Hey world! It’s Steph, your little Birmingham Wedding Photographer talking all about your wedding flowers!

Your wedding flowers are so important when it comes to creating your wedding style or tying it all together. I have couples whose creating their whole wedding around their flowers and I am living for this! Since hitting my 30’s I love my garden, so seeing gorgeous blooms on your wedding day makes me a very excited little wedding photographer.

I love helping all you bad ass couples planning your wedding days. So I have got in touch with some amazing florists I have had the pleasure to work with recently. These three florists are based in Birmingham, Nottingham and Wigan, so have you covered where ever you’re getting married. I have asked these bad ass florists questions that will help you on your wedding flower journey.

Caroline - Flowerology Birmingham

Caroline’s ethos is to use local, seasonal and wild flowers in her gorgeous creations. Caroline uses many home grown flowers in her bouquets, which really shows her love and care for her work. Caroline did a 3 year night school course that turned her love of flowers into her career. Caroline is based in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham.

Sarah - Olive Owl Flowers

The idea of being a Florist came to Sarah one day when She bought a very small and simple bouquet from her local Florist. She was so amazed by how creative she was, and how gorgeous she'd made such a simple bouquet that the very next day she booked onto a full time 2 year Floristry Course. Fast forward 8 years and Sarah now runs her own wedding & online flower shop from her studio in Wigan, Greater Manchester. She creates colourful, textured and alternative blooms for people who are bold, fun and vibrant.

Amy PolkaDot Florist - Amy has been obsessed with flowers since she was ten years old and used to go to flower arranging classes with her gran! It’s all she ever wanted to do. Amy started PolkaDot Florist at the fearless age of 22. Amy has now been running her business for 14 years. Amy loves seeing how dramatically fashions and trends have changed over the years. She loves using colour and experimenting with the ever changing styles!

What flowers should I expect from each season?

This is a question I think all couples should be asking when they’re planning their wedding. If you want your wedding flowers to be a big part of your wedding day, for instance you have a specific flower in mind, you should be planning your wedding at the time of year that flower is in season! So here are what the bad ass florists had to say.

Amy (PolkaDot Florist) - “Spring great for the narcissus, tulips, ranunculus, anemonies! Summer is all about the peonies for me! (Still a firm fave for weddings btw) Along with delphiniums and garden roses. Autumn is the start of the wintery textured foliages, dried articles such as straw flowers and berries! Winter- I love lots of foliages, roses, thistles and berries! Eucalyptus is in its prime too!

Caroline (Flowerology Birmingham) - “We try to work with seasonal British flowers where possible. For Spring I recommend tulips, narcissi, ranunculus, anemomes, bluebells and hellebores. For Summer I recommend a bounty of garden roses, peonies, hydrangeas, lavender, sweetpeas, scabiosa, cornflowers, lilac for the gap between late Spring and early summer. For Autumn I recommend flowering branches and foliages in flaming colours, dahlias, cosmos, Japanese Anenomes. For Christmas I recommend evergreens, big velvety scented red roses, jasmine, big Amarylis. Tropical flowers are good all year round. I use Anthuriums and Orchids in a lot of my work. Flowers like carnations, roses, sea holly are available all year round. I grow many of my own flowers in Summer.”

Sarah (Olive Owl Flowers) - “A big one everyone wants is Peonies. These are a Spring flower heading into Summer - by late Summer most florists will have stopped using these as the quality will be poor. Dahlia's have a similar season, whereas Roses are available all year round. One of my absolute favourites are Sweet Peas which are a Spring/Summer Flower - they have the sweetest scent and just look so delicate and lovely. I'll use these as much as I can throughout their season.”

Why fresh flowers over artificial?

Are you torn on choosing between real flowers or silk? Are you trying to keep costs down so think artificial flowers will help? This will help you decide on which route to take.

Sarah (Olive Owl Flowers) - “For me Fresh Flowers will always be the winners. Not only do Fresh look miles better than silk, the varieties available to you in Fresh are pretty much endless! Silk Fowers are copies of the most popular Flowers on the market, so if you're wanting truly unique Flowers, you won't find these if you're buying silk. Some people think that Silk means cheaper - yes and no. Cheap, low quality silk -Yes. High quality silk - No, and sometimes actually more expensive than Fresh. The only times I'll use silk is if a couple want something incorporated into their Wedding Flowers that's out of Season. For example, mixing in a couple of Silk Lily of the Valley into the Fresh Flower Bridal Bouquet due to sentimental reasons or just being a massive fan of the Flower.”

