You’ve asked and we’ve answered! Welcome to your weekly column ‘Planning Your Happily Ever After’ with wedding consultant Shikima Hinds.

When it comes to weddings, there are a lot of details that you have to think about, and flowers are one of the details included in planning for your big day. Not only do you need to select the types of floral arrangement styles but also colour combinations, as well as how those individual blooms will appear together within an overall look from start to finish. With so many choices, it’s no wonder that some couples tend to get overwhelmed when trying to choose their wedding flowers.

To get started, take some time to gather inspiration. Look through wedding magazines, browse Pinterest or attend bridal shows. Once you have a good idea of the overall style you’re going for, it’s time to start narrowing down the details. Put together mood boards with photos of everything from table settings to floral arrangements. Don’t forget to get some swatches of fabric for your wedding party’s outfits and examples of other décor elements you like to make the look cohesive. This will give you a great starting point for your consultation with a wedding planner or florist.

The first step in choosing your wedding flowers is to decide on a budget. Wedding flowers can be quite expensive, so it’s important to have an idea of how much you’re willing to spend before you start looking at different options. Budgeting for your wedding flowers can seem daunting, but there are a few ways to keep costs under control. First, take a look at the overall style of your wedding. If you’re going for a simpler and more understated look, you won’t need to spend a lot of money on flowers compared to if you’re planning an elaborate and formal affair. Consider the time of year when you’ll be getting married; this tends to affect the prices on the floral market. For example: using roses in your wedding around Valentine’s Day will cost more than any other time of year. Colourful and big-bloom flowers are more expensive closer to Mother’s Day. The same goes for some types of greenery in the Christmas holiday season. Choosing local flowers whenever possible is not only less expensive but will also look fresher and more vibrant. Once you have a budget in mind, you can start narrowing down your choices.

Once you’ve decided on a budget and a general style, start looking at different types of flowers. Do some research online or in magazines and make a list of several options that you like. You’ll need to think about the overall theme or style of your wedding. Are you going for something more traditional or modern? Rustic or glamorous? The style of your wedding will play a big role in the type of flowers you choose. For example, if you’re having a rustic-themed wedding, wildflowers would be a good option. Once you have a list of possibilities, meet with your preferred florist, and get their expert opinion on which flowers would work best for your specific wedding theme.

Here are some additional tips on how to choose wedding flowers so that you can make sure your big day is as beautiful as can be:

1. Colours are important when planning your wedding flowers. Most weddings feature a colour scheme, and your flowers should complement the colours you’ve chosen.

2. If you’re using a florist to arrange your wedding flowers, be sure to discuss your vision with them and provide them with as much information as possible. Know the difference between a wedding florist and a wedding floral designer.

3. Vases are key when decorating with flowers. Choose vases that complement your overall wedding aesthetic and that will showcase your flowers in the best possible way.

Finally, don’t forget about the little details! In addition to choosing the right type and colour of flower for your bouquets and centrepieces, you’ll also need to think about things like boutonnières for the groom and his groomsmen, corsages for the mothers and grandmothers, and flower petals for tossing as you walk back down the aisle as a newly married couple.

When it comes time to choose your wedding flowers, there are a lot of factors to consider. But with a little bit of planning and research, you’ll be able to find the perfect blooms for your big day. Just remember to stay within your budget, pick flowers that complement your wedding’s overall style, and pay attention to the small details.

Florals change environments.