Insider tips for wedding florals

Ideally, your wedding day is a one-and-done experience. It's this magical day that you'll never do over. But for folks in the wedding industry, we do weddings on the regular! We've learned a few things along the way, and I'm happy to share a few floral tips that I think every bride should know when preparing for her big day.

Prioritize if you're on a budget

Most of the brides I consult with have a limited budget for their bridal florals. The good news is it's possible to have beautiful flowers on a budget! But...you have to prioritize. Decide what is most important to you and focus on these areas. If you spread your budget across too many floral pieces, you risk getting a lot of so-so florals and no real "wow" pieces.

Photograph florals at their prime

Be sure your florist knows when photos are being taken so all of the floral work is ready to go and looking its best. If your bouquet has been out of water for hours, the flowers may be wilted. The same goes for the guy's boutonnieres. I deliver all of my bridal bouquets in vases so they can stay hydrated up to a few minutes before the ceremony and can go back into water for the reception, if desired.

Plan for flower transport

Make sure you include transporting flowers in your wedding day plans. You may need to consider transportation from the ceremony to the reception venue. If you have large urns or altarpieces, these can be heavy to lift and they may not fit in your helper's car. Who is picking up the flowers after the wedding reception? Is the bride keeping her bouquet with her at the ceremony or storing it in a bridal room? If your family and friends don't want to hassle with moving florals, talk with your florist about including these logistics in her floral quote.

Photo credit: @ariafoto
Floral credit: @honeysucklehouseblooms
Venue: Jack London State Historic Park