Caroline (Flowerology Birmingham) -” I don't even use artificial as I can't feel any 'soul' in them, but I do love dried materials - pampass grass, other grasses, wheat, oats etc. They can look amazing with a neutral colour scheme. The tone of their colour can't quite be found in fresh flowers.”

Amy ( PolkaDot Florist) - “A lot of Brides may think that fresh is more expensive, but good artificials can be pricey! Silks are good but fresh flowers have the scents, the natural tones and just an all round better look in my opinion!”

Average cost of a wedding bouquet?

Here’s the question to help you all with your budgeting. Us Brits hate talking about money, so I have done it for you. This will help you get an idea of what to expect to pay for the best quality bouquet!

Caroline (Flowerology Birmingham) - “I would recommend a spend of £150”

Amy (PolkaDot Florist ) -”I would say for a large classic Bridal bouquet it would be between £90-£150

Sarah (Olive Owl Flowers) -” Between £100 - £250”

How much should be budgeted for wedding flowers?

So this is the full show, bridal flowers, button holes & tables. Real flowers at a wedding are always a show stopper, I love the look and smell of flowers being everywhere in your wedding. If you’re anything like me, I never know what to expect when it comes to budgeting for most things, so this will help you know what you should be budgeting for your wedding. These are not exact figures, you should always talk to your florist and they will work with you.

Amy (PolkaDot Florist) - “I would say approx 10% -15% of your entire budget.”

Sarah (Olive Owl Flowers) - “On average, my couples tend to pay around 1.8k - 2.5k for Bridal and Tables. For Weddings with Installations: 2k -5k”

Caroline (Flowerology Birmingham) - “I'm bound to say this as a florist, but try to budget as much as you can. I can advise on which flowers are less expensive so you get more bang for your buck, but you don't want the overall look to be thin and mean. Go all out where you can.”

When should couples book you?

I hate having to turn couples away because they have left it too late to book their wedding photographer. This is the same with your wedding florist, they need the time to create your amazing wedding flowers. Just like wedding photographers, they will be very busy int he summer! So this will help you know when you should be booking your florist.

Sarah (Olive Owl Flowers) - “Roughly 18 months before but this is mostly due to getting the date booked. We've had people book 6 weeks before, so it's possible to plan in that time but we recommend booking early to be ensure we have your date available”

Caroline (Flowerology Birmingham) - “As soon as possible. Once you have a date and venue set.”

Amy (PolkaDot Florist) - “Couples tend to book me at least a year before but I have had a lot of last minute elopements which book me a month or a few weeks before!”

How far do you deliver flowers?

Sometimes we will be scrolling through Instagram and fall in love with wedding suppliers hundred and hundreds of miles away. For some of your suppliers, this is no problem, but for others this could be an issue, like your wedding flowers.

Caroline (Flowerology Birmingham) - “West Midlands and surrounding counties. If planning a wedding on a day that might end up being very hot - say mid July - I will always recommend flowers that I know won't wilt. Tropical flowers are good for very hot days.”

Amy (PolkaDot Florist) - “I am happy to travel as and where a Bride needs me! i have decorated venues in Manchester and in Somerset! Travel isnt really an issue for me.”

Sarah (Olive Owl Flowers) - “My absolute max is 2 hours (from Wigan). Florists tend to spend all day at Weddings, leaving just after the Wedding Breakfast set up is complete, so it's not so bad travelling 2 hours but for those wanting only Bridal Flowers, we ask that these are collected or delivered to a local address.”

What’s your favourite style of bouquet to create at the moment?

I love working with suppliers who have a passion for what they’re doing. If you’re wanting a big, loose wedding bouquet, you wouldn't necessarily book a florist who create traditional, tight bouquets. So getting a feel for what a florist loves will help you decide if they’re the right one for you.

Sarah (Olive Owl Flowers) - “I'm torn between the big over-sized, cascading and Edwardian inspired Bouquet and the more minimalist Rose and Dried Flower Bouquet which is more of a Pageant Shape.”

