Timing on these things is always an issue - too early and many annuals will have bloomed out and gotten lanky by August. Having done a number of wedding containers projects (including a few fast jobs only a week before the big day!), I'd recommend you wait a bit before planting, like around Mother's Day. This will give you time to start from seed if you wish or wait and get starts at the nursery. As to plants to include, you want to consider how they will fill in and and how long they will bloom. And you want a range of heights and textures, just as you would in any seasonal container planting. Million Bells (Calibrachoa) are very long bloomers, are self cleaning(don't need to be deadheaded) and come in a range of colors, including various shades of pink - they'd make a great filler plant. You might want to include cosmos, another very reliable annual, but stick to the compact forms - many will get too tall for your purposes. Geraniums are always good and will bloom until frost. And consider other colors besides pink - white is a great accent or pale blue or even a more intense magenta pink. Lobelia, salvia and petunias will all be in this color palatte and also offer a long period of bloom. And don't forget foliage effects - maybe coleus or creeping charlie or variegated ivy to trail over and soften the edge. If you get them now and pot them up in gallon containers, Stargazer or Casa Blanca lilies will typically bloom in August and will add fragrance and dramatic impact to your containers - just slip the lily, pot and all, into the center of your container and plant the fluffy stuff around them. And I recommend overplanting a bit to make sure your containers are full and lush - nothing looks worse than a stingy presentation. Use a quality, well draining potting soil, add some slow release fertilizer (osmocote) when you are potting and use a dilute liquid fertilizer frequently during the season. And keep up with the watering and grooming so they look their best for the big event. I've found that keeping these containers in only part sun will allow them to develop well and fill in fully without blooming too early. Then several weeks before the wedding, move them to where they receive full sun to prompt a full flush of bloom.

Yes I live in TN right along the TN-AL state line. The average temperature in June around here is between 85-95. I have had experience with gardening, but I am definitely not a PRO GARDENER. Everything that I have grown has always been from seeds and I have had pretty good luck with it. You are right that I will be planting TONS of annuals and even some perennials this coming spring to see how they do. I am going to plant the seeds starting at the first freeze and I'm going to plant a batch each week for a month (also I will start some in my cold frame) and I am going to keep up with the Plant Date and the Bloom Date of each batch of flowers. I also know that the conditions for each year will change when the plants bloom so I will be doing the same system for the summer of my wedding, but at least this summer I can get an idea of what may be available at the time of my wedding. Also I do have a back up plan. I also am making candles and cross stitching some items that I will give as favors (if the flowers bloom then they will be in addition to these items, but if not then I will just give the candle and bag as the favors. Also if I don't have any flowers that make it then the centerpieces with be vases with colored stones at the bottom and floating candles. I will splurge and get my bouquet and my bridesmaids at a florist if nothing will bloom. This is just my back up plan because I am sure I will be able to get something to bloom. I also found this website that sells seeds in bulk and since i have 20 acres I can plant plenty of seeds and hope that something makes it. http://www.outsidepride.com/seed/flower-seed/ Can you suggest any of these seeds or any other seeds for the colors and my location? Thanks

It's difficult to give recommendations without knowing your zone or seasonal growing conditions, but I would strongly urge you to try growing a variety of annuals and reliably "quick" perennials this year. It sounds like you don't have any gardens in place now, so use this year to experiment and practice. Even if you put in perennials this year for bloom next year, the plants will probably not be what you hope for (depending on your growing conditions). I'm in zone 5, and everything is at least a week early for me this year. My yard is currently flush with forget-me-nots and violets. Bleeding Heart and Primrose are flush with blooms. Centaurea Montana is starting to bloom, as are my earliest bearded iris. My lilacs are just about in full bloom now. Soon I'll have lily of the valley blooming, Dame's Rocket, tons of peonies, ... May is beautiful and very fragrant here! My June-bloomers will be tons more bearded iris and siberian iris, poppies, sweet william, asiatic lilies, matricaria, campanulas, honeysuckle vine, trollius, and so on. Plants with great foliage are beautiful and really light up shady areas -- I love to mix and contrast foliage colors, textures, shapes, and heights. I use a lot of hostas, heucheras, ferns, etc... and it's easy to tuck in annual impatiens to brighten dark spots.

For a large quantity of blooms to cut, you will probably be better off with annuals than with perennials, especially if you're growing them from seed. I grow mostly perennials and woody plants, but do have a few thoughts for you. Zinnias will grow and bloom quickly, but I find the water turns very smelly after just one day; so if you're going to arrange them the day before the wedding, that's a consideration. Cosmos also grow quickly, make good cut flowers, and should give you masses of blooms in colors ranging from white through pinks to deep red. Snapdragon is another quick grower, blooming in late spring to early summer. I hope someone will chime in with more suggestions for you. If not, perhaps try the Cottage Garden forum - there are lots of very friendly and experienced gardeners there from all over the country ... there's bound to be someone who grows annuals in your climate. Don't forget fillers (like baby's breath, gypsophila) and greens - you can choose from solid or variegated leaves, smooth or rough textures, large & bold leaves or long and narrow, even trailers like ivy, whichever best suits your arrangements and your fancy. A trusted friend to help with the arrangements sounds like a good idea. Have a wonderful time with the preparations and best wishes on your wedding day.