* All the floral designs featured in this post were created by Limewood Flowers with love.
A few years ago, while my husband was away with work, I thought I could fix the radiator that was gently dripping in the hall. It seemed simple enough—just grab a spanner and tighten the fitting. How hard could it be?
But after twisting the pipe and accidentally damaging the fitting, the leak got worse, and I had to call an emergency plumber. The bill was painful, as they had to replace the entire pipe and fitting.
All of this was because I thought it was a simple job. Many people think the same about flowers and wonder, “Do I really need a florist for my wedding?”
The key difference is that it wasn’t my wedding day. It wasn’t the day I’d spent months (or even years) planning—the day when everything needs to go perfectly.
This is why, in most cases, you do need a wedding florist.
Not only will a wedding florist take the stress off your hands, but your finished designs will almost always be more beautiful and impactful with professional floral design.
Let’s go through some of the frequently asked questions I get about hiring a wedding florist.
FAQ: What does a florist actually do for a wedding?
So many things, including writing blogs like these! (Yes, we’re multi-taskers!)
While most of the work a wedding florist does happens behind the scenes, that doesn’t make their expertise or design any less valuable. I do not need to know how to fly a plane to go on holiday, but I do want to know that the pilot can and that there is a process in place for making sure we all arrive safely.
The same is true for your wedding florist. You want to trust that they can bring your vision to life, turning your ideas into something beautiful and seamless.
Here’s a quick look at what wedding florists like me actually do.
1. Brings expertise and experience
Over the last six years in my business and working for other florists, I’ve had the pleasure of creating a wide range of designs —from the smallest floral accents to showstopping installations. I know how many flowers a design will need, which ones should be kept in water, and which ones can do without. I understand that some designs need to be weighted down, and how much foliage is needed to cover the frame and weights.
I also know that certain dahlias start pink at the beginning of the season and become more beige by the end. Sweet peas? They need to be added on-site, as they’re delicate and likely to get squashed if handled too early.
Each little detail is not difficult, or hard to understand. It is the multi-layered nature of so much detail that makes up the expertise needed to deliver flawless flowers on your precious day. This isn’t something that can be learned overnight; it’s the result of years of experience and expertise.
2. Saves you time and peace of mind
How would you like to spend your wedding morning? Would you rather be up at 4am with four of your friends to build the floral arch? I didn’t think so!
It is not just your wedding day, either. Flowers are a fresh product, and it’s the days leading up to your wedding when your florist will be putting in long hours to ensure each flower is flawless and placed perfectly. How would you manage if some of the flowers you ordered didn’t arrive? It is more common than you think!
Before the flowers even arrive, your florist is already hard at work: checking vases, bowls, and containers, making sure they’re clean, unchipped, and ready for the flowers to go in.
It may seem like small tasks, but it’s incredibly time-consuming—much like your caterers checking that the plates are spotless, the fridges are set to the right temperature, and all the vegetables are chopped just right.
3. Floral design and vision
This is where florists vary the most. If you’re creative and feel you can design something even more beautiful than a florist, you may very well be right. Some people absolutely thrive on the creative process, and if designing your own flowers is going to give you joy on your day then you should absolutely go for it! But, I do wonder: is your wedding day really the best time to attempt such a task, considering all the practicalities involved?
As an experienced florist, my job is to oversee every aspect of your floral designs, ensuring they all come together in a cohesive way. The style of the design as well as colour balance are crucial in creating a flow from ceremony to reception. That feeling of being part of an ‘event’.
I also offer guidance on how your flowers will fit within your venue. A tropical design in a Georgian manor, for example, could be jarring. I’m also keeping an eye on details like wall colours, carpets, and lighting to make sure your flowers are shown off to best effect without overwhelming the space.
4. Sourcing unusual flowers to make your day unique
At Limewood Flowers, I specialise in sourcing British-grown flowers from specialist artisan growers. Not only is this more eco-friendly, but it also supports local businesses, which is something I’m passionate about.
The benefit for you is that I have access to a variety of unique and unusual flowers that many florists can’t offer. Some of these flowers you may never have heard of (and sometimes, neither have I!) but perfectly fit the vision of your day. It’s the combination of these flowers that will make your day feel personal and one-of-a-kind, just like the two of you as a couple.
