
| Cultivated holly, butcher's broom, mistletoe | peak season | medium | green, red | details, garlands, away from food and children |
| Citrus, pomegranates, pine cones | peak season | low | orange, red, brown | centrepieces, buffet |
| Eucalyptus, magnolia, bay | all year | low | silver green, glossy green | table runners, bouquets |
| Peonies and summer flowers | imported | high | pink, white | only a few accents |
Costs beyond the flowers themselves, such as dates, logistics and structures, are covered in the cost section further down.
Greenery, fruit and materials in December
Greenery is the star of the month:
- conifers: pine, fir, cedar, cypress, juniper;
- eucalyptus, magnolia, bay, ivy, with glossy leaves that reflect the light;
- holly, butcher's broom, mistletoe: cultivated only, because in the wild they are often protected;
- citrus: oranges, mandarins, clementines, lemons, kumquats;
- pomegranates, pine cones, cinnamon, bare branches, cotton.
Some berries and mistletoe are toxic: keep them away from food and children. For citrus and olive in wedding design, see our dedicated guide to lemons, oranges and olive.
North, Centre and South in December
| Area | Typical weather | What works | Typical problems |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alps and Dolomites | Cold, snow | Conifers, wood, amaryllis, white and green | Snowy roads, snow chains, frost in transport |
| Northern cities | Cold, fog, Christmas markets and lights | Greenhouse roses, hellebores, indoor historic venues | Holiday traffic, ZTL (restricted traffic zones) and loading permits |
| Centre | Damp cold, clear days | Olive, citrus, anemones, villa fireplaces | Large villas to heat |
| South and islands | Mild, rain | Fresh citrus, pomegranates, narcissi | Wind, fewer ferry connections over the holidays |
In the mountains a December wedding can have real snow: beautiful in photos, demanding for logistics. Ask how flowers and staff will get there if it snows. In cities, holiday traffic and ZTL zones (historic centres closed to unauthorised vehicles) complicate deliveries: the florist needs to know the hours and permits. In the South and in Sicily, December is the month of freshly picked citrus, perfect for bright, fragrant designs.
Advent, Christmas and churches
December in an Italian church has some particular features:
- during Advent the liturgy calls for a certain restraint, and some parishes limit flowers on the altar;
- from mid-month many churches have their own nativity scenes, trees and Christmas decorations;
- around Christmas and New Year there are many services and few dates for weddings;
- 8 December, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, is a public holiday and an important date in several cities.
It is often better to work with the existing decorations rather than add a lot. The parish sets the rules: ask before you design.
Holidays, suppliers and how flowers hold up
In December florists do not only work on weddings: there are decorations for hotels, shops, companies and holiday dinners. Ask whether your date falls at a very busy time and who will look after your event.
For the flowers, outdoor cold helps keep them fresh, frost damages them and warm rooms dry them out. Amaryllis hold up well; anemones and hellebores are more sensitive to heat. Conifers drop needles if they stay too long in the warm: better freshly cut and kept in water or misted. For everything about greenery, lighting and warmth read our guide to the winter wedding.
Venues and guests from abroad in December
December venues
Many venues in December are already decorated for the holidays: trees, garlands, lights, sometimes nativity scenes. That is an advantage, because part of the atmosphere is already there, but also a constraint: your flowers have to work with what you find. Ask the venue for photos of last year's decorations and when they put them up. If you do not want a "Christmas" wedding, choose an early December date or a venue that does not decorate its event spaces.
If you are coming from abroad
A December wedding in Italy can be lovely for guests arriving from abroad: Christmas markets, lights in the cities, snowy mountains. Remember that between 24 December and 6 January many public services, including the Comune (town council) offices that perform civil ceremonies, have reduced hours or are closed on certain days. Check with the Comune before you fix the date. Flights and hotels around Christmas and New Year also fill early.
What tends to cost less, and more, in December
| Tends to cost less | Tends to cost more |
|---|---|
| Conifers, eucalyptus, magnolia | Red roses and materials in high demand for the holidays |
| Citrus, pomegranates, pine cones | Imported peonies and summer flowers |
| Working with the venue's Christmas decorations | Dates between Christmas and New Year |
| Early December dates | Deliveries in the snowy mountains or into city ZTL zones |
Figures depend on the design. In December it is worth asking, as part of the quote, what is already in place at the venue and in the church: sometimes half the atmosphere is already there.
Colour palettes for December (even without Christmas)
- White and forest green: white amaryllis, hellebores, conifers. Wintry without being Christmassy.
- Citrus and gold: oranges, kumquats, glossy leaves, brass. Warm and Mediterranean.
- Burgundy and velvet: dark amaryllis, roses, pomegranates. Rich, and needs good lighting.
- Silver and midnight blue: eucalyptus, white anemones, glass, candles. Modern and elegant.
Questions to ask your florist
- How many holiday decorations do you have in my wedding week?
- Is the holly and butcher's broom you use cultivated?
- What is already in place at the venue and in the church? Can we build on it?
- If it snows, how will flowers and team get there?
- How do we avoid a "Christmas" look if we do not want one?
Before and after December
Compare December with November, quieter and without holiday pressure, and with January, when Christmas is over and venues are free again.
Once you have a date and a venue, ask for a quote and say straight away if your date falls between Christmas and New Year or in a mountain resort.
