Wedding florals are a key component of a wedding day. Great floral designs at your wedding will truly make your wedding photos. They tie your vision and design together, they add color and texture – wedding florals are very important! As wedding planners, we have a lot of experience when it comes to all the decisions needed when selecting your florals, so let’s talk about some things to keep in mind when planning your wedding florals.

AUDRA JONES PHOTOGRAPHY | BARNSWALLOW BLOOMS

Flowers can be expensive, so it’s important to figure out what your top priorities are when it comes to your wedding vendors. We suggest allocating 10% of your budget to florals. While it may seem cheaper to DIY your wedding florals, we wouldn’t recommend it. It isn’t worth the stress! There is so much you need to do for your wedding, we highly recommend just hiring the professional. Your florist will be the expert when it comes to finding flowers that fit your budget and style. 

Here are some tips and tricks to stay in budget when it comes to your flowers:

1. Choose local, in-season blooms. This will keep costs down when it comes to your florist needing to source the flowers you are looking for.
2. Repurpose florals from the ceremony to the reception. Pieces from the ceremony can turn into something for the bar or lounge, or on the head table. We have had weddings where we’ve moved the ceremony arch to behind the sweetheart table or cake display. They’re too beautiful to only use once!
3. Keep your guest list minimal. More people means more tables which means more centerpieces. You can also apply this to the wedding party, as more people in the wedding party means more bouquets or boutonnieres. Alternatively, you can skip the bridesmaid’s bouquets and groomsmen’s boutonnieres. 
4. Prioritize the most important items to you. Figure out your focal point, whether it’s the ceremony or reception, and that is where you should focus your flowers.

SARAH SHANK PHOTO | FLORAL AND BLOOM

When you use florals in tune with the season, you are bringing an authentic look and feel to your wedding. While you can certainly get a lot of flowers year round (like the Garden Rose, Lily of the Valley, or Lisianthus), purchasing in-season flowers ensures peak freshness, availability from local growers, and will be the most cost-effective option. A few of our favorite flowers and the seasons to get them are:

Peonies – April, May and June

Anemones – December through Spring

Ranunculus – February through May

Dahlias – late Summer through Fall

Hydrangeas – mid Spring through early Fall

Remember that growing seasons can be impacted by changing climate patterns and weather patterns, so be sure to check with your florist!

LOVE LIFE IMAGES | CEDAR AND LIME CO

When deciding how many flowers and floral installations you will need, our opinion is get as many as you can! Flowers provoke feelings and can truly set the mood. Also, be sure to factor in your venue in this decision. Depending on the space and scenery, you could possibly forgo ceremony flowers. This is why an inviting venue space is so important! You may not even need flowers for each centerpiece. You could do something entirely candle based with light greenery, or express your creativity in a different way with food or herbs and plants. (Although, a floral centerpiece is gorgeous, and if we can score one at the end of the night, you better believe we’re taking it home!)

AUDRA WRISLEY PHOTO | TILBURY FLORAL || LOVE LIFE IMAGES | CEDAR AND LIME CO

Two things we definitely recommend prioritizing? The bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere. The bridal bouquet is the bride’s ultimate accessory. Not only does it compliment her dress and emphasize the overall design of the wedding day, but it’s a beautiful extension of her own personal style and taste. Don’t hesitate to splurge on this! It’s easily the most photographed of the wedding florals. We love a good boutonniere, too. No matter how many we’ve pinned on, we still get a little nervous every wedding. No one wants a lopsided boutonniere on their groom!

SARAH SHANK PHOTO | FLORAL AND BLOOM || AUDRA WRISLEY PHOTO | TILBURY FLORAL

Ultimately, you will have both your wedding planner and your florist to help guide you through your wedding florals process. We recommend reaching out to a wedding florist as soon as possible, especially if you have your eye on a specific vendor. (At least 9 months in advance, if you can!) Don’t hesitate to ask questions, get inspiration ready from Pinterest and social media, and make sure you enjoy it. Wedding florals are a fun, beautiful part of your wedding day!