How to choose your wedding flowers

Relax, I am here to guide you on how to choose your wedding flowers.

My helpful guides for choosing your wedding flowers are easy step-by-step checklists to help you make the best choice for you wedding flowers.

Setting the date

The date of the wedding will determine the season and time of the year the wedding will be held.

Weddings around Valentine’s Day are popular, just remember that the premium flowers are in high demand and the prices skyrocket at this time.

Once you have a date picked, it is a good idea to look at wedding venues and check their availability as many are booked out 12 to 18 months in advance.

Florist bookings also fill up really quickly during the peak NZ wedding months from October to April. I would recommend contacting a florist at least 8 months before the wedding during this period. Outside of these months, 3 to 4 months is plenty of time to plan your wedding flowers.

Season

The style of the wedding you want will determine the best season for it. Thinking summer wedding on the beach or winter wedding at a vineyard or hotel ? Your wedding flowers will be chosen according to your wedding style, venue choice and seasonal availability.

Flower availability varies throughout the year, especially the more popular wedding blooms like peonies,dahlias, freesias, proteas, sweetpeas, ranunculas and anemones. In-season flowers are more readily available and will cost less than imported out-of-season blooms.

So if peonies are your favourite must-have flower, then getting married in late October/November is your best option.

Venue

Your wedding flowers should compliment and enhance the style and setting of your wedding ceremony and reception venues.

For weddings held on the beach, in a garden or vineyard estate, the natural open space provides the perfect wedding backdrop. The natural surroundings just need to be enhanced with simple colourful floral accents.

Lavish, opulent floral arrangements of masses of roses, orchids and lilies will be perfect to compliment the grand ornate setting of an upmarket hotel’s ballroom.

Marques and tents allow you to have fun with your decor. A few key statement centerpieces like floral walls, flower curtains or masses of garlands of lush greenery will add texture and botanical beauty. Trendy hanging floral arrangements suspended from the ceiling or rafters create an instant wow factor.

Budget

The average cost of flowers varies dramatically from wedding to wedding. Have a rough idea of how much you want to spend on your flowers so that I can offer suggestions that will create your vision while staying within your budget.

The cost of flowers is dependent on the size of the arrangements, the number and types of flowers required, and whether or not they are in season.

Your bridal bouquet is your statement floral accessory and the most photographed wedding floral item. I recommend using a few expensive blooms to show off your bouquet.

Please feel free to browse through the Wedding Flower Inspiration gallery to view recent weddings.

Please read my tips for preparing for a wedding flower consultation.