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Writer's pictureDoris Zhao

Wedding Flowers Checklist: Your Ultimate Guide

Updated: Nov 13

Planning a wedding can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to selecting the perfect flowers. Your wedding flowers will reflect your personality and serve as a beautiful backdrop for many of your photos. We’ve created the ultimate wedding flowers checklist to help you navigate the countless floral options and ensure you don’t overlook the essentials. Just remember, you don’t need to do it all, just choose the options that feel right for your venue and your wedding. Let’s get started!

wedding flowers

Comprehensive Wedding Flowers Checklist

Let's see the list first, then go into a detailed introduction. (The items marked with an asterisk (*) are considered essential.)


Firstly, for the Wedding Ceremony:


1. Bridal Bouquet*

The bridal bouquet will be in most of your wedding photos. It should reflect your style and complement your wedding dress. Opt for flowers that resonate with your overall theme and color palette. All the other arrangements should be in line with the bridal bouquet.

bridal bouquet

2. Boutonniere*

A boutonniere, worn by the groom and best man, usually features a single flower or a small cluster. It’s ideal to use flowers from the bridal bouquet for a cohesive look, adding a polished touch to formal attire and tying the floral theme together.

Boutonniere

3. Bridesmaids’ Bouquets

Bridesmaids’ bouquets should coordinate with your bridal bouquet but be smaller and simpler. It doesn't have to be a bouquet; it could be a small basket or anything else. Be creative!

Bridesmaids’ Bouquets

4. Corsage For Parents / Grandparents

Corsages are typically composed of a single flower or a small cluster. For gentlemen, they resemble boutonnieres, while ladies sometimes wear wrist corsages since their clothing is usually softer and may not support a pinned corsage.

corsage

5. Welcome Backdrop / Welcome Sign Decorations*

A wedding backdrop or welcome sign guides and greets guests. These signs can take various creative forms, reflecting the couple's style. Customizable arrangements create a warm atmosphere, leaving a memorable first impression that showcases your unique love story.

Welcome backdrop for wedding

Welcome Backdrop


welcome sign for wedding

Welcome Sign


6. Registration Table Flowers*

The flowers on the registration table should complement the overall theme, particularly the welcome backdrop or welcome sign flowers if you have those. This entire setup establishes the tone as your guests arrive at the ceremony, creating a lasting first impression of your wedding.

Registration Table Flowers

7. Arch / Altar Flower Decoration*

These floral arrangements enhance the visual focus of your ceremony, creating a beautiful backdrop for your vows and kisses. This is the spot that no guest will overlook.

flower Arch

Flower Arch


Altar flower decoration

Altar Flower Decoration


8. Aisle Flowers*

Aisle flowers play a significant role in enhancing the atmosphere of your ceremony. These beautiful arrangements lead you and your partner to the altar, adding a touch of elegance and formality, making your special day memorable and visually appealing for everyone.

Aisle Flowers

9. Aisle Chair Flowers

Enhancing the aisle with floral decorations on the chairs elevates the aisle's appearance, adding formality to the ceremony and enhancing its grand and elegant ambiance.

Chair Flowers

10. Petal Confetti For The Guests

Prepare some petal confetti for your guests so they can be more involved! This adds a fun and beautiful element as you and your partner exit. This charming tradition not only enhances photographs but also leaves guests with unforgettable memories of your special day.

Confetti

11. Flower Girl's Basket

The flower girl can carry a tiny bouquet or a basket of flower petals. Choose lightweight flowers in line with the theme to make it easy for her to handle. This is super cute and sweet.

Flower Girl

Next, let's move on to the Wedding Reception:


12. Seating Plan / Escort Card Decorations

Enhance your Seating Plan / Escort Card display by incorporating some floral arrangements. These will perfectly complement your overall decoration, adding a sophisticated element that will be appreciated by all guests.

Escort Card Decorations

13. Photo Wall Decoration

A wedding photo wall is a stunning addition that enhances your venue while beautifully showcasing your cherished memories. It can be customized with flowers and personal touches in various styles, reflecting your unique personality and love story. This feature also encourages guests to mingle and interact with one another.


14. Table Centerpieces*

Wedding table centerpieces are essential for transforming your reception venue. These beautiful floral arrangements enhance your decor and reflect your unique style. Eye-catching centerpieces spark conversations, create lasting memories, and enrich the overall atmosphere.

Table Centerpieces

15. Table Setting with Runner & Candles

For elongated table setups, we recommend opting for a flower arrangement arranged in a linear shape rather than a traditional centerpiece. Pair it with a table runner and complement it with additional decorative elements like candles, lights, fruits, vegetables, etc.

