Planning your wedding flowers? Three Scottish florists share expert advice on costs, booking timelines, seasonal choices and creating a cohesive, sustainable floral look
“I love bringing personalisation to barn-style venues,” says Louise at Catkin Studio (Photo: Solen Collet)
Wedding flowers can completely transform your ceremony and reception – but knowing where to start isn’t always straightforward.
How much should you budget? When should you book your florist? What flowers are in season in Scotland when? And how can you make sustainable choices without compromising on style?
To help couples plan with confidence, we spoke to three experienced Scottish florists – Wilder Flowers, Catkin Studio and Where The Blossoms Are – who share their practical advice on wedding flower budgets, styling impact, seasonality and eco-friendly design.
"Everything about Natalia’s bouquet – the colours, the textures, the movement – just felt right. And seeing it in her hands on the day, captured like this, is pure joy," Catkin Studio's Louise says (Photo: Fotogenic of Scotland)
How much do wedding flowers cost in Scotland?
According to Mia Lorimer, director at Wilder Flowers, budgets vary hugely – and that’s completely normal.
“Florals mean different things to different people,” she explains. “It really comes down to the importance you place on them and how much impact you’d like them to have on the day.”
Mia says she’s currently seeing average spends of around £1,500 to £3,500, with smaller weddings often costing less and large-scale styling or installations pushing the investment higher.
What affects wedding flower costs most?
• Venue size
• Flower varieties chosen
• Scale of installations
• Logistics and access times
• Multiple room set-ups
• Statement pieces such as arches or hanging designs
When should you book your wedding florist?
Mia recommends booking your florist one to two years in advance, particularly for peak season dates in Scotland.
“That said, if your florist of choice is available, it’s sometimes possible to book with around six months’ notice, especially for smaller weddings. But booking early gives you peace of mind and time to develop ideas without feeling rushed.”
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"A truly beautiful wedding – this modern bridal bouquet of calla lilies and orchids, was paired with abundant floral meadows for this timeless Calton Hill ceremony," Mia of Wilder Flowers shares (Photo: Natalia Swiader)
How do you choose wedding flowers if you don’t know where to start?
For Louise McWilliams of Catkin Studio, the starting point isn’t specific blooms – it’s atmosphere.
“I’d encourage you to begin with how you want the day to feel,” she says.
“Florals are emotional as much as visual. Once that feeling is clear, the flower choices tend to follow naturally. Save images that make you feel something, even if you can’t explain why. A good florist will help translate those feelings into something cohesive and practical.”
What wedding flowers are in season in Scotland?
Seasonality plays a major role in both aesthetics and sustainability.
“Working with what’s naturally available usually results in designs that feel more alive and generous,” says Louise. “Rather than focusing on one particular kind of flower, concentrate on the overall feeling you love, and trust your florist to recreate that using seasonal equivalents.”
Choosing seasonal wedding flowers in Scotland often means:
• Better value
• Stronger stems and longevity
• Lower environmental impact
• Designs that feel natural and abundant
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Erin of Where The Blossoms Are brought together a clear quartz crystal stem and celestite towers to create a bouquet that feels personal and meaningful (Photo: Photos by Eilidh)
Which wedding flowers make the biggest visual impact?
For Erin Miller of Where The Blossoms Are, prioritisation is key.
“I always tell couples to start with bouquets and buttonholes,” she says.
“They’re the flowers closest to you, seen up close by guests and captured in photos, so they really set the tone.”
From there:
• Ceremony flowers frame your vows
• Reception centrepieces transform tables
• Hanging installations create dramatic focal points
“