Why I Think Couples Should Choose Their Florist Soon After Their Venue
Last year I spent many weekends setting up flowers at weddings throughout Sonoma and Napa counties. Some were nestled among vineyards while others were tucked beneath towering oak trees or set against sweeping cliffside views.
When I think back on those weddings, I rarely remember the linens or chargers.
I remember how they felt.
I remember the flowers catching the late afternoon light. I remember guests lingering in the ceremony space long after the vows because they didn't want to leave. I remember walking into a reception and seeing the entire space come alive once the flowers were in place.
Flowers transform a beautiful venue into an unforgettable experience.
Photo by @derekandkaylaphoto
That's why I think couples should start looking for their florist soon after they book their venue.
The venue creates the setting, but flowers help shape the experience.
One of the most common misconceptions I see is that flowers are simply a decorative detail to be figured out later. In reality, flowers influence many decisions. They often help define the color palette, reinforce the style of the wedding, and create a sense of cohesion from the ceremony through the reception.
Flowers help define the color palette and overall feeling of a wedding day.
Photo by @dianebphoto
Whether a wedding feels romantic, whimsical, elegant, modern, or inspired by an English garden often has as much to do with the floral design as it does with the venue itself.
Working with couples early allows us to have conversations that go beyond bouquets and centerpieces.
Curious about how seasonal flowers can shape the look and feel of your wedding?
Take a look at some of our recent weddings to see how flowers transform different venues and celebrations.
We talk about how they want their wedding to feel and the landscape surrounding their venue. We talk about what will be blooming naturally and what flowers will be at their absolute best for that particular time of year.
As a flower farmer, those conversations are some of my favorites.
After months spent nurturing seedlings, watching plants grow, and anticipating what each season will bring, I love helping couples discover what will be blooming for their wedding.
Many of the flowers I grow are available for only a few precious weeks each season. Their beauty is part of their fleeting nature. Some of my favorite blooms simply can't be shipped across the world or stored for months. They are beautiful because they are here for a moment and then gone.
When couples embrace seasonal flowers, they often end up with designs that feel more personal, more unique, and more connected to the time and place where they are getting married.
Wedding flowers become part of the memories couples carry with them long after the day is over.
Photo by @nilesprague
Booking your florist early also means you have the best chance of working with someone whose style truly resonates with you. Just like venues and photographers, florists often book popular dates well in advance.
My advice is simple: after you've chosen your venue, spend some time finding a florist whose work makes you pause. Read reviews. Ask yourself whether you can picture your wedding through their eyes. Most importantly, find someone you trust.
Every florist has a different style and approach.
If you would like to learn more about how we grow and design flowers at Moonlight Blooms Farm, I’d love to share a little more about our story.
The best florist relationships feel like collaborations. Your florist should listen carefully, offer guidance when needed, and help you create something that feels authentic to you rather than simply recreating a Pinterest board. They help create the atmosphere that you and your guests will remember long after the wedding day is over.
Thoughtful floral design helps create the atmosphere guests remember most.
Photo by @kenvialephotography
If you're planning a wedding in Sonoma, Napa, or Marin County and are beginning the search for your florist, I'd love to hear what you're dreaming up. Whether you have every detail planned or are just getting started, we can explore what is possible with seasonal, locally grown flowers.
Still choosing your venue? Explore some of my favorite Sonoma and Napa wedding venues and what makes each one unique from a florist’s perspective.
