Wedding flowers are one of the details couples underestimate most, right up until the final few weeks, when florists get booked out and decisions have to be made in a hurry. The good news is that flowers don’t need to be complicated if you plan around a simple timeline. Here’s what to do and when, from the moment you get engaged to the morning of the wedding itself.
One Year to Go
Start gathering inspiration before you commit to anything. Save images from wedding magazines, Pinterest boards, or Instagram of colour palettes, flower varieties and bouquet styles that catch your eye — even loosely, this becomes a useful reference point later.
It’s also worth checking early whether your venue has an in-house florist, or a preferred supplier list. Some Irish venues restrict who can style the space, so knowing this upfront saves time.
Nine Months to Go
Once your dress and your bridal party’s outfits are chosen, add fabric swatches to your inspiration folder. Colour-matching flowers to fabric in person is far easier than trying to remember a shade months later.
If your venue doesn’t have a preferred florist, this is the time to start researching. Ask recently married friends for recommendations, check reviews, and shortlist two or three florists to meet. Bring your inspiration folder to each consultation — it helps the florist understand your style quickly. Once you’ve found the right fit, book them. Good florists in Dublin and across Ireland get booked out well over a year in advance for peak summer dates, so earlier is always safer. Get your booking confirmed in writing with an estimated cost breakdown, and expect to pay a deposit to secure your date.
Six Months to Go
If your florist hasn’t worked at your venue before, invite them along on a site visit. Seeing the space in person helps them plan the best way to style each area, from the ceremony room to the reception tables.
This is also the point to finalise your flower order and confirm the number of arrangements you’ll need — bouquets, buttonholes, ceremony flowers, table centrepieces and any additional decor.
Three Months to Go
If you’re planning to wear flowers in your hair, order a trial set now and do a run-through with your hairdresser. This gives you time to adjust the style, colours, or flower choice if something isn’t working before the big day.
One Month to Go
Hold a final meeting with your florist to reconfirm every arrangement and quantity. Provide all delivery addresses clearly — most florists set up around three hours before the ceremony, so agree a schedule that works for your venue’s access times. Double-check with the venue that your florist will be able to set up at the agreed slot.
Find out when your final balance is due. Most florists ask for payment around ten days before the wedding, so arrange this in advance to avoid a last-minute scramble.
Three Days to Go
Confirm with your florist that every flower you’ve ordered is available. If a substitution is needed, ask to see the alternative if you can. This is also the time to talk through any last-minute changes and make sure your florist has a full list of emergency contacts in case anything unexpected comes up.
The Big Day
Ask your florist to check every arrangement for any blooms that may have been damaged in transit. Buttonholes for the groom’s side should be handed to the best man to distribute, while spare buttonholes and corsages should be kept somewhere cool and dry until needed.
Hand-tied bouquets should go straight into water, while wired arrangements benefit from a light spritz throughout the day to stay fresh. Dry the stems of your bouquet at least half an hour before you leave for the ceremony, so there’s no risk of water marking your dress.
Planning Your Wedding Flowers in Ireland?
At Flowers Touch, we work with couples across Dublin and the surrounding counties from the very first consultation through to setup on the day itself. If you’re starting to think about your wedding flowers, get in touch and we’ll help you build a timeline that fits your date.
