Top Mistakes Couples Make When Choosing Their Wedding Florist (And How to Avoid Them)
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Choosing a wedding florist can feel overwhelming. Unlike your dress or your venue, flowers are fleeting, bespoke, and completely invisible until they arrive on your wedding day. It’s not always easy to know what you’re paying for or what to expect.
Over the years, we’ve noticed recurring mistakes couples often make — and how these can impact both their wedding flowers and their overall experience. Understanding them will help you approach your floral planning with confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.
1. Focusing Only on Price
It’s natural to have a budget. But prioritising lowest price over quality and experience often leads to disappointment.
The reality is, wedding flowers are more than just stems and arrangements. They involve:
Creative design tailored to your vision
Time-consuming prep, setup, and takedown
Sourcing the freshest, highest-quality blooms
Technical skill for layered and structured arrangements
A low quote may mean fewer flowers, less attention to detail, or compromises in quality. Conversely, investing in an experienced florist ensures your flowers look effortless, abundant, and timeless — exactly what you want in your photos and memories.
How to avoid this mistake:
Set a realistic budget based on style and scope.
Compare services and what’s included, not just the price per arrangement.
Consider the value of time, expertise, and peace of mind.
2. Not Defining Your Style Early
Some couples don’t clarify their floral style before booking a florist. This can lead to misaligned expectations.
Flowers aren’t one-size-fits-all. You may love lush, garden-inspired arrangements, muted and elegant designs, or minimalist, modern bouquets. A florist not aligned with your vision may create something that looks beautiful but doesn’t feel like you.
How to avoid this mistake:
Collect inspiration from Pinterest, Instagram, and real weddings.
Identify your preferred colours, textures, and shapes.
Be honest with your florist about what you love (and what you don’t).
Knowing your style early ensures your florist can design something personal, authentic, and cohesive.
3. Waiting Too Long to Book
The best florists, especially in Rutland and Stamford, book well in advance. Leaving it too late can result in limited availability, rushed planning, or even settling for blooms that aren’t in season.
How to avoid this mistake:
Reach out 9–12 months before your wedding.
Confirm your date and book your florist early.
Start consultations and mood boards as soon as possible.
Early booking ensures access to seasonal blooms, premium vessels, and plenty of design time — all essential for a stress-free experience.
4. Overlooking Seasonal Planning
Many couples insist on out-of-season flowers without understanding the challenges. Imported blooms may arrive late, be more expensive, or have a shorter lifespan.
Flowers are at their best when local and seasonal, both in appearance and longevity.
How to avoid this mistake:
Ask your florist which flowers are in season for your wedding date.
Be open to substitutions that fit your colour palette and style.
Trust the expertise of your florist to guide you toward the best options.
Planning around the season ensures your bouquets and arrangements are fresh, beautiful, and sustainable.
5. Choosing a Florist Based on One Photo
A single picture on Instagram or a wedding website doesn’t reveal a florist’s full skill or reliability.
A portfolio gives insight into:
Consistency of style across weddings
Attention to detail in various settings
Ability to adapt to different venues, sizes, and seasons
How to avoid this mistake:
Review multiple weddings in a florist’s portfolio.
Look for consistency, not just standout images.
Ask for client testimonials and real-wedding photos.
This ensures you’re hiring someone who delivers reliable, beautiful results every time.
6. Ignoring Logistics
Flowers aren’t just designed — they must be transported, set up, and sometimes repurposed. Couples who overlook these logistics may be surprised by additional labour, setup times, or costs.
How to avoid this mistake:
Ask your florist about delivery, setup, and takedown services.
Ensure they account for travel, vehicle space, and on-site installation.
Confirm what’s included in your package (vases, ribbons, plinths, greenery).
Reliable florists handle all logistical details so you can focus on enjoying your day.
7. Not Asking About Sustainability
More couples want eco-conscious flowers, but not everyone asks the right questions.
Consider:
Are the blooms locally grown or imported?
Are arrangements compostable or reusable?
How to avoid this mistake:
Discuss sustainability upfront.
Seek florists who use seasonal blooms.
Repurpose ceremony flowers for reception décor.
Sustainable choices benefit the planet and often enhance the beauty and freshness of your wedding flowers.
8. Underestimating the Importance of Communication
Communication is key. Couples who assume everything will magically “just happen” risk misunderstandings or unmet expectations.
How to avoid this mistake:
Ask about the consultation process.
Confirm timelines for approvals, sketches, and colour palettes.
Keep communication clear and documented.
Good florists will guide you step-by-step, ensuring you feel confident and informed throughout the planning process.
9. Forgetting to Match Flowers to Venue and Season
Flowers should enhance your venue, not clash with it. Mismatched scales, colours, or textures can compromise your design.
How to avoid this mistake:
Share photos and details of your venue with your florist.
Discuss ceiling height, natural light, and furniture layout.
Consider how ceremony flowers may transition to the reception.
A florist familiar with Rutland and Stamford venues can tailor designs perfectly to your space.
10. Expecting a Florist to Copy Pinterest Exactly
Pinterest is wonderful for inspiration, but each wedding is unique. Expecting your florist to replicate a pin exactly may be unrealistic due to:
Seasonal availability
Venue limitations
Size and scale differences
How to avoid this mistake:
Use Pinterest as inspiration, not a blueprint.
Trust your florist to interpret your vision creatively.
Focus on how flowers feel and flow, not just their exact appearance.
Collaborative design leads to personalised, one-of-a-kind arrangements rather than a generic copy.
11. Not Prioritising Key Elements
Couples sometimes try to spread their floral budget too thin, resulting in underwhelming impact.
How to avoid this mistake:
Identify key moments for flowers (bouquet, ceremony arch, tables).
Focus budget on elements that make the biggest visual or emotional impact.
Consider repurposing ceremony flowers for reception décor.
Prioritising ensures your flowers create memorable focal points while staying within budget.
12. Forgetting About the Day-Of Experience
Flowers aren’t just visual — they interact with your schedule, photos, and day-of timeline.
Mistakes can happen if couples don’t plan:
When bouquets are delivered to the bridal suite
Who carries arrangements to the ceremony
Timing for setting up installations before guests arrive
How to avoid this mistake:
Confirm the day-of schedule with your florist.
Delegate responsibility for bouquets, buttonholes, and ceremonial pieces.
Ensure setup allows for photography and guest flow.
Day-of planning ensures flowers are perfectly presented and your timeline runs smoothly.
Final Thoughts
Wedding flowers are one of the most personal and visually impactful elements of your day. Choosing the right florist requires thought, planning, and communication.
Avoid these common mistakes by:
Setting a realistic budget
Defining your style early
Booking your florist well in advance
Embracing seasonal blooms and sustainability
Prioritising key arrangements
Communicating clearly throughout the process
At Rutland Florals, we guide couples every step of the way — from initial inspiration to day-of delivery — ensuring flowers that are timeless, effortless, and perfectly aligned with your wedding vision.
Flowers are fleeting, but the memories they help create last a lifetime. Avoiding these mistakes ensures your wedding blooms are everything you dreamed of and more.
