A good wedding’s success is all in the details––one of which is choosing the right flower arrangements for the big day. That beautiful bouquet is a lot more than something to hold while walking down the aisle to your betrothed. There’s obviously a lot to take into consideration during this process: maybe you’ve got a specific type of flower you’ve always envisioned; you might have a color scheme that the arrangements need to match; there are the venue’s decor options to think about; matching bouquets with the table settings, etc. It’s a lot!
Regardless of how far along you are in the planning process, we’ve got some tips to help guide you toward your wedding flower bliss. It’s always fun to integrate what you’ve observed from traveling––we love the idea of incorporating the flora from your favorite destinations to enhance the beauty and ambiance of your celebration. Below, we break down categories of what to think about when choosing the perfect wedding flowers.
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Bouquets, Centerpieces, and Venue Decor
First things first: figure out what you want in terms of floral decor. Typically, a wedding will include the bridal bouquet, bridesmaids’ bouquets, flower girls’ bouquets, the groom’s and groomsmen's’ boutonniere, table centerpieces and cake decor. Additional decor might include flowers used as a hairpiece, for the altar, pews, aisle, Chuppah, gift table, etc.
It’s wise to spend some time walking through the venue for both the ceremony and the reception, with your florist, to discuss the options that the structure provides. Will there be a view that you want to highlight and work around?
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Some buildings may allow for flowers climbing up the walls and around chairs or columns, or some florists even create a wall of pure flowers as a backdrop for the ceremony, like this:
And let yourself think outside the box when it comes to table decorations. Some florists weave flowers around glasses and candles on long dinner tables; others use unique vessels as vases, which can add a touch of whimsy and character to the settings, like this:
Budget
In order to determine how many arrangements and bouquets you can have at your wedding, sit down and sort out the amount of money you’d like to spend. If you’re hoping to splurge and go all-out, your budget could climb up into the thousands; however ,if you’re working with a modest budget, it’s possible to keep things under a couple thousand dollars. According to a study conducted by the financial planning brand ValuePenguin, the average amount the modern bride spends on a florist is just over $2,000. Pro tip: consider working greenery into your bouquets and arrangements, as this can be very cost-effective:
Color Scheme and Wedding Season
Some brides and grooms want dresses, decor, and flowers to match across the board, no questions asked. Other may prefer a theme that yields a more spontaneous vibe, more natural. And of course, it’s advised to consider season—use summer flowers for warm months, winter flowers for cold months, etc. Either way, it shouldn’t be too difficult to work within a color scheme and season if that’s what you choose to do.
For color schemes centered around pink and red, some popular floral choices are roses, peonies, snapdragons, and lilies:
If you’re having an outdoor ceremony and reception, and your decor falls under an earthy or woodsy theme, try using white and off-white flowers accented with dried greenery:
If you’d like your bouquet and table arrangements to be on the wilder, fresh-cut-from-the-farm side, let your florist know that they should pull from the environment and not worry too much about uniformity, like this beautiful mixed arrangement:
Sometimes a simple yet elegant pop of color against a white background is all you need:
Classic Choices and Travel-inspired Flora
If you’re in search of a timeless flower theme, there are a few options that you simply cannot go wrong with: roses, tulips, calla lilies, hydrangeas, sweet peas, and of course, gardenia.
If you’re hoping to incorporate your favorite place in the world into the big day, we’ve compiled some options for flowers that might even inspire your guests to book their next vacation:
Japan: Cherry Blossoms
The Netherlands: Tulips
Mexico: Dahlia and Lisianthus
China: Peony
American South: Magnolia
Mediterranean: Climbing Flowers
Coastal New England: Hydrangeas
