Behind the Blooms: Preparing for an Intimate Wedding | Blog

There is something incredibly special about a small, intimate wedding. With a tighter guest list, every single detail-especially the flowers-takes centre stage. Today, I'm taking you behind the scenes in the studio as I prepare the floral pieces for a beautiful winter wedding, from the initial stem prep to the final delivery.

The Foundation: Stem Preparation

Before any arranging begins, the flowers need to be at their absolute best. This stage is known as "conditioning." I start by stripping away lower foliage so no leaves sit in the water (which prevents bacteria growth) and giving every stem a fresh, angled cut. For weddings, you want to consider how many days it will take for the flowers to re-hydrate before the big day. You want to give everything at least 48 hours to open up before the wedding date - unlike gifting bouquets, you want the flowers at their peak on the day you hand them over to the bride and groom.

Choosing the "Survivors": Best Varieties for Longevity

One of the biggest challenges for a florist is ensuring the blooms look just as fresh during the final dance as they did during the morning photos. I prioritise hardy varieties that can withstand being out of water and handled throughout the day.

My Go-To "Safe" Varieties

Roses and Spray Roses: The ultimate wedding staple. They are incredibly resilient and hold their shape perfectly. Roses are also available all year round due to importing and come in a wide range of colours.
Lisianthus: These look as delicate as a poppy but are surprisingly tough survivors. They are also fabulous for smaller arrangements as each stem has many flower heads and can be broken down to make dainty table arrangements, buttonholes and corsages.
Hardy Foliage: I love using eucalyptus or Italian ruscus; they provide a lush skeleton for the bouquet that won't wilt. Eucalyptus is also associated with luxury and some varieties are softly scented, which adds to the wedding elegance.

Florist Tip: Avoid water-loving flowers like hydrangeas for bouquets or buttonholes unless they have a constant water source - they can wilt in minutes once they are thirsty.

Crafting the Personal Pieces: Buttonholes & Corsages

Personal flowers are the most delicate part of the day.

Buttonholes (Boutonnieres)

These need to be sturdy enough to survive a hundred hugs. I use a mix of hardy greenery and a single hero bloom, finished with professional floral tape and a clean ribbon wrap or twine for a more rustic wedding. You need to break the elements down to small components (for example, single blooms from a spray rose). Using dried elements is also a great option for buttonholes so you don't need to worry about a water source and can make them days ahead of the wedding.

Corsages

We want these to feel light and elegant, using hardy varieties to ensure they stay fresh without drooping. Personally I prefer satin ribbon so that each person can tie and adjust their corsage to suit them.

The Showstopper: The Bridal Bouquet

The bridal bouquet is the heart of the wedding's visual story. For this specific wedding, I focused on a white winter wedding look. I build the bouquet in my hand, rotating it constantly to ensure it looks beautiful from every single angle. I do give my bridal bouquets a front and will pin the ribbon at the back of the bouquet so that brides can feel if they are holding it the correct way around. Bridesmaids bouquets are simply a smaller version of the bride's and made in the same way. You may want to reserve a particularly expensive or luxurious flower (for example, orchids) just for the bride depending on your style.

The Final Step: Safe Delivery

The job is not done until the flowers are safely in the couple's hands. Packing for delivery is a science. Making sure everything is secure before you set off is so important - you want to make sure everything makes it to the wedding venue in one piece. Seeing the couple's faces when we arrive at the venue is, without a doubt, the best part of the job.