Your No 1 Essential Wedding Flower Guide for Stunning Blooms
Flowers can be either a big or small part of wedding decor and it is likely that you will have already considered what are the best floral arrangments that represents you and the theme of your wedding day.
Wedding flowers have an enchanting ability to transform any wedding into a romantic paradise, adding a touch of elegance, color, and fragrance to your special day. From the bridal bouquet to the venue decor, each floral arrangement plays a crucial role in setting the tone and enhancing the ambiance. But with so many options and decisions to make, navigating the world of wedding flowers can feel overwhelming when it comes to how to choose your wedding flowers and then choosing your wedding florists. Fear not! In this wedding flower guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about how to find the perfect flowers for your big day.
1. Seasonal Wedding Flower Guide: Choosing Blooms for Every Time of Year
When selecting your wedding flowers, consider what’s in season during your big day. Not only will seasonal wedding flowers be fresher and more vibrant, but they’re often more affordable than out-of-season blooms. Learn more here with this glossary of wedding flowers by season.
- SPRING (March – May): Think peonies, tulips, garden roses and daffodils for a romantic, pastel-inspired look.
- SUMMER (June – August): Roses, sunflowers, dahlias and hydrangeas thrive in warm weather and create a bold statement.
- AUTUMN (September – November): Dahlias, chrysanthemums, marigolds and asters and rich-colored roses add warmth to fall weddings.
- WINTER (December – February): Opt for elegant amaryllis, anemones, poinsettias and even festive greenery like holly and pine.
By choosing flowers that naturally flourish during your wedding season, you’ll enhance the overall aesthetic and keep costs manageable. For a comprehensive list of seasonal flowers, refer to this guide by The Knot.
2. Wedding Bouquet Ideas: Finding the Right Style for You
Your wedding bouquet is a key part of your bridal look, so choosing the right shape and style is essential. Here are a few trending wedding bouquet ideas…
- Classic Round Bouquets: Ideal for traditional weddings, featuring roses, peonies, or hydrangeas.
- Wildflower Bouquets: Perfect for rustic or boho weddings, incorporating lavender, daisies, and eucalyptus.
- Cascading Bouquets: A dramatic, flowing arrangement often featuring orchids or ivy.
- Minimalist Bouquets: A modern trend using just a few statement blooms like calla lilies or anemones.
How to create a bridal bouquet
The bridal bouquet is a centerpiece of the wedding ensemble, reflecting the bride’s personality and style. To create the perfect bouquet, start by choosing flowers that complement your wedding theme and color scheme. Consider the size, shape, and texture of the bouquet, and don’t be afraid to mix different types of blooms for a unique and eye-catching arrangement.
The perfect bouquet complements your dress, wedding theme, and personal style, making it a memorable floral feature of your day. For further inspiration, explore this collection of unique wedding bouquet ideas by The Knot.
3. Wedding Flower Arrangements: Bringing Your Vision to Life
Beyond your bouquet, wedding floral arrangements set the tone for your ceremony and reception. From centerpieces to aisle décor, florals enhance every wedding venue.
Ceremony Decor: Consider floral arches, aisle markers, or a unity flower arrangement
Reception Centrepieces: Low floral centerpieces encourage conversation, while tall ones add drama.
Hanging Installations: Suspended floral arrangements create an ethereal, garden-like atmosphere indoors.
Collaborate with your florist to create wedding floral arrangements that reflect your theme, whether classic, bohemian, or modern.
4. Choosing Flowers that fit your aesthetic
When selecting flowers for your wedding, consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve. Whether it’s rustic and bohemian or modern and minimalist, choose blooms that align with your vision. Pay attention to color, texture, and shape, and don’t hesitate to seek inspiration from bridal magazines, Pinterest boards, or florist portfolios.
Real or fake flowers?
