12 Common Wedding Flower Mistakes Florists Want You to Stop Making

Your flowers are arguably the most important decorative element of your wedding (though some couples are seeking creative alternatives). Like your venue, dress, and tablescape design, they’re an essential contribution to the overall aesthetic and atmosphere of your big day. As it turns out, though, it’s not as simple as choosing flowers that you like and hiring a florist to accommodate. With so many interwoven elements to consider, like seasonality, variety, cost, and venue parameters, it's rather common to accidentally make a couple of flower mistakes along the way. 

Wedding planning may be a new experience for you, but for florists, it’s another day on the job—as unique as each wedding may be. They’ve likely provided blooms for dozens, if not hundreds, of events, and the best way to avoid errors is to lean into that knowledge. Trust in your floral designer and rely on their expertise to interpret your vision and let them exceed your expectations. “They’ll be able to guide you to get the most for your money, and they can suggest personalized color palettes to showcase your style and blooms you haven’t thought of that you’ll love,” says Cameron Hardesty, the CEO and founder of Poppy. 

We’ve anticipated some of the most common wedding floral blunders and consulted with several highly experienced florists to give you the best advice for remedying them. Read on to make your big-day floral experience smooth, seamless, and stunning.

Not Using In-Season Flowers

One of the most common wedding flower pitfalls is not considering seasonality. “It’s understandable to fall in love with a specific bloom, but if it’s not in season during your wedding, you’re likely to face higher costs, limited availability, or even disappointment if it’s not available at all,” says Michelle Pupa, the owner of Stoneblossom.

Choosing in-season flowers will give you the best bang for your buck. “Local farmers are growing in-season varieties, so they’re more inexpensive, better at withstanding heat than a flower grown offshore in a greenhouse, and more cost-effective; transportation and energy costs are reduced since less hands are touching and shipping them. This means a healthier, cheaper product for the florist and the client,” says Melissa Sullivan, the owner and lead designer at Le Bloomerie. 

If you have your heart set on a specific flower or botanical, but it’s not in season, Brittney Kee of Britney Kee Floral Design says it’s best to choose an alternative that is cost-effective with a similar shape and texture. Your florist can offer suggestions that align with your color palette and vision. 

Misunderstanding Floral Budgets

If you’ve never planned a wedding before, it’s easy to underestimate how much floral bouquets, arches, and centerpieces are going to cost, especially when gathering inspiration photos on Instagram and Pinterest. “Clients look at the prices of flowers from Costco and think that’s the cost of wedding florals, when in reality, flowers florists use are much more expensive. We need flowers that are grown under the right conditions and can withstand a lot of handling,” says Sullivan. 

Couples also might not be considering the cost of labor that goes into installation, especially if setups are large in scale and involve the hands of additional designers with the right expertise. “The florist may need to purchase wood, cement, screws, zip ties, tarps—the list goes on, depending on what’s being built,” says Sullivan. All of those costs are then passed down to the client.

Ultimately, it’s the florist’s responsibility to set realistic expectations through transparency. “Pure education can solve the low-balling with high-expectation dynamics,” says Kee. Minimums should be stated up front, but clients also need to be honest about how much they can spend. “I always tell my clients to tell me their story, interests, and style so we can create something custom to fit their vision and budget,” she adds. 

Using Too Many Varieties

Varying textures and colors add dimension, but using too many different types of flowers can create a chaotic, disjointed look, overwhelming the overall design and making it difficult for any one element to stand out, says Pupa. Plus, too many varieties will cost you.  “Many people don’t realize florists buy flowers in bulk—roses come in bunches of 25, etc. If you choose a lot of varieties, whether your designer uses the minimum amount or not, you will pay for them,” says Hardesty. To remedy this, let your florist be your guide for selecting the right mix for balance. 

Something to keep in mind is the rule of three, says Kee. “I’ll choose three varieties of floral as my main attraction (these flowers will have bigger blooms), then include an accent, greenery, and filler. Simple with small complexities, which makes the design fun, innovative, and appealing to the eye,” she says. 

Using Too Few Varieties

On the other hand, sticking to just one or two varieties can make your arrangements look boring, monotonous, or flat. Even if you’re going for a minimalist or simple, modern aesthetic, you still need some depth and dimension to intrigue the eye. “Varying the textures and shapes of your flowers can make a big difference,” says Pupa. 

To remedy this, your best bet is to avoid limiting your florist’s choices. “Let the artist create and trust them. There is nothing worse than a florist trying to create a masterpiece of a design and she isn’t allowed to use a flower or color that she knows will bring about a more cohesive design,” says Sullivan. 

