Quick Summary: Choosing Your Wedding Florist. Here's What Matters

Curate your colour palette and aesthetic 9-12 months ahead. Engage esteemed florists acquainted with your venue, review their real wedding portfolios, and ensure they delve deeply into your vision. Allocate £2,800–£6,300 for UK weddings, prioritising statement floral installations, such as, for example, grand ceremony floral arches, over uniform centrepieces.

Essential Steps

1. Define your vision: Colour palette, style, atmosphere (not specific flowers)
2. Set a realistic budget: Average £4,500; allocate where impact is highest
3. Evaluate expertise: Venue relationships, installation capability, team structure
4. Thorough consultation: Ask about seasonality, process, venue experience
5. Validate choice: Studio visit, review references, create samples

Before You Begin: Defining Your Vision

Before you contact a wedding florist, take the time to clarify what you want. This preparation makes your search for the right wedding florist more productive and helps identify florists who genuinely understand you and your vision.

Start with Colour, Not Flowers

• Most couples start by picking flowers. Instead, focus on a colour palette. Colour creates emotional impact and ties everything together.
• Choose two or three colours that complement your venue, dress, and the season.
• Your florist will use your palette to select optimal seasonal blooms. Focus on defining your desired colours.

Tell Your Florist the Story, Not Just the Style

Colour's the foundation. But you also need to describe what you're after:

• Are you drawn to soft, romantic textures?
• Do you prefer something sculptural and bold?
• Do you want arrangements that feel abundant, or would you rather they be refined and minimal?
• Is your ideal floral design 'loose and organic', or more structured?

These are essential details. If you describe your vision as "romantic," your florist may misinterpret. Individual interpretations of romance vary. Precise phrases like "soft textures, fluid lines, abundant yet unstructured" provide the clarity required to design what you are looking for, at the highest level.

Think about the overall formality, too. Wild garden style sits at one end. Elegant sophistication at the other. Where do you land?

Don't Just Look at Wedding Photos

Most people get wedding inspiration from blogs and Pinterest, making everything look similar over time.

Fashion editorials are often better. Interior magazines. Art books. Even travel photography, if something about the colours or mood speaks to you. These references tend to be more original because they haven't already been filtered through the wedding industry.

Great wedding florists see what you're drawn to, even if you can't articulate it. Show them a photo from Vogue, an interior you love, a painting that captures a feeling. They'll understand what you mean better than another wedding mood board that looks like everyone else's.

Collect 10 to 15 images that capture what you're drawn to. Include non-floral references if they convey the feeling you want. The right wedding florist worth hiring will see the connections you might not articulate verbally.

Key takeaway: Be specific about colour, style, and atmosphere. This clarity helps understand what you want, saving time and money.

Setting Your Budget Intelligently

Wedding flowers cost more than most people expect. Not because florists are overcharging, but because there's more involved than buying blooms and arranging them in vases. Understanding what drives wedding florists' pricing helps you set a realistic budget and allocate it strategically.

What You'll Actually Spend

In the UK, the cost of a wedding florist ranges between £2,800 and £6,300 for wedding flowers and wedding floral design. Most couples spend around £4,500, roughly 10-15 per cent of their total wedding budget.

For that figure, you're paying for:

• Someone to design what you want (not just agree to your Pinterest board)
• Sourcing the specific blooms you've asked for
• The labour of creating everything by hand
• Getting it all to your venue
• A team installing everything on the morning of your wedding
• Taking it all down afterwards

Then there are the bits that catch people out. Delivery fees run from £150 to £300, depending on distance. Set up charges if your installation is complex. Overtime fees if things run late. Ask for a proper breakdown, so you know what you're actually paying for.

Spend Where It Shows

Don't spread your wedding flower budget evenly across everything. It's better to invest in a few standout moments than to have everything feel underwhelming.

Think about where people will actually look: Where will you be standing during the ceremony? That's where you want impact. The entrance to your reception is the first thing guests see when they walk in. Your table, because that's where you'll sit all evening and where half the photos will be taken.

