How to Hire the Right Wedding Florist to Suit Your Floral Style

Hold the baby’s breath and filler flowers; look no further than a skilled florist for sophisticated and stylish arrangements

Even if you plan to create and arrange your own wedding flowers, consulting with a florist first is still a good idea. A florist’s first-hand knowledge and years of experience can prove extremely useful, ensuring you don’t overlook small but important details and that your floral scheme matches your wedding style.

Don’t know the first thing about hiring a florist? Follow these steps in this article on finding and hiring a wedding florist, and you will be sure to find the florist that suits you.

What are some of the most affordable wedding flowers?

Your floral budget can certainly run the gauntlet. On average you should expect to spend about 8-10% of your overall wedding budget on the flowers. While this is a good estimate, you can modify many floral elements to determine the actual amount you will spend on your wedding flowers. Factors such as the types of flowers you choose, whether or not they are in season in your area, and the number, size and complexity of the arrangements,all influence your final cost estimate.

Some flowers tend to be moderately priced -they are:

Orange Blossoms
Lavender
Daffodil
Daisies
Chrysanthemum
Carnations
Roses (due to huge variance in kind, quality, and color)
Greenery – such as ivy

On the other hand, these flowers tend to be expensive:

Lily of the Valley
Calla Lily
Orchids
Magnolias
Peonies
Gardenia
Hydrangea

Get more tips on how much wedding flowers cost

Wedding Flowers Ideas for Every Season

Take a cue from the seasons with these inspiring wedding flowers ideas for every season...

Winter Wedding Flowers and Decor

Winter theme weddings can be uber chic and ethereal. Use these ideas to create your wonderland...

• Color palette - new-fallen snow - use whites and creams accented with silver or gold; winter sparkle - ice blue or navy accented with silver; black tie- black is especially suited for a winter wedding when paired with white, silver or gold.


• Go glam - deck your halls with crystal detailing for a sparkling winter effect- adorning linens and chair covers or sprinkled over table tops. The result is deliciously glam and oh so fab.


• Liberal use of candle light - the glow will add warmth and elegance.


• Holiday theme - decorate with potted evergreens, pine branches, wreathes, poinsettias, ornaments, bells, or twinkling white lights.


• Added interest and texture - incorporate holiday greenery or tiny crystals into your arrangements.


• Creative bouquets - instead of flowers, carry tea lights, votive candles or cascading bells.


• Tossing alternative - have your flower girl throw silver glitter or sprinkle fake snow.
  

Winter Flowers In Season

• White stephanotis, poinsettia, holly, amaryllis, camellias, roses. View a complete list of seasonal winter wedding flowers
  

Spring Wedding Flowers and Decor

The tulips are blooming, the temperatures are rising - what a perfect time for a wedding! Get inspired with these ideas for spring flowers...

• Color palette - green and white - an elegant accompaniment to a garden setting; yellow and green -another fresh, natural color pairing; preppy - combine hot pink with green or mango (think polka dots and gingham); chocolate brown - this trendy hue works well for spring - pair with pale blue or pink.


• Go wild with patterns - create a playful effect - think gingham, polka dots, eyelet lace, swiss dots and stripes


• Add some greens - grasses and greenery are a natural for outdoor garden settings. Drape over arbors and incorporate in arrangements


• Creative containers - put your arrangements in simple, homespun containers like wicker baskets, watering cans, teapots, or urns.


• Potted plants - potted arrangements create a natural, organic look. Best of all, you can plant them for a timeless reminder of your wedding
  

Spring Flowers in Season

• Classics include tulips, daffodils, lilies (especially calla lilies and easter lilies), magnolias, gardenias, hydrangeas, gerbera daisies, apple or cherry blossoms. View a complete list of spring wedding flowers
  

Summer Wedding Flowers and Decor

Set the stage for a sunny summer wedding with vibrant colors and inspirations from the great outdoors...

