
Planning a wedding can be a stressful experience, with many deadlines and decisions to keep track of. One of the most important considerations is the selection of flowers, with many florists recommending that couples start thinking about their floral options at least 6 to 9 months in advance. This allows enough time for consultations, planning, and adjustments to be made, as well as ensuring the availability of certain flowers. The best time to receive the flowers is 2-4 weeks before the wedding, giving enough time for prep, rehydration, and design, although some florists recommend getting them just 2-3 days before to ensure maximum freshness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time to start considering floral options | 6 to 9 months before the wedding |
| Time to choose flowers | 1 year to 1 month before the wedding |
| Time to place the order | 3 to 4 weeks before the wedding |
| Time flowers should arrive | 3 to 5 days before the wedding |
| Time to start crafting arrangements | 1-2 days before the wedding |
| How to store flowers | In water, in a cool, dry place |
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What You'll Learn

Florists recommend 6-9 months before the wedding
Florists recommend that you start the process of planning your wedding flowers 6-9 months before the wedding. This may seem like a long time, but it gives you the opportunity to find the right florist and ensures there is ample time for the design team to create a plan, design your special day, and perfect custom installations.
The season of your wedding will influence the availability of certain flowers, so it is a good idea to discuss your requirements with your florist early in the planning process. This allows your florist to tailor their recommendations to fit your financial constraints without compromising on beauty or quality. It is also a good idea to consider the lead time for ordering flowers, as some may have limited availability or be out of season by the time your wedding comes around.
It is important to remember that flowers are fresh, living things with a very short lifespan, both in and out of water. To ensure your bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages look as fresh as possible for the wedding, florists recommend that you receive your flowers 2-5 days before the event. This timeframe allows for any prep, rehydration, and design work to be completed, and ensures your flowers will be in full bloom on your wedding day.
Some florists recommend arranging your flowers the day before the wedding, as long as they are kept in water and stored in a cool, dry place. This could be in a vase, floral foam soaked with water, or a wrapped bouquet with stems left in a few inches of water.
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Choose flowers 1 year to 1 month before
Choosing your wedding flowers is an important part of the wedding planning process. It is recommended that you start considering your floral options at least 6 to 9 months before your wedding. This gives you enough time to find a florist, establish a relationship with them, and discuss your budget and any special requests. Embracing seasonal blooms can also be more cost-effective and enhance the natural beauty of your wedding.
The best window for choosing your flowers is 1 year to 1 month before the wedding. This gives you enough time to select the right flowers for your venue, theme, and colour palette. It is important to remember that your style and colour choices may change over the course of a year, so it is not recommended to choose your flowers too far in advance.
During this time, you can also start the floral design process. This includes creating a detailed plan with your florist, including flower recipes and review meetings. This ensures that your floral designs are precisely what you envisioned and that any potential challenges are addressed well in advance.
If you are looking for unique floral elements or rare flower varieties, early planning is key. Communicating your vision to your florist early on will allow them to source the flowers and make your dreams a reality.
Overall, choosing your wedding flowers 1 year to 1 month in advance gives you the flexibility to explore different options and make any necessary adjustments. It also ensures that your florist has enough time to procure the freshest and most beautiful flowers for your special day.
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Flowers are natural products with limited availability
Wedding flowers are a key element of your big day, but they are also fresh, living things with a short lifespan. This means that timing is crucial. While it's never too early to start looking at options, your style and colour choices may change over time, so it's best to wait until you have a venue, a theme, and your colours picked before making any final decisions about flowers.
If you are ordering flowers to arrange yourself, it's recommended that you order them for delivery between two and four weeks before your wedding. This is because some flowers may be out of season by the time of your wedding if you order them too far in advance. Ordering them closer to the date also means you will be able to take advantage of the most up-to-date availability and pricing. However, if your wedding is around a holiday weekend, you may want to give yourself an extra day in case of shipping delays.
If you are arranging your own flowers, it's best to do this the day before the wedding. As long as the flowers are kept in water, they will hold up overnight without issue. You should also keep them in a cool, dry place. Corsages and boutonnieres are more difficult to keep hydrated, so you may want to create these on the morning of the wedding, using hardy blooms.
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Flowers should be arranged 1-2 days before the wedding
Flowers are delicate, fresh, living things with a short lifespan, and they should be treated with care. Florists recommend that flowers be arranged 1-2 days before the wedding to ensure they look as fresh as possible. This timeframe allows for any necessary prep work, rehydration, and design, and it gives you some flexibility if your flowers are taking their time to open up fully.
Flowers should be kept in water, whether in a vase, floral foam, or with stems wrapped and placed in a few inches of water. They will hold up overnight without issue if kept in a cool, dry place. It is important to note that some flowers, like corsages and boutonnieres, are more challenging to keep hydrated and may require extra care.
To ensure your flowers are in top condition for your wedding, consider the following tips: keep them in a cool, dry location, away from direct sunlight and drafts; always ensure they have enough water; and if your wedding is around a holiday, give yourself an extra day for potential shipping delays.
While it is recommended to arrange flowers 1-2 days before the wedding, it is never too early to start planning your floral arrangements. It is suggested that you begin the floral design process 6 to 9 months in advance to allow for a stress-free planning experience. This gives you time to choose your venue, theme, and colours, and then select your flowers.
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Keep flowers in water, in a cool, dry place
Wedding flowers should ideally be sourced and delivered within two to four weeks of the event. This is because flowers are natural products with a short lifespan, and some flowers may be out of season if ordered too far in advance.
To ensure that your wedding flowers remain fresh and vibrant, it is important to keep them in water and store them in a cool, dry place. Here are some detailed tips to help you achieve this:
Keep Flowers in Water
As soon as your flowers arrive, trim the stems at a 45-degree angle using sharp scissors, secateurs, or a knife. This creates a clean cut, enabling the stems to absorb water more effectively. Place the flowers in a vase filled with water, ensuring that the water level is high enough to nourish the flowers without drowning them. Alternatively, you can use floral foam soaked in water or wrap the stems in a moist material, ensuring the ends remain in a few inches of water.
Store in a Cool, Dry Place
Flowers should be kept in a cool area, away from direct sunlight and heat sources such as radiators or warm surfaces. A room with high humidity is ideal, especially for flowers like freesias, which are sensitive to ethylene gas produced by fruits and vegetables. Avoid placing flowers near windowsills, as they can get too warm or drafty. If possible, store the flowers in a vase with fresh, room-temperature water, and consider changing the water daily to keep it clear and free of bacteria.
Additional Tips
- If your flowers are delivered in bulk, consider preparing and arranging them ahead of time to save time and ensure they are ready for your big day.
- For delicate flowers, you may opt to have them prepared by a professional florist, especially if time is a concern.
- Be mindful of the handling of bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages. Avoid placing them on warm surfaces, and if possible, provide vases of water to keep the flowers hydrated when not in use.
- Pricing for flowers can fluctuate, especially around holidays, so consider this when ordering to stay within your budget.
By following these guidelines, your wedding flowers will remain fresh and vibrant, adding a beautiful touch to your special day.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to start considering your floral options 6 to 9 months before your wedding. This gives you enough time to choose a florist, establish a relationship with them, and make a plan. However, the best time to choose your flowers is 1 year to 1 month before the wedding, as your style and colour choices may change over the course of a year.
Flowers should arrive 2-4 weeks before your wedding. This is because flowers are natural products with limited availability and short lifespans. Receiving them closer to the wedding ensures they are fresh and in season.
The sweet spot for arranging flowers is the day before the wedding. This allows you to perform methods to preserve the blooms overnight, such as keeping them in water and storing them in a cool, dry place.




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