Gathering Inspiration, Planning Florals & Decor and Prepping for Your Wedding Floral Consultation

Modern Spring Wedding at La Villa // Photo by Ashlee Huff

Gathering Inspiration, Planning Florals & Decor and Prepping for Your Wedding Floral Consultation

A wedding floral consultation is where ideas begin to take shape—and where your vision starts to feel real. Whether you’ve been saving inspiration for months or are just beginning to explore what you love, a little intentional preparation can make your consultation both productive and creatively exciting.

Here’s how to thoughtfully gather inspiration, plan your florals and décor, and walk into your wedding floral consultation feeling confident, aligned, and inspired

Modern Spring Garden Bridal Bouquet // Photo by Kaley from Kansas

Step One: Gather Inspiration with Intention

Inspiration doesn’t start with flowers, it starts with feeling.

Before pinning arrangements or arches, ask yourself:

• How do you want your wedding to feel?

• What words describe the atmosphere? (romantic, sculptural, refined, organic, editorial)

• Are there places, seasons or experiences that inspire you?

Your inspiration can come from anywhere:

• Fashion editorials

• Art and architecture

• Interiors, gardens, or travel moments

• Color palettes or textures

When gathering visuals, focus less on replicating exact designs and more on identifying patterns, movement, scale, color depth, and mood. A florist translates inspiration, not copies it.

Marigold Focal Point Arrangement // Photo by Emily Nystrom

Step Two: Organize Your Visual References

Once you’ve gathered inspiration, refine it.

A strong inspiration collection typically includes:

• 10–20 images that share a common mood

• A mix of florals, tablescapes, lighting, and space

• Images that show scale and environment—not just close-ups

Try to avoid overwhelming yourself with hundreds of pins. A concise, curated collection gives your florist clarity and creative freedom while keeping the design cohesive.

If you have images you don’t love, include those too, knowing what to avoid is just as helpful.

Spring Garden Wedding Ceremony in Crossroads Kansas City // Photo by Mariam Saifan

Step Three: Consider the Full Wedding Environment

Florals don’t exist in a vacuum, they interact with the space, lighting, and overall decor.

Before your consultation, take note of:

• Your venue’s architecture and scale

• Indoor vs. outdoor spaces

• Ceiling height, walls, fireplaces, staircases or focal points

• Existing elements like chandeliers, draping or furniture

Think beyond centerpieces:

• Where do guests naturally gather?

• What moments will be photographed most?

• Where could florals guide movement or frame an experience?

This helps your florist design with intention, placing florals where they’ll have the greatest impact.

Mandap Floral and Fabric Spring Wedding Ceremony Installation // Photo by Meghan Savage

Step Four: Establish Priorities (Not a Wish List)

Rather than trying to include everything, identify what matters most to you.

Ask yourselves:

• Do we want a statement ceremony installation?

• Is the reception atmosphere our top priority?

• Are we drawn to lush tablescapes, dramatic installs or sculptural moments?

Clear priorities allow your florist to allocate your investment strategically, creating elevated moments instead of spreading florals too thin.

Red and Peach Sweetheart Table Florals // Photo by Delaney Hady

Step Five: Have a Comfortable Budget Range in Mind

You don’t need to know exact pricing, but having a realistic investment range helps your florist design responsibly.

Your budget informs:

• Scale of installations

• Types of florals and mechanics used

• Labor and production approach

• Overall design direction

A transparent conversation leads to thoughtful solutions and a design that feels aligned with both your vision and your resources.

Eclectic Fall Wedding in a Greenhouse in Crossroads Kansas City // Photo by Abby Jiu

Step Six: Come with an Open Mind

The most successful consultations are collaborative.

Your florist brings:

• Knowledge of seasonality and sourcing

• Experience designing within your venue

• An understanding of mechanics, movement and longevity

• Creative solutions you may not have considered

Be open to refinement and evolution. Often, the strongest designs are the result of inspiration meeting expertise.

Outdoor Wedding Reception at Casa Valerie in Puerto Vallarta // Photo by Krista K

What to Expect from a Wedding Floral Consultation

A consultation isn’t about finalizing every detail, it’s about:

• Aligning on vision and mood

• Identifying key design moments

• Exploring creative possibilities

• Establishing trust and collaboration

It’s the foundation of a thoughtful, cohesive floral story.

Lush Spring Table Detail // Photo by Hayley Dolson

Final Thoughts

Preparing for your wedding floral consultation isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about bringing intention, clarity, and openness to the process.

When you gather inspiration thoughtfully, understand your priorities and trust the creative partnership, your florals and decor become more than decoration, they become an experience that shapes the way your wedding feels.

And that’s where the magic begins.

Modern Blue and Chrome Spring Wedding Sweetheart Table // Photo by The Bold Americana