This instalment of the Guest Supplier Blog Series is all about wedding flowers.  Johanna Pedrick is a Teddington based florist and here she gives some great tips and advice on all things wedding flowers.   Johanna’s work is truly beautiful and she is fabulous to work with too!

Headshot of Johanna Pedrick Flowers

You’ve chosen your wedding date and booked your venue and now it’s the ideal time to start looking for your wedding florist.  As there are only so many weekend dates available each year, it is important that you start looking for your florist at least a year before your wedding date.  Most wedding florists will only create flowers for one wedding a day, so start your research early, follow the florists you like on social media and get an idea of the different flower varieties that are in season the same month as your wedding.  

Venue
Flowers are the one beautiful thing that will tie in all the elements of your special day, from the venue décor, invitations, dresses, suits, colour palette, food and cake to the music you choose.  If you choose an elegant venue with stunning architectural details, the flowers that will complement this style will be more classic and elegant.  Containers like glass, ceramics and urns work well with this style.   If your venue is more of a barn style, your flowers will be more relaxed and rustic, possibly using wooden or aged metals and worn glass as containers. 

Bud vases with pale pink roses, dahlias and greenery

Other things to consider when thinking about flowers for your wedding, does your venue have high ceilings? Is the space large and open or is the room smaller and more intimate?  Tall or round tables are often dictated by the venue space as to what works best for your numbers in that space. Tall, large table arrangements are great for large reception rooms with high ceilings; however, they do cost more.  If you love them but your budget doesn’t allow for all your tables to have tall arrangements, reduce the number of tall arrangements and have at least half the tables with low style arrangements.  This will also give the illusion of a room filled with flowers, when you walk into the room the flowers will be viewed high and low.

Tall table displays at Merchant Taylors Hall

Budget
Flower prices are not all the same so be honest with your florist about your budget, ideally telling them at the beginning or at your first consultation.  We are professionals and can best advise designs using flower varieties that will create your dream floral vision.  Flowers like Orchids, Garden Roses and Lily of the Valley do cost more per stem but by talking and being open with your florist they will be able to tell you ways you can incorporate them into some of your wedding florals.

Being up front about your budget with your florist is essential for them to be able to advise you straight away where best to spend your flower budget.  Large statement pieces are great for creating that WOW factor and if you are staying in one location for your ceremony and reception, these pieces might sound like a lot of money but they will receive so much pleasure and comments throughout the day.  Flowers that are used for the ceremony can also often be repurposed and used again for the reception.  Talk to your florist and ask if they offer a turnaround service which includes returning after the ceremony and collecting the flowers and transporting them to the reception.

Pillar arrangement using pale peach and blush wedding flowers at Wotton House

Floral Style
It’s important you find a florist whose style you love, and that it’s someone who you also get on with, as this will ensure they have a good understanding of your personality and style.  You’ll be able to trust them to use their professional experience and create flowers that are completely unique to you as a couple.   Whether you are planning a small intimate ceremony or a larger event, your florist will use all the elements of your wedding day, whether it’s a church wedding,  an outdoor wedding, your wedding date, the season or wedding colours, to bring all the elements together to create something extra special. For example, if you are marrying in a modern, chic venue, flowers like Anthirium or structured flowers would work well, you wouldn’t expect to see vases of meadow filled flowers in that particular style of venue.

Flower arch wedding ceremony backdrop

Date of your Wedding 
Every wedding is different and just like the flowers I work with, no two couples or weddings are the same.  There are so many flower varieties, different shades of colour and each season has its own special beauties.  A professional florist will use premium quality flowers for all their wedding work and will be able to advise you on what will be in season in your wedding month.   I always recommend to my couples to use flowers that are in season, they will be the best quality and realistically priced.  If you’re having photos outside and the grounds are surrounded by spring blossom, use these colours and flowers that captivate the mood of the season.

  • Spring flowers are Anemone, Ranunculus, Sweet Peas and Tulips
  • Summer there are beautiful Cosmos, Peonies, Roses, Stock, Zinna
  • Autumn is a perfect time for Dahlia, Snowberry, and using muted hues of Hydrangea
  • Winter flowers are Hellebores, Scabious seed pods, berries and using stunning textural foliage will add lots of interest
Wedding bouquet using pale pink, lilac and blush roses at Wotton House
Asymmetrical flower ceremony arch using roses and pale pink flowers at Wotton House

Wedding Dress
Once you have chosen your wedding dress let your florist see photos, and if you have any fabric samples, show them.  The style of your wedding dress and your frame will affect the style and size of your bouquet, and your florist will be able to help advise you on what suits you best.  Your bridal bouquet is the finishing accessory and should complement your whole look, it should not take centre stage and over-size your frame.

Bridal bouquet in pinks and greens

Don’t skimp on your bouquet, it is your main floral wedding accessory and will be in most of your wedding photos.  Fragrant flowers, herbs and foliage are wonderful to use in wedding work, and evoke emotions from certain scents that take you straight back to those special memories.  Talk to your florist about fragrances you love and if you really love Garden Roses but can’t afford to include them in all your wedding flowers, perhaps just have them in the bridal bouquets.

Thanks so much Johanna for this great advice and for contributing to the Guest Supplier Blog.  If you’d like to find out more about Johanna’s work, you can find her website here, or follow her on social media Instagram Facebook

If you need help choosing your dream team of suppliers for your wedding day, discover how I can help you.

Image credits: Helen Warner Photography | Louie Donovan Photography | Neli Prahova