5. Delivery and clear
One of the most underrated aspects of a florist’s work is ensuring that all your flowers arrive at your venue in perfect condition. Van packing is actually an art form in itself within the floral world!
Clear or takedown is what happens after your day. If you have arches, installations or arrangements in the florist’s bowls, vases or urns, then we will return to pick them up.
Most venues require this to be done early the next day, so their venue teams can proceed with their usual clean-up. Most venues in England also hold the florist responsible for clearing the flowers and leaving the venue clean and tidy. This all takes time and it is another area that will be included in your overall flower cost.
Is this something you’d want to handle the morning after your wedding day?
FAQ: Can I do my own wedding flowers?
By now, after reading about all the practicalities of what a florist does, you may have already decided whether to hire a professional wedding florist or take on the challenge of DIY your own wedding flowers.
From my perspective, the main drawbacks of DIY wedding flowers are your time and the overall design. Without experience, you may underestimate how much time it takes to create your flowers, leading to unnecessary stress in the lead-up to your big day.
From a design perspective, an experienced wedding florist ensures that all your floral elements complement each other, creating a cohesive vision—like a perfectly styled outfit. Every arrangement should compliment the others, forming a whole that’s greater than the sum of its parts.
Many couples opt for DIY wedding flowers to save money, and while that’s a valid reason, the savings may not be as significant as you think. Often, couples end up spending a significant amount on vases, bowls and other equipment to create the flowers. Equipment that then sits around your house afterwards with no real use.
Personally, I would say DIY flowers are best for couples who absolutely love the creative process, find joy in the flowers and are happy with the possibility that their arrangements may not look quite as polished as they would with the help of a professional florist.
This wonderfully leads to the next question…
FAQ: Can I mix DIY flowers with a professional florist?
Every florist has their own policy when it comes to mixing DIY flowers with professional arrangements. For many florists, the answer is no, and it’s often included in their terms and conditions.
It’s not about the budget; it’s about reputation. As florists, our business is built on delivering beautiful, high-quality flowers. If some of the flowers are not as good as the others or have wilted on the day, it will be assumed that the florist did a bad job.
Most florists are independent small businesses, and our families rely on those incomes. A single bad review or experience can have a huge impact on our reputation and future work – even when it is not our fault.
At Limewood Flowers, we ask that we are the sole florist for your wedding flowers for this reason.
However, there are some exceptions, as I believe your day and your flowers should be about you as a couple. If there is someone special to you who wants to make an arrangement as part of your day, then I think that is a very beautiful thing. I will always accommodate requests like this.
FAQ: Do I need flowers at my wedding?
As a wedding florist, I understand the impact flowers have on transforming a venue and the emotions they evoke.
Flowers play a central role in wedding traditions across many cultures. It is always the flowers that make it feel like a wedding. While you might not fully grasp this feeling until your day, it very much exists.
So, do you need flowers at your wedding? I would always say yes. However, it’s ultimately your day, and only you can decide what feels right for you.
If you’re wondering what flowers you need, here’s a handy wedding flowers checklist for you!
The benefits of professional floral design for your wedding
With so many competing demands on your wedding budget, it can be tempting to cut back on flowers—especially when they seem to come with a hefty price tag.
However, remember that it’s not just the ‘flowers’ that are expensive—it’s the expertise and services of a professional florist. Think of it like the emergency plumber I called; the cost wasn’t just for a new pipe—it was for their expertise in getting the job done right.
If you’re wondering how much is a florist for a wedding, make sure to check out my flower budget breakdown.
A professional florist allows you to fully enjoy the days leading up to your wedding, as well as the day itself and the days after.
You’ll have peace of mind, knowing everything will be perfect on the day.
The feeling of walking into your wedding ceremony and gasping at how beautiful it looks.
Knowing you can enjoy your day without having to get up early the next morning to clear all the flowers and sweep your venue clean.
If this sounds like the kind of stress-free experience you want for your wedding, get in touch to discuss how we can make your floral vision a reality.
