The Most Important Wedding Floral Elements

for special events

the most important
wedding floral elements

october 2022

I think we can all agree, planning a wedding is a downright balancing act. When meeting with clients, we wrestle with these questions: how can we get the most out of the floral budget? This is the vision, but how can we achieve this? What elements should we prioritize?

This is what we recommend as essential flowers to create a cohesive, lush look for your big day, in this order!

From personals to table settings to
installations: what should you order?

bridal bouquet(s) and groom
boutonniere(s)

The brides and grooms definitely need the flower power. Sometimes, couples will opt out of ordering boutonnieres to cut costs. However, we always encourage a boutonniere for the groom as a sign of honor and a link to their spouse-to-be. It is a very special day after all!

personals for your important
people

This includes bouquets and boutonnieres for the wedding party, plus corsages and boutonnieres for parents and other loved ones. These create cohesion while honoring those who are certainly deserving. We especially like to prioritize showing the parents all the flower love.

In general, we recommend at least one of the following for the ceremony: an arch/ installation, aisle markers, or two large arrangements framing the site. Ceremony flowers are a ton of fun; however if the budget is tight, the reality is that the big majority of time is spent at the reception!

ceremony flowers

Centerpieces are an excellent use of resources, as they set the tone for the wedding feast. The hope is to honor your guests as they enjoy food, drink, and flowers until the sun goes down. From bud vases to greenery garland to larger arrangements, there are options to suit your needs.

centerpieces

Welcome bouquets are the unsung heroes of wedding flowers. While they can often be an afterthought, there’s no denying that they set the tone and signal that it’s time to party! They can also live a second life at the bar or in other seating areas.

welcome table

Here’s your chance to sit at a table covered in flowers…with the love of your life…surrounded by your favorite people. Some couples use the bridal bouquet plus some greenery around it. From there, more flowers, candles and other decor can make it extra special.

sweetheart table

officiant, ring bearer and flower
people accessories

A final bit of detail that really rounds out the look. Plus, it’s always better to shower more people with flowers, right?

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Once the basics are taken care of, other elements that folks often include are cake flowers, sign garlands, flowers for pets, cocktail hour arrangements, and bar arrangements.

& there is always more!

Photography by Michelle Alexandra

At La Playa Carmel

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