From a beautifully considered bridal bouquet to statement arrangements that transform a venue, flowers have the power to completely change the look and feel of a wedding day. But with endless inspiration at our fingertips, knowing where to begin and where to spend your floral budget can sometimes feel overwhelming.
Ahead of The National Wedding Show this Autumn, we caught up with Rebecca Green, Founder of Oak & Ivy, to talk about turning Pinterest inspiration into something personal, making your flower budget work harder and the floral trends she’ll be bringing to this season’s show.
Start with inspiration, but make it your own
If your wedding Pinterest board is already overflowing with saved bouquets, tablescapes and floral installations, you’re certainly not alone. For Rebecca, those images are a brilliant starting point, but the aim should never be to simply recreate someone else’s wedding.
“Couples usually approach us with a Pinterest board to help determine colours and style, but often it will feature high budget imagery which hides the labour and materials needed to make those designs work,” Rebecca explains.
Instead, Oak & Ivy works with each couple to understand the overall vision for their day before translating that inspiration into florals that feel entirely their own.
“We work closely with each couple, understanding their vision and bringing their dream florals to life to reflect their love story. This ensures each wedding is unique, with transparent pricing and a true vision of what is achievable within their budget.”
So, save those images you adore, but think of them as inspiration rather than a shopping list. The colours, textures and feeling behind them can become the starting point for something much more personal.
Let your venue lead the way
Before falling in love with a particular floral installation, consider where your wedding is actually taking place.
A summer marquee in a private garden presents very different opportunities and challenges to a celebration inside a temperature controlled hotel or historic venue. Existing architecture, ceiling height, natural light and even where guests will spend most of their time should all influence your floral design.
Rebecca recommends thinking carefully about where your flowers will have the greatest impact.
“The area where guests will spend most of their time, usually the tables, is where the flowers are fully appreciated. Hanging floral chandeliers are great, but do your guests spend most of their time looking up at the ceiling?”
It’s a refreshingly practical way to approach those spectacular floral images we all love saving.
“You can spend your budget more wisely creating something truly beautiful at eye level.”
Statement florals don’t always have to mean bigger. Sometimes the most memorable design is the one your guests can actually see, experience and enjoy throughout the day.
Work with the seasons, but don’t feel restricted by them
Choosing seasonal flowers can be a beautiful way to embrace the time of year you’re getting married.
“When designing with the seasons, you work with nature rather than fighting it,” says Rebecca.
Seasonal varieties can also offer better availability and potentially better value. However, Oak & Ivy doesn’t believe couples should feel bound by seasonality if there is a particular flower that means something to them.
“If an exotic or unusual flower has a specific meaning to you, it shouldn’t automatically be ruled out. We will always go above and beyond to source the finest flowers, as sustainably as possible.”
Whether it’s the flower your partner first bought you, a bloom that reminds you of someone special or simply a variety you’ve always imagined carrying down the aisle, talk to your florist about what matters to you.
Make your wedding flower budget work harder
When it comes to budgeting, one of Rebecca’s biggest pieces of advice is to think about impact rather than quantity.
A good wedding florist should be able to help you identify where premium flowers will make a genuine difference and where simpler designs can achieve the look without swallowing your budget.
If you’re having a church ceremony, for example, it may be tempting to line the entire aisle with flowers. But if you’re only spending a relatively short period of your wedding day there, Rebecca suggests considering whether that money could work harder elsewhere.
“Unless the budget allows, we often recommend removing aisle florals and adding that cost to table or entrance flowers, which will be appreciated much more.”
Your bridal bouquet, however, is somewhere Rebecca believes it’s worth investing.
“Bridal bouquets are hugely significant and usually feature in so many of your photographs. We suggest allocating a healthy portion of the budget here for premium feature blooms.”
Ultimately, it’s about being strategic.
“We want couples to use their budget strategically, focusing on the areas with the greatest visual return to create special memories for them and their loved ones.”
See Oak & Ivy on the Catwalk at The National Wedding Show
This Autumn, Oak & Ivy won’t just be exhibiting at The National Wedding Show. Rebecca and the team will also be creating the fresh floral bouquets featured on our Catwalk, bringing some of the season’s most exciting floral ideas to life alongside the latest bridal looks.
And there is plenty of inspiration coming.
“This season we’ll be focusing on clean, elegant and effortless florals with autumnal colours,” Rebecca reveals.
Expect individuality to take centre stage, with single flower designs, monochromatic palettes and bouquets with plenty of drama.
And one trend we’re particularly excited to see? Floral bags.
Having made their way firmly onto the fashion and bridal catwalks, these wearable floral statements offer a playful alternative to the traditional bouquet, and Oak & Ivy will be bringing their own interpretation to the show.
Whether you’re arriving with an overflowing Pinterest board or have absolutely no idea where to begin with your wedding flowers, come and meet Rebecca and the Oak & Ivy team at The National Wedding Show this Autumn. Discover their designs, talk through your ideas and see their beautiful fresh florals come to life on the Catwalk.