Your Ultimate Guide to Wedding Flowers: Tips and Advice from a Seasoned Florist
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and the flowers you choose are an integral part of making it special. As an experienced wedding florist, we've helped countless couples bring their flower dreams to life, from design to execution. In this blog post, I'll be sharing some tips and advice to help you navigate the world of wedding flowers. From the most popular flowers to budgeting tips and delivery logistics, we've got you covered.
What are the most popular wedding flowers?
While personal taste is always a consideration, there are a few flowers that are perennial favorites for weddings. Roses, peonies, dahlias, and ranunculus are among the most popular blooms, but this list can vary depending on the time of year and your wedding theme.
As an example, wildflowers, lavender, and baby's breath are all popular choices for a rustic wedding. Wildflowers bring a unique charm and create an informal atmosphere while still providing plenty of color and texture. Lavender is a classic choice that creates an earthy, romantic vibe, with its fragrant properties adding to the ambiance. Baby's breath is also popular for its subtle beauty and versatility—it can be used to fill in gaps in any bouquet or centerpiece design.
It's important to communicate your aesthetic and the wedding themes you're imagining so your wedding florist can design your flowers to be truly unique to your big day.
How much should I budget for wedding flowers?
Budgeting for wedding flowers is an important consideration and can vary depending on where you live and the season. Generally, couples spend a minimum of 10% of their overall wedding budget on flowers. This percentage is determined by the amount of florals needed, as well as the type and quality of flower chosen.
Certain flowers may require more labor-intensive arrangements or may have limited availability during certain times of year–all factors that should be taken into account when planning your floral budget.
A medium-sized floral budget for a wedding with 10-15 tables, 100-150 guests, a bridal party of around 5 bridesmaids and 5 groomsmen, and some additional personal florals for family members usually costs between $5,000 to $8,000.This may sound like a lot, but keep in mind that wedding flowers can transform a space and make your special day unforgettable.
When should I book my wedding flowers?
Booking your wedding flowers well in advance is essential to ensure you get a florist that is the right fit for you. An experienced and reputable florist can be booked up to 6-12 months ahead of the wedding date, particularly when it comes to high-season weddings like summer, spring and autumn times.
It's a good idea to have an initial consultation with your florist early on in the planning process, so you can discuss any unique ideas or requests you may have. This will also help make sure your budget and timeline mesh with your florist's.
At a minimum, florists recommend booking your flowers six to eight months before the wedding. This allows your florist to order the freshest blooms, plan out the arrangements and delivery logistics, and make any necessary adjustments.
How will my wedding florist deliver my flowers?
Most wedding florists will deliver your flowers on the day of the wedding, and get to work to ensure everything looks perfect. This includes each bridal bouquet, corsages, boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen, and all centerpieces and floral decorations. They'll also bring along any extra supplies needed to create arrangements or prepare any special touches for the wedding day.
Your florist will arrive several hours before the ceremony and reception ready to finish work on eash arrangement prepped in the studio. They'll use their experience and expertise to finish executing your floral decorations on-site, to make sure they work perfectly within the venue. With everything is in place, they'll ensure that all floral accents are perfectly aligned with your overall vision for your special day.
If you have any specific delivery requirements, such as a certain time or location, make sure to discuss this with your florist ahead of time.
What if I need to change my wedding flower order?
While you should try to finalize your wedding flower order well in advance, some ongoing changes are necessary. An experienced florist understands that table counts change as guests RSVP, that bridal parties can sometimes change size as people experience life changes, and that suddenly your extended wants a wrist corsage. These are all expected parts of fluctuating floral timelines.
If you need to make changes, just be sure to communicate with your florist as soon as possible. Keep in mind that there may be a cut-off date for changes, depending on how far out your wedding is.
We here at TWIG allow for changes up to 7 days before your wedding and will execute where possible.
How can I be sure my wedding florist understands my vision?
The key to ensuring your wedding florist understands your vision is to communicate clearly and provide as much detail as possible. Bring in photos or inspiration boards, share your wedding colors and theme, and be specific about the arrangements you want. Your florist should work with you to create a detailed proposal so you can see exactly what your flowers will look like on your wedding day.
Also, don't be afraid to work collaboratively with your wedding florist after you hire them! Establish a relationship and talk through colors, styles, materials, and how your design plans are going. If needed, ask questions about different flower types or seasonal availability, and get a feel for how they'll approach designing with flowers. Working closely together will ensure that whatever ideas you have are accurately incorporated into your floral decor for the big day.
Planning a wedding is no small feat, and choosing the right flowers is an important part of the process. While it can be overwhelming, remember that you don't have to be an expert on flowers to have a beautiful wedding. An experienced wedding florist can help guide you through the process, from choosing the right blooms to delivery and set up on the big day. With the right florist by your side, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy every moment of your special day. Let us know what questions you have!
