Florals
Let’s talk about one of the least glamorous—but most important—parts of wedding planning: budgeting and expectations, especially when it comes to florals.
If you’ve been saving inspiration photos or scrolling Pinterest late at night, you’re not alone. Those images are beautiful and inspiring, but they don’t always tell the full story of seasonality, availability, or cost. My goal with this post is to pull back the curtain a little, explain how floral decisions are really made, and help you feel confident (and excited!) about the process.
Flower Availability & Seasonal Reality
Flowers are a natural product, which means they’re affected by seasons, growing conditions, and even the year itself. Some flowers are only available for a short window, while others may need to be imported if they’re out of season—which can significantly impact cost.
Inspiration photos are a great starting point, but they’re best used as a vibe rather than a shopping list. Trusting your floral designer to guide you toward seasonal flowers (or thoughtful alternatives) usually results in better-quality blooms, more cohesive designs, and a smoother planning experience overall.
Colour Expectations: Palette Over Perfection
This is a big one. Flowers don’t come in exact paint-chip colours, and even within the same variety, shades can vary from stem to stem. That’s why I always recommend choosing a colour palette rather than one very specific colour.
For example, instead of asking for one exact blush pink, think in terms of blush, dusty rose, champagne, and ivory. Working within a palette allows your floral designer to:
- Choose the freshest and most beautiful blooms available
- Create depth and movement in your arrangements
- Avoid unnecessary stress if a specific shade doesn’t arrive exactly as expected
It’s also important to remember that flowers come from farms all over the world. Even the same variety—roses are a great example—can arrive in slightly different shades depending on the farm, the growing conditions, or even the specific shipment that week.
Being flexible within a colour palette not only reduces stress for both you and your designer, but it almost always results in florals that feel more natural, elevated, and visually interesting than trying to force one exact colour.
Why Sharing Your Budget Matters
One of the best (and kindest!) things you can do for your floral designer is to share the budget you’re comfortable staying within. This doesn’t limit creativity—it actually helps focus it.
When I know your budget, I can:
- Suggest where florals will have the biggest impact
- Recommend flower varieties and design elements that make sense for your price point
- Coach you through choices that give you the look you want without unnecessary spending
Without a budget, it’s easy to fall in love with a design that simply isn’t realistic. Open, honest conversations upfront lead to better designs and fewer surprises later on.
How Table Styles Affect Your Floral Budget
Something that often surprises couples is just how much table style can affect floral pricing. It’s one of those details that doesn’t always seem important at first—but it can make a big difference to your overall budget.
Round tables are usually the most budget-friendly option. They typically require one central arrangement and fewer flowers overall, while still feeling full, balanced, and elegant.
Long or farm tables, on the other hand, often need more floral coverage—think garlands, runners, or multiple arrangements spaced down the length of the table. Because you’re covering more surface area, this naturally increases the amount of flowers, labour, and overall cost.
A thoughtful floral plan often mixes flowers with candles and other décor elements so your budget works harder without the space ever feeling sparse. Mixing table styles can also help break up the floor plan visually and, in some cases, help manage costs—since you may not need as many larger banquet-style tables or arrangements.
Final Thoughts
Wedding florals work best when there’s trust, flexibility, and open communication. When expectations are aligned from the beginning, the entire process feels more collaborative—and honestly, a lot more fun.
By being open to seasonal availability, thinking in colour palettes, sharing a clear budget, and understanding how design choices affect cost, you allow your floral designer to truly guide you and advocate for your vision.
At the end of the day, florals aren’t about perfection. They’re about creating a feeling—a space that feels intentional, welcoming, and uniquely you. And when budget and expectations are aligned, that’s when the magic really happens.
Looking ahead, over the next few blog posts I’ll be sharing real examples, ideas, and price points to showcase what’s possible with both fresh florals and our Forever Flower rentals. I’m also putting the finishing touches on our Rental Catalog, which will include table setup ideas and pricing to help spark inspiration and make planning even easier—so stay tuned!
With love & flowers,
Sarah
Sarah Ashley Events