The Complete Wedding Flowers Checklist (A-Z)
- Kate Hiscock
- Sep 1
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 2
Planning flowers for a wedding is equal parts creative and logistical. Your flowers will appear a lot in your wedding photos, but they're also how you communicate your wedding’s style, set the tone, and highlight important moments. This requires careful planning to make sure you have the right flowers, in the right places, at the right times.
I’m Kate, the florist behind Botanic Possessions, and I know the importance of choosing the right flowers for your wedding celebrations. I have built this A–Z wedding flowers checklist for couples, planners, bridesmaids, and other members of the team who want a single, comprehensive guide to help determine which flowers you need and where, from ceremony to reception. Plus, I answer some FAQs on getting your wedding flowers in order.
Table of Contents
Have questions as you read? Contact us via the form on our homepage or on our live chat. All images included in this post are from weddings or styled shoots we have done flowers for. If you like what you see, visit our wedding flowers page and fill out the form to schedule a consultation with Kate and discover how our flowers - grown on a mountain top in Blaenavon, South Wales - can be part of your celebrations!
A-Z of Wedding Flowers
Our checklist to help you plan your wedding flowers includes:
A – Altar/Arch
A – Aisle Markers
A – Aisle Petals
D – Door/Entryway
B – Bridal Bouquet
B – Bridesmaids’ Bouquet
B – Boutonnieres
C – Confetti
C – Corsages
C – Crowns
T – Tossing Bouquet
C – Cake Flowers
C – Centrepieces
G – Guest Book & Gift Table
H – Hanging
H – Head Table (Sweetheart) Arrangement
M – Memorial Table Flowers
P – Place Setting
W – Welcome Sign Florals
We'll go into more detail about each of these next, separated into three main categories: personal, ceremony, and reception flowers.
Remember, this is just a general guide - It’s your wedding, and you don't have to include everything we've added on your personal checklist.
Personal Flowers
There are lots of different types of personal flowers. We recommend you prioritise your bridal and bridesmaids' bouquets first, and then work from there. Your personal flowers are a reflection of the wedding’s overall look and feel, so make sure they complement each other.
Bridal Bouquet
A handheld arrangement carried by the bride, which is often the day’s most photographed floral piece. It should complement your dress and wedding style, so you should consider colour, shape and fragrance.
Bridesmaids’ Bouquet
Smaller versions of your bouquet that coordinate with your wedding colour palette.
Boutonnieres
Small floral pieces worn on lapels by the groom, groomsmen, fathers, grandfathers, and other honoured guests.
Confetti
Dried petal confetti for your guests to throw.
Corsages
Wrist or pin-on floral arrangements for mothers, grandmothers, and other honoured guests.
Crowns
Flowers arranged in wearable headpieces (“crowns”).
Tossing Bouquet
A special duplicate, or simplified version of the bridal bouquet, for the bouquet toss tradition, allowing you to preserve your original bouquet.
Ceremony Flowers
You don’t need flowers everywhere, but you do want them in the main places, and this includes your ceremony space - the meaningful place that you’ll say your “I do’s”. Focus on flowers that frame your special moment and will be in the background of photos.
Alter/Arch
Decorative, statement flowers placed at the wedding altar, or structured on an arch/frame. Alter flowers frame you as you exchange vows, and are often used for impactful ceremonial visuals.
Aisle Markers
Floral accents on seating or pew ends along the aisle.
Aisle Petals
Scattered blooms that create a path for your procession.
Door/Entryway
Floral pieces at the door/entrance of your ceremony space.
Reception Flowers
Where the celebrations really begin! Wedding reception flowers can take a large reception space and make it magical. Think entrance displays, cake flowers, and bold hanging arrangements.
Cake Flowers
Fresh or preserved blooms that decorate your wedding cake or dessert tables. You might also wish to add subtle arrangements to other food and drink stations.
Centrepieces
Floral displays are situated at reception tables, varying in form and height. Table focal points should allow for conversation across tables.
Guest Book & Gift Table
Floral decorations on tables where guests leave gifts/cards or sign the guest book.
Hanging
Overhead floral features like hoops or suspended arrangements. Consider using these for the dance floor or to frame other reception spaces.
Head Table (Sweetheart) Arrangement
A showstopping arrangement that highlights where the married couple will sit.
Memorial Table Flowers
Tasteful arrangements that honour loved ones who cannot be present.
Place Setting
Small floral accents around guests’ places or seating cards.
Welcome Sign Florals
Flowers that accent the welcome or directional signage, to create an inviting entrance to your reception space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Far in Advance Should I Book My Wedding Florist?
In an ideal world, 9-12 months before your wedding date. Popular florists can book up over a year in advance, especially for peak season weekends.
How Should I Choose My Florist?
Schedule a consultation to discuss your vision, budget, and venue. Bring inspirational photos and your colour palette, and know your guest count (which determines table numbers). A professional florist, like Kate at Botanic Possessions, will help you prioritise, suggest seasonal alternatives, and create a cohesive design that flows from ceremony to reception.
What Flowers Are Best for My Wedding?
We recommend that you choose seasonally appropriate flowers. This not only ensures better availability and quality but can also significantly reduce costs.
Locally grown flowers also ensure freshness and are more sustainable.
That said, it's ultimately your decision! Choose what feels right for your vision.
What’s the Average Cost of Wedding Flowers in the UK?
Costs vary based on vision and scale, but most couples invest between £1,500 and £5,000 for complete wedding floral services. Personal flowers typically start from £250-£500, with ceremony and reception arrangements adding to the total.
Can I have a wedding without flowers?
Absolutely! While traditional, flowers aren't essential. Alternative decorations include potted plants, fabric installations, paper art, light displays, or candlelight. However, even a few small naturally grown flowers can add a magical touch without a large investment.
We hope that this A-Z guide has helped you to determine which flowers you need to consider in your plans! Whether you're creating it all yourself or leaning on a florist like me, flowers play an important role in your special day, so plan ahead where possible and choose arrangements and placement that feel the most important to you.
How We Can Help
Botanic Possessions creates unique, naturally grown flower arrangements from the heart of South Wales.
Whether you’re after statement wedding bouquets, DIY flowers, or a complete luxury package, we’ll bring your vision to life with beautiful arrangements, bouquets, and bespoke extras tailored to you.
💐 Visit our wedding flowers page and book a consultation with Kate to explore how our naturally grown, luxury flowers can make your celebration truly unforgettable. If you want wedding flowers that are alternative, personal, and one-of-a-kind, you’ve just found your perfect match.
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