Wedding Flowers — How to Plan and Prepare for the Big Day

12 Months before the Wedding

When choosing the flowers for your big day, enquire with a selection of florists at least 12 months in advance. All good florists book up quickly.

You may get lucky, though, if there’s a cancellation (not so lucky for someone else, alas!) Ask friends what florist they used for their wedding. Personal recommendations are usually the best indicator of how good a florist’s work is.

Once you’ve narrowed down your list, ask for a one-on-one consultation. Expect the appointment to last about one hour; much shorter and the florist is not giving you a thorough service.

If possible, take a photograph of the wedding dress along with you, or at the very least have a detailed description of the dress. The florist needs to know where any special detail appears on the dress, so as not to cover it with flowers.

Try and take swatches of attendant’s fabric with you. Your flowers should complement the outfits, not match.

Let the florist know what budget you have in mind so they can work to it. Together with your florist you will work out the design and quantity of wedding flowers you desire.

After your initial consultation a quotation and a booking form should be sent out to you.

6 Months before the Wedding

Have another bridal consultation. You’ll need to take a sample of fabric for your dress and the bridesmaid’s dresses. This allows the florist to work out what flowers and combinations suit your attire best.

Any decent florist will show you samples of all the flowers in your bouquet, so you will know what to expect for the finished article.

The bridesmaid’s bouquets tend to be half the size of the brides, or of a complementary design. Right now, wrist designs are popular.

The boutonniere for the groom is usually contains a small selection of flowers used in the bridal bouquet. The best man and the bride and groom’s fathers tend to have a smaller version of the groom’s boutonniere.

For the mothers, we suggest attaching flowers with a magnet, to avoid putting pin marks in their outfits.

Most florists rent out vases for the centerpiece arrangements. An alternative: buy the ones you personally love (Ikea and Tesco seem to be popular shops for wedding vases!).

3 Weeks before the Wedding

Confirm the date and time of the wedding with your florist. Ensure that gift bouquets are ordered for the mothers. Your florist should provide two deliveries - one for the bride and one for the groom.

The Wedding Day

If your florist doesn’t suggest it, ask for advice on how to hold your bouquets so they’ll look their best in the wedding photographs.

If you have a tied bouquet, let the hotel place it in a vase for you.

Enjoy your day!