I am very excited to share this new post in my wedding planning series about wedding flowers. I met Augusta of Augusta Florals a few years ago and we have worked together on several occasions. I am very much attracted to Augusta’s work, which is feminine, romantic and beautiful. It wasn’t a big surprise when I found out that Augusta won the prestigious Wedding Florist of the Year award in 2020. I visited Augusta at her North London home studio and while she was preparing a floral arrangement we chatted about all things wedding flowers.

Augusta Floral
Wedding Florist of the Year 2020

At what stage of the planning process should you start to think about florists and flowers?

Wedding planning is an exciting time and sometimes you can feel overwhelmed by choices and vendors on offer. Once you finally hit the ground after engagement bliss, the venue is usually the biggest decision to make. Once you have decided on the type of your ceremony and place to hold the celebration it is time to look for florists and think about your wedding florals. Many couples think that they should have a clear idea of the flowers they are after as well as varieties and colour schemes, but it is not always necessary. It is great if you have a vision but florists have extensive experience in wedding flowers and can help you choose arrangements and advice on decor elements. Experienced florists get booked 6-12 months in advance, so you need to get in touch early to avoid disappointment.

Top tips on choosing a wedding florist, including questions to ask

The wedding florist is a very important part of your day. Flowers set the tone to your day and transform venues and ceremonies; they create a very special atmosphere for the wedding couple and their guests. When choosing the florist, ensure that you like the style they create, browse their websites and social media, read testimonials about their services. Your wedding florist has to clearly understand your wishes, likes and most importantly your dislikes as they are the one who will turn your ideas and vision into reality. I always advise couples to set a clear floral budget as the florist can give you options what they can create with that and how they can maximise your budget. It is also important to check with the florist if they cover the area of the venue, as using a local florist can save you a lot of money on travel surcharges. Don’t be shy to ask for all the details; enquire about how many florists will be present on the day, where they source flowers from (markets, direct importers, local growers), their delivery and set up fees and what happens to unwanted flowers after (donation, disposal etc).

Things to communicate with your wedding florist and by when?

Finding and booking your wedding florist is the hardest part done. It is possible that your final table numbers or bridal party size will change closer to the date. It is important that you check with your florist what are their terms and conditions regarding increases or decrease of numbers. Here at Augusta Florals studio we are very flexible with changes and understand that it is sometimes hard to predict things as late as one month before the wedding day. However, some florists have their policies where only 10% reduction can be made, which could potentially be a problem if you are planning an intimate wedding. It is important to keep your florist up to date with final numbers; and as soon as your guests informed you about their attendance ensure that these details are passed onto your wedding florist along with your seating plan. It is also very useful to share important contact details like the wedding planner, venue contact, Maid of honour (the bride is likely to be very busy getting ready on the morning of her wedding day), Groom or Best man to make sure that the day runs smoothly.

 Tips to Maximise Your Wedding Flowers Budget

I usually advise allocating 10% of the total wedding budget for venue and ceremony decorations. Wedding flowers play a big part on the wedding day and maximising their impact and use can be a great help. Relocating arrangements from the ceremony to your venue can save you entrance flowers or top table decor. This move is seamlessly done by your wedding flowers team while you are taking pictures after the ceremony with your family and guests. Although you might have your mind set on peonies which bloom at the beginning of summer or lily of the valley it might be that these flowers will be particularly high in price due to season. Choosing seasonal flowers and foliage could save a big part of your budget also ensuring the quality and bloom size is at the top of the peak.

Augusta’s personal top floral tips

• Listen to your wedding florist’s advice. They do on average 30-40 weddings each year and they have so much experience on what works best for every part of the day.
• Use seasonal flowers were possible.
• Ensure that your florist clearly understands your ideas and you are both on the same page to avoid any surprises on your wedding morning.
• Look after your bridal flowers. Touching or squeezing the blooms might make them go brown before you are ready to walk down the aisle.
• Preserve your wedding bouquet after the wedding day. It is such a sentimental keepsake that will remind you of one of the most special days of your life.
• Donate unwanted flowers. Ask your florist if they can donate unwanted flowers to hospitals or homes for the elderly on your behalf.

2020/21 floral trend predictions

Single variety flowers. From single variety roses to peonies and hydrangeas, single variety wedding flowers is going to be a big trend this wedding season as well as moving into 2021. It creates impressive settings and perfectly works for smaller budget weddings.

Colour block flowers are setting the new trend in wedding floristry. Using one colour for your entire wedding florals bring very stylish, bold and spectacular tone to your day. We are used to all white flowers for the weddings but what about using three shades of pink; from bright Hot Pink moving onto everyone’s favourite All for Love and finishing with soft and pastel Sweet Avalanche. Or wedding flowers arranged from blue hydrangeas or sandy cream Quicksand rose with hints of pink and berry notes on the edges only.

Foam-free arrangements. Since everyone is more aware of plastic waste and living a more sustainable lifestyle, floristry also is having its turn to going foam-free. Although it is time-consuming and can come at a higher cost, more and more florists advise you to select arrangements made in vases.

Augusta Florals is an award-winning wedding florist based in North London. Augusta draws her inspiration from the changing seasons of Nature and creates beautiful, natural and luxurious floral designs. Find out more about Augusta’s work and services by visiting: www.augustaflorals.com