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This week I drove out to Waterford to learn everything about wedding flowers. I had so much fun spending the morning with Nicole, the owner of The Pink Peony, an award winning Wisconsin floral shop + flower farm. I’m so obsessed with her stunning, modern arrangements that she’s created for weddings, so, I had to reach out and find out her top tips for the best wedding flowers!

#5 – KNOW HOW FAR IN ADVANCE YOU SHOULD BOOK YOUR FLORIST

Nicole suggests finding a florist as soon as possible with your other main vendors (planner, venue, photographer/videographer, caterer, hair + makeup) as you do need your bouquets to be put together fresh and have your arrangements assembled onsite the day of by your florist. The Pink Peony personally begins booking up to two years in advance.

#4 – DO A LITTLE RESEARCH ON DESIGN + STYLE BEFORE YOU GO

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Before meeting with a florist, come prepared with the “theme” or overall vibe + feel of your wedding as well as of the main colors that are going to fit this vibe (wedding party dresses + tuxes and decor elements). You’ll want to find a little inspiration and also decide on the overall shape of your bouquets. You can choose a round, compact style (the most traditional), oval shape, a wildflower style (loose + airy), or cascade (longer flowing florals) style bouquets.

#3 – HAVE AN IDEA OF COSTS + WHAT TO EXPECT

Flowers for your wedding day are truly such a gorgeous addition to your big day, but they do grow from the ground, and need to be delicately cared for as they do so. Costs are mostly dependent on style, size, type of flowers, how many people are in your wedding party, and skill of your florist. In general for quality floral design, you can expect to budget about a thousand dollars for the basics (bouquets, boutonnieres, flower crowns + corsages), to a few thousand on arrangements (with additions like centerpieces and arch + aisle flowers). Lower cost DIY options start at a few hundred dollars. Pinterest is of course an amazing resource to reference, but Nicole says to be mindful of artificial bouquets (whose styles cannot be replicated with fresh flowers) and high-end luxury arrangements as you’re pinning. As with most anything, extravagant designs can quickly add up.

#2 – USE FLOWERS FROM THE CEREMONY IN YOUR RECEPTION AREA

This is a great way to save on costs and design services. A family member, friend or day-of coordinator can take down and transport your arrangements from your ceremony to your reception area. You can reuse them on the head table, guest tables, near dessert tables, near the bar, etc. It’s also common to place bouquets from the wedding party into vases on the head table as centerpieces.

#1 CHOOSING FLOWERS IN SEASON CAN SAVE ON COSTS

Most flowers have seasons just like fruit or vegetables and everything else that grows out of the ground. You know when strawberries are $4.99, but in summer you can get them 2/$4? Same with flowers for your wedding. Flowers that are in season for your date, or those that are in season year-round, will stay fresh the best, and also keep costs down. The knot has a flower guide that includes season + cost – you can find that here.

THE PINK PEONY

314 E Main St, Waterford, WI 53185

262.514.3251

The Pink Peony features floral design services and pre-made floral gifts, as well as art and housewares from local businesses and artisans in Waterford, Wisconsin.

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