Centrepieces are tricky because you need so many of them. Twenty tables means twenty arrangements, which adds up fast. This is where being smart can save money.

For example, you can scale back bridesmaids' bouquets and boutonnieres. Guest table centrepieces can use more foliage and fewer pricey blooms. No one remembers if centrepieces had five or fifteen roses, but they will remember a stunning floral arch.

Seasonality Affects Cost Significantly

In-season British flowers cost less than imported or out-of-season options. For example, a summer wedding with June roses, delphiniums, and sweet peas is less costly than requesting them in December.

Flexibility with specific floral design requirements, maintaining your colour palette and style, saves money. Skilled wedding florists will suggest seasonal alternatives that achieve your vision at a better value.

Key takeaway: Set your wedding flower budget early, communicate it clearly to florists, and be strategic about where you invest to maximise visual impact.

Evaluating Wedding Florist Expertise: Beyond the Pretty Pictures

Once you find a florist whose portfolio you like, look beyond appearances. Instagram shots might impress, but consider more than the visuals to avoid disappointment.

How to Read a Wedding Florist Portfolio Properly

Every florist presents their best work. That's reasonable. But knowing how to assess that curated selection distinguishes a good choice from a brilliant one.

Real Weddings vs. Styled Shoots

Styled shoots are always lovely. Real weddings test a florist's ability to handle venue rules, last-minute changes, and tight schedules with no second chance.

A portfolio with more styled shoots than real wedding photos may suggest limited experience with actual events. Look for galleries that display full wedding days. Judge whether the florist can deliver in real-world scenarios.

Look Back Through Their Earlier Work

It's worth doing what most overlook: scrolling wedding portfolios chronologically, three or four years if possible.

If their 2020 work looks identical to what it does now with the same compositions, palette, and approach, that says something. Not necessarily poor work; it might be competent. But creative people get restless. They exhaust ideas, then move to new obsessions.

The perfect wedding florist for you might be the one who shows progress. Early events may be less polished, but their changes over time are visible. Years later, their work is clearly different. Their current output shows they're still questioning their own formulas.

Key takeaway: If personalisation matters, choose creativity over repetition.

Your Wedding Florist Should Have a Recognisable Approach, But Not a Formula

You want a wedding florist with a clear point of view: someone whose work you instantly recognise. This matters because they're not just following the latest trend.

Take our work at Hampton Court versus One Marylebone. Completely different floral designs because the architecture requires it, not to mention light and atmosphere. Yet both feel like ours. Two completely different floral designs by the same team: a consistent level of craft and intention, as well as adaptability across different contexts.

Key takeaway: A luxury wedding florist shows both a recognisable quality and the ability to respond uniquely to each brief.

What Actually Predicts Success

Years in business matter; however, other factors predict a wedding florist's success more reliably. Focus on real credentials and results, not just experience.

Venue Relationships

The relationship with your venue is likely the most undervalued credential. Professional wedding florists who regularly work at specific venues deeply understand each venue's architecture, lighting, logistics, and hidden opportunities.

They know which flowers photograph well in that venue's light, where installations have impact, and how to work with restrictions. Such knowledge comes from years of problem-solving in that space, not from a single visit.

Our work at Kew Gardens takes into account the orangery's particular proportions. On the other hand, Hampton Court is already grand, so you need to enhance it without competing with all that history.

When you're talking to wedding florists, ask whether they've worked at your venue before. A florist who knows your space has already solved most of the problems you don't even know exist yet. They're not figuring things out on your wedding day. They already know.

Installation Capability

Beautiful floral designs mean nothing if they can't be properly installed. For example, large-scale work with ceiling treatments, arches, and suspended pieces requires structural expertise, proper equipment, and an experienced team.

Don't assume every wedding florist can handle ambitious installations. Ask about their most complex projects, their team structure, and the site prep process.

Key takeaway: For complex floral installations, hire a wedding florist with solid technical experience, not only creative design.

Ask Questions About the Team Structure

Wedding day delivery is about more than the lead designer's vision. You need skilled people who execute under pressure.

