How to find the right wedding & event florist - and why they do more than just flowers!
“A florist does more than just flowers - they bring your wedding or event vision to life with expert styling and seamless setup. Discover how to choose the right florist who can handle both florals and finer details for a beautifully cohesive celebration.”
When planning a wedding or event, flowers are often one of the most defining visual elements. They set the tone, enhance the atmosphere, and bring personality to your celebration. But finding the right florist is about more than just selecting someone who can arrange beautiful blooms - its about choosing a designer who understands the full vision of your day, including styling details that tie everything together seamlessly.
Discover your floral style - or let your florist guide you
Not every couple has a fully formed floral vision - and that’s absolutely fine! A great florist doesn’t just execute ideas; they’ll help you refine your inspiration and gather all your ideas to create a cohesive look - bringing them to life with artistry and expertise.
A few things to consider before you arrange consultations:
Your bridal look - your gown often sets the tone for the day - romantic, contemporary, bohemian, or classic - this often helps to shape the floral design.
Bridesmaid dresses & colour palette - If you are having bridesmaids then their dress colour often sets the colour theme, so having these or an idea of what you are thinking is very helpful.
Venue ambience - consider how florals will work with your chosen space. A castle may suit timeless classic styled arrangements, while a barn or outdoor setting might lend itself to loose, natural designs.
Whether you have a clear vision or need guidance, your florist will help you shape the perfect aesthetic for your wedding.
Set a realistic budget
Understanding your budget will help guide your discussions with florists and ensure they can tailor their service to your needs. Flowers are one of the key elements that bring your wedding to life - right along side your venue, photographer and, outfits. They shouldn’t be a last minute afterthought. Setting aside a budget for your florals early ensures they enhance your day beautifully and feature in your photographs for years to come.
Research average costs - Floristry is an investment, and pricing varies based on the type of flowers, seasonality and scale of design. A general guide is to allocate at least 10-15% of your total budget to flowers, or more if want your florals to play a significant role in the décor such as floral arches and backdrops.
Prioritise your needs - Decide which floral elements are most important to you, whether it’s a statement backdrop, grand staircase installation, or tablescape styling. If the budget is tight, there are ways to maximise impact - like repurposing ceremony arrangements for the reception or incorporating non-floral elements.
Pinterest vs reality - Pinterest is an incredible tool gathering inspiration, and I love using it with couples to refine ideas. But it’s important to remember that many of the images you see come from high-budget weddings or styled editorial shoots, where cost isn’t a limiting factor. A good florist will help interpret your inspiration into something achievable within your budget while still creating a stunning impact.
Be mindful of small extras - Its easy to get caught up in the little details like personalised favours or flip-flops for the dancefloor, but these extras can quickly eat into your budget. If flowers are a priority, factor them in early to avoid last minute compromises.
A professional florist will work with your budget to maximise impact while ensuring high-quality results.
Start your search early
Florists calendars fill up quickly, especially during peak wedding seasons.
Begin early - ideally, start your search 11 to 12 months before your wedding.
Schedule consultations - book initial chats with potential florists around 9 - 10 months in advance to discuss your vision and their availability.
By securing your florist early, you’ll have time to refine ideas and make the most of their expertise.
Understand the role of a florist - it’s more than flowers!
When couples think of florists, they often imagine bouquets, buttonholes, and table arrangements. But in reality, florists play a much bigger role in the event styling than many realise.
Florists who specialise in weddings and events don’t just drop off flowers - they curate the overall aesthetic of your day, ensuring that every detail looks cohesive and polished. This often includes:
▪️Tablescape styling - beyond flowers, florists may provide candles, votives, vases and even small decorative elements to enhance your reception tables.
▪️Ceremony & aisle décor - From floral arches to delicate aisle posies, many florists take care of full ceremony aesthetic, ensuring a seamless transition into the reception.
▪️Venue enhancements - some florists have an inventory of vases, candelabras, urns and decorative stands that can be incorporated into your design, saving you the hassle of sourcing these separately.
