Wedding Flower Basics: What You Need to Know

If you’re just starting to plan your wedding, the flower side of things might feel like a total mystery. How many arrangements do you need? What’s “normal”? How do you keep it from spiraling into something totally out of budget?

Good news: you don’t need to know every flower name or come in with a complete vision to get something beautiful. You just need the basics—and a florist you trust. Let’s break it all down.

1. The Big 3: What Most Couples Choose

There’s no one-size-fits-all flower plan, but most weddings include these three categories:

Bouquets: These are the ones you hold—like the bridal bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, or personal flowers for anyone walking down the aisle. They're often the most photographed flowers of the day.

Personal Flowers: Think boutonnieres for the groom, groomsmen, or parents. Maybe corsages for grandmothers, flower crowns for flower girls, or a sweet bloom for your dog’s collar. These little touches add up and help tie everyone into the overall look.

Ceremony Decor: Whether you're getting married under a floral arch, in front of a fireplace, or beneath a chuppah, flowers help define the space. Common choices include arch or arbor arrangements, aisle markers, and floral accents on welcome signs.

2. Reception Must-Haves (and Nice-to-Haves)

Your reception flowers depend on your guest count, layout, and style—but here are a few common pieces:

Centerpieces: Usually one per guest table. They can be lush and dramatic or minimal and modern. Talk to your florist about mixing heights or styles to add visual interest.

Sweetheart or Head Table Flowers: Since this is where you’ll be sitting, it's often dressed up with extra flowers, greenery, or statement arrangements.

Accent Florals: A few small arrangements can go a long way on things like the bar, dessert or cake table, guestbook or gift table, lounge areas or photo ops

3. Know Your Season (and Why It Matters)

Not every flower is available all year—and when it is, prices fluctuate. Choosing flowers that are in season locally means better quality, more sustainable and packs a punch in your aesthetic.
Some examples:

• Peonies – late spring
  
  

• Dahlias – early fall
  
  

• Tulips – spring
  
  

If your dream flower isn’t available, your florist can suggest lookalike alternatives that match your vibe and stay within budget.

4. Be Honest About Your Budget

Wedding flowers typically make up 10–15% of your total wedding budget—but that range can shift depending on what matters most to you.

Things that affect floral pricing:

• Flower type (peonies and orchids cost more than carnations or mums)
  
  

• Guest count (more tables = more centerpieces)
  
  

• Labor (setups, installations, takedown, travel)
  
  

• Whether or not you can repurpose ceremony florals for the reception
  
  

Tip: Instead of saying “we want this exact Pinterest bouquet,” try saying “we love a romantic, gardeny look in blush and mauve—can you help us stay around $X?” That gives your florist more room to create magic within your means.

5. Pinterest vs. Real Life: What to Expect

Pinterest and Instagram are amazing for inspiration—but not always reality.

Here’s why:

• Styled shoots often have unlimited budgets and artificial timelines
  
  

• Lighting, editing, and filters can drastically change how flowers look
  
  

• Exact replicas aren’t always possible—or practical—especially for your season or location
  
  

Instead, bring your vibe to the table and let your florist interpret it through flowers that work beautifully for your day.

6. Final Tips from a Florist

Here are a few more quick tips we always share with couples:

• Start with your venue + vibe. Your location and aesthetic shape everything—from flower choices to scale.
  
  

• Repurpose whenever possible. Ceremony flowers can often be moved to the reception to get more bang for your buck.
  
  

• Trust the process. You don’t have to know every flower or design term. Give us your vision, your priorities, and your trust—and we’ll take it from there.
  
  

Flowers You Love, Without the Stress

You don’t need to be a flower expert to have stunning wedding florals. All you need is a clear vision for the vibe you want, a general idea of your budget, and a florist who gets you.

With a little planning and a lot of creativity, your flowers will be more than just beautiful—they’ll be meaningful.

Talk soon,

Nicole