5 Tips for Wedding Flowers with expert Deanna Byrne

We were fortunate enough to have a chat to the very busy Deanna from Distinctive Blooms who is a boutique and sought after florist based in SE QLD. Her arrangements are distinctly different which is something that we love, and because of this we asked her what her 5 top tips are when it comes to flowers and weddings.

Let’s talk the wedding favourite - bouquets. Personally, what do you think is the most beautiful flower to compliment a white wedding?

Oh, so many options!

When you say “White Wedding” I immediately think of a very formal, and classical style -Sophia Loren, or Audrey Hepburn-esque - Classy, Elegant and the epitome of Style.

If I had to narrow it down to one particular flower, I don’t think you can go past the classic white rose - speak to your florist as they can guide you on the best type of rose to choose, based on the time of year you are getting married.

If I was creating this style of wedding for a couple, I’d adopt a classic white, or muted pastels colour theme and would more than likely recommend a mixture of David Austin and standard Roses, Phalaenopsis Orchids, Hydrangea and maybe even a tulip or two. It’s important to create texture when adopting muted or monotone colour themes to ensure there is movement and interest within the design.

As with everything, this all depends on your personal taste, the time of year you’re planning on marrying, and where your wedding is located. This is a classic style that has been around for many, many decades and I’m sure will remain a firm favourite of brides to be, for many more.

Deanna’s Top Tips:

Tip #1… Don’t leave your flowers to the last minute! Popular florists are in high demand and are booked out months in advance.

Tip #2… Don’t forget how prominent your bouquet will be in your wedding photos. Aside from you and your partner, flowers will be front and foremost in many of your wedding day photos. These pics last a lifetime, so I always recommend you spend some thought and effort designing your bridal bouquet.

Tip #3…Timing is all important when choosing your wedding day flowers, you may love a particular bloom but perhaps it will not be in season…. Peonies are the big one here! So many gals love ‘em, but they are very susceptible to seasonal variations and have quite a short availability. Your florist is the best person to talk to regarding bloom choice, based on the timing of your wedding day and your personal preferences.

Tip #4…The weather is also a really big consideration when choosing flowers, if you are marrying during our summer, flower choice is crucial to ensure your blooms stay fresh and looking their best all day. For durability, look for firm stems, fresh green leaves and flower heads that are not fully open.

Tip #5… Keep your flowers in a cool, shaded position and out of drafts and the airflow from air conditioning or heaters in the lead up to the big day, avoid the temptation to touch them as this bruises the petals. If possible, have a water source for them to have a drink or a spritzer to freshen them up between ceremony, photos, and reception. If you do spritz, ensure you have a very fine spray and you hold the flowers at arms length to avoid bruising.

How far in advance should you order your flowers?

If you are going to use a professional florist to prepare your wedding flowers, I’d recommend ordering around 12 months in advance. To avoid disappointment when choosing your florist order no less than 6 months prior to your big day. To avoid price increases, do not try and order more than 18 months out. You can certainly book your date with a florist 18 months out but accurate pricing is almost impossible to predict that far from the date of supply. An experienced florist will be able to assist you with a guideline for pricing 18 months from the wedding but quotes are unlikely to be accurate due to the seasonal variations of flowers.

Anyone planning a DIY experience, I would recommend ordering your flowers 4 weeks in advance but begin your preparations much sooner than that to avoid last minute stress. Aim to have all your DIY finished at least one month before the wedding date so you can spend time relaxing and taking care of yourself in the lead up to your special day.

Any other tips you’d have for a bride?

Create a realistic budget early on and stick to it!!

Do everything sooner, rather than later, to avoid missing out on your dream vendors and to reduce stress levels close to the wedding day.

Less is more - choose one or two design elements and use them repeatedly.