How To Choose The Flowers For Your Wedding (or Special Event)

Imagine walking into the reception space of the last fabulous event you attended. If you’re anything like us, your eyes are immediately drawn to the flowers! From the scent to the color to the style of arrangement, there are many ways that florals can cultivate a feeling and set the tone for an event. Here at B Floral, we’re not just flower enthusiasts, we’re also professional event designers and florists. That’s why we can give you the scoop on exactly how to pick the right flowers for your next event with these six can’t-miss tips. The more you know, the more comfortable you’ll feel making every event planning decision, including the flowers needed for your wedding or special event. Refer back to this guide on how to choose your wedding flowers before meeting with your florist or better yet, get in touch with us for custom event and floral design.

How to Choose Your Event Flowers

Determine your budget for flowers and décor.

Before making any big decisions or even bookmarking inspiration on Pinterest, we strongly recommend setting a budget for each element of your event, including flowers and décor. Some pros (including us!) require a minimum spend for their services, so nailing down your budget for each line item is the best place to start when it comes to choosing the flowers for your wedding or special event. Event pros typically will want to know your budget upfront to create a custom proposal that fits your needs. When you’re building your budget, don't forget to account for extras, like event setup/breakdown charges and tax.

Get inspired and nail down your vision.

Ready, set, pin! Now it’s time to start scrolling, bookmarking and favoriting designs to create the inspo board that will shape your event. We love to ask clients for a link to their event Pinterest board because it’s one of the best ways for us to get a glimpse into how they imagine their event will come to life visually. Remember to be realistic and refer back to your budget as you’re pulling inspiration and saving designs. If you’re allocating a small amount of your overall event budget to florals, a custom ceremony arch dripping with flowers might not be feasible.

Lock in your floor plan and compile a list of all the arrangements you’ll need.

It’s almost impossible to move forward with picking the flowers for your wedding or special event without having your venue locked in. Why? Arrangements need somewhere to be placed! Without a firm grasp of your upcoming event’s floor plan and overall room dimensions, it’s almost impossible to know how many arrangements you might need and of what size. After you’ve determined your venue and guest count, compile a list of all the flower elements you’ll need for your event. Consider personal flowers (bouquets and boutonnieres), ceremony flowers (aisle arrangements, pedestal arrangements, arches and chuppahs), and other small floral details (flower girl petals and cake flowers).

Read: The Ultimate Wedding Flower Guide

Consider seasonality and availability.

Although many flowers are available at the same price year-round, certain varieties are only widely available during a certain time of year. If you have your heart set on a certain type of flower for your event, be sure to consult with your florist early on in the pricing estimate process. Some popular flowers for weddings, like dahlias and peonies, are only in season for a short period and will be much more expensive outside of that window. Your florist will be able to provide you with more information and suggest alternatives if the flowers you were hoping for are outside of your price range in the season your event falls.

Incorporate meaningful touches.

Looking to include a sentimental or meaningful touch in your wedding or special event? Use flowers! Consider using the type of flowers that grew in your grandmother’s garden, or incorporating the same types of flowers that your parents had at their wedding into your designs for a touching connection to your past. Flowers and plants also have unique meanings and symbolism recognized throughout history. A common example of this is mistletoe; everyone knows what it means to stand underneath a sprig! When it comes to event flowers, tapping into the symbolism of each bloom can be a fun project. Carnations’ and roses’ meanings change from color to color, and forget-me-nots stand for true love.

Get in touch with florists and designers in your area.

Your florist should be one of the first vendors you book after your venue—ideally, 8 to 12 months before your wedding. With so many gorgeous arrangements to plan, florists’ schedules fill up fast, especially during peak season (May–October). By securing one early, you'll avoid the rush and give them enough time to order any specialty blooms you may need.

When vetting potential florists, consider if you'd like more than just floral design. Do you need help styling the ceremony aisle, reception tables, or other décor (think candles, greenery, etc.)? If so, a florist with event design experience could be perfect, like B Floral.

Recap

We’ve covered a lot of ground in this guide to choosing your wedding flowers or special event flowers! At the end of the day, remember that the flowers you pick should bring joy and beauty to your event and should reflect your vision for the day. It’s all about you and your flower dreams coming to life.

Learning how to choose the flowers for your wedding or special event is no easy feat. Remember, you can always hire a professional to select, plan and design your event flowers to avoid stressful choices or decision-making throughout the process.

Partner With B Floral for Floral Event Design

B Floral is here to support all your floral event design and production needs. We don't just provide flower arrangements — we offer full-scale event design and production. Our expert team offers brand-focused event strategy, creative consultations, and comprehensive 360-degree event design. With our robust and attentive staff, we provide unparalleled service to bring your visions to life.

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Sarah Hooper