• Color palette - bright and bold - hot pink and deep red or mango and fuschia; nautical - navy and white is a clean summer classic, accent with touches of yellow, red or gold; seaside - combine aqua with beige, peach or white


• Go casual - summer weddings lend themselves to a casual decor scheme - fitting of a backyard barbeque. Think checked table clothes, benches and picnic tables.


• Go natural - incorporate natural decor elements like fruits, vegetables, even insects (like ladybugs or dragonflies, not necessarily roaches!)


• Get lit - light up an outdoor evening reception with lanterns or torches.


• Fruits - fruits like lemons and limes look whimsical and chic when filled in tall clear vases


• For a beach look - incorporate shells, sand, and sea glass in your arrangements
  

Summer Flowers In Season

• Abundant flowers are always in style at a summer wedding. Use bright and cheerful blooms like sunflowers, peonies, hydrangea, mums, daisies, dahlias, zinnias, and roses. Or create a breezy, airy look with white on white - using roses, stephanotis, calla lilies, snowball mums and daisies - and incorporate a touch of blue - like blue hydrangea. View a complete list of summer wedding flowers
  

Fall Wedding Flowers and Decor

Get autumn-spiration with these flowers and decor ideas with a fall twist...

• Color palette - colors of the season - adhere to mother nature's fall color palette: reds, oranges, browns, rusts, and yellows; jewel tones - make a rich, interesting twist to the traditional autumn color scheme; mix with metallics - gold, copper, bronze - for added pizzazz


• Back to nature - use simple decor to subtly enhance the season's natural bounty. Use the autumn harvest for inspiration; think gourds, pumpkins, squash, gold dipped fall leaves, bales of hay, jugs of cider...you get the idea.


• Go fall glam - you're not confined to rustic and casual in the fall. Create a posh autumn ambiance, and drape lush velvet (a traditional fall/winter fabric) in a rich chocolate brown or gold throughout your reception space. Accent the scene with antique broaches, crystal candelabras and stemware.


• Autumn harvest - add pears, apples, cranberries to your arrangements


• Natural texture - incorporate leaves, acorns, sprays of wheat


• Creative containers - hollow out pumpkins or realistic fake ones, or use stained wooden boxes, terra cotta pots, or rustic lanterns


• Tossing alternative - have your flower girl toss leaves or acorns instead of flower petals
  

Fall Flowers in Season

• Popular fall flowers include montbretia, hypericum, mums, sunflowers, roses, and daisies. View a complete list of fall wedding flowers
  

Get even more ideas and advice to help you plan your wedding flowers

Wedding Flowers Budget - How Much Do Wedding Flowers Cost?

Your floral budget can certainly run the gauntlet. On average you should expect to spend about 8-10% of your overall wedding budget on the flowers. This will include the bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, and any ceremony and reception decor.

While this is a good estimate, you can modify many floral elements to determine the actual amount you will spend on your wedding flowers. Factors such as whether or not the flowers you choose are in season in your area, the number, size and complexity of the arrangements, and the location of the ceremony and reception all influence your final cost estimate.

You should already have an idea of your overall floral budget before meeting with your florist for the first time. That said, there are a number of ways to cut costs without cutting elegance and beauty.

Ways to Save on Wedding Flowers:

• Reduce the number of attendants in your wedding party. Less attendants means your florist will have to create fewer bouquets.


• Reduce the number of guests at your wedding. Fewer tables means fewer floral centerpieces.


• Choose in-season wedding flowers. They are often less expensive and easier to find. For a list of common flowers for each season, visit our wedding flowers by seasons guide.


• Choose a naturally beautiful location. A springtime wedding in a garden hardly needs additional floral arrangements, while an ornate church may be breathtaking on its own. Also consider that many facilities are decorated for the holidays, so holding a December wedding may provide you with gorgeous poinsettias and garland free of cost.