Table Centerpieces

16. Flowers In Plate

For a comprehensive table setting, a fresh flower tucked into the napkin and placed either on the guests' plates or next to their knives will help bring everything together.

plate setting

17. Backdrop Decorations

During the wedding reception, couples often include speeches or performances, which means a backdrop that aligns with the overall decoration and theme is necessary. For this purpose, you might consider larger floral installations such as hanging arrangements or flower walls. Alternatively, you could move your ceremony arch to this area if feasible. These options provide stunning focal points and ideal backdrops.

Wedding Backdrop

Wedding Backdrop

18. Head Table Centerpiece

Just as the table centerpieces enhance the ambiance, this arrangement for the head table or couple's table serves as a symbol of love and celebration. It can be slightly larger than the other centerpieces, beautifully highlighting the significance of the head table.

Head Table Centerpiece

19. Newlyweds' Chair Flower

These beautiful signs and floral arrangements highlight your seating, emphasizing the importance of your moment, especially when you don't have a couple's table.

Newlyweds' Chair Flower

20. Food Station Flower Decor

To elevate your event, consider decorating the food station if you’re not serving food directly to guests. A stunning flower arrangement not only enhances the visual appeal but also creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that significantly enriches the dining experience.

Food Station Flower

Alright, here comes the Wedding Party!


21. Bridal Toss Bouquet

If your bridal bouquet isn't suitable for tossing, be sure to prepare a compact bouquet. This will make it easier for tossing and for the single ladies to catch it, especially if your bridal bouquet is oversized or cascading.

Toss Bouquet

22. Cake Table Flower

Flowers pair beautifully with cakes, creating a delightful atmosphere when combined. A lovely floral display on the cake table can evoke a dreamy, romantic ambiance. You can also ask your florist to decorate the cake with fresh flowers. Just ensure that all flowers used are safe to avoid any potential issues.

Cake Table Flower

23. Bar Table Flowers

Don’t miss out on the bar area! The floral decorations at the wedding bar transform the space into a stunning focal point, enhancing the beverage station’s aesthetic and creating a warm atmosphere that invites guests to fully enjoy themselves.

Bar Table Flowers

24. Champagne Table Flowers

Finally, the Champagne Table or Tower! Beautiful floral arrangements placed on the champagne table enhance the sophistication and elegance. They elevate the appeal and create a welcoming atmosphere for guests to raise a stylish toast, resulting in a photogenic setting.

Champagne Table Flowers

Something else you can also consider:


25. Car Flower Decoration

If there's a car to pick up the couple, consider adorning it beautifully to add an extra magic touch to the special day!

Car Flower Decoration

26. Lounge Area Arrangements

Some venues may have a lounge area where guests can relax before entering the main dining area. You might consider placing a simple table centerpiece on the tables in this area, so that anyone sitting there doesn't feel left out. It will also enhance the overall look and theme.

Lounge Area

27. Railing Flower

For some venues, there's often a staircase, which presents a wonderful opportunity to decorate the handrail with beautiful flowers. This area is also an ideal spot for group photos, as it offers the space for creativity and personal expression, allowing you to capture stunning moments on your wedding day.

Railing Flower

That’s all for the ultimate checklist! It basically covers everything you need for flowers for your wedding, but there are many creative forms of floral decorations. Talk to your florist to see how to make those ideas a reality!


Tips from The Florist for Choosing Wedding Flowers


Dos:

  • Do consider the season: Choose seasonal flowers for better quality and cost-effectiveness.

  • Do consider allergies: Be considerate of guests who may have allergies to certain flowers especially for the flowers goes onto the plates or the cake.

  • Do trust your florist: Select a reputable florist based on their design style and client reviews. Communicate your vision clearly as it's crucial to your florist. Feel free to share any inspiring pictures you find online. And then, trust the florist you pick.


Don'ts:

  • Don't use flowers too concentrated in one area: Distribute your flowers thoughtfully throughout the venue, considering the overall flow of the space to ensure that floral elements are well-balanced.

  • Don’t forget about scent: Some flowers may have strong scents that not everyone will enjoy.

  • Don’t neglect the budget: Discuss your budget with your florist upfront to avoid surprises. Also they can have better suggestions in this way.


With this wedding flowers checklist and the above handy tips, you're on your way to creating a beautiful floral experience for your special day!


Need tips or help with choosing items or decorations for your venue? Feel free to reach out to us anytime! Our friendly team is excited to work with you to create a beautiful atmosphere for your special day!


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