The age-old debate between real and fake flowers continues to divide opinion among brides-to-be. While real flowers offer natural beauty and fragrance, fake flowers can be more cost-effective and durable, making them a practical choice for budget-conscious couples or destination weddings. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and budget considerations.
Sustainable Flowers
For eco-conscious couples, choosing sustainable and ethically sourced flowers is essential. Look for florists who prioritize sustainability practices such as using locally grown blooms, avoiding harmful chemicals, and reducing waste. Consider alternatives to traditional floral arrangements, such as potted plants or dried flowers, which can be reused or repurposed after the wedding.
Flower Arches
Flower arches are a stunning focal point for wedding ceremonies, creating a romantic backdrop for exchanging vows. If you’re looking to find an affordable flower arch, consider DIY options using budget-friendly blooms such as baby’s breath, carnations, or greenery. Alternatively, explore rental options or inquire with your florist about cost-effective alternatives that fit your budget.
Personalise your flowers
Make your floral arrangements truly unique by incorporating personal touches and meaningful details. Consider including flowers that hold sentimental value, such as your grandmother’s favorite blooms or flowers that symbolize special moments in your relationship. Get creative with accessories like ribbons, lace, or family heirlooms to add a personal and sentimental touch to your floral decor.
5. Choosing Wedding Florists: Finding the Right Expert for Your Big Day
A talented wedding florist brings your floral vision to life with expertise and experience. Here’s how to find the right one:
Check Their Portfolio: Look at past weddings they’ve designed to see if their style matches yours.
Read Reviews & Ask for Recommendations: Trusted referrals can lead you to experienced professionals.
Discuss Your Budget & Preferences: A great florist will work within your budget while offering creative solutions.
Schedule a Consultation: Meet in person to ensure they understand your vision and communication style.
By carefully choosing wedding florists, you’ll ensure your wedding flowers perfectly complement your special day. We work with alot of professional wedding florists and keep a list of the ones we can highly recommend which you may find useful as a starting point for finding the right wedding florist for your day. Head over to our Recommended Suppliers page to find them and other great professional wedding suppliers. If you’re in a hurry, then here are the florists we recommend you check out:
6. Wedding Flower Budget Tips: How to Save Without Compromising on Style
Flowers can be one of the bigger wedding expenses, but smart planning can help you stay within budget:
- Prioritize Key Arrangements: Focus your budget on the bouquet, ceremony florals, and reception centerpieces.
- Opt for Seasonal & Local Blooms: Locally sourced flowers reduce costs and look fresher.
- Repurpose Ceremony Flowers: Use aisle decor or altar arrangements at the reception to save money.
- Consider Greenery: Lush foliage like eucalyptus and ferns can add volume without the high cost of premium blooms.
These wedding flower budget tips ensure your venue looks stunning while keeping costs manageable.
7. Should I Use A Florist Or Arrange My Own Flowers?
Consider your budget
One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to enlist the expertise of a professional florist or take on the task of arranging the flowers yourself. While a florist can offer valuable guidance, creativity, and access to a wide range of blooms, arranging your own flowers can add a personal touch and potentially save costs. Consider your budget, time constraints, and floral design skills when making this decision.
Do you have the budget to fit out your whole venue with floral arrangements? Depending on the size of your venue, this could run into thousands of pounds as you may want to decorate front entrances, the aisle, an arch where the ceremony takes place, wedding breakfast tables and cake. That’s before you consider boquets and button holes for the key wedding party members.
Cost varies depending on the types of flowers chosen, the seasonality of the bloom and location of the wedding. A rough guide would be to budget between £1,000 and £2,000 for an average wedding. To get a more accurate idea of the cost of wedding flowers for your particular wedding, it’s recommended to consult with multiple florists, discuss your vision and budget, and request detailed quotes based on your specific requirements. Additionally, considering alternatives such as using seasonal blooms, opting for greenery or foliage arrangements, or DIYing certain floral elements can help stretch your budget further while still achieving a beautiful floral aesthetic for your wedding.
