Wedding Flower Checklist: What Every Bride Needs to Know

Planning a wedding is a big job and flowers are a major part of it. They set the mood, add personality to the space and bring everything together visually. But when you are choosing blooms, staying on budget and making sure everything shows up on time, wedding planning can get overwhelming fast.

Here’s a simple checklist to help you stay on track with your wedding flowers; we’ll cover the basics every bride should know.

1. Know your floral budget first

Before you fall in love with peonies or picture your aisle lined with orchids, you need to figure out how much you're able to spend.

Most couples end up spending between 8–15% of their total wedding budget on flowers. But the percentage isn’t the main point —what matters is having a real number. That number will help you guide your choices and will prevent last-minute panic.

Having this number early also makes conversations with your florist in Austin, TX smoother. They’ll work around your priorities and suggest seasonal or local flowers that give the same look without the same price.

2. Create a list of essential arrangements

You don’t need flowers everywhere, but you do need to cover the important spots.

Start with the non-negotiables:

• Bridal bouquet
• Bridesmaids' bouquets
• Boutonnieres for the groom and the groomsmen
• Corsages for parents or grandparents
• Ceremony backdrop or arch flowers
• Centerpieces for the reception tables

If your budget allows, you can then add extras like flower petals for the aisle, cake flowers, bar arrangements, or a floral photo wall. But the core list will help you stay focused.

3. Keep the venue in mind

Not all venues need the same amount of floral decoration. A garden wedding may only need a few touches, while a blank-slate warehouse space will likely need more.

Visit your venue with fresh eyes. Think about where flowers will have the most impact – the entrance, altar and tables. Focus on areas guests will notice first. Also, venues can vary a lot, it could be a rustic barns or some modern rooftop spots– so your flower style should match the vibe.

4. Learn the basics of flower seasonality

You don’t need to memorize bloom calendars but it’s helpful to know that not all flowers are available year-round.

Roses and carnations are easier to get throughout the year. On the other hand, ranunculus, lilacs or dahlias have short windows of availability. If you’re stuck on a specific flower, ask early if it could be available in your wedding month. Local growers and flower shops in Austin TX, can guide you on what’s in season and this way you can avoid paying extra for hard-to-source stems.

5. Think about the photos

Your bouquet is in almost every wedding photo. It’s in your hands when you walk down the aisle, pose and stand with your partner —so make it count.

Size, shape, and color matter more than you might think. Too big can hide your dress and too small can look unbalanced. Bright colors might pop, or they might distract. You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect bouquet, just one that works well with your dress, body type and the photo style you like.

6. Have a point person for the day

You won’t be the one checking on delivery times or where the arch flowers go. Choose someone you trust to handle flower details on the big day. It could be a planner, coordinator or even a friend who’s good under pressure.

Give them a copy of your flower plan, timeline and the contact info of your florist. If you’re using a local vendor for flowers in Georgetown, TX, having someone to coordinate locally will surely avoid last-minute back and forth.

7. Confirm all details before the final week

About two to three weeks before the wedding, double-check everything. Go over your order: bouquets, boutonnieres, table arrangements, timelines and drop-off locations.

Make sure your florist has updated headcounts and venue access times. If anything changes last minute, this is your buffer to fix it. The last week of the wedding is already busy enough, so avoid scrambling by locking everything down early.

Need help bringing your flower vision to life? Order from William Paul Floral Design, your trusted florist for custom, stunning wedding flowers in Austin, Texas that stand out. Reach out to us today!