Ultimate Guide to Wedding Flowers

As wedding trends rise and fall, one thing’s for certain: flowers will always, always, remain in style. And, while they're one of the more exciting aspects to plan, chances are you’re not a botanist, so selecting flowers can actually be a challenge if you're out of practice. Our insider guide to wedding flowers will help! Let's dig in . . .  😉

Deciphering the Floral Pricing Mystery

When researching florists in your area, you’ll notice that prices aren’t listed on their websites. That's because different types of flowers can have very different costs. Not to mention, the prices change depending on what’s in season . . . Meeting with your florist in person will allow you to discuss what you’re looking for, which florals will be best, and what they’ll cost. Start by creating an estimated floral budget and some design inspiration, and your floral expert can help you from there!

Finding the Right Wedding Florist

Every Wedgewood Weddings venue has preferred florists, and our teams can vouch for their quality. But if you choose to go with a different florist, it's important to find one who has similar taste as you (hint: you’ll be able to tell by the way they’ve designed their shop or the arrangements they show on their Instagram). That way, you can rest easy knowing that they naturally design what you love, rather than asking someone to work against their strengths.

When you go in for a consultation, it’s smart to bring several images of flowers/bouquets that you love as inspiration. Like we mentioned, you’re probably not a botanist, so trying to communicate your taste can be a challenge when you’re unfamiliar with the names of certain flowers, plants, and greenery.

That being said, it’s incredibly important to go into a floral consultation with an open mind. The florist can fill you in on what types of florals fit your overall style, what’s in season, and what’ll fit your budget. That’s why you hire them in the first place—they have the expertise and the eye for design!

“As well as showing your Pinterest board, take pictures of your wedding day outfits and venue details you love, so your florist can create designs that complete the whole picture”
— Alex, Tapestry House by Wedgewood Weddings

Attention to detail can mean flowers in all the right places like your cake, aisle, arch, and tables

Figuring Out the flowers and greenery

Any great florist will have a look-book of previous designs they’ve personally created. They’ll also be able to talk with you about any images you bring in to show you how you can personalize a design, make it work for a particular season, or use it as inspiration for a themed ceremony site, head table, or boutonniere designs.

There are also some season-specific concerns you’ll need to consider beyond what’s in season. If it’s hot, you need to be aware that some flowers can’t make it all day—they’ll wilt around the three-hour mark. Also, flowers can surprisingly be heavy to carry around all day. A good florist will already have workarounds in mind if you’re asking for something that could potentially droop or feel burdensome!

“Be open to suggestions. Your florist will already have a good idea of current wedding trends, how to create designs for any budget and where best to splurge vs save. If they suggest another flower type, it could be for heaps of reasons and they may be trying to help you. Maybe they’re using their design skills to find colors that pop with your color scheme, or shapes that will look stronger in photographs. 
— Kelsey, Sterling Hotel by Wedgewood Weddings

make your bouquet and or buttonholes your own by choosing colors, textures and shape

5 QUESTIONS to Ask a Florist:

1. Do they deliver centerpieces/bouquets/boutonnieres, or will someone need to pick them up?
2. Will they personally be on-site for decoration? Or do they send their intern?
3. What will they do if the price of a certain type of flower skyrockets? (It can and does happen, so you need a florist who is communicative and can think on the fly)
4. Do they ever service two or more events on the same day and does it ever cause issues?
5. Will they work with your vision, or do they have standard ‘wedding flower looks’ that they know will work and you can personalize?

It's a huge benefit if your florist is familiar with your venue. Knowing the team and where to go on the day of your wedding can save time for everyone. Be sure they’ve visited your venue before your event and have seen exactly where your arrangements will be placed so they can adapt to the building’s features.

mixed draping and bright florals create a showstopping swagged arch 

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“Couples often re-purpose their ceremony site florals for the reception. It allows  you and your guests to admire the designs longer and can also be a way to save money!”
— Megan, Redwood Canyon by Wedgewood Weddings

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WEdding Flower Advice For Our Clients

Custom fresh wedding florals can elevate your event with a touch of glamour. Custom fresh centerpieces are included in our Premier and Elite packages and can be added to Build Your Own or Classic packages. Contact us if you would like to add or upgrade your reception or ceremony floral décor. We’ll confirm your wedding date with our recommended florist after you’ve booked their services. We recommend meeting with your florist three to five months before your wedding to discuss details. Please contact them directly to arrange your design meeting.

Our florists are super creative and have a wealth of options for you. Crucially, you’ll find they know how to enhance your color scheme and create designs that work with your table size and quantity. To start, they’ll show you recent designs and explain what is included with your package.
We recommend bringing in photos to help illustrate your ideas, so you and the florist are on the same page. During your design meeting, your florist will keep you informed if anything is considered an upgrade and will draw up a separate contract at that time.

Wedding flowers can cost anything from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the designs you want, flower availability, and the florist you choose. When you choose our team, you know you're getting the best price for wedding flowers because we work with only the most qualified recommended florists and can purchase at scale while you enjoy customizing your own creations with helpful advice from wedding flower experts.

Can my guests take the centerpieces home with them?

This typically depends on the vases the florist uses. If you are renting the vases - rather than purchasing them or providing your own - then your guests won’t be able to take them home. During your design meeting, let the florist know if you would like your guests to be able to take the centerpieces home. They can tell you if there is an additional cost associated with this request or if there is an alternate design that would better suit your request.
 

How do I know if a flower is in season or not?

If there is a specific flower you want featured in your centerpieces, we recommend asking directly.
If the flower is not in season, your florist can recommend similar flowers or find out the additional cost to source an out-of-season bloom.

What is included with the upgraded Ceremony Floral?

Ceremony florals are available as an upgrade and often include a single spray to go on the arch structure at the ceremony site. During your design meeting, ask your florist about ceremony décor as they may have other designs available.
 

How much does it cost to upgrade my wedding centerpieces?

This entirely depends on the style you want. Our recommended florists know our packages really well and will give you discounted pricing as a Wedgewood Weddings customer. As you discuss designs, ask your florist to provide a detailed quote.

Can the florist do my personal wedding flowers as well?

Yes! It is very popular to get your bouquets, boutonnieres, etc. from the same florist for a cohesive look. Your florist can provide all your personal flowers at a reasonable price since you are already using them for your centerpieces. These additions are billed through the florist directly.

How do I know how many centerpieces I need?

We'll establish your number of centerpieces required once we have your rough guest count. We will create a floor plan with you at your details meeting and let your florist know the appropriate number of centerpieces after your final meeting ten days before the wedding. Your florist will then provide you with an updated invoice for any upgrades.

Greenery forward arch display at boulder ridge, california

Wedding Ceremony and Reception Flower Tips and Advice

1. Choose colors & styles you like over specific flowers. This gives your florist more flexibility.
2. Consider a mix of low & high floral arrangements to create extra dimension with reception décor.
3. Remember items like cake flowers, ceremony rose petals, & a toss bouquet.
4. Reusing your beautiful arch florals at your VIP table is a very popular choice.

Gorgeous indoor florals at Brittany Hill, COlorado

Feeling inspired? You may also enjoy these interviews with our partner florists:

• Painted Primrose in Boulder, CO
• A Love's In Bloom in Benicia, CA
• Bella Studios Florist in Colorado Springs, CO
• Blooming Bouquets in Phoenix, AZ
• Camino Flower Shop in Placerville, CA

Beautiful pastel centerpieces can elevate every occasion