How To Select A Wedding Florist

Planning a wedding is one of life’s most special journeys, and here at Buttercups Florist in Oundle, Peterborough, we know how much thought and care goes into every detail. Flowers bring so much beauty, fragrance, and emotion to a wedding day — yet choosing the right wedding florist can feel overwhelming at first. With so many styles, personalities, and budgets to navigate, it’s perfectly natural to wonder where to start. Over the years, we’ve helped hundreds of couples across Peterborough, Oundle, and the surrounding countryside find flowers that tell their unique story. In this blog, we’ll share our honest, practical advice on how to choose a wedding florist you can trust — one who listens, inspires, and ultimately brings your floral dreams to life.

Understand Your Floral Vision

Before you even start contacting florists, spend a little time thinking about your own floral style. You don’t need to know the Latin names for every bloom, but having an idea of what you love will help guide your florist search. Do you imagine wild, whimsical arrangements filled with seasonal meadow flowers? Or do you lean towards classic, structured designs with timeless roses and peonies? It’s helpful to gather inspiration — perhaps a Pinterest board, magazine clippings, or a saved folder on Instagram. Many of our Buttercups couples show us photos of bouquets they adore, and that initial moodboard can spark wonderful conversations.

Think about the atmosphere you want to create. Flowers do so much more than look pretty — they evoke feelings, tie in with your venue’s character, and reflect your personality as a couple. An intimate barn wedding in the Northamptonshire countryside may lend itself to soft, rustic florals with trailing greenery, while a city venue might suit something more modern and sculptural. Keep an open mind too — your florist may suggest seasonal flowers you’d never thought of, which can add gorgeous local charm and keep costs manageable.

Do Your Research Locally

When it comes to choosing a wedding florist, nothing beats finding someone local who knows the venues, the seasons, and the unique quirks of your area. Here in Oundle and Peterborough, we’re blessed with a wealth of beautiful wedding venues — from historic churches and country houses to modern barns and festival-style fields. A local florist will often have built relationships with venue managers and know exactly what works best in each setting.

Look for florists who have real wedding experience at your venue or similar spaces. Check their websites, social media, and wedding directories to see examples of recent work. Testimonials and reviews are a brilliant way to get a sense of how a florist works with couples. At Buttercups Florist, we’re always delighted when our brides and grooms leave heartfelt feedback, as it reassures new couples that they’re in safe hands.

Meet Your Florist In Person Or Virtually

Once you’ve narrowed down your shortlist, reach out and arrange a proper chat. A wedding florist is not just a supplier; they’re a creative partner who needs to understand your vision, style, and practical requirements. During an initial consultation, you should feel at ease — we always encourage our couples to bring their ideas but also come ready to be inspired.

Be honest about your budget right from the start. A good florist won’t make you feel awkward about money — instead, they’ll help you prioritise and show you what’s achievable within your range. In our Oundle shop, we’ve planned weddings for all sizes, from grand marquee celebrations to intimate garden gatherings, and we truly believe beautiful flowers are possible for every couple.

Notice whether the florist listens more than they talk. You should never feel pressured into certain flowers or styles that don’t feel like you. Equally, a good florist will offer thoughtful suggestions based on experience — they might know which blooms hold up best in summer heat or which foliage complements your bridesmaids’ dresses perfectly. That collaborative energy is a sign you’re in good hands.

Ask About Seasonality And Sustainability

More couples than ever are asking about sustainability, and rightly so. Flowers are a living, natural product, and choosing seasonal, locally grown blooms can reduce your wedding’s carbon footprint while supporting British growers. At Buttercups Florist, we work closely with local flower farms whenever possible, bringing in stunning homegrown dahlias, sweet peas, and garden roses through the British growing season.

Talk to your florist about what’s in season around your wedding date — they should be able to guide you towards flowers that are at their best and avoid those that might need to be imported at great expense. Not only is this often more budget-friendly, but it means your arrangements will look fresher and more authentic to the time of year.

You may also wish to ask about floral foam usage, packaging, and waste disposal. Many florists are moving towards more eco-friendly practices, like using chicken wire and reusable structures instead of single-use foam. These small choices add up to a more planet-friendly celebration.