• Choose less complicated flowers. Certain flowers will run up of the cost of your floral budget no matter what season. Ask your florist to review your options with you.


1. Flowers that tend to be expensive: Lily of the Valley, Calla Lily, Orchids, Magnolias, Peonies, Gardenia and Hydrangea.
2. Flowers that tend to be moderately priced: Orange Blossoms, Lavender, Daffodil, Daisies, Chrysanthemum, Carnations, Roses (due to huge variance in kind, quality, and color) and Greenery, such as ivy


• Consider options other than floral arrangements for table centerpieces. Ask your florist for ideas. Scattered flower petals surrounded by votive candles create an elegant effect that won't maximize your floral budget. This wedding flowers and wedding decorations guide has a list of even more ideas for alternative arrangements.

Solar Powered Wedding Decorations

Add a bit of enchanted whimsy to your outdoor wedding decorations with these solar-powered glass balls. Inside each of these glass ornaments is a sprinkling of phosphorescent dust that glows from sundown into the evening. Hang the Fairydust Balls (no, we didn’t come up with the name) from tree branches for a little woodland magic; you can also hang them in a window or float them in a pond. They’ll begin to glow softly when the sun sets and will last for two to four hours. They require a full day of charging in direct sun, but they can be used again and again to enhance you new home’s patio or garden decor long after the wedding.

Learn more about these solar powered wedding decorations at the Unveiled Wedding Blog

Creative and Modern Ideas for Wedding Flowers

Your wedding flowers offer ample opportunity to stretch your creative muscles and add a bit of originality to your wedding day, so don't be afraid to design a floral scheme that bucks tradition. This list of favorite ideas for bridal bouquets, centerpieces, colors and other decorations is a great place to start designing a memorable decor scheme, and these may even inspire your own creations.

Play with Shape

Arrangements with a just-picked, unstructured look are replacing the tightly-bound bouquet and centerpiece shapes of previous seasons. Ensure a modern, not messy, look by choosing the right flowers. Hearty blooms like lilies, orchids, and amaranthus work well in looser arrangements because of the sleek shape of the individual blooms. Also consider incorporating nonfloral elements like feathers, berries, and crystals to add interest and depth and interest.

Get Into Navy

Sophisticated and classic navy is one of the hottest colors on the 2009 wedding palette, and many brides are daring to think beyond basic baby blue by incorporating the darker shade into their floral schemes. Naturally navy flowers may be hard to come by, but there are some options that are a close match: deep blue violets, thistles, and hydrangea are available in various shades of blue and indigo, while roses are a versatile bloom that can be dyed any color - including navy blue. Pair these bold navy blooms with white or ivory for a classic look, or yellow for a bright burst of color.

Think Beyond the Vase

Options abound beyond the basic floral vase for holding your flowers. Consider instead mixing and matching clusters of unique containers like wood buckets, mason jars, cans, pitchers, antique urns and uniquely shaped vases to add interest and reflect your wedding theme. Some ideas: Fill watering cans with wild flowers for a garden fete, or use apothecary jars filled with sand and sea glass to complement to a waterfront wedding.

Lighten Up

Candles, always a popular choice for centerpieces, are becoming even more popular as a budget and eco-friendly enhancement to traditional floral centerpieces. Ample candlelight lends the day a romantic, organic feel, while the natural resource saves electricity and drapes the setting with an intimate glow. Another way to enhance your arrangements with lighting and really make your centerpieces pop is through a technique called pinspotting. This advanced light design shines tiny beams of light from the ceiling to illuminate the center of each arrangement.

Get Stoned

Say good-bye to light pastels and muted shades, and seek inspiration from the baubles on your ears and wrist. Rich gemstone colors like amethyst, turquoise, and amber are hot on this year's wedding color palette. Accent these rich colors with soft sandy tones or grays instead of chocolate brown (so last year!)

