Choosing your wedding florist, or any wedding vendor for that matter, can feel strangely personal. You want someone who will do a stunning job, but you also want it to feel easy and one less thing you have to chase and organise.
There is nothing worse than a personality clash or a florist who can’t articulate your vision back to you. The thing to remember here is that you’re not just hiring someone to supply flowers, you’re inviting someone into the creation of your wedding day.
So many brides approach this decision feeling unsure of what actually matters, beyond liking someone’s photos. There are a lot of brides out there who will spam 10+ florists in their area, trying to scope out the best deal…while also providing little context to what they actually want.
And I totally get it, if you’re a budget conscious bride, then making savings on your wedding flowers is at the top of your list. But what you’re missing out on is the deeper discussion with the right florist for YOU (free of charge I might add if they offer consultations) who can guide you to find wedding florals that suit your needs and ALSO your budget.
So what SHOULD you do to help narrow down your wedding florist?
This guide is here to bring you some clarity so you can make the right choice. Not every florist is going to be your cup of tea, and your wedding might not be aligned to the strengths of the florist.
Let’s get into it.
Start with how you want to feel, not what you want to copy.
I see this all the time, but one of the most common mistakes brides make is starting off with a list of flowers or a Pinterest board, rather than a feeling.
I know, you’ve been curating that thing since you got a whiff that an engagement ring was coming down the pipeline, but the flower story needs to make sense from the beginning.
When I was getting married (prior to becoming a florist) my Pinterest board looked like a pirate’s wedding had taken place in a barnyard. I was just throwing ideas at it left, right and centre without stopping to consider how I wanted the day to FEEL.
I have seen many a Pinterest board with conflicting feelings. Dramatic goth in one picture and soft romance in another.
Starting out a conversation with a florist when you first haven’t wrapped your head around how you want it all to cohesively feel can cause a lot of confusion for both parties. A Pinterest board dump isn’t going to get you the end result you’re paying for.
So, before reaching out to any florist, ask yourself:
How do I want the day to FEEL.
- Relaxed or dramatic?
- Abundant or restrained?
- Highly styled or flowing and natural?
- Trendy and instagram worthy
- Like an intimate dinner party
I can 100% guarantee that if you don’t know your wedding vibe, it’s one of the first things a florist will ask you. It’s always best to come prepared so your not wasting your time with “I’ll come back to you” and just adds another THING to the list of things.
A good florist will listen to what you have to say and translate it into design.
Flowers are feelings.
What experience actually means in wedding floristry.
A lot of brides think they need THE most experienced florist to work their wedding or nothing will turn out right.
Experience isn’t just about how long someone has been working in the industry for, or how many followers they have. It’s about what they’ve handled.
An experienced wedding florist knows how to:
- Design for unpredictable weather if you’re having an outdoor ceremony/reception
- Adjust when flowers arrive differently than expected
- Work within venue constraints
- Solve problems without involving you in every single little detail
- Create calm on a day where timing matters
- Have relationships with local growers to get you the freshest flowers possible
This kind of experience rarely shows up in highlight photos .
How do you know if you’re getting an ‘experienced’ florist? It’s in the questions they will be asking you. Things like:
- What moments matter most visually for you — ceremony, aisle, tables, or entrances?
- How open are you to flexible flower choices if conditions are extreme (heat, wind, rain)?
- If something needs adjusting to make it look better in the space, are you comfortable with me making that call?
How to read a florist’s portfolio properly.
When you’re looking at a florist’s work, try to look past individual arrangements and look at the portfolio as a whole. You’ll find that each florist has their own individual style. This is the style your flowers will shine in.
For example, a florist who has a garden style aesthetic, will not likely be the best fit if you want a modern, sparse and structured look.
So when you’re looking at their portfolio, look for:
- Consistency of style
- Use of space and restraint
- How their work sits within different venues
Ask yourself not “Do I love this exact look?” but “Do I trust this florist’s eye?” and (going back to the homework at the beginning) does this suit the feeling I’m after for my wedding.
Communication is key.
The partnership between you and your wedding florist is collaborative.
You don’t need (and want tbh) a florist who says yes to everything — you need one who can explain why something will or won’t work, kindly and clearly.
Pay attention to:
- How your questions are answered
- Whether you feel rushed or supported
- If they simplify things rather than complicate them
Feeling understood is just as important as liking the designs.
The right florist won’t make you feel like you need to know more.
They’ll meet you where you are, answer your questions with a lot of detail and ask a lot of their own.
To recap: Before you choose your wedding florist
1. Zone in on how you want the day to feel
2. Take note of the questions they are asking you about your florals
3. Study their portfolio with a discerning eye
4. Vibe check their communication
