Wedding Flowers: Make Them Yourself Or Buy Them?

Planning a wedding can be stressful, especially when it comes to the flowers. It's important to get them done in time for the big day, but you also don't want to be assembling bouquets the morning of your wedding. So, when is the best time to make your wedding flowers?

Most sources recommend making your arrangements the day before the wedding. This gives the flowers time to rehydrate and any buds time to bloom. If you're making your own flowers, it's a good idea to enlist some help from family and friends. You can also ask a professional florist for advice, or enlist their services if your budget allows. It's best to meet with your florist around the nine-month mark to secure your date and then again around five months before the wedding for a full consultation.

If you're buying flowers in bulk, it's recommended to place your order two to four weeks before your wedding. This gives you some notice if anything is in or out of season and will also help you avoid paying inflated prices around holidays like Valentine's Day. If you're buying from a florist, they will usually need to be booked around five to nine months in advance.

When it comes to delivery, it's best to get your flowers two days before the wedding. This gives you enough time to prep, rehydrate, and design the flowers. If your wedding is around a holiday, it might be a good idea to give yourself an extra day in case of shipping delays.

When to choose your blooms

While it's never too early to start looking around and getting ideas, your style and colour choices may change over time. It's best to choose your blooms when you have a venue, a theme, and your colour palette picked out. This is usually around a year before the wedding, but no earlier than a month before.

If you're making your own arrangements, you'll need to decide what types of bouquets and floral arrangements you want to create, what you can achieve within your budget, and which flowers are best for your arrangement. You should also consult a professional to ask about what will be in season, how much you should order, and any cost-effective alternatives.

If you're using a florist, it's a good idea to meet with them around the 9-month mark to secure your date, and then again around 5 months before the wedding for a full consultation. However, some florists are happy to be booked and have a consultation much closer to the wedding date.

When to order your blooms

Ordering your wedding flowers in advance is essential to ensure they arrive on time and in good condition. While it's never too early to start shopping around and exploring different styles, your taste may change if you order too far ahead of your wedding. It's best to have your venue, theme, and colour scheme confirmed before choosing your flowers. This should be done between a year and a month before your wedding.

It is recommended that you order your flowers between two and four weeks before your wedding. This is because flowers are natural products with limited availability, and some may be out of season if you order too far in advance. Pricing is also a factor – ordering closer to your wedding date can help you avoid paying higher prices on holidays like Valentine's Day.

Ordering your flowers two to four weeks in advance also ensures that you receive the most available products, as availability can change quickly for natural products. This shorter timeline helps to avoid disappointment and ensures you get the best value for your money.

If you are ordering flowers with long vase lives, such as sunflowers or peonies, you may want to give yourself an extra day in case of shipping delays. This will allow you to properly care for your blooms and ensure they are fresh and beautiful for your big day.

Overall, ordering your wedding flowers two to four weeks in advance is the best strategy to balance availability, pricing, and flower care. This timeline gives you enough flexibility to choose from a variety of options while also minimising the risk of delays or flower care issues.

When to have your blooms delivered

There are a few factors to consider when deciding on a delivery date for your wedding flowers, but generally, it is recommended to have them delivered two days before your wedding. This gives you enough time to prepare, rehydrate and design the flowers before your big day. If your wedding is around a holiday weekend, you may want to give yourself an extra day in case of shipping delays. You can also give yourself an extra day if you have flowers with long vase lives or flowers that may take some time to open, such as sunflowers or peonies.

It is important to store your flowers properly once they arrive. Unbox them immediately and begin cutting the stems at a sharp 45-degree angle. Remove any low-hanging leaves and place them in buckets of fresh water, letting them rehydrate for at least six hours before arranging. It is ideal to let them sit overnight. Make sure they are always stored in cool water, out of direct sunlight, and in a cool, dry place.

The best time to arrange your flowers for the wedding is the day before. As long as the flowers are kept in water, they will hold up overnight without issue. You can keep them in a vase filled with water, floral foam soaked with water, or a bouquet that has been wrapped with the stems left in a few inches of water. Ensure they are kept in a cool, dry place after being arranged and that they always have enough water.