Questions Worth Asking:

• Will the person you meet in consultation be present on your wedding day?
• Who creates the actual arrangements?
• How many team members will be on site?

These aren't awkward questions; they're essential to understanding what you're paying for.

Good wedding florists have teams with diverse skills: people who design, execute, and install, working together.

What to Look For (The Good Signs)

To find the perfect wedding florist, go beyond portfolios and credentials and watch for these signs.

They Ask Substantial Questions

A wedding florist's questions show how deeply they consider your event as a whole experience. Listen for questions such as:

About the venue and timing:

• "What time's the ceremony?" Because the light will be completely different if it's 2 pm versus 5 pm.
• "Where are people actually going to stand during drinks?" I need to know what they'll be looking at.
• "Where will your photographer be shooting from?" Sometimes an arrangement that looks great from the aisle looks like nothing from where they're standing.
• "How does natural light move through the venue at your specific time?" It's important for wedding photos
• "Are there architectural features you'd like the florals to highlight or soften?"
• "What are the venue's actual restrictions on installations?"

About what you actually want:

• "When guests walk into the ceremony, what should they feel? Calm? Excited? Overwhelmed?"
• "Any flowers mean something to you? Your grandmother's garden, somewhere you got engaged, that sort of thing?"
• "OK, you've shown me all these images. But what is it you like about them? The colours? The way they're loose? The fact that they don't look like typical wedding flowers?"

With questions like these, they're thinking about atmosphere, not just delivering arrangements.

They're Honest About Seasonality

When they discuss seasonality unprompted and suggest alternatives, they prioritise quality over simply saying yes. "Peonies will be finished by late July, but garden roses offer similar fullness with better heat tolerance." That kind of honesty leads to better outcomes.

They Explain Their Process Clearly

Expert wedding florists clearly explain their process: from consultation to proposal, from proposal to final planning, and from planning to installation. Such transparency is a sign of reliability.

They Interpret, They Don’t Copy

A wedding florist who interprets your inspiration ensures your wedding flowers are uniquely yours.

The Wedding Florist Consultation Process

The wedding florist consultation determines whether a professional wedding florist is right for you. Preparation and knowing what to listen for make the meeting productive.

How to Prepare for Your Wedding Florist Consultation

• Bring your mood board (digital or physical).
• Include venue photos if you have them.
• Know your wedding flower budget range.
• Have your wedding date confirmed.

These basics let the florist provide relevant, specific guidance.

Ask questions about:

• Their availability on your date
• Experience with your specific venue
• Their typical process and timeline
• What seasonal flowers work for your date
• How they handle changes or additions
• What's included in their pricing

What Should Happen in the Consultation

A thorough consultation covers vision, logistics, and practicalities. The ideal wedding florist should take time to understand what you want before discussing what they can do.

They'll likely ask about:

• Your colour palette and style preferences
• Which floral elements do you need (bouquets, centrepieces, ceremony flowers, etc)
• Your venue's characteristics and restrictions
• Your timeline for the day
• Any cultural traditions or special requirements
• Your budget parameters

Good wedding florists will discuss seasonality, suggest what works best for your date, and offer alternatives if your initial choices aren't optimal.

Red Flags to Watch For

Certain warning signs suggest a wedding florist might not be the best choice:

• They agree to everything without discussing feasibility or seasonality
• They don't ask many questions about your vision or venue
• They're vague about pricing or what's included
• They don't show examples of real weddings similar to yours
• Communication is slow or unclear
• They push their style without considering yours

After the Consultation

Most wedding florists provide a detailed proposal within one to two weeks. This should include:

• Itemised list of all floral elements
• Description of proposed flowers and style
• Breakdown of costs (design, flowers, delivery, setup, breakdown)
• Timeline and process going forward
• Payment schedule and terms

Review proposals carefully. Compare not only the total cost, but what's included. Ultimately, their understanding of your vision and their plan for executing it should be clearly described.

Key takeaway: A thorough wedding florist consultation and detailed proposal indicate a professional who respects your investment and understands your needs.