Go Green

Going green is easy when it comes to wedding flowers. Consult Mother Nature for inspiration and bring the outdoors in. Natural objects like stones, leaves, pinecones, even twigs can add an organic aesthetic to your reception décor. Place in rustic containers or scatter amongst pillar candles for added ambiance.

Make it Personal

Further seeking to personalize their weddings, brides are using their wedding flowers to call out specific interests by incorporating unique items into bouquets and centerpieces and creating a conversation piece for guests. For instance, book worms can use intricately piled leather-bound books in place of floral centerpieces, and wine lovers can use wine bottles and decanters as centerpiece holders.

Get even more unique wedding ideas for flowers in this complete wedding flowers and wedding decorations resource.

Double Duty Wedding Flowers

Re-using ceremony arrangements at the reception can save money and reduce waste, but the logistics of removing and transporting cumbersome vases hinders many brides from putting the idea to practice. Answering the call are these stylishly-wrapped multifunctional paper flower pots that make it easy to invite ceremony wedding flowers to the reception.

Cathyswraps (TM) are versatile vase/wrap combos that can be hung from church pews or aisle chairs by punching a hole in the soft plastic and tying with a ribbon. The lightweight arrangements are easily untied post-ceremony and transported to the reception, either to be placed on tables as centerpieces, re-tied to chair backs, or even given away as wedding favors. Don’t fret if the plastic pots sound less than chic - the whimsical paper wraps stylize them in a variety of colors and patterns that can be customized to match any decor scheme.

Learn more about these reusable flower pots and get tons of other unique wedding ideas at the Unveiled Wedding Blog

Plan Your Wedding Flowers by Season

When it comes to wedding flowers - go with the season! Choose wedding flowers that bloom locally and naturally during the time of your wedding.

Although you can find most floral varieties all year, seasonal blooms are readily available, less expensive and often more durable. Select your wedding season from this flowers by season guide, and find out which flowers typically bloom during that time.

Once you have an idea of what blooms you would like to incorporate, this complete wedding flowers guide and photo gallery will walk you through the rest of the process with tons of inspiring ideas.

Top Trends for Wedding Flowers in 2009

Today´s brides are following the old adages, "less is more" and "use your imagination" The sayings may be cliche – but the latest trends in wedding flowers are anything but…

Daring Colors:
Gone are the days of adhering to light pastels and muted shades in wedding decorations. Today´s brides are opting for bold and interesting pairings of colors in their wedding flowers and floral schemes. Not afraid of mixing purples and orange´s, the post-millennium color palette is expanding.

More than Just Flowers:
Mix it up a bit by incorporating produce. One of the hot trends in wedding flowers is arrangements featuring fruits, herbs and even veggies as a playful and fun approach. Their naturally vibrant colors coincide with the daring color trend. Many brides are also turning to the woods for inspiration. Green grasses add dimension and structure and can elicit a warm, summery feeling. This list of unique wedding decorations has even more blossom-free arrangement ideas.

Dynamic Tables:
Table arrangements are also becoming more dynamic. Instead of conforming to identical floral arrangements on each table, some brides are using different containers, varying the heights, or grouping an assortment of low centerpieces together.

Keep it Simple:
Gone are the days of overpowering floral arrangements adorned with excess filler flowers. Today´s brides opt for a more natural and tailored look to their wedding flowers. One bouquet style rising in popularity is the hand tied bouquet. The fresh bunch of flowers presents the look of simple elegance that brides desire.

How Much do Wedding Flowers Cost?

Your floral budget can certainly run the gauntlet. On average you should expect to spend about 8-10% of your overall wedding budget on the flowers. This will include the bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, and any ceremony and reception decor.

While this is a good estimate, you can modify many floral elements to determine the actual amount you will spend on your wedding flowers. Factors such as whether or not your preferred blooms are flowers in season in your area, the number, size and complexity of the arrangements, and the location of the ceremony and reception all influence your final cost estimate.

