Wedding Flowers Checklist: Every Bouquet and Arrangement to Plan For

Weddings are remembered for their moments. The vows, the first dance, and the laughter that fills the room... But what ties those moments together visually are the flowers. From the bride’s bouquet to the last stem on the reception tables, every bloom adds shape and colour to the story. That’s why a proper wedding flowers checklist is absolutely essential.

At Dried Flowers & Decor, we’ve seen brides, grooms, and planners trying to balance beauty with budget, tradition with personal taste. The truth is, once you start asking “what flowers do you need for a wedding?”, the list can grow faster than a field of wildflowers in spring. This guide keeps it simple, walking you through bouquets, ceremony florals, reception décor, and the little extras you don’t want to forget.

 

 

 

What Flowers Do You Need for a Wedding?

Planning flowers for a wedding is like dressing a stage. You’ve got the stars, the bride and groom, and then the supporting cast, the backdrop, and the finishing touches that make everything sparkle. Here’s what belongs on every list:

• Bouquets: The heart of your floral design. From the bridal bouquet to bridesmaid bouquets, these are the flowers that feature most prominently in photos.

• Personal Flowers: Corsages for mothers, boutonnières for fathers and groomsmen, and small tokens for family members. These gestures add warmth and inclusion.

• Wedding Ceremony Flowers: Think arches, aisle flowers for the wedding, or altar flower arrangements. They are decor pieces that frame the vows and transform the space into something memorable.

• Wedding Reception Flowers: Wedding table arrangements, centrepieces, and bar flowers that set the mood for the party. They bring the whole room alive.

• Extra Touches: Flowers on the cake, petals for confetti, or even a few stems tucked into signage. Small details can have a big impact.

The answer to “what wedding flowers do I need?” is simple: the ones that make your day feel like yours. Some couples keep it minimal, others go all out with loud wedding flower arrangements in every corner. The secret lies in choosing flowers that reflect your personality and remembering that every bloom, no matter how small, plays a role in the story.

Bridal Bouquets and Personal Flowers

Flowers closest to the wedding party carry the most meaning. Beyond decoration, they’re personal symbols, tied to the people who matter most.

The Bridal Bouquet

The bridal bouquet is the centrepiece of wedding florals. It reflects the bride’s style, the theme of the wedding, and often the couple’s story. From classic roses to dried bridal bouquets that last long after the day, there are endless types of wedding bouquets to choose from. Some brides ask, “how many flowers are in a bridal bouquet?” The truth is, it depends on size and style, anywhere from a dozen large blooms to a mix of smaller stems, greenery, and accents.

Bridesmaid Bouquets

Smaller than the bride’s, bridesmaid bouquets are designed to complement rather than overshadow. They often echo the main bouquet’s flowers and colours but are scaled back for balance in group photos. These bouquets help create harmony across the bridal party, making sure everyone looks part of a unified design. For modern weddings, dried stems like gypsophila or eucalyptus make lightweight, elegant bridesmaid flowers.

Flowers for Mother of the Bride and Groom

Bouquets aren’t just for the bridal party. Flowers for the mother of the bride and groom are a thoughtful gesture, often in the form of corsages or small posies. These floral accents make parents feel honoured and included in the ceremony. Using dried flowers for weddings here sees to it that they can keep a token of the day long after the event.

Boutonnières and Corsages

Groomsmen, fathers, and even close friends often wear boutonnières, while female family members may have wrist or pin-on corsages. These small but meaningful touches connect the entire family to the wedding story. A single rosebud, sprig of lavender, or cluster of dried blooms can tie them visually into the larger wedding flower arrangements.

Wedding Ceremony Flowers to Consider

The ceremony is where vows are exchanged and memories are made. Wedding ceremony flowers set the stage by shaping the atmosphere and highlighting the most important moments of the day.

Entryway Flowers

First impressions matter. Arrangements at the entrance, whether towering urns, floral arches, or simple baskets, signal to guests that they’re stepping into something special. These displays can use fresh blooms or dried wedding flowers and preserved foliage, depending on the mood. They frame the couple’s arrival in a way that makes the ceremony entrance unforgettable.