▪️Collaborating with other suppliers - If you need additional styling elements like charger plates, table linens, or custom signage, your florist may have trusted contacts to bring these final details together effortlessly.
Finding the right florist: Style vs Skill
Its often said every florist has their own signature style, but a true floral designer is skilled in far more than just a particular “look."
A highly trained florist understands composition, mechanics and the technical aspects of floral design - enabling them to create everything from structured, contemporary pieces to lush, organic designs. It goes beyond simply arranging flowers; it’s about knowing how different blooms interact, how they will last in specific designs, and how to craft installations that are both stunning and structurally sound.
Key takeaway: When choosing a florist, look beyond aesthetic trends. A skilled professional should be able to adapt their work to suit your vision, not have just a single signature style. Whether you’re drawn to modern minimalism, romantic wildness, or timeless elegance, an experienced florist can design to suit your needs while ensuring the flowers are arranged using proper techniques for longevity and impact.
Ask the right questions & evaluate proposals
Once you’ve narrowed down your list of florists, reach out for a consultation. Some key questions to ask include:
▪️What is included in your floral services? Do they provide setup and styling, or do they only deliver the arrangements?
▪️Do you offer any additional styling items? If you’re looking for candles, vases, or table décor, ask if they have an inventory available for hire.
▪️How do you work with other suppliers? If you’re using a wedding planner or venue stylist, a great florist will collaborate with them to ensure everything flows seamlessly.
▪️What’s your approach to on-the-day setup? Will they personally oversee the installation and final details.
Reviewing proposals:
Once you’ve met with potential florists and received proposals, take time to review them carefully. Consider not just the cost, but what’s included in the service - such as delivery, set-up, breakdown . Compare offerings, asses value, and ultimately trust your instincts when making the final decision.
Understand the difference between floristry & full event styling
The term “styling” gets used a lot in the wedding & event world, and can mean different things depending on who you are speaking to.
▪️A florist-stylist (like me) focuses on floral styling - creating a cohesive look with flowers, vases, candlelight, and key decorative elements. I ensure everything is set up beautifully, from the ceremony to the reception, with careful attention to every floral and decorative detail.
▪️A full event stylist, on the other hand, is more like an interior designer for your wedding. They craft the entire visual concept and bring in a range of suppliers including florists, lighting specialists, and furniture hire companies - to achieve the final look.
▪️A full event planner, is your logistic expert. They coordinate and manage every detail, from securing the perfect venue to handling budgets, timelines, supplier contracts, invitations, table plans, and guest coordination. Their job is to ensure your entire day runs seamlessly. However, while they oversea the design concept they don’t usually style the event themselves. That being said, there are few that can do everything and if you need a contact I can put you in touch with one of the best in Scotland.
If you need simple styling additions - such as curated tablescapes with candles, vases and floral accents, many florists - including myself - offer these services as part of their floral design. But if you are looking for a complete venue transformation, a full wedding planner or wedding stylist may be the best option to manage multiple elements.
Simplify your supplier list
One of the biggest advantages of choosing a florist who also offers styling elements is that it streamlines your planning process. Instead of working with multiple suppliers for florals, candles, and decorative details, you can consolidate there under one expert who ensures everything is cohesive.
Additionally, some venues offer styling and add-ons, such as linens, chairs, or tableware, which may already complement the overall aesthetic you’re aiming for. A great florist will help you navigate what’s included and what’s worth sourcing.
Final thoughts
Flowers are the heart of any beautifully designed event - but choosing the right florist means considering the full picture, including the styling details that elevate your space. Whether you’re dreaming of an intimate wedding, a large-scale celebration, or a polished corporate event, your florist should be someone who understands your vision, brings creativity to the process, and ensures every detail is executed flawlessly.
If you are looking for floral design and styling that goes beyond just flowers, I’d love to chat about your vision and how I can help bring it all to life. Get in touch to start planning your event today.