How far ahead to plan flowers for an event
The most common mistake people make with event flowers is leaving the enquiry too late. Not because florists are fully booked months in advance (though in peak season that does happen), but because good event floristry requires time to source specific stems, test combinations, and plan logistics. Here is a realistic timeline for different event sizes.
Weddings: eight to twelve weeks minimum
For a wedding, Laura asks for at least eight weeks' notice, and ten to twelve weeks for events in May, June, or September, which are the busiest months. The first conversation is usually a call or a detailed message exchange covering the venue, the date, the rough guest count, and any colour or flower preferences.
After that, Laura will put together a written proposal with a breakdown of what's included and a total cost. The 30% deposit is paid to secure the date. From that point, sourcing planning begins: identifying which stems will be in season, which growers are likely to have them, and whether anything needs to be pre-ordered.
- Date, venue, and approximate guest count
- Colour palette or mood reference (a photo is fine)
- Which elements you need: ceremony, tables, welcome arrangement, buttonholes
- Budget range, even a rough one, so the proposal is realistic
Garden parties and private celebrations: six weeks
For a garden party or private dinner, six weeks is usually enough. The main thing Laura needs to know upfront is the number of tables, the setting (indoor or outdoor, which affects vessel choice), and whether there's a colour brief or whether she should work with what's best that week.
Outdoor events need low, stable arrangements. Indoor events can go taller. A supper club for 12 people needs different flowers than a garden party for 60, not just in quantity but in style.
Last-minute requests
For events under 20 people, Laura can sometimes accommodate requests with two to three weeks' notice, depending on what's available at the auction that week. It's always worth asking. The worst that happens is she says the timing doesn't work.
What she can't do at short notice is source specific stems that aren't in season or aren't available at the regional auction. If you have a very specific flower in mind, more lead time is always better.
If you're in the early stages of planning something and not sure what you need yet, a short message with the date and rough size is enough to start a conversation.