Franklin Dean
Wedding flowers are a key part of the big day, with many couples desiring flowers throughout the entire event. Florists recommend that couples lock in their wedding florist as soon as the venue is booked and the colour scheme is decided. Couples should meet with their florist three to five months before the wedding to discuss details and keep them informed about any design changes. Florists can advise on flower choices and costs, with the average couple spending 10 to 15% of their total wedding budget on flowers. Florists can also advise on what to do with flowers after the wedding, with couples having the option to keep, donate or throw away flowers.
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What You'll Learn
- Florists recommend booking a florist 3-5 months before the wedding
- Couples should set a budget for flowers and decide on a colour scheme
- Flowers can be reused from the ceremony for the reception
- Florists can recommend flowers similar to out-of-season blooms
- Couples can opt for a flower-free wedding or forage for their own flowers
Florists recommend booking a florist 3-5 months before the wedding
Wedding flowers can be a significant part of the big day, with many couples desiring flowers throughout the entire event. From bouquets to floral decor, there are many options to consider. Florists recommend booking their services 3-5 months before the wedding to ensure that you can work together to meet your budget and make your wedding design vision come to life.
Booking a florist 3-5 months in advance allows enough time to discuss design ideas and make any necessary changes. It also ensures that the florist can guarantee accurate pricing and secure the specific flowers you may want. For example, if there is a particular flower you want to feature in your centrepieces, booking in advance gives the florist time to source it or recommend similar alternatives if it is not in season.
During the design process, florists will work with you to create arrangements that enhance your colour scheme and complement your table size and quantity. They can also advise on how to repurpose flowers from the ceremony for the reception, helping to cut down on costs and waste. For instance, a welcome arrangement from the ceremony can be reused on the bar, or pieces from the ceremony altar can be moved to the lounge or head table.
When booking a florist, it is essential to communicate your ideas and expectations clearly. Bring photos or inspiration to your meetings to ensure you and the florist are on the same page. Remember, it is not necessary to have flowers at every part of your wedding, but florists can help you determine which arrangements feel most crucial to you.
Overall, booking a florist 3-5 months before the wedding allows for a smooth design process, accurate pricing, and the flexibility to make changes as your ideas evolve.
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Couples should set a budget for flowers and decide on a colour scheme
Wedding flowers can be a costly affair, so it is important to set a budget and decide on a colour scheme to ensure you get the best value for your money. Couples should allocate a realistic amount for flowers, which typically ranges from 10 to 15 per cent of the total wedding budget. It is advisable to meet with a florist three to five months before the wedding to discuss details and ensure availability.
When setting a budget, consider the types of flower arrangements that are most important to you. For example, bouquets and boutonnieres may be a higher priority as they feature prominently in photographs. Centrepieces are another key consideration, and florists can advise on the appropriate number and style to complement your table setting. If you have a specific flower in mind, discuss it with your florist, who can source it or suggest similar alternatives if it is not in season.
To make your budget go further, consider reusing flower arrangements from the ceremony at the reception. For instance, a floral arch or aisle decorations can be repurposed on the VIP or head table. Florists can also advise on cost-effective options, such as partial flower coverage on an arch with trailing greenery, which can still create a beautiful impact.
When deciding on a colour scheme, consider the overall wedding theme, the colour of the bridesmaids' dresses, and the table size and quantity. Florists can enhance and complement your chosen colours, adding extra dimension to your reception décor with a mix of high and low floral arrangements.
Lastly, don't forget to discuss the end-of-night plan for the flowers with your florist. You can choose to keep the flowers, give them to guests, or donate them to a local senior centre or funeral home.
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Flowers can be reused from the ceremony for the reception
Wedding flowers can be expensive, but there are ways to cut costs and still make an impact. Reusing flowers from the ceremony for the reception is a great way to save money and reduce waste.
Floral designer Michelle Hodgson of Blossom & Vine Floral Co. suggests reusing arrangements from one space to another. "There's no reason a welcome arrangement from the ceremony can't be repurposed on the bar, or pieces from the ceremony altar can't be repurposed in a lounge or on the head table," she says. For instance, a flower arch or floral accents on signage can be reused at the reception.