Do you have time to do it yourself?
DIY wedding flowers can often be more budget-friendly compared to hiring a professional florist. By purchasing popular wedding flowers wholesale and arranging them yourself, you can potentially save a significant amount of money. Doing your own wedding flowers allows you to add a personal touch to your floral arrangements. You have full control over the types of flowers, colors, and styles, allowing you to create arrangements that perfectly reflect your vision and personality.
DIY Wedding Flowers Pros:
DIYing your wedding flowers gives you the freedom to get creative and experiment with different floral designs and arrangements. You can customize each bouquet and centerpiece to suit your preferences and the overall aesthetic of your wedding. Working on your wedding flowers together with your partner, family, or bridal party can be a bonding and enjoyable experience. It’s a chance to spend quality time together while creating something beautiful for your special day.
DIY Wedding Flowers Cons:
However, DIY wedding flowers can be incredibly time-consuming, especially in the days leading up to the wedding. From purchasing flowers to arranging them and ensuring they stay fresh, it can take a significant amount of time and effort. Planning a wedding is already stressful enough, and adding the task of DIYing flowers can increase the pressure. There’s the risk of flowers wilting or not turning out as expected, which can add to the stress of an already hectic time. Arranging flowers is a skill that takes practice and expertise to master. While some people may have a natural talent for floral design, others may find it challenging to create professional-looking arrangements. Sourcing and transporting large quantities of flowers can be logistically challenging, especially if you’re not familiar with the process. You’ll also need to consider storage and refrigeration options to keep the flowers fresh until the wedding day. Depending on the season and location of your wedding, certain flowers may not be readily available or may be more expensive to source. This can limit your options and may require you to be flexible with your floral choices.
Do what feels comfortable
Ultimately, whether to do your own wedding flowers or hire a professional florist depends on your budget, time, skill level, and personal preferences. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully and decide what’s best for you and your wedding vision.
8. What Flowers do i need for my bridesmaids and groomsmen?
Bridesmaids
While not mandatory, giving your bridesmaids flowers can add a cohesive and elegant touch to the bridal party ensemble. Whether it’s a smaller version of the bride’s bouquet or a complementary arrangement in a different color, bridesmaid bouquets can enhance the overall aesthetic of the wedding party.
Groomsmen
While groomsmen may not traditionally carry flowers like bridesmaids, incorporating floral elements into their attire can add a stylish and cohesive touch to the wedding party. Consider boutonnieres or floral pocket squares that complement the groom’s boutonniere and tie in with the overall floral theme.
In Conclusion
Before finalizing your floral plans, check whether your wedding venue has any restrictions or requirements regarding florists. Some venues may have preferred vendors or on-site florists who can assist with arrangements, while others may require outside vendors to adhere to specific guidelines or regulations.
Finding the perfect florals for your wedding is a delightful journey filled with creativity, inspiration, and personal expression. Whether you choose to enlist the help of a professional florist or take on the challenge yourself, remember that the beauty of wedding flowers lies in their ability to capture the essence of your love story and create lasting memories for years to come. With careful planning, attention to detail, and a touch of creativity, you can create floral arrangements that are as unique and beautiful as your love.
Happy wedding planning! 🌸💍
Sam is a seasoned Videographer, Photographer, and Video Editor with over 22 years of experience in capturing weddings. Having worked across England and Europe, he has documented wedding celebrations of every culture, bringing a keen eye for detail and storytelling to each event. Holding a First-Class BA (Hons) in Film & Video Production from the Surrey Institute of Art & Design, Sam blends technical expertise with a deep passion for visual storytelling. Now based in the heart of rural Somerset, he shares his life with his partner Kelly and their two wonderful children. When he’s not behind the camera or in the editing suite, you’ll find him spending time with his family, watching both classic and contemporary films, enjoying a game of football (on or off the pitch), or tending to his garden.