Not Varying the Floral Color Palette

As with bloom variety, sticking to one hue or color can lead to your florals feeling one-note. Using more than one shade or tone adds shape, depth, and richness to any arrangement, even if you’re sticking to green and white. “Not being open-minded about the color palette can really wreak havoc on the design and headache your florist,” says Sullivan.

Again, Pupa says that your best bet is working with your florist to develop a color scheme that includes varying tones and shades within your chosen set. “This doesn’t mean you need a rainbow of colors—subtle variations can create a beautiful, layered effect,” she says.

Using Flowers in Too Concentrated an Area

Ignoring certain parts of the room, whether that be at your ceremony or reception locale, and focusing an abundance elsewhere throws off the balance of the space. Open communication with your florist about the size and overall structure of the venue can help them understand where florals will be needed. “To distribute your flowers thoughtfully across the venue, consider the overall flow of your space and ensure that floral elements are well-balanced throughout,” says Pupa. 

Not Considering Scale 

While florals should be well-distributed throughout the space, they should also be sized appropriately in relation to their surroundings. “Oversized arrangements in a small space can feel overwhelming, while tiny arrangements in a grand ballroom can get lost,” notes Pupa. 

A tour of your venue, one with your florist if possible, can give them a sense of the space, and their expert advice can ensure that the arrangements are harmonious and in proportion. Even if they can’t do a site visit, they can access the photos online. The more details you provide them about its parameters, the better. 

Not Considering the Venue

Just as applying makeup should bring out your natural features, wedding florals should enhance the architecture and energy of your venue—not clash against it. For example, “the boho style at the Ritz isn’t the best fit. One style is organic, casual, and fun, while the venue reads luxe sophistication,” says Kee. 

Whether it’s a hotel ballroom or a converted barn, honoring the style of the space and existing décor will give you the most cohesive look. Hardesty recommends thinking of three to five descriptive words you can use consistently with your vendors to describe your wedding style to ensure a cohesive design.  

Vibe aside, set-up times allotted by the venue can also challenge the time needed to adequately install the florals. “The biggest issue we have encountered this year as a floral company was trying to design florals in venues that had a set-up time of only two hours. Clients need to make sure that they book a venue that gives the florist ample time to deliver, set up, and clean up on the day of the wedding,” says Sullivan. Be sure to read through the fine print of your venue contract before signing—and get your florist’s opinion, too, if possible. 

Not Trusting Your Florist

Floral designers are more than just artists—they’re craftsmen and business professionals that combine their design expertise with logistical acumen to bring highly detailed design projects to life. Ultimately, though, you need to feel like your florist will worry, problem solve, and execute on your behalf. “Don’t pay people you don’t trust, otherwise you’re wasting your money and causing yourself unnecessary stress,” says Kee.

To avoid unnecessary hassle or potentially micromanaging your florist, Pupa says duos should be sure to choose a designer whose style aligns with their vision and then let them work. “Be open to their suggestions—they have the experience to know what will look stunning and what might be less effective,” she says. 

Not Disposing of Flowers Correctly

There is a surprising amount of waste in the wedding industry, and floral arrangements can unfortunately be added to the list. Most floral designers offer clean-up services and many try their best to upcycle flowers. Kee always encourages her clients to take flowers home, where they can then be preserved if you wish, or she routes them through a donation program she created. Hardesty says composting is best, so check with your florist to see if they have the capacity to do so, alongside recycling packaging and reusing vessels. 

Booking Your Florist Last Minute

It may not seem like a big deal to book a florist a couple weeks out from your wedding, but all of our experts agree that this kind of thinking is a mistake. “Floral designers are in high demand, especially during peak wedding season. Waiting too long to book your designer can limit your options or lead to unnecessary stress as your wedding approaches,” says Pupa.

Set yourself up for success by securing a florist as soon as possible, ideally a year to six months out if you’re able. “This gives your florist ample time to build the right team and put in a floral order with their vendor, which can sometimes lead to great deals that are then passed down to the client,” says Sullivan. 

Choosing Overly Fragrant Flowers

You want to wow guests with your floral arrangements—not overwhelm them with strong fragrance, especially for those with allergies in enclosed environments. “It’s also an issue because fragrance doesn’t always mix well during a dining experience,” adds Kee. While it may not bother you or your fiancé, it’s important to be mindful of your guests’ experience.

If using fragrant flowers is a must, Pupa recommends using them sparingly or in well-ventilated areas. “Alternatively, opt for less fragrant varieties or focus on fragrance-free blooms that still offer visual beauty without overpowering the senses,” she says.