Wedding Planning
Wedding Flowers Checklist: Your Ultimate Guide
Wedding flowers - their style and colour compositions can often set the tone of your whole ceremony. Check out our wedding flowers guide for useful tips on choosing your florals.
2 Min Read
There are endless possibilities when it comes to wedding flowers. They can set the tone of the whole ceremony, whether you want to go bold and bright or soft and romantic. Your wedding flowers will show off your personality, and provide the backdrop for many of your wedding photos, so let our checklist guide you.
What flowers do you need for your wedding?
You don’t need flowers everywhere, but you do want them in the right places. That’s where a good wedding flower checklist comes in. Some floral elements, like the bride’s bouquet, ceremony décor, and wedding reception flowers, are often seen as must-haves. Others, such as wedding cake flowers, flower crowns, or a flower archway, can be added to reflect your personal style and the feel of your celebration.
“Depending on the size and scale of your wedding, you can add an abundance of floral elements to every stage,” says Jessica Kirk, wedding flower expert from FlowerBx. “However, some core non-negotiables will make any wedding setting shine. Firstly, consider personal flowers — from a seasonal bridal bouquet to bridesmaid bouquets, buttonholes, and accessories for flower girls and page boys.”
She adds, “Elegant floral centrepieces or modern, structural bud vases for dinner are a must, plus something to dress your ceremony and reception space. This could be urn arrangements, meadow ends, floral arches – or something a little more understated.”
Wedding Flowers Checklist
Before you book your wedding florist, it’s key to know what you want. Bring along any inspiration you have and use this list to be fully prepared. Remember — this is a general guide, so don’t feel pressured to include every item! Your wedding flower expert can tailor everything to your wedding budget, season, and style. Here’s a quick checklist of wedding flowers to help answer your question, “What flowers are needed for a wedding?” before we dive into each section in more detail:
Wedding Party Flowers
- Bride's bouquet
- Flowers for hair
- Bridal toss bouquet
- Bridesmaid bouquets
- Flower girl bouquet or petals
- Groomsmen buttonholes
- Ring bearer flowers
- Mother of the Bride / Groom corsages
- Father of the Bride / Groom buttonholes
- Grandparents corsage / buttonholes
Wedding Ceremony Flowers
- Entrance flowers
- Altar and registrar table flowers
- Pew chair decorations
- Aisle décor
- Candles to match your flowers
- Dried petal confetti for your guests
Wedding Reception Flowers
- Entryway arrangements
- Flower wall or arch
- Table centrepieces
- Bar décor
- Head table decorations
- Card table/guest book decorations
- Wedding cake flowers
Personal and Wedding Party Flowers Checklist
When it comes to personal and wedding party flowers, longevity and a photo-worthy finish are key. As Jessica Kirk from FlowerBx highlights, “Firstly, consider personal flowers — from a seasonal bridal bouquet to bridesmaid bouquets, buttonholes, and accessories for flower girls and page boys.” She adds that you should prioritise your bridal bouquet and bridesmaid bouquets, with buttonholes and corsages added to the list if they suit the style and mood of your celebration.
Logistics matter more than you might think when planning your wedding flowers. Jessica advises, “Get your floral timeline in order – from who is collecting or receiving your flowers, to where they’ll be when.” It’s all about keeping things smooth and stress-free on the day. And when it comes to style, your personal flowers should feel like an extension of your overall look. “Be sure your personal flowers complement your outfit choices, and are working as well with groomsmen’s suits as they do with bridesmaids’ dresses,” she adds.
1. Bride's Bouquet
The star of the show, your wedding bouquet flowers, will be in nearly every photo, from walking down the aisle to your first dance. Choose a bouquet that reflects your personal style and complements your dress silhouette, fabric, and overall aesthetic. Seasonal blooms like garden roses, peonies or orchids are popular choices — and Jessica advises keeping scale in mind: “Size matters – make sure all elements are designed to scale. Too large bouquets will hide the beauty of a bridal outfit, while too small may not make the desired impact.”
2. Wedding Flowers for Hair
Whether it’s a full flower crown, delicate flower headbands, or a single fresh bloom tucked into a bun, wedding flowers for hair add a soft, romantic finish to your look. They're a beautiful option not just for brides, but also for bridesmaids and flower girls. Match them to your bouquet or dress them down for a more whimsical, natural vibe — either way, they’ll elevate your style and add detail to your portraits.
Bridal Toss Bouquet
A lighter, secondary version of your main bouquet, designed specifically for the wedding bouquet toss tradition. It lets you participate in the fun moment without tossing your keepsake. This wedding flower bouquet can mirror the main one in colour or theme, but typically uses fewer stems or lighter blooms for easier throwing. Your florist can help create something cost-effective and cheerful to match the celebratory mood.
Bridesmaid Bouquet
Bridesmaid bouquets should complement the bride’s, without overshadowing it. Choose blooms that match the colour palette of the dresses and overall florals. Think of them as the supporting cast to your floral moment. These bouquets often mirror the bride’s in colour palette or flower types, just scaled back in size or variety. Matching the tones to the bridesmaids' dresses and overall theme creates a polished and cohesive look. Whether you opt for identical bouquets or a more relaxed, mix-and-match style, they’ll shine in group photos.
5. Flower Girl Bouquets or Petals
Sweet and playful, flower girl bouquets or petal baskets are charming additions to your ceremony. You could go for a mini replica of the bridal bouquet or something simple, like a single bloom or posy tied with ribbon. Tossing petals down the aisle also creates a lovely, whimsical moment that’s great for candid photos. Plus, many little ones love having a wedding job to do!
6. Groomsmen Buttonholes
Small but full of character, groomsmen's buttonholes (also known as boutonnieres) are a classic finishing touch for suits or tuxedos. They’re often made from a single standout flower or a tiny cluster to reflect the broader floral scheme. Jessica recommends choosing hardy blooms that will last throughout the day:“If you’re opting for buttonholes and corsages, choose flowers that can endure the elements. They’ll be out of water from morning delivery, so longevity is a must.” For a modern, long-lasting choice, Jessica recommends orchids.
Top Tips For Your Wedding Flowers
If you fancy yourself a bit of a DIY champ, you may want to try being your own wedding florist. There are plenty of flower arranging courses available, earning you a lifelong skill as well as wedding flowers that are truly personal to you.
For eco-conscious couples or those on a budget, foraging for your own wedding flowers is another fun option - and a great activity for you to do together. Furthermore, think about how your wedding flowers can be used throughout the day to minimise waste.
When it comes to wedding flowers inspiration, search for the latest trends such as pampas grass and dried flowers. Or you may prefer abundant floral installations for an extra wow factor. It’s a good idea to find out what flowers are in season when you’re getting married, for extra seasonal ambience as well as practicality and cost.
First impressions count, have a think about what you want the flowers at your ceremony entrance to look like. They will make a lovely welcome feature for your guests and a great backdrop for those all-important ‘just married’ pictures!
Wedding Gift List Flower Subscriptions
Whilst you’re getting inspired to create your dream wedding bouquets, don’t forget that you can add a seasonal flower subscription from Bloom & Wild to your wedding gift list. It’s truly a gift that keeps on giving, sending a regular burst of joy through your post box!