When it comes to your wedding flowers, there are countless details to consider. You need to decide on a color palette, specific blooms, overall designs, and so much more. In addition to figuring out what you like, you also have to match your selections with your wedding theme while sticking within your budget. This process can feel overwhelming for those unfamiliar with flowers, even with a trusted florist by your side.

To help ease any wedding planning stress, this guide will walk you through how to choose the perfect blooms for your San Francisco wedding.

1. Consider Your Budget 

Flowers typically take up a significant percentage of your wedding budget. A good rule of thumb is to set aside about 10% of your total budget specifically for flowers. Couples getting married in the San Fransisco area can expect to spend an average of between $3,000 and $7,000. To stay on track with your spending, it's essential to decide on your floral budget early on. In fact, this is something you should discuss long before meeting with potential florists. 

While it would be ideal to simply choose any flowers you like, budget constraints often require more careful consideration. Many couples must be mindful of floral costs when selecting the stems incorporated into their wedding decor. Having a clear budget in mind will help guide your choices and ensure you stay within your allotted budget. Be transparent about your financials with your florist so they’re able to identify where you can save versus where you can splurge. 

2. Define Your Wedding Theme

There are a variety of flower styles and designs to choose from, so it can be difficult to narrow your options down. While your budget will give you a starting idea of what options fit within your budget, you’ll need to narrow it down further. The best way to do this is to define a wedding theme that is uniquely yours, setting the stage for a celebration that reflects your personal style. 

Will you go with a rustic wedding theme with wildflowers? How about a romantic garden party with peonies or hydrangea? You could even stick with a glamorous, black-tie wedding with all-white roses. Overall, your flowers should complement your wedding theme and color palette.

3. Consider Seasonality

While San Francisco's climate is typically mild year-round, choosing seasonal flowers is still your best bet. Opting for in-season blooms allows you to enjoy high-quality arrangements that align perfectly with your wedding theme. The season you choose to tie the knot often influences your wedding theme, and sticking with flowers that naturally bloom during your wedding months 

will align with the natural ambiance of the time of year. For example, vibrant spring flowers can contribute a fresh and lively feel, while autumn arrangements can add to the warm and cozy atmosphere.

Seasonal flowers are also readily available, meaning you’ll be able to easily source the exact blooms you want from the beginning. You won’t have to worry about last-minute changes if you can’t find those hard-to-get, out-of-season florals.

For those tying the knot in spring, consider delicate blooms like tulips or daisies. For those dreaming of a celebration in the fall, lilies and marigolds should be on your list. Summer weddings can incorporate roses, sunflowers, or even hydrangeas. For chilly winter weddings, carnations or chrysanthemums can make a stunning addition. 

Remember, your wedding season will influence not only the specific flowers you choose but also your wedding’s color palette.

4. Determine Your Wedding Color Palette 

Before you can choose the perfect blooms for your big day, you need to decide on a color palette that aligns with your wedding theme and season. Choosing a wedding color palette is a crucial step in planning your wedding, as it sets the tone for the entire event, influencing everything from your flowers to your bridesmaid dresses.

Consider classic whites, champagne, cool blues, forest greens, and deep reds for a winter or fall wedding. If you plan a spring or summer wedding, consider incorporating soft pastels or bold jewel tones into your color palette. You can opt for a monochromatic look or mix-and-match colors that contrast and complement each other.

Once you’ve selected your desired wedding color scheme, you can choose flowers that perfectly complement it.

5. Take Your Venue Space Into Account

When choosing the perfect wedding flowers, you must ensure your arrangements will complement your event space. Before meeting with your florist, tour your venue and note the existing decor, color palette, and overall ambiance the architecture provides. Don’t forget to factor in logistical details such as layout and lighting, as these elements will influence your wedding design.

Instead of just selecting blooms and colors that you like, opt for florals that will actually complement the venue’s features rather than overpower them.

6. Choose Your Wedding Flowers

There are dozens of stem options, and the combination possibilities are endless. By now, you've narrowed down your choices by budget, seasonality, and color. You've experimented with various flower and color combinations to design something that works well together and fits your overall vision. Now comes the fun part: actually choosing the flowers that will bring your arrangements to life, enhancing your ceremony and reception spaces.

Once you've settled on a design, stick with it. While you might come across new ideas and inspiration, staying committed to your original design is important. Last-minute changes can be costly or, in some cases, impossible to pull off, which could lead to miscommunication regarding your dream floral vision.

7. Determine What Floral Decor and Arrangements Needed 

Now that you've decided on your flowers and finalized the design, it's time to determine which decor arrangements you'll need. This includes the bride's bouquet, ceremony backdrop, reception centerpieces, corsages, and so much more. There's a lot to keep track of, but you don't have to do it all on your own. Use this flowers and decorations checklist to ensure no floral detail is overlooked during your planning journey.

8. Work With a Local Florist Like Flowers Valley 

Enlisting the help of a local San Francisco florist will relieve any wedding planning stress. If you’re searching for an award-winning team of professionals offering stunning wedding flowers that exceed expectations, meet Flowers Valley. This team of experts combines your inspiration with years of expertise to make your wedding day truly unforgettable.

So, if you’re ready to bring your floral dreams to life? Reach out to Flowers Valley by filling out their contact form.