Dallas Wedding Florist Advice

As a florist and a recent survivor of planning my own wedding, I can attest that floral arrangements are often underestimated in wedding planning. Couples typically focus on the bridal bouquet and altar pieces but may overlook the impact of centerpieces and focal pieces for tables, stages, and entrances at the reception. Incorporating florals throughout your venue enhances the romantic ambiance, creating a sweet backdrop that will be beautifully reflected in your photographs—memories you and your family will cherish for years to come.

Creating a beautiful floral experience for your wedding involves several factors. My top two pieces of advice are: focus on a color palette, style, and mood rather than fixating on specific flowers. Flowers are seasonal, and relying on a particular variety, like a Peony, can lead to disappointment and stress. Secondly, trust your floral designer to create. As an artist at heart, I thrive when given creative freedom. My favorite weddings—and the ones I invest in most—are those where clients say, "We trust you, just do something beautiful."

Creating a beautiful floral experience for your wedding involves several key factors. My top two pieces of advice are: focus on a color palette, style, and mood rather than specific flowers. Since flowers are seasonal, basing your entire design on a particular variety, like Peonies, can lead to stress and disappointment. Secondly, trust your floral designer’s creativity. As an artist, I find joy in having the freedom to create. The weddings I love most—and the ones I’ll invest more of my own money into—are those where clients say, "We trust you, just do something beautiful."

One of the biggest mistakes I see brides and grooms make when planning their wedding florals is underestimating the cost and not allocating enough of their budget for flowers. Unfortunately, flowers are inherently expensive, and there's no way around it. While some flowers can stretch a smaller budget, achieving a lush, full look or something specific and high-end will inevitably cost more. Flowers play a crucial role in wedding decor, dramatically influencing the look and feel of a room. Not budgeting enough can leave a space looking empty, so even if you're not a "flower person," remember their importance in stylizing your wedding.

The #1 oversight couples make is underestimating costs. Pinterest can create unrealistic expectations with images from styled shoots or high-end weddings, leading to poor budgeting. Additionally, couples often delay securing their florist. Booking 8-9 months in advance is ideal, especially during busy wedding seasons. Waiting until 2-3 months before the wedding increases stress and limits the time to understand the couple’s vision. Some couples attempt DIY flowers but overlook storage, delivery, and setup, not realizing store-bought flowers differ from professional ones. My advice: Hire someone you trust and feel comfortable with to ensure a smooth wedding day.

The biggest mistake couples make in wedding flower planning is not setting a budget before meeting florists. It’s challenging to guide clients effectively without knowing their financial limits, leading to quotes that may exceed their expectations. I strive to help couples achieve their vision within their budget, avoiding surprises. If budget allows, don’t shy away from high-end flowers like peonies and garden roses. Additionally, consider repurposing floral arrangements from the ceremony to the reception to save costs. Bridesmaids’ bouquets can enhance a head table, and altar flowers can frame a sweetheart table or cake. Partner with a trusted florist to ensure value and satisfaction.

Couples tend to overlook attention to detail and adding hints of floral here and there. They miss the aisle décor, welcome sign, card box at the gift table, cocktail tables, bar (if you have one) and yes, even the restroom. Anywhere your guests are going to venture, there should be all these little details, even if it's just a sprig or two of flowers/ greenery. It really makes the entire wedding flow together. This is why it's key to go over everything with your floral designer and they will cover everything.

Common oversights in wedding planning include forgetting boutonnieres for groomsmen, ring bearers, and ushers, as well as corsages for parents and grandparents. Centerpieces for guest tables, the seating chart table, and the main entrance table are also frequently missed. Additionally, brides often overlook the setup agreement between the wedding planner and florist. They may assume that setup is included in the package, but it typically incurs an extra cost. Ensuring all these details are addressed helps create a cohesive and beautifully arranged wedding, so be sure to discuss them with your florist to avoid surprises.

One major mistake couples make is underestimating the importance of well-designed floral arrangements. Properly budgeting for professional floral is crucial, as flowers transform a venue into a vibrant, beautiful space. Even with a perfect venue and talented photographer, the event isn’t truly complete until the flowers are in place. Flowers bring color and energy to the venue, enhancing the overall ambiance. This impact extends beyond the wedding day, as couples will be reminded of the beauty and magic of their day every time they view their photos. Investing in quality floral ensures a stunning and memorable celebration.

A common mistake brides make with wedding florals is not realizing how much they can transform the venue. Floral design serves as a major focal point and offers a chance to impress guests. Whether aiming for a cheery boho vibe, a garden party, elegant ballroom, or intimate romance, flowers can dramatically alter a plain space to match the bride’s vision. The live, vibrant element of floral arrangements turns blank walls into a beautiful reflection of the wedding theme, making a significant impact on the overall ambiance.