This Will Be the Most Popular Wedding Flower of 2026

From traditional roses to peonies, wedding flowers are as personal as the dress, with more couples embracing individuality and forgoing cookie-cutter floral looks. This means moving away from "safe" choices and into florals that feel sculptural and unforgettable, like amaranthus.

In its 2026 Floral and Wedding Trend Report, wedding floral platform Poppy named the bloom the "it" flower of 2026, as couples go for florals that feel alive rather than arranged and expressive rather than overly manicured. That includes cascading, sculptural bouquets, with requests on Poppy for this style up 383 percent year over year.

Using proprietary data, client consultations, and input from Poppy's expert floral design team, the report explores the top-trending florals, color palettes, and aesthetic shifts expected to define weddings in the new year, including the use of this increasingly popular flower.

"If wedding flowers had personalities, this one would be enigmatic," says Poppy. Data across 6,183 consultations revealed amaranthus as the single biggest breakout stem for 2025 and 2026, with 285 percent year-over-year growth in requests. It went from a niche favorite to appearing in more than 10 percent of consultations for 2026 weddings.

Don't Miss

5 Wedding Dress Trends That Bridal Experts Say Will Define 2026—and Beyond

11 Outdated Wedding Trends to Remove From Your Vision Board, According to Planners

As rustic and boho styles decline (down 22 percent year over year), couples are choosing looks that feel curated and expressive. The report states that couples are drawn to amaranthus because it offers instant drama and provides a sense of balance and structure to designs, anchoring the arrangement without making it feel heavy. Plus, it has year-round versatility thanks to its range of colors that adapt to nearly any palette and style.

In terms of shades, burgundy amaranthus is rich, moody, and bold, and is perfect for fall and winter palettes or couples wanting a deeper, editorial look. The color pairs well with mauve, plum, chocolate, dusty rose, and monochromatic red stories. Burgundy was also the top-trending color for florals overall, up 18 percent.

Green amaranthus offers a fresh, sculptural, and architectural look, adding a lush, garden-inspired effect without weighing down the palette. It pairs well with white, cream, champagne, sage, and soft lilac. Ideal for autumn or for couples wanting something earthy but elevated, bronze and rust amaranthus work with terracotta, caramel, taupe, and warm neutrals.

To incorporate amaranthus into your wedding florals without breaking the bank, Poppy says to consider including it in your bridal bouquet to get an elevated, cascading silhouette or use it in one focal moment—like a floral cloud or ceremony arch—and keep the rest of the flowers simple. Instead of tall, dense centerpieces, use amaranthus to create low, artful runners on your tablescape, or include a few stems in aisle arrangements.