You should already have an idea of your overall floral budget before meeting with your florist for the first time. That said, there are a number of ways to cut costs without cutting elegance and beauty.

Learn more about the average price of wedding flowers, and get some useful budgeting tips here.

What are the new trends in wedding flowers?

If you're looking to keep your floral and decor scheme fashionably forward, than you've undoubtedly spent some time searching for a list of what's hot in the world of wedding flowers. Well, here's your answer: Apparently today’s brides are following the old adages, “less is more” and “use your imagination.”

The sayings may be cliche – but the latest trends in wedding flowers are anything but. This article lists the top trends in wedding flowers.

For even more floral tips and advice, visit this complete guide to wedding flowers and wedding decorations.

5 Easy Steps to Planning your Wedding Flowers

Aside from the bouquet you spring for each Mother's Day, chances are you're a novice when it comes to flowers. However, now you are a bride-to-be planning your dream wedding, and suddenly you must make decisions on bouquets, boutonnieres, reception centerpieces and ceremony arrangements. Overwhelming? Yes. Fortunately, this guide will walk you through this process so you can enjoy planning your wedding flowers without wilting from the stress. Read through these useful tips on wedding flowers basics gathered from experts in the field.

And for more advice to help you plan your wedding flowers, this complete guide and photo gallery offers inspiring floral ideas and will walk you through the entire process

How to Hire the Right Wedding Florist

Hold the baby’s breath and filler flowers; look no further than a skilled florist for sophisticated and stylish arrangements

Even if you plan to create and arrange your own wedding flowers, consulting with a florist first is still a good idea. A florist’s first-hand knowledge and years of experience can prove extremely useful, ensuring you don’t overlook small but important details and that your floral scheme matches your wedding style.

Don’t know the first thing about hiring a florist? Follow these steps in this article on finding and hiring wedding florists, and you will be sure to find the florist that suits you.

How to Choose Your Wedding Colors

Your color scheme has the power to set the vibe for your wedding day - so you'll want to choose wisely. This article lists the top five determining factors in choosing your wedding colors

Unique Wedding Decorations and Alternatives to Flowers

So you're not a froofy floral arrangement kind of bride - that doesn't mean you can't still have a wedding décor scheme that wows. Think outside the proverbial flower box with this list of blossom-free ideas for wedding decorations.

Love Visually -

Build a structure consisting of a bunch of different ornate frames with photos of not only you and your fiancé, but also parents and grandparents whose marriages serve as inspiration for time-tested love.

The Food Pyramid

Fill cylindrical glass vases with fruits and vegetables reflecting your colors. Oranges, lemons, and limes have been done, so try a unique, more contemporary look with mangos or coconuts - or tie it to the season with texture-rich earthy vegetables like husked corn, acorn squash, or artichokes.

Outside Looking In -

Give your guests something to really look at with goldfish swimming in aesthetically shaped vases. Consider building interesting mantels or use other species like Siamese fighting fish or white clouds. For their sake, add the water and fish right before the reception and return them to a bigger tank before the party's over.

Au Natural -

Consult Mother Nature for inspiration, and bring the outdoors in. Natural objects like stones, leaves, pine cones, even twigs can add an organic aesthetic to your reception décor. Place in rustic containers or scatter amongst pillar candles for added ambiance. This idea will nicely complement a fall wedding theme.

A Library Look -

Stacks of books intricately piled can work in a number of different ways. For sophisticates, choose antique leather-bounds. For a more fun approach, use kitschy romance novels. Or, tie it to your wedding location - if beach-side, go with maritime classics like Moby Dick and The Old Man and the Sea.

Wine-O -

Wine bottles and decanters create interesting focal pieces. Turn a wine bottle into a "lamp" by filling it with candle oil and adding a wick. Decorate the base of the bottle with bunches of grapes.

This article offers even more unique ideas for wedding decorations. Or visit this complete guide to planning your wedding flowers and wedding decorations.

Weding Flowers - Tulips for Fall Wedding?

