There are never too many flowers at a wedding - it’s a fact. Flower Power Rules!

But beware, before you start heading off to the nearest flower market, unless you’re actually a florist or have previous expertise in such matters, don’t do the flowers yourself. It’s also a massive responsibility to ask a relative or a friend to do them. There are so many places your wedding would benefit from having pretty petals, if you add up all the locations - you really won’t have time.

A quick checklist is as follows:

Church Flowers
• Large, standing floral arrangements for either side of the altar
• Pew ends
• Church windowsill arrangements
• Flower arch over the church entrance
• Lectern flowers
• Any other areas that are highly visible

Reception Venue Flowers
• Top table flowers
• Centre-pieces for each guest table
• Cake table flowers
• Gift table flowers
• Large arrangements for entrance / drinks areas / either side of top table etc.
• Any other areas that are highly visible

Other Flowers
• Bridal bouquet
• Second bridal bouquet (if you don’t want to throw your proper one)
• Bridesmaid bouquets
• Buttonholes for groom, ushers, fathers, grandfathers
• Corsages for mothers / grandmothers
• Thank you bouquets for mothers etc. (to give during the speeches)
• Flowers for the wedding cars

…and this list is by no means exhaustive! But fear not, there are some cunning tricks of the trade that can keep the costs down. For example, if you want highly elaborate, arty flowers for your bouquets or at your reception venue and have already found a dream floral artist to create the stunning pieces - don’t think you also have to book them to decorate the church. A local florist will be much cheaper and to be honest arty flowers can get a little bit wasted in a church. Church flowers benefit from being big and beautiful rather than intricate or overly detailed pieces that can get ‘lost’ in such large spaces. It’s also nowadays a bit of a no-no to remove the flowers after the ceremony and take them with you to your reception venue. You’re only in church for an hour or so and most eyes will actually be on you. It’s much better to spend more on the table centre-pieces that your guests will be admiring all evening.

Also don’t be talked in to getting specially ‘flown in’ stems unless you’ve got the budget. Nowadays, there is a plethora or flora readily available so unless you’re adamant you want those rare orchids from tropical East Africa, go for what’s in season. Your bank account will thank you for it.

It’s also important to work with your florist. Tell them your budget at the outset as you don’t want to be tempted by things that are simply too expensive or out of your reach. Also be clear on your colour scheme or any other ideas you may have. Ask your dress shop for a sample of your dress / the bridesmaids’ dress material or ushers waistcoats and give this to your florist, so they can see your exact colour scheme.

You can also save hard earned pennies by helping yourself. For example if your theme is shocking pink flowers and feathers, can you source or dye the feathers yourself (this can be done months in advance) to include in your table decorations and bouquets? Or if you want your centre-pieces to incorporate your colour scheme, have you thought about sourcing a large sample of the bridesmaid dress fabric or matching ribbon to use in the designs? A brick covered with matching fabric at the bottom of a glass vase filled with flora is inexpensive and looks fantastic. The more you can source yourself, the more you will save.

But also be open to advice from your florist and learn from their knowledge and wisdom. Ask to see photos of previous weddings they have done and ask them what they suggest. They are the experts and will have loads of exciting ideas that you may not have thought of.

Most weddings today are truly elaborate affairs, in which flowers play a major part. Gone are the days when brides held a bouquet of posies picked from their parents’ garden. Flower power is now supreme with many brides also incorporating diamonds, pearls, feathers, arty twigs, lights, baubles, ribbons, lace, glitter, candles, model butterflies, fruit or glass beads in with their arrangements and bouquets – a theme they follow throughout their wedding.

Nothing is too quirky, nothing is too crazy and nothing is forbidden. Go wild with your wedding flowers and think outside the bunch!

Words by Claire Bullivant