Caroline (Flowerology Birmingham) - “Big, blousey blooms. The hugest roses, peonies etc. Wild and overflowing. Lush, decadent”

Amy (PolkaDot Florist) - “I LOVE a big bouquet! Bring back the 80s shower! (But with a modern twist of course!)”

What's going to be the 2021/22 trend with wedding flowers?

Are you wanting your wedding to be on trend, but don’t know where to start? wedding suppliers can help you, we see how the trends are changing and what couples are wanting their wedding to look like. Florists are especially have the knowledge on how the trends are changing and what we can expect to see this wedding season.

Caroline (Flowerology Birmingham) - “Dried flowers definitely and all greenery designs”

Amy (PolkaDot Florist) - “Lots of dried flowers and pampas! Im hoping more romantic blousy bouquets come back.. in pinky,rosey romantic tones.”

Sarah (Olive Owl Flowers) - “Fine Art Florals are going to be big for this and next year. Lots of textures, delicate florals and muted colours. Maximalist is currently a huge decor trend and whatever is trending in interior will eventually make it's way into the wonderful world of weddings. We've got some epic Weddings lined up with vibrant hues, contrasting pastels with lots of busy textures all thrown into the mix. A classic which will always be a contender in my eyes is White and Green. It's timeless. Rather than keeping this style the same, it always develops. Florists are now using Dried Florals to give this classic look a modern twist, and it's absolutely stunning! Finally, Dried Flowers!! I have my first Fully Dried Wedding later on in the year. It's all neutrals with Sandy Tones and Whites with Big Fluffy Pampas, Textured Ruscus and Delicate Ferns. Eeeeek!”

Tips and ideas on what to do with your flowers after your wedding day

Your wedding day is over and you’re caught in the whirlwind of having the best day of your lives. So you sort through everything and see all your wedding flowers. What do you do with them? Here are some amazing ideas of what you can do with your wedding flowers.

Sarah (Olive Owl Flowers) - “For your Bridal Flowers (Bouquet(s) and/or Buttonhole(s) we offer Preservation by drying out your Flowers and framing them in a 3D Box. You can also get Paintings or Drawings of your Bouquet, as well as Resin Art where Flowers are Dried and made into ornaments or jewellery. The next day or later on the night of your Wedding you can pay extra for us to create mini bouquets or Bottle Flowers to hand out to all your Guests. We can give the Flowers to a local Nursing home towards our activities.”

Caroline (Flowerology Birmingham) - “There are some cool companies out there that can do a portrait of your bouquet. Thats a nice idea I think. Dried flowers you can of course keep. And a lot of couples choose to have plants at their reception so they can keep them.”

Amy (PolkaDot Florist) - “Theres so many cool things to do now! Ive seen someone press petals into jewellery or even into clay to make a vase!!”

What are your best tips for couples getting married

Here’s just some little pieces of advise from some awesome wedding suppliers to help you enjoy your wedding day,

Amy (PolkaDot Florist) - Stay organised! Even if you do a little big each week! Do what you want to do! Even if its not the norm, its your day!

Sarah (Olive Owl Flowers) - Use your Table Flowers in the Ceremony Set up, Trust the expert and don't skimp out on your photographer (there's not point sending lots of money on a beautiful Wedding for a rather average photographer to capture it all and do none of it any justice).

Caroline (Flowerology Birmingham) - I try to make the whole process as fun as possible. When we're allowed again, consultations are held in coffee shops, the pub, the coolest cocktail bar. Wherever is your favourite place.

I hope you all enjoyed today’s blog, especially as it’s valentines week.Below you will find the websites and social links for each florist in this blog. Each florist is amazing and i’m sure you will love love LOVE them! Don’t forget, if you’re looking for a fun little Birmingham Wedding Photographer, then i’m your gal! Click the button below to find out more about me!

Caroline Flowerology Birmingham

website - https://www.flowerology.co.uk

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/flowerologybirmingham/

Amy Polka Dot The Creative Florist

Website http://www.polkadotflorist.co.uk

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/polkadotflorist_/

Sarah Olive Owl Flowers

Website https://oliveowl.co.uk

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/oliveowlflowers/ wedding flowers https://www.instagram.com/oliveowl_weddings/