Q: I'm getting married in October and am interested in having tulips in my bouquet. Are tulips appropriate for a fall wedding? Are there any concerns I should be aware of with how they'll hold up?
-Linda-

A: Tulips are spring flowers, and not usually associated with Fall weddings. That said, weddings are really all about expressing your personality and style – so if you have your heart set on tulips – I say go for it!

Things to consider:
Realize that out of season blooms tend to be more difficult to find and therefore more expensive – so you should confirm with your florist right away about cost and availability.

Since the wedding is in the fall, you may want to stick away from pastel colored varieties and opt for bolder reds or deeper yellows instead.

Tulips are thirsty flowers – so make sure they have plenty of water if in a vase or that the floristry foam is well-wetted.

Tulips are also very sensitive to temperature. Try to keep them cool for as long as possible before the event, and don’t place the arrangements next to sources of heat – i.e. next to a heater, on the mantle above a fire, or in the direct sunlight.

Get even more ideas and advice for Planning a Fall Wedding at Elegala.com - Elegant Galas Made Simple
-Cori Russell - Style and Etiquette Editor

Find more advice to help you Plan Your Wedding Flowers at Elegala.com, Elegant Galas Made Simple

Wedding Colors - Must Ceremony and Reception Colors Match?

Q: Do the wedding colors and the reception colors have to match?
-Dorothy-

A: Your ceremony and reception colors to not have to necessarily match; however, they should coordinate or complement each other so that your wedding day has a complete feel. An easy way to do this is to have one or two colors featured at your wedding ceremony – then add a complementary color at your reception. For example - decorate your ceremony in shades of green and white, then add touches of brown (for an organic feel) or bright pink and orange (for a tropical feel) to the mix at your reception.

Remember also that the style and décor of your ceremony and reception sites should guide your color scheme decisions.

You can find a complete guide to choosing your wedding colors at Elegala.com - Elegant Galas Made Simple.
-Cori Russell - Style and Etiquette Editor

Wedding Flowers - What are the Least Expensive Flowers?

Q: I'm a bride on a budget; what are some inexpensive wedding flowers?
- Heather -

A: Although individual flower prices vary depending on location, season and your individual florist, certain blooms tend to be more moderately priced than others.

These are: Orange Blossoms, Lavender, Daffodil, Daisies, Chrysanthemum, Carnations, Roses (due to huge variance in kind, quality, and color) and Greenery – such as ivy.

On the other hand, flowers that tend to be expensive are: Lily of the Valley, Calla Lily, Orchids, Magnolias, Peonies, Gardenia and Hydrangea.

Regardless, in-season flowers are often less expensive and easier to find. You can find a list of common flowers for each season at the Elegala.com seasonal flower guide.

As always, you can ask your florist to review your options with you and determine which specific blooms will fit into your budget.
-Cori Russell - Style and Etiquette Editor

Browse hundreds of images of wedding flowers, bouquets, centerpieces, and wedding décor

Sometimes we brides just need a little inspiration when it comes to choosing our wedding flowers and decor. Thankfully, you can get tons of wedding flowers ideas with this interactive image search. While away the hours gazing at hundreds of stylish designs to find your Wedding Flowers, including Bridal Bouquets, Wedding Centerpices, Reception Decor and Ceremony Decor. You can even narrow your search by colors, blossoms and style.

Print the images you like and bring them to your florist to recreate. It doesn't get any easier than that!

Save on Wedding Flowers - Decorate for Impact

In decorating your event spaces, remember the importance your guests' first impressions as they enter your ceremony or reception settings. Brides often spend a lot of money on things that go largely unnoticed. If budget is a concern, first spend on areas that are the most noticeable - such as arrangements in the entrance way or candles on ledges, windowsills or walkways.

For more advice on planning your wedding day floral scheme, visit my complete wedding flowers and decor guide at Elegala.com - Elegant Galas Made Simple