Aisle Flowers

The walk down the aisle is one of the most photographed moments of the day. Aisle flowers wedding style can be as simple as petals scattered along the walkway or as grand as lined arrangements on every seat. Choosing dried stems like pampas or eucalyptus creates texture and a soft, romantic atmosphere, while also lasting well in any venue.

Altar and Arch Arrangements

The altar, or arch, for outdoor weddings, is the focal point where vows are exchanged. Altar flower arrangements often feature larger designs that frame the couple in photographs. Flowers here should reflect the scale and style of the wedding, from lush, bold greenery like dried palms to delicate clusters of hydrangea or dried lunaria. With careful planning, this becomes the most iconic floral display of the day.

Church Wedding Flowers

For those marrying in a church, florals highlight the sacred setting. Church wedding flowers can include pew ends, altar displays, or even simple posies along the aisle. Dried blooms are increasingly popular here, as they withstand long ceremonies without wilting and can be repurposed afterward. This combination of beauty and practicality makes them ideal for traditional venues.

Reception and Table Arrangements

Once the vows are spoken, the celebration shifts to the reception. This is where flowers become the heart of the atmosphere, filling the room with colour and texture.

Wedding Table Arrangements

Tables are where guests spend most of their time, so wedding table arrangements deserve extra attention. From small posies in jars to elegant cascading displays of eucalyptus, they bring charm and intimacy to every setting. Couples often match these to the bridal bouquet or ceremony flowers for a cohesive look. Dried wedding flowers make sure that the arrangements hold their beauty throughout the long evening and can even be repurposed later.

Wedding Centrepieces' Flowers

The centrepiece sets the tone of the table. Grand urns packed with dried helichrysums or hydrangeas create drama, while clusters of small vases feel more relaxed and conversational. Wedding centerpieces' flowers should balance height and visibility so guests can still connect across the table. Using bulk dried wedding flowers allows you to design creative looks without worrying about wilting blooms.

Top Table Wedding Flowers

The top table often becomes the focal point of the reception. Top table wedding flowers are typically larger or more detailed to highlight the couple’s place of honour. Cascading arrangements, garlands, or a line of delicate posies can all work beautifully. With dried flowers, these designs stay fresh-looking for photos and can be taken home by the family after the event.

Cake and Accent Flowers

Beyond the tables, flowers often decorate the wedding cake, gift tables, or bar displays. These accents tie the whole reception together. Using dried stems provides consistency across all the details, from centrepieces to cake toppers, without last-minute wilting.

Types and Designs for Wedding Flowers

Every wedding has its own personality, and the flowers should match it. Some couples want classic and traditional, others go bold and modern. Here are a few styles brides often fall in love with:

Classic Romance That Never Dates

 

 

Think roses, lilies, protea flowers, or peonies arranged in round, full shapes. These are what most people picture when they imagine traditional wedding flowers. They photograph beautifully, and they connect you to centuries of bridal tradition without ever feeling old-fashioned.

Seasonal Beauty That Matches the Day

 

 

Fresh bouquets change with the seasons: mimosas in spring, hydrangeas in summer, dahlias in autumn. Picking what’s naturally in bloom gives you the best flowers for wedding bouquets that feel rooted in the moment. Brides who want freedom outside seasonal limits often choose dried bridal bouquets for the same effect all year long.

Mixing Textures for a Modern Twist

 

 

Modern couples love combining textures: soft bunny tails with roses, eucalyptus with orchids, or even dried stems with fresh blooms. These kinds of floral arrangements wedding designs create movement and depth by giving bouquets and displays a stylish edge.

Dried Flowers as Art Pieces

 

 

 

One of the fastest-growing wedding flower designs is using dried stems as the main event. Muted colour palettes, earthy tones, and sculptural shapes turn a dried flower bouquet wedding into a keepsake. With dried flowers for weddings, you get arrangements that last, photograph beautifully, and feel unique to your story.

Budgeting for Your Wedding Flowers

Flowers can be one of the most beautiful parts of a wedding and one of the trickiest to plan for. Prices vary depending on the season, the number of arrangements, and whether you choose fresh or dried flowers. Understanding the basics helps you set a realistic budget for wedding flowers without surprises.

