About Wedding Flowers
- Laura King
- Mar 19
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 27
Wow, Wedding flowers, that's a lot to think about, and its only one of the things to get sorted when your planning your wedding. When covering a wedding, the florist is often present in the background for much of the event so I've been fortunate to be at a lot of weddings in Rangiora and North Canterbury. I've been asked all sorts of questions over the years about wedding flowers so I thought I'd write down some popular arrangements and bouquets that get asked for in case that helps anyone who's starting to think about wedding flowers. Its not a script because everyone is different, have their own wants, needs and style, you should be confident bringing these to your florist.
Lets get into it then The Ceremony
Aisle There's usually an aisle that the Bridal party walk down. Some classic ways of framing an aisle can be simply with small posy arrangements in wee vases at the end of seating or more elaborately with shepherds hooks holding vases of flowers. The whole aisle itself can be covered in rose petals. Posy arrangements can be made a few days before and refrigerated.
Archways
Sometimes at the end of the aisle there's an archway for the bride and groom to exchange vows. An archway can be completely covered in flowers and greenery leading to the ground with arrangements in front of each pillar, or partially decorated, maybe a top corner only. The greenery and flowers are prepared and conditioned offsite a couple of days before hand and then refrigerated ready for transport and installation on the morning of the wedding. Lots of wire and zip ties are always on hand here.
Plinth /Tiered Plinth A single plinth or series of tiered plinths can be a substitute for an archway. Each plinth has a balanced flower arrangement matched to the other and the wedding theme. These can be made a few days ahead of time and refrigerated to be transported and placed on the day.
The Wedding Party
The Wedding Party have some traditionally worn items to consider. The Bridal Party in particular tends to set the theme for the wedding.
The Bride The Bride often holds a bridal bouquet during the ceremony which can be, but isn't necessarily, the same bouquet the bride throws later. I tend to make this the morning of the wedding or the day before but they can be made up to two days before with good refrigeration for storing. Sometimes a bride may ask for a flower comb made and ready for the hairdresser or maybe a flower crown.
Bride's Maids Bouquets These could be smaller versions of the Bridal Bouquet but they may be different flowers or styles that matches the bridal party. I usually make these at the same time as the Bridal Bouquet.
Flower Girl Basket or Posy A classic basket with flowers or a cute posy are favourite's here. The flower girl could have a little flower crown that gets gently placed on them just before the ceremony.
Groom's Boutonniere (button hole)
These wired arrangements could be as minimalist as a single rose but also a larger feature. It's typically worn on the left hand lapel and I recommend leaving it till the last minute to put on due to body heat and nervously playful groomsmen damage. Boutonnieres will be one of the last things a florist makes because they're not kept in water, sometimes they're made the morning of the wedding. The Grooms boutonniere is usually accented from their groomsmen with a special feature.
Groomsmen Boutonniere's
These are usually a toned down version of the Groom's boutonniere.
Parents/Family/Special People
Wrist or shoulder corsages are popular for the special ladies in the couples life. These can be designed to colour co-ordinate with outfits. Boutonniere's are made for the couples special men.
The Reception
Welcome Entrance Flowers
Usually matching colour theme of wedding as a whole. To be economical these can be repurposed from the ceremony where the florist quickly moves and re-arranges installations from the ceremony to the reception.
Table Settings
Always matching the weddings theme these can go from large extravagant tall arrangements to simple bud vases with one to three flowers each on each table. . The Head Table stands out from the rest. It could be a lower standing arrangement placed on the table stretching the span of and draping over the front. Or Maybe and especially if the table is elevated, arrangements starting from the floor placed in front of the head table. Economically the focus could be narrowed to just the bride and groom. Table arrangements can be made a few days in in advance and then kept refrigerated
Cake Flowers
Often these are a topper for the cake and the cake is designed with their placement. In my experience the cake designer places the flowers, generally not the florist, they will sometimes want these the day before the ceremony. The Cake Designer is eminent here. The florist mainly needs to remember to order extra flowers for the cake designer to work with.
Bar Flowers
Flowers are designed to make an impression so we want them to be where the people are. The Bar gets a lot of foot traffic making it a worthy setting for flowers. A nice wee vase of flowers on the side of the bar or a nice arrangement, maybe re-purposed from the ceremony, can go a long way. Much depends on the size of the Bar and room.
Throw Bouquet
So you don't want to throw your elaborate bridal bouquet? I don't blame you, especially when most designs of a bridal bouquets aren't practical for throwing. So we make a throwing bouquet that looks the part but is much cheaper, and suitable for throwing straight to the most inappropriate person in the group.
The DIY Question
Wedding Flowers are a lot of money, no argument, so DIY always comes up as an option. Of course I'm biased but also I've been lucky enough to have supplied a lot of weddings so know how much work goes on behind the scenes. I've definitely seen some great DIY weddings that really matched the couples wants and personalities. These successes generally required less in the way of flowers and there was often someone in the family or bridal party with floral experience that could lead.
In saying that, largely what I've seen is the wedding party getting flustered trying to order the flowers for delivery and preparation in time. Stressed and working late nights on flowers right up up till, and including, the night before. Difficulty enjoying the moment because on the day the group is working out placement & installation then movements and fix ups during the ceremony, reception, and pack downs. Then there's worry about weather and storage as most people don't have the specialised refrigeration space needed to protect flowers from the hot North Canterbury summers. This is considering there are no supply chain issues requiring last minute changes to suppliers or substitutions to flowers.
DIY can definitely be done successfully. It's best to make an honest assessment to what you can reasonably do yourself with friends, or with family against the myriad of competing priority's coming up to, and on, the day. Know that some florists shut their wider operations days before a wedding just to get it done right. That's how encompassing it can be.
Final Tips
When thinking of styles & themes, start with the Bridal Party. This can help set an overall theme.
Keep those searches on Pinterest and social media handy and take them when you go to see your florist. Remember however that a lot of flowers are seasonal and the date of your wedding will impact what's locally available.
Try to be realistic about what you can afford versus your ideal. If you cant afford your ideal then look for what your florist can come up with that might give a similar impression.
Make sure you gel with your florist, your happiness with the flowers will also come from your experience throughout.
If you need some advice and pricing contact me on 027 405 2100 or fill out the Wedding Consultation Form Here. That's me for another Blog. Thanks for reading, I hope there's something in there that helps.
Laura
Laura King Flowers
Florist for Rangiora & North Canterbury