Beyond the Wedding Florist Consultation: Validation

Once you've shortlisted wedding florists, these additional steps confirm you're making the right choice.

Actually Visit Their Studio

Portfolios only tell you so much. You need to see where they work, meet the people who'll actually be doing your flowers, and get a sense of how they operate.

Some florists will create samples based on what you've discussed. Usually costs extra, but it's worth it if you're unsure. Because there's a massive difference between looking at a mood board and seeing the actual flowers in front of you, the colours might not be what you imagined. The scale might be completely different from what you pictured.

When you're there, pay attention to the flowers: are they of good quality? How are the florals made? Does the team seem to work well together?

Reviews and References

Look beyond five-star ratings. Read actual review content. What specifically do couples praise about this particular wedding florist? How does the florist handle problems when they arise?

Pay attention to reviews mentioning:

• Communication and responsiveness
• Flexibility with changes
• Quality of flowers on the day
• Professionalism of the installation team
• How well the final result matched expectations

Don't hesitate to ask for references from recent weddings. Speak with those couples about their experience. Were there any surprises? Would they choose this florist again?

When Venue Complexity, Sustainability, or Cultural Traditions Matter

Certain factors require particular attention when selecting a wedding florist.

If Your Venue's Complicated, Experience Matters

If you're getting married somewhere with a bit of history, you want a luxury wedding florist who's actually worked there before.

Historic Venues Are Fussy

Some wedding venues have rules about everything: what you can hang, how much it can weigh, where you can fix things to the walls, and when everything needs to be cleared away. Missing one of these rules can cause problems you want to avoid on your wedding day.

An experienced wedding florist who has worked there knows all this and has dealt with the venue coordinator. They know what's allowed and what isn't.

Modern Spaces Are Easier, But...

Contemporary wedding venues give you a blank slate, which sounds great until you realise you have to fill it. Nothing's there to work with. Everything you bring needs to create the entire atmosphere.

If your venue's modern and minimal, look for a wedding florist who has done that successfully before. Creating impact in a sparse space is different from enhancing something that's already got character.

When Should You Start Looking for a Wedding Florist?

Nine to twelve months before your date. Earlier, if your venue has complex requirements or you're seeking an ambitious or sophisticated floral design.

Does Sustainability Matter to You?

Here are some questions you could consider asking if sustainability is something you care about:

• Does the wedding florist source locally and seasonally?
• Do they use floral foam (which doesn't biodegrade) or work foam-free?
• Can your flowers be repurposed afterwards, donated to hospitals or care homes?
• Are the mechanics reusable rather than single-use?

More florists work this way now without it affecting the design. But you need to ask, because not everyone does it as standard.

If There's a Cultural Element

If your wedding involves cultural traditions, for example, a mandap or chuppah, an experienced florist will likely have worked with this kind of floral design. When you ask if they have done it before, watch how they respond. Some get curious, ask questions, and want to understand the significance. Some might say 'yes, no problem' to everything because they want the booking.

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing a Wedding Florist

When should I book my wedding florist?

Answer: Book your wedding florist 9-12 months before your wedding date, earlier for complex venues or ambitious designs. Good florists book up quickly, especially for summer Saturdays.

How much do wedding flowers typically cost in the UK?

Answer: UK wedding florals typically cost £2,800-£6,300, with most couples spending around £4,500. This represents 10-15% of the total wedding budget and includes design, sourcing, labour, delivery, installation, and breakdown.

What questions should I ask a wedding florist?

Answer: Ask about their experience with your specific venue, whether there are seasonality challenges, who will be on the team for your wedding day, the process from consultation to installation, and their most complex and challenging projects.

Should I hire a wedding florist who knows my venue?

Answer: Yes, florists with venue experience understand the architecture, lighting, logistics, and restrictions, which leads to better spatial design and a smoother installation on your wedding day.

How do I know if a wedding florist's style is right for me?

Answer: Look for recognisable quality but adaptability across different contexts. Review their portfolio chronologically (3-4 years back) to see creative evolution. They should show real weddings, not just styled shoots.