Discuss Practical Details

A wedding florist’s job doesn’t end at designing pretty arrangements. They also handle the logistics of sourcing, preparing, transporting, and setting up your flowers — often in tight timeframes and tricky spaces. So it’s important to ask practical questions too. Find out how they handle delivery on the day, who will be setting up, and whether they’ll return to collect hired items like urns or arches.

For weddings in and around Peterborough, we always make sure couples know exactly what to expect. Will the bouquets be delivered to your bridal suite? Do you want buttonholes pinned on your groomsmen? Is there a quick changeover needed to move ceremony flowers to the reception? A good florist should run through all these details well in advance so there are no surprises on your wedding morning.

Trust Their Portfolio And Creativity

When choosing a wedding florist, it’s natural to look at examples of their past work. A strong portfolio shows versatility, consistency, and an eye for detail. But remember, your wedding flowers should never be a carbon copy of someone else’s. While inspiration is wonderful, your flowers should reflect your unique story and tastes.

At Buttercups Florist, we love it when couples come with ideas but give us the creative freedom to craft something just for them. Trust is such an important part of the relationship — you’re hiring an expert for a reason. A talented florist knows how to interpret your colour palette, venue, and personal style into arrangements that look effortless yet breathtaking.

Make Sure You Click As People

Weddings are deeply personal, and your florist will play a part in some emotional, behind-the-scenes moments on your big day. It helps so much if you genuinely get on well. We always say our favourite wedding days are those where we feel like part of the family — helping calm last-minute nerves, pinning corsages on proud mums, and seeing the joy on a bride’s face when she holds her bouquet for the first time.

So trust your instincts. If you feel comfortable, heard, and understood, that’s a wonderful sign. If you feel rushed, patronised, or unsure, it may be worth looking elsewhere. You deserve a florist who’s just as excited about your wedding as you are.

Read The Contract Carefully

Once you’ve found your perfect match, it’s time to secure your date. Your florist should provide a clear contract outlining exactly what’s included: the number of arrangements, delivery times, hire items, payment schedules, and cancellation policies. Read it thoroughly and ask questions if anything feels unclear.

We believe transparency is so important — it protects both you and your florist and ensures everyone knows what’s expected. At Buttercups Florist, we always provide a detailed breakdown and remain available for tweaks and questions right up until the final week. Flowers are a living product, and sometimes substitutions need to be made due to weather or supply issues. A good florist will handle these gracefully, keeping you in the loop.

Think About The Extras

Beyond bouquets and buttonholes, many florists can help with styling extras too. Perhaps you’d love a dramatic floral arch for your vows, or hanging installations above your top table. Maybe you’re dreaming of fresh flower crowns for your bridesmaids or delicate petals scattered down the aisle. These finishing touches can transform a venue and tie your whole look together.

It’s worth discussing your overall décor plans so your florist can coordinate with your other suppliers, like the cake maker or stylist. We’ve even had couples ask us to add fresh flowers to their wedding cake on the day — a simple yet stunning detail that elevates your entire theme.

Plan Ahead But Stay Flexible

The earlier you book your wedding florist, the better — especially if you’re marrying in peak season, like late spring or summer. Many florists get booked up a year or more in advance. That said, don’t panic if you’re planning on a shorter timescale. Reach out as soon as possible and be open to flexible solutions.

Remember, flowers are a natural product and weather can sometimes play tricks. A heatwave, a late frost, or an unexpected storm can affect availability. Trust your florist to find beautiful alternatives that stay true to your vision. Often, these last-minute swaps result in something even more gorgeous than you first imagined. Contact us with your date ands we will be happy to book it in for you.

Enjoy The Process

Choosing a wedding florist should feel like one of the most joyful parts of wedding planning. Flowers symbolise love, growth, and celebration — and they’ll be forever captured in your photos. Take your time, ask lots of questions, and let yourself get swept up in the beauty of it all.

Here at Buttercups Florist in Oundle, we feel truly honoured to be part of our couples’ stories. Whether you’re planning a grand country house affair or an intimate backyard celebration, we promise to bring the same care, creativity, and local expertise to every bouquet and buttonhole. If you’re recently engaged and dreaming of flowers that tell your story, we’d love to welcome you for a cuppa and a chat in our cosy shop on the edge of Peterborough. Together, we’ll make sure your wedding day blooms in every possible way.