Some items, such as corsages and boutonnieres, can be made the morning of the wedding, but it is generally recommended to give yourself enough time to prepare all the flower arrangements the day before.

When to arrange your flowers

Flowers are a key part of any wedding, and arranging them yourself can be a fun and rewarding experience. However, it's important to plan and organise your flower strategy properly to ensure they look their best on the big day. Here is a timeline to guide you on when to arrange your flowers:

3-6 Months Before the Wedding

Even though you may have a clear idea of your dream bouquet, it's important to confirm your budget and do some research. Consult a professional to find out what flowers will be in season around your wedding date, and how much you will need to order. This will help you create a flower project master list, detailing all the arrangements you require and the types and numbers of flowers needed for each.

3 Weeks Before the Wedding

Now it's time to place your order. Ordering at least 2-3 weeks in advance will give you notice of any changes in availability due to natural factors. Remember to select a delivery date of 2 days before your wedding so you have time to rehydrate and prepare the flowers.

2 Days Before the Wedding

When your flowers arrive, they will need to be rehydrated. Unbox them and cut the stems at a sharp 45-degree angle. Remove any low-hanging leaves and place the flowers in buckets of fresh water for at least 6 hours, or preferably overnight.

1 Day Before the Wedding

Your flowers should now be bloomed and ready for arranging. Gather your helpers and start creating your bouquets and centrepieces. Be sure to keep the arrangements in shallow water overnight.

The Day of the Wedding

Transport the finished arrangements to your venue and distribute the bouquets and boutonnieres to your bridal party.

Tips for Success

• Always ensure your flowers have enough water, especially after they have been arranged.
• Keep the flowers in a cool, dry place after arranging and before transporting them to the venue.
• Some more delicate arrangements, such as corsages and boutonnieres, can be created on the morning of the wedding.
• Consult online tutorials for creating specific arrangements and keeping flowers fresh.
• Consider doing a practice run with your helpers before the flowers arrive.
• Print and distribute pictures of the desired finished arrangements, along with detailed instructions, to your helpers.
• Discuss the timeline with your photographer to ensure all floral elements are properly photographed.
• Find out how long it will take for any large floral installations to be completed, so the photographer can capture them when they are fresh.

How to store your flowers

Storing your wedding flowers correctly is essential to ensure they remain in the best condition possible for your big day. Here is a detailed guide on how to store your flowers:

Firstly, it is recommended to have your flowers delivered two days before your wedding. This allows enough time for the flowers to rehydrate and bloom. If your wedding is on a Saturday, get your flowers delivered on Thursday. This gives you time to let them rehydrate overnight and then arrange them on Friday.

When the flowers arrive, put them in buckets of clean water as soon as possible and let them rehydrate for at least six hours before arranging. They will appear a little droopy at first, but this is normal after their journey. After rehydrating, they will perk back up.

Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle using sharp scissors or a knife. Be sure to wear thick gloves to protect your hands. This process ensures the blooms have a clear straw to pull water from.

Remove any leaves that fall below the waterline, as these can carry bacteria that can infect the flowers and shorten their lifespan.

Keep the original packaging around the flowers for the first two hours of hydration. This supports the stems and helps them stay straight. After a few hours, remove the packaging to allow the petals to open up fully.

Store your flowers in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and any heating sources. An air-conditioned room, basement, or garage is ideal.

Change the water daily, using lukewarm water to help the flowers bloom. Once they have been arranged, use cooler water to slow down the blooming process.

Do not store your flowers in a regular food fridge, as they can get sick from exposure to food bacteria. Certain citrus fruits give off a gas that is harmful to flowers, so keep them away.

If possible, ask your venue if you can store your flowers in a walk-in cooler.

Spray your flowers with Crown and Glory to lock in moisture and give them a nice sheen.

Additional Tips:

• If you are ordering flowers in bulk, it is recommended to do so between two and four weeks before your wedding. This is because certain flowers have limited availability, and pricing fluctuates depending on the time of year.
• If your wedding is around a holiday weekend, consider giving yourself an extra day in case of shipping delays.
• The best time to arrange your flowers for the wedding is the day before. As long as the flowers are kept in water, they will hold up overnight without any issues.
• Always ensure your flowers have enough water. This is the most important part of flower arranging.

Frequently asked questions