What’s What When It Comes to Wedding Flowers

Flowers do far more than simply decorate your wedding; they set the mood, shape the space, and help tell the story of your day.

As you begin planning your wedding florals, you’ll quickly come across a whole new vocabulary: floral clouds, meadow installations, plinth arrangements, and personals (yes, that’s actually a thing). If you’re not immersed in the wedding industry day to day, it can all feel a little overwhelming.

This guide breaks down the key wedding floral elements you’re likely to encounter, explains what they actually mean, and shows where they fit into your ceremony and reception styling. From bridal bouquets and buttonholes to ceremony installations and reception centrepieces, each floral moment plays a role in creating a cohesive look and feel.

Whether your style leans wild and whimsical, soft and romantic, or modern and sculptural, thoughtful wedding flowers help bring your vision to life, transforming your venue and creating an atmosphere your guests will remember long after the day is over.

Personal Flowers

Let’s start with the ones that stay closest to you.

Personal flowers are the blooms you (literally) carry with you throughout the day. They're part of those intimate, behind-the-scenes moments; getting ready, hugging your Nan, walking down the aisle - and they show up a lot in your photos.

These might include:

• Bouquets: The main floral moment- usually for the couple, sometimes the whole crew. Big and lush, soft and simple, or anything in between.

• Buttonholes / Boutonnieres: Tiny blooms pinned to a lapel or collar. Classic, but we can give them a modern twist.

• Corsages: Often gifted to parents or grandparents and worn on the wrist or pinned to an outfit.
  Hot take? If you're looking to stretch your budget, this is one of the first things I’d suggest skipping. They’re sweet, but in my (maybe controversial) opinion, a little outdated and not always necessary.

• Hair Flowers / Flower Crowns: Especially lovely for garden weddings, elopements, or if you're feeling a little woodland fairy. A few wired blooms or a floral comb can be magic.

• Petal baskets / Mini posies: For the littlest members of your wedding party. Cute, simple, and always great in photos.

Ceremony Flowers

Here’s where we start to set the scene.

Ceremony florals are your first impression, the backdrop to your vows, the walk down the aisle, and the “we did it!” kiss.

Wherever you’re tying the knot- from the picturesque vineyards of Murrumbateman, to foodie favourites like Grazing Gundaroo, lush garden venues in Bungendore, or the art-filled grounds of Mona Farm in Braidwood — these floral elements help define the space and set the tone.

Options include:

• Arbours / Arches: A floral frame behind you — could be romantic and rambling, sculptural and modern, or somewhere in between.

• Floral towers / Grounded installs: Tall floral columns or asymmetrical shapes growing up from the ground- fab in open spaces (hello, Tallagandra Hill winery).

• Plinth arrangements: Flowers on pedestals, usually framing your aisle or arbour. We love them because they’re easy to repurpose for your reception.

• Aisle markers: Petals, posies, or ground arrangements lining your walk down the aisle - another great repurposing option.

• Love nests / Half-moon installs: Blooms that wrap around you. Soft, circular, and a bit magical; beautiful in paddocks, gardens, or any open-air setting.

• Urn arrangements: Bigger and more structured- ideal for formal venues like Pialligo Estate.

Reception Flowers

Now we’re talking party.

Reception flowers are where your wedding style really comes to life. They carry your floral vision from the ceremony into the celebration, helping transform your venue and set the tone for the night ahead. Whether you’re hosting a long-table dinner at The Truffle Farm, a cocktail-style reception at Ovolo Nishi, or a sit-down celebration at The Marion, thoughtfully designed reception florals bring everything together.

Reception flower elements may include:

Table centrepieces
From grand and sculptural to soft and understated, centrepieces are designed to suit your guest numbers, table layout, and overall wedding aesthetic.

Bud vase arrangements
Ideal for long banquet tables and intimate receptions. Think curated clusters of single stems and seasonal greenery flowing down the table for an effortless, relaxed look.

Hanging floral installations
Suspended florals above tables or dance floors create instant impact and a serious wow-factor, especially in venues with height or open ceilings.

Floral meadows and table runners
Low, garden-style arrangements that run the length of the table, sometimes spilling onto the floor. Lush, textural, and undeniably romantic.

Flowers for cake tables, signage, and bars
Those final styling touches that make the space feel cohesive, considered, and beautifully intentional.

Do You Need All of These Wedding Flowers?

Short answer? No, not at all.

You don’t need every floral element to create a beautiful, memorable wedding. We’ll help you focus on the floral moments that will make the biggest impact, guided by your venue, your personal style, and what truly matters to you.

Some couples choose just a standout bridal bouquet and a statement ceremony installation. Others want the full floral story: hanging floral clouds, lush bar arrangements, and rows of bud vases weaving through the reception. There’s no right or wrong approach, only what feels aligned with your vision.

If you’d like a clearer understanding of how different wedding floral elements can work within your budget, our Wedding Flower Budget Guide breaks down what’s possible at different investment levels.

Ready to Talk Wedding Flowers?

If you’re planning a wedding in Canberra, Murrumbateman, Braidwood, Bungendore, Gundaroo, or anywhere across the Southern Tablelands, I’d love to be your wedding florist. Click below to start the conversation and begin shaping your floral vision.