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Planning your wedding flowers is one of the most exciting parts of the design process, but it can also feel a little overwhelming. From bouquets and aisle arrangements to reception decor, there are so many ways to incorporate florals into your day. Whether you’re hiring a florist, going the DIY route, or exploring faux options, we’re breaking down everything you need to know.
There are so many beautiful types of flowers and endless ways to incorporate them into your wedding day. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular options!
Personal Florals
These are the pieces you and your wedding party wear or carry. This includes bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids, boutonnieres, corsages, and even flower crowns!
Aisle Florals
You can add arrangements to the front and back of the aisle, as well as smaller pieces at the ends of pews or chairs. Typically, the florals at the front and back of the aisle are larger, while the ones on the pews or chairs are more minimal.
Pro Tip:
Check with your venue! Every location has its own rules, and it’s important to make sure your floral plans align with them. For example, many indoor venues don’t allow real flower petals to be scattered down the aisle—so always double-check before deciding.
Religious or Sentimental Elements
Consider any faith-based or meaningful traditions you want to include. This could be a rose for Mary in a Catholic ceremony or incorporating florals into a unity ritual. These small additions can make your ceremony feel even more personal and significant.
Table Arrangements
Cocktail hour tends to be a bit simpler, but if you have tables or lounge areas for guests to gather, adding a small floral arrangement can elevate the space beautifully.
Decor & Signage
If you’re planning to include a welcome sign or any signage during cocktail hour, consider whether you want to dress it up with florals. Even a small touch can make the area feel more cohesive and inviting.
Table Decor
Consider the types of florals you want on each table, and whether you want them to vary. From your head table to your king’s table to your guest tables, think about the overall style, size, and arrangement of the decor and flowers you’d like to feature.
Cake Florals
These are often overlooked, but they can be so pretty! Think about any florals you’d like incorporated into or around your cake.
We love flowers—but it’s always helpful to understand the different types and the styles they naturally fit into. Here’s a quick guide to some common floral categories and the blooms often associated with them.
Soft, timeless, and perfect for traditional or elegant weddings:
Sleek, polished flowers that bring a refined feel:
Pro Tip:
Tulips are a super popular choice—especially in the Chicago and Chicago suburbs area during wedding season. However, they’re very delicate! If tulips are the star of your bouquet, consider having a few backup stems on hand in case some wilt or get damaged.
Perfect for airy, organic, or free-spirited designs:
Ideal for outdoor, countryside, or earthy wedding aesthetics:
Beautiful options that are typically most affordable and freshest in season:
If you’ve been following along with our Marryment Budget Planner, we typically recommend allocating 7-15% of your overall budget to florals. However, this number can look very different for each couple.
If florals are one of your top priorities, expect to land closer to that 15% range. But if you’re taking a more minimal or DIY approach, your floral budget will naturally be much smaller.
Pro Tip:
One amazing (and surprisingly common!) trick we see is to reuse your flowers. For example, you can have extra empty vases on your reception tables, and after the ceremony, your bridesmaids can place their bouquets into those vases to create instant centerpieces. It’s a meaningful, sustainable, and budget-friendly way to get the most out of your florals!
When you’re searching for floral inspiration, one of the biggest things we recommend is paying attention to the language used in the posts you’re saving. We all have that one Pinterest board where we pin everything, but that can make it easy to lose track of what vibe you actually lean toward.
Take a moment to scroll through your saved pins and notice the words and descriptions that keep popping up. They’ll help you get a clearer sense of your style.
Keep in Mind:
We love Pinterest. A solid inspo board is a planner’s dream. However, remember that AI-generated images are everywhere now. It’s easy to save a photo that looks real, only to find out later that it’s not something that can actually be created in real life. To avoid disappointment, set realistic expectations and always ask your florist for their feedback on whether a design is achievable.
Another way to simplify your planning process? Have your color palette ready! When meeting with your florist or planner, bringing swatches of outfits, fabrics, and colors can make it so much easier for everyone to visualize and design your florals accurately.
Dry Your Bouquets Before Photos
Your bouquets will almost always arrive sitting in water. Before the ceremony or portraits, make sure you have paper towels on hand! Gently pat the stems dry so no one ends up with water spots on their dress or suit.
Use Your Bouquet as a Hidden Storage Spot
Your bouquet can double as a tiny, secret purse! If you want tissues or Q-tips with you during the ceremony but don’t have pockets, roll them up tightly and tuck them into the bouquet. No one will ever know—but you’ll be glad you have them if emotions run high.
Be Intentional About When Your Bouquet Goes Outside
If you’re getting married in the summer (or anywhere warm), remember that petals can start to wilt quickly. Be mindful about when you take your bouquet outdoors to keep it looking its freshest for photos and key moments.
Pro Tip:
Keep a small emergency kit on hand with floral tape and extra ribbon. You never know what might come loose or need a quick fix, and having these items nearby can save the day!
Flowers play a big role in setting the feel of your wedding! Focus on what works for you, plan realistically with your florist, and enjoy the process.
And don’t forget - stop and smell the roses!
For more tips and tricks, tune into the full episode of 52 ‘Til I Do on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Have more wedding floral related questions? Send us a message at hello@marryment.com or get in touch on our social media—we love helping couples navigate this part of wedding planning!
Photo Credit to JNA Visuals
Marryment proudly serves couples all across Chicago and the surrounding Chicago Suburbs including popular areas such as Schaumburg, Elmhurst, Naperville, Evanston, Joliet, Oak Park, Skokie, Barrington, Downers Grove and Northbrook, to name a few. We also love destination weddings. We'd love to be a part of your wedding day! Schedule your free planning call with us today.
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