5 Floral Items You Don't Actually Need for Your Wedding
Planning for your wedding day is a big undertaking, and we want to provide the best guidance for your floral investment. With so many different options out there on Pinterest, it’s hard to know which designs you should prioritize. We are here to help guide you on which items may be unnecessary when working with your wedding florist. In this post, we will take a look at the five floral items that you probably don't need in order to have a beautiful wedding. You'll be able to better navigate wedding floral planning while being thoughtful and intentional about what you’re investing in.
Working with your florist can be one of the most fun parts of the wedding planning process. However, it's important to consider both the flowers you want to prioritize as well as the ones you really don't need. That's right- you don't need flowers in every corner to make your wedding day beautiful. We always recommend focusing on quality over quantity. Plus, by focusing on a few impactful arrangements, you can create a cohesive and stunning aesthetic that your guests won’t forget.
Bud vases
Bud vases might seem like a simple, cost-effective decor solution but they are not always the best one. The cost can add up quickly when ordering large quantities and you may be better off with fewer large arrangements for the same price point. When it comes to wedding reception decor, it's always better to aim for fewer impactful arrangements rather than scattering many tiny ones across the space. The goal is to create visually impactful designs rather than putting flowers everywhere. While bud vases are incredibly versatile for the right spaces and designs, they are not the end all flower solution. We generally recommend utilizing them in groups of odd numbers when appropriate.
2. Candles
While candles can certainly add to the ambiance and aesthetics of a wedding, they may not always be necessary. If your wedding is taking place during the daytime or in a venue that is already brightly lit, candles may not be worth the investment. Candles are not necessarily an inexpensive add-on as they are usually considered to be, especially when you’re talking about pillar and taper candles. Candles are a lot of work including cleaning, transporting, storing, setting up and breaking down. They have to priced accordingly so we only recommend using them if they will be impactful in your wedding venue.
3. Boutonnieres
While boutonnieres are a considerate gesture for your wedding party and other VIPs, they aren't totally necessary. Going without one won't ruin the look or upset anyone. They aren’t visually impactful and tend to get squished during hugs as the day goes on. We’ll gladly add them to your flower order and make them for you. But if they’re not important to you, then feel free to skip the boutonnieres. We promise no one will miss pinning them on.
4. Corsages
Corsages are a classic design that are typically for VIPs and women in the family for a wedding. While it’s similar to boutonnieres as a nice gesture to family members, it’s not entirely necessary. Again, if they aren’t important to you then we totally understand. We typically create petite, modern wrist corsages on gold cuffs that are adjustable. So if you go that route and decide to include them, we have a modern design option for you.
5. Chair aisle markers
Have you ever seen those small flower bundles on the sides of the aisle chairs? They may be all over Pinterest, but I have strong opinions that they aren’t worth the investment. They can't be repurposed like a typical aisle arrangement would be. The cost adds up quickly in order to adorn many rows of chairs on both sides of the aisle.
I recommend creating larger aisle arrangements and the number can be scaled up and down for different looks. At a minimum, we can create a pair of arrangements to go behind the last row of chairs that can be moved in front of the sweetheart table. For a more lush look, add large ground arrangements on every row or every other row of chairs. Aisle arrangements can also be repurposed in front of the stage, DJ booth, bar, reception entrance, cake table, and lots of other places.
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If you’re looking for sustainable floral designs without sacrificing style and ambiance, it’s best to prioritize what matters most to you. Only use bud vases if they make sense with the design and candles are only impactful if venues are dark. Boutonnieres and corsages are nice but don't feel obligated to order them. Finally, chair markers add up quickly with little payoff and they can’t be repurposed afterwards. A mindful approach to your floral designs will help reduce unnecessary waste while maximizing your investment and design impact.
Let’s chat about the floral designs that make sense for your Seattle wedding. We’re currently booking events in 2023 and 2024.