Here are a few points to keep in mind when planning:

• The Bridal Bouquet: A fresh bouquet can cost anywhere from £80 to £150, while a dried bridal bouquet often comes in at a similar range but lasts long after the event.

• Bridesmaid Bouquets and Boutonnières: Smaller but still important. Expect £40–£70 for each bridesmaid and £10–£15 for boutonnières.

• Ceremony Flowers: Wedding ceremony flowers like altar displays, wreaths, or aisle arrangements can quickly add up, often £200–£500, depending on scale.

• Reception Flowers: Wedding reception flowers, including centrepieces and table designs, can cost £500 or more for larger guest lists.

• Smart Savings: Wholesale options and wedding flower design ideas like mixing dried stems with greenery, bring the overall cost down while still making an impact.

In the UK, the cost of wedding flowers typically ranges from £700 to £1,500 for a full event. 

Wholesale Options for Brides and Event Planners

For large weddings or events, wholesale buying makes sense. Ordering wholesale wedding flowers or wholesale dried flowers provides consistency in colour and variety while also reducing costs. This is why planners, florists, and even DIY brides often choose bulk dried wedding flowers.

With wholesale, you can:

• Secure enough blooms for both ceremony and reception without worrying about last-minute shortages.

• Get better pricing per stem compared to buying individual arrangements.

• Access a wider range of styles, from wholesale bridal bouquets to boxes of stems for decorating arches, tables, or cake displays.

• Mix and match fresh and dried flowers for flexible designs that suit the theme and venue.

Wholesale buying also gives creative freedom. Brides can design their own wedding flower arrangements, planners can keep budgets under control, and florists can make sure that every bouquet matches. With bulk dried wedding flowers, the added advantage is longevity, they can be prepped well in advance without fear of wilting.

Recommended Reads 

• The Ultimate Last-Minute Wedding Decor Planning Checklist
• 30 Unforgettable Wedding Ideas Your Guests Will Gush Over Forever
• Ultimate Wholesale Dried Flowers Guide for Wedding & Event Planners

Final Thoughts

From the first bouquet you hold to the last stem on a reception table, flowers shape the look and feel of a wedding more than almost anything else. A good wedding flowers checklist keeps you organised, makes sure no detail is missed, and helps balance beauty with budget.

Fresh blooms create instant impact, while dried wedding flowers bring lasting charm, with the bonus of being repurposed as keepsakes or décor after the big day. The choice is yours, classic, modern, or something in between, but flowers will always be the finishing touch that turns a celebration into a memory.

Ready to plan your own florals? Explore dried bridal bouquets, dried flowers for weddings, and wholesale wedding flowers at Dried Flowers & Decor to design arrangements that look stunning on the day and stay with you long after.

FAQs

What flowers are essential for a wedding checklist?
At minimum, most couples include the bridal bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, boutonnières, and some wedding ceremony flowers. Reception arrangements and extras like cake flowers depend on budget and style.

How many flowers are typically used in a bridal bouquet?
It varies. A simple posy may have 12–15 blooms, while fuller styles can have 30 or more. Many brides also choose dried bridal bouquets, which often use a mix of large stems and fillers for a textured look.

How much should I budget for wedding flowers in the UK?
The cost of wedding flowers usually ranges between £700 and £1,500 for bouquets, ceremony, and reception combined. Savings come from wholesale wedding flowers or mixing dried stems with greenery.

Are wholesale wedding flowers a good option for brides?
Yes. Wholesale dried flowers or bulk fresh blooms give you more variety and better prices. They’re especially useful for large ceremonies or for DIY brides who want creative control.

Why are dried bridal bouquets becoming popular for weddings?
They last far longer than fresh flowers, they photograph beautifully, and they can be kept as keepsakes. Many brides now choose dried flowers for weddings as a modern alternative.

Where can I buy wholesale dried wedding flowers in the UK?
At Dried Flowers & Decor, you’ll find a wide range of wholesale dried flowers and wholesale bridal bouquets, with delivery available across the UK.