Correctly choosing flowers for the wedding can be one of the hardest parts of a wedding.
When you’re planning a wedding, there are so many decisions to make to have the perfect day. Choosing flowers is one of the most important elements of the ceremony, as the bridal bouquet will most likely be in 95 percent of the pictures. It’s recommended that brides allot about 10 percent of their overall budget for flowers. This should include the bouquet, the bridesmaid’s bouquets, the boutonnieres, corsages and the reception.
According to The Knot, these are some of the most popular wedding flowers:
- Rose
- Tulip
- Calla lily
- Lily of the valley
- Hydrangea
- Peony
- Sweet pea
- Gardenia
Many of these popular flowers are only available seasonally, such as the peony and lily of the valley. The price of roses often fluctuates, depending on the season. You will pay much more for roses in the month of February, because demand is so high. Here are some tips for finding the right flowers and florist for your wedding.
- Get some ideas about what you like before you go talk to your florist. Know what you’d like to have at the wedding and where you’re willing to compromise.
- Meet with two or three florists to compare styles and prices. Talk with the florist about the seasonality of your options for flowers.
- The florist will want to know your budget and your style.
- When you meet with the florist, bring a photo of your wedding dress and swatches of your colors. You might also want to bring the brochures of your ceremony and reception sites.
- Ask to see the florist’s portfolio to get an idea of his or her sense of style.
- Ask for suggestions about flowers that won’t wilt over the time of the wedding and reception. Get affordable options that might work more effectively.
- Get information about the “warranty.” Will the flowers be fresh and arrive on time? What happens if a specific flower isn’t available on the wedding day?
- Find out the payment process for the florist. It’s not uncommon for a 50 percent deposit to be made when you sign the contract. The balance will most likely be due the week of the wedding.
Talk with each prospective florist and get an estimate in writing based on what you’ve discussed. Then go home and consider what really works with your budget.
Correctly Choosing Flowers Doesn’t Mean Breaking the Bank
Keeping your flower budget in check isn’t easy, so here are some tips to help you manage your money.
- Reuse bridesmaid bouquets and ceremony arrangements. Have the bridesmaids slip their bouquets into vases in the reception area and ask venue staff to move the arrangements from the ceremony to the reception.
- You might skip the ceremony arrangements altogether. There’s no rule that says you have to have flowers at the altar. Greenery, candles or lights might fill the space quite effectively.
- Don’t plan on getting married in February when demand for roses and other flowers are quite high.
- Use large, inexpensive blossoms to fill in space.
- Choose cheaper flowers as the mainstay of the arrangements. Carnations and baby’s breath are two of the most inexpensive stems and have a lot of bang for your buck.
- DIY floral arrangements and bouquets. The internet has plenty of how-to guides for those who love to craft by putting together their own wedding arrangements. Consider paying the florist to make the intricate corsages and boutonnieres.
- Get your blooms from the grocery store instead of the florist.
- Work with a florist who understands your budget and is willing to help you stay within it.
You can get the beautiful flowers you want for your wedding and stay within your budget when you plan for it.
