Weddings > Planning > À La Carte Flowers > Full Service Arrangements > Galleries

By Nicolle Sowards

Picking the perfect wedding flowers is an essential part of planning your big day. Brides often think of bouquets and boutonnières, but the decisions don’t stop there. An experienced wedding florist will help you choose scents, colors, arrangements, and even floral textures to create a picture-perfect scene. 

It can be a lot! 

But don’t let all the decisions overwhelm you. An experienced florist can walk you through your options step by step to create wedding flowers that wow. Start with these insider tips to help design the wedding flower arrangements of your dreams.

1. Know Your Wedding Flower Budget

Start with a realistic idea of what you’re willing to spend. Wedding flowers typically account for 8% of your wedding budget, according to a 2022 Real Weddings Study by The Knot.

Budget-conscious couples don’t need to spend thousands of dollars. Look for florists who offer à la carte wedding flowers. Flowers Decor & More (FDM) florists recommend this option for elopements, small weddings, and couples wanting to spend less than $5,000. There are no minimums and no contracts. 

À la carte typically means you pick a predesigned floral arrangement. FDM offers six floral collections for brides looking to mix and match. Brides can opt for a simple bouquet or add in extras like centerpieces, garlands, and even wedding cake flowers. 

Couples with bigger budgets should consider hiring a full-service floral designer like FDM’s Ashley Flock. Full-service florists work with brides to create one-of-a-kind wedding bouquets and arrangements. Full-service florists even offer delivery and setup as part of their fee.  

2. Look for Wedding Flower Inspiration

It’s equally important to know what you like and what you don’t. 

Do your homework and see what flowers, colors, and bouquet styles reflect your personality. Brides are often shocked at the number of options during their initial wedding flower consultation. 

Ask yourself these important questions:

• What types of wedding flowers do I like? (e.g., roses, hydrangeas, gardenias)

• What bouquet shape do I want? (e.g., cascade, freeform, hand-tied)

• What wedding colors or themes do I like? 

• Is anyone in my bridal party allergic to certain plants?

Bring photos, color swatches, or whatever you need when interviewing a wedding florist to illustrate your vision.

3. Avoid Social Media Wedding Trends

Get inspiration from social media, but don’t let it define your wedding. Remember, your wedding is a reflection of you as a couple, not your favorite social media platform.

“I think Pinterest does us all a disservice,” explained Shelly Elkins, owner of Flowers Decor & More. “Everyone is so Pinterest saturated that a lot of brides opt for white with blushes instead of trusting us to infuse color.”

Elkins likes to remind couples to pick colors they like in their everyday life. 

“Trust your gut, and trust your florist to infuse colors that will draw attention.”

Wedding arrangements with color can be show-stoppers. Consider adding pops of color to everything from your wedding arch to your bridesmaid bouquets. Look for colorful options like wildflower-inspired bouquets or touches of orange, yellow, and burgundy if you’re planning a fall wedding.

4. Choose Wedding Flowers that Last

This one is less about the flowers and more about the wedding florist you choose. 

Make sure you’re working with a florist who has the equipment and knowledge to keep your wedding flowers fresh. Elkins says one of the most common misconceptions about wedding flowers is that they’re going to die right away. 

Hydration and proper storage conditions are key to keeping flowers looking their best.

Look for a florist with a cooler. Flowers Decor & More has a walk-in cooler where flowers are stored from the minute they arrive until they are headed to your wedding. 

“It makes such a huge difference for our weddings,” explained Elkins. “The longevity of your flowers has to do with the preparation.”

5. Book a Wedding Florist Early 

Wedding season books up quickly, so it’s best to explore floral options early. 

For full-service wedding florals book your florist at least four months in advance to make sure you get the flowers of your dreams. You can start the process anytime by filling out an online consultation request form with most florists. 

The first meeting is important. It’s your chance to make sure the wedding design specialist can make your vision a reality. All details should be finalized one month before the big day.  

Even if you’re not going the full-service route, plan ahead to make sure the flowers you want are available on time. Some local florists can provide à la carte wedding flowers on short notice. Elkins suggests calling your local florist if you need your flowers within four weeks. 

Wedding Flower Advice from the Pros

Elkins stresses that your wedding flowers, whether big or small, should represent you. Look for a florist who hears your ideas and brings them to life. 

Don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer new ideas. Floral design is an art. And like most artists, florists love a challenge and the chance to try something new.

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