Flowers have seasons, like the hottest trends on the runway. Booking a floral guru early, around 6-9 months before your event, ensures you grab the freshest, most on-point blooms. It’s like snagging front-row seats to the hottest floral show in town.
Why the early bird approach? Because crafting those centrepieces and bouquets takes time – selecting, prepping, and turning petals into perfection. But wait, there’s more. It’s also good to know “how far in advance a florist should purchase flowers for an event or wedding?”
Why Should I Buy Flowers in Advance?
Planning to snag flowers in advance to save time for the big day? You’re onto something. Opting for a ‘BIG YES’ on buying flowers the day before is a smart move. This allows you to perform some easy-peasy methods to help you preserve those blooms overnight, ensuring they stay fresh and fabulous for a special occasion.
When to Choose Flowers
While it’s never too early to browse and find what vibes with the couple or event host, remember, event style might flip in a year. Once they lock in their venue, theme, and colours, it’s inspo time. Best window for flower picking: 1 year to 1 month before. Pushing it to a month is doable, but don’t stretch beyond a year; tastes might do a 180.
When to Order Blooms
Placing an order 3 to 4 weeks before an event is ideal. Natural products, like flowers, can be a bit unpredictable, and some may have limited availability.
While flower shops keep many items in stock year-round, ordering too early (like 3 months ahead) might mean some blooms are out of season by the event. By waiting within the 3-4 weeks window, the freshest picks are available. Plus, it keeps the pricing game in check. Order too early for an April event in February, and you might end up with Valentine’s pricing. Waiting a bit ensures to lock in the best deal.
How Long Before an Event Do You Buy Flowers?
We recommend getting your flowers 2-3 days before the big event. This time frame allows for ample prep, rehydration, and design work. Now, if the wedding or event coincides with a holiday weekend, play it safe and add an extra day to account for any shipping hiccups.
This precaution is especially handy if you’ve got long-lasting blooms or flowers that take their sweet time to open, like sunflowers or peonies. Extending the timeframe by a day is all good as long as you treat your blooms right.
How Do You Store Flowers Before an Event?
Keep them in cool water, away from direct sunlight, and stash them in a cool, dry spot. Steer clear of breezy areas or places with a strong draft. Remember, cut flowers aren’t fans of a direct airstream any more than they are of direct sunlight. And don’t slack on the hydration front; even post-cut, keeping those blooms watered is a must.
When is the Best Time to Arrange Flowers?
The sweet spot for arranging wedding flowers is the day before. Whether they’re chilling in a water-filled vase, soaking up floral foam, or wrapped in a bouquet with stems dipped in a few inches of water, they’ll stand strong overnight, no sweat. Post-arrangement, stash them in a cool, dry spot. And water, water, water – that’s the golden rule of flower arranging.
Now, for the morning-of heroes, like corsages and boutonnieres, they can handle a hydration hustle on the day itself. But if you whip them up the day before with some robust blooms, they’ll still steal the spotlight. Timing is everything; in flower language, it’s all about the H2O hustle.
Florists, we know you’re the unsung heroes behind those Insta-worthy arrangements. And when snagging those petal dreams, timing is everything. Get those blooms on lock and avoid last-minute flower FOMO. Your clients will thank you for making their special day extra petal-perfect.
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FAQs
Nine to 10 months is typically far enough out that you can secure them on your wedding date, but not so far that your florist is still focusing on that month of the current year. That being said, take the popularity of your wedding date and location into account when deciding how ahead of time you should book.
How many days before an event should you buy flowers? ›
How Long Before an Event Do You Buy Flowers? We recommend getting your flowers 2-3 days before the big event. This time frame allows for ample prep, rehydration, and design work.
How early should you get flowers for a wedding? ›
Once you have a venue, a theme, and your colors picked, it's time to find your inspo! At about 1 year out to about 1 month out is the best time to choose your flowers.
How far in advance can you make floral arrangements for a wedding? ›
Fresh flower bouquets should be made within 24 hours of the wedding in order to keep everything perky and beautiful. However, some blooms can last 48 hours after being cut. So if timing is a priority, make sure to research the shelf life of each type of flower you plan to include in the bouquet ahead of time.
What is the etiquette for buying flowers? ›
Flower Etiquette
- Choose the Right Flower: Various cultures have assigned special meanings and superstitions to specific flowers. ...
- Know Your True Flower Colors: Along with the type of flower itself, choosing the right color is equally important.
2 days is really no big deal as long as you keep your flowers out of bright sunlight or near a radiator. I'm a florist in Essex UK and we would expect our cut flower bouquets to last 10-14 days.
When should I start buying flowers? ›
When just starting a relationship with someone, bringing flowers on the first or second date can show your affection and make the other person feel special. For more casual or less well-acquainted couples, surprising your partner with a bouquet on the third date is a sweet gesture that will help develop your bond.
What is the etiquette for wedding flowers? ›
Floral etiquette at a wedding
At a wedding, it's tradition for the bride to have a bridal bouquet. This bouquet is handpicked by the groom, according to etiquette, and is given out the moment he picks up the bride-to-be. Before the wedding ceremony, the bride should carry the bouquet in her right hand.
Do you tip a florist when you pick up flowers? ›
Let's say you're picking up a flower order yourself. In this case, tips aren't expected but they're definitely nice to give. You'll likely see a tip jar near the cashier. If you love the bouquet or the florist gave you quick service, you might consider adding $2-$5 into the tip jar.
How long will flowers stay fresh for wedding? ›
How long do fresh flowers last? Most florists agree that flowers should last a good 7-10 days from purchase, depending on the individual variety. In extreme heat this reduces slightly but with a little extra care you should be able to enjoy them for at least a week.
Make sure you keep your flowers in a cool, dark place until you're ready to use them. Also, keep them away from vented areas or rooms with a strong draft. Cut flowers will wilt just as readily under direct air as they will sunlight. Even once they're cut, it's very important to keep your flowers hydrated.
What happens to floral arrangements after a wedding? ›
Personal arrangements, like bouquets, boutonnières, and corsages almost always go home with their owners. Centerpieces, installations, and intricate floral arrangements are a bit tricker. Some floral designers will transport flowers back to their studios to upcycle arrangements for a different occasion.
How many days before should you get flowers? ›
If you are planning to buy flowers for an event, to guarantee you have enough time to condition and prepare the flowers, you should always receive the flowers a few days before the event.
Who pays for flowers wedding etiquette? ›
The groom's family provides the person flowers involved in a wedding ceremony. That includes the bride's bouquet, the groomsmen and usher boutonnières, and the corsages and mini bouquets for the both mothers and grandmothers.
How soon is too soon to give flowers? ›
Your third date.
Flowers on a first date can feel a bit showy or stiff, and on the second date, well, it's still too early. By the time you're going for a third romantic outing, chances are, you've decided you really like each other. Trust us – showing up with flowers in hand is never the wrong move on date #3!
How early should I buy a bouquet? ›
We recommend that you place your order two to four weeks before your event for custom bouquets. If you plan to order seasonal flowers, consider doing so even earlier.
How many days should fresh flowers last? ›
Most florists agree that flowers should last a good 7-10 days from purchase, depending on the individual variety. In extreme heat this reduces slightly but with a little extra care you should be able to enjoy them for at least a week.
How do you keep flowers fresh for an event? ›
Make sure you keep your flowers in a cool, dark place until you're ready to use them. Also, keep them away from vented areas or rooms with a strong draft. Cut flowers will wilt just as readily under direct air as they will sunlight. Even once they're cut, it's very important to keep your flowers hydrated.
