Ultimate Wedding Floral Design Checklist
Want to add beauty and life to your wedding design? Floral and greenery is the way to do it! But figuring out what flowers you actually need—and who gets what—can feel overwhelming.
After coordinating hundreds of weddings, I've watched couples struggle with floral decisions more than almost any other detail. How much is too much? What's actually necessary? Who needs flowers and who doesn't? What are reasonable costs for wedding floral? This ultimate wedding floral checklist is based on real weddings I've planned—showing you exactly where to consider having florals and helping you budget accordingly without overspending on pieces that don't matter.
How Much Should You Budget for Wedding Flowers?
Basic florals: Allocate about 5% of your total wedding budget
Florals as main décor: Plan for 10-15%+ of your budget
For example, if your total budget is $30,000:
Basic florals: ~$1,500
Florals as primary décor: $3,000-5,000+
Want to understand why wedding flowers cost what they do? Check out The Knot's breakdown of floral pricing.
Need help allocating your floral budget? One of the most valuable things a wedding planner does is help you prioritize spending. We know which floral pieces make the biggest visual impact and where you can cut without anyone noticing. Let's talk about your vision.
All of the below pieces are beautiful options, but not required. As each wedding is unique, each floral decision is up to you!
Wedding Floral Checklist
Bridal Bouquet (Average cost: ~$250 to $300)
This is the most photographed floral piece of your wedding. Worth the investment!
Hair Accessory (if desired)
Fresh flower crown, hair comb, or single blooms tucked into your hairstyle.
Tossing Bouquet (if doing bouquet toss)
A smaller, less expensive version to throw so you can keep your gorgeous bridal bouquet.
Bridesmaids Bouquets
Typically smaller and simpler than the bridal bouquet. Consider having them slightly different from each other for visual interest.
Flower Girl Options:
Basket of petals to toss
Small bouquet or pomander (flower ball)
Flower crown or floral hair accessory
Flowers attached to basket or wand
For the Groom & Groomsmen
Boutonnieres
These are a fun way to match the groom with his bride! The groom's bout is typically slightly different (larger or unique flower) to distinguish him.
Pro tip: Ask your florist how they pin their boutonnieres. If they use the traditional pinning method (through the stem), designate someone—an aunt or personal attendant—to help pin them on the wedding day. Many florists now use magnetic backing for easier application.
As planners and coordinators in North Dakota, we always handle boutonniere pinning for our couples on wedding days—it's one of those small details that can cause stress if no one's assigned to do it.
Boutonnieres & Corsages
Who Gets What Florals on a Wedding Day? Here's Your Guide:
Boutonnieres for:
Fathers (bride's and groom's)
Grandfathers
Ushers
Ring bearer
Officiant (gender-dependent)
Readers or ceremony participants
Musicians (if family/friends)
Corsages for:
Mothers (bride's and groom's)
Grandmothers
Personal attendants or honor attendants
Guest book attendant
Gender-Dependent (Bout or Corsage):
Officiant
Host couples (if not parents)
Readers
Musicians
Special guests you want to honor
Trying to save money? Cutting these optional bouts and corsages is the easiest way to reduce your floral budget without impacting the overall look of your wedding. Most guests won't notice if ushers or readers don't have flowers.
As planners, we help couples navigate these decisions: which family members will be hurt if they don't receive flowers, and which ones honestly won't care. It's about knowing your family dynamics and making strategic choices. Want to be a guest at your own wedding?
Wedding Floral Checklist: Ceremony Décor
Ceremony Arch or Arbor
Statement floral arrangement that frames you during vows. This is highly photographed and creates a focal point.
Aisle Décor
Arrangements at the end of each row
Petals scattered down the aisle
Floral markers on reserved seating rows only (budget-friendly option)
Hanging arrangements on aisle chairs
Entrance Décor
Welcome guests with arrangements at the ceremony entrance or doorway.
Budget tip: Many couples only decorate the first 2-3 reserved seating rows, or every other row, rather than every single row. Guests won't notice, but your photos will still look lush. To be extra efficient, have your coordinator take those florals to the reception after!
This is exactly the kind of money-saving insight that comes from experience—I've seen what works in photos and what's just unnecessary spending. Want more budget tips tailored to your specific venue and vision? Schedule a consultation and let's create a floral plan that maximizes impact without maxing out your budget.
Wedding Floral Checklist: Reception Décor
Welcome/Entrance Area:
Welcome sign with floral accent
Entrance arrangement or installation
Guest Book Table
Small arrangement to draw attention to this station.
Centerpieces (The main attraction!)
Your biggest floral investment. Mix heights and styles for visual interest, or keep them uniform for a clean look.
Head Table or Sweetheart Table
Special arrangement since you'll be photographed here all night. Can be larger/more elaborate than guest table centerpieces. Many times, we bring this floral arrangement from behind the ceremony arch.
Cocktail Tables
Small bud vases or petite arrangements. These are often skipped to save budget.
Bar Décor
Arrangements on the bar top or hanging installation behind the bar.
Hors d'Oeuvres or Appetizer Table
Small accents to beautify food display areas.
Dessert or Cake Table
Fresh flowers on or around your cake (make sure they're pesticide-free and food-safe!).
Important: Designate someone—your coordinator or a bridesmaid—to place flowers on the cake before it's displayed. This often gets forgotten! And make sure your florals don’t have any toxins.
Placing cake floral is one of those details that seems small but makes a huge difference in photos—and it's exactly why couples hire coordinators to catch what they'd otherwise forget.
Want to be a guest at your own wedding?
Money-Saving Floral Tips
Where to splurge:
Bridal bouquet (most photographed!)
Ceremony focal point (arch/altar)
Reception centerpieces
Where to save:
Optional boutonnieres/corsages for extended family
Every-row aisle décor (just do reserved rows)
Cocktail table arrangements
Elaborate cake flowers (simple is beautiful!)
Budget hacks:
Use more greenery, less flowers
Choose in-season blooms
Repurpose ceremony flowers at reception (move arch florals to behind head table)
Mix real flowers with quality faux greenery
Use candles, lanterns, or non-floral centerpieces on some tables
These are strategies I use with every couple I work with. Coordinating the "flip" from ceremony to reception—moving those expensive arch flowers to your head table backdrop—requires logistics and timing that most couples don't have bandwidth for on their wedding day. That's where having a coordinator makes all the difference. Learn more about our planning services.
This checklist gives you a solid starting point, but the options are endless! Every wedding is different, and your floral choices should reflect your style, budget, and priorities.
Not sure where to allocate your floral budget or need help communicating your vision to a florist? Let's chat. As wedding planners, we help couples create stunning floral designs that fit their budget and bring their vision to life. 💫
Happy designing!
xo, megan
Behind the Scenes Events specializes in luxury wedding planning and coordination for couples who want to be guests at their own weddings. After coordinating hundreds of weddings, we know what busy couples need: expert guidance, stress-free planning, and seamless execution.
Serving North Dakota & Beyond Since 2019