Hodgson also suggests opting for an organic arrangement on the floor for the easiest reuse at the reception. "A traditional pew marker is harder to repurpose," she says. You can also set two statement arrangements at the ceremony entrance or on either side of the aisle, which can then be moved to the reception area.
Flowers from the ceremony can be repurposed in various ways at the reception. For example, bridesmaid bouquets and altar flowers can be reused as centrepieces or as a display on the bar or head table. You can also give away flowers to guests, take them home, or donate them to a local funeral home or senior living facility.
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Florists can recommend flowers similar to out-of-season blooms
Wedding flowers are a beautiful way to celebrate your special day and can be incorporated in many ways, including bridal bouquets, bridesmaids' bouquets, boutonnieres, wedding ceremony decor, and reception table centrepieces. When choosing your wedding flowers, it is essential to consider your priorities, budget, and the overall design vision.
While selecting flowers for your wedding, it is important to remember that certain flowers may be out of season, impacting their availability and cost. If you have a specific flower in mind that is not in season, florists can recommend similar blooms or help you source them at an additional cost. Florists have a wealth of knowledge and creativity when it comes to flower choices and can suggest alternatives that align with your colour scheme and table settings.
For example, if you desire peonies, which are typically in season during late spring and early summer, but your wedding is in the autumn, your florist may suggest garden roses or dahlias, which have a similar full and romantic look. Similarly, if you wish to have tulips at your spring wedding, your florist could recommend ranunculus or anemones, which offer a comparable delicate and vibrant aesthetic.
Seasonal flowers are a great way to ensure that your desired blooms are readily available and cost-effective. For instance, if you are planning a summer wedding, consider sunflowers, zinnias, or hydrangeas, which are all in season and offer a bright and cheerful ambiance. Alternatively, for a winter wedding, evergreens, amaryllis, and poinsettias can add a festive and elegant touch.
By consulting with your florist and being open to their suggestions, you can create beautiful flower arrangements for your wedding reception, even if your desired flowers are out of season. Remember, florists are experts in their field and can help you navigate any challenges to bring your floral vision to life.
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Couples can opt for a flower-free wedding or forage for their own flowers
Wedding flowers can be expensive, and costs can quickly add up if you want flowers at every part of your wedding. Couples can opt for a flower-free wedding, choosing other unique decor options instead. This can be a great way to save money and avoid the potential stress of working with a florist.
If you still want flowers at your wedding, but are looking to save money, you could try foraging for your own flowers. This is a fun option for eco-conscious couples or those on a budget, and it can be a great activity to do together. There are also plenty of flower-arranging courses available, which can help you create arrangements that are truly personal to you.
Another way to cut costs is to reuse arrangements in different spaces. For example, flowers from the ceremony can be repurposed on the bar or head table during the reception, or on a VIP table. You could also set two statement arrangements at the end of the aisle, which will frame your wedding photos without the need for lots of small arrangements.
If you're meeting with a florist, it's important to set a budget and be clear about your priorities. Bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces are often considered must-haves, but you might also want flowers on cocktail tables or in the powder room. If you're renting vases, they will need to be returned to the vendor at the end of the night, but you can discuss with your florist whether guests can take flowers or arrangements home.
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Frequently asked questions
Florists recommend booking as soon as you have your venue and colour scheme confirmed, as this will help them to create designs that work with your table size and quantity. It's also important to book early because florists book up fast. Florists also recommend locking in your wedding florist within a year of the wedding, as they may not be able to guarantee accurate pricing outside of this window.
This is up to you and your budget. Flower arrangements are the most popular centrepiece options for reception tables, but you could also have flowers on display in the cocktail space, on the cake, and as a toss bouquet. You could also reuse flowers from the ceremony as reception decor.
Florists recommend bringing photos to your design meeting to help illustrate your ideas, so your florist understands your vision. It's also important to choose a florist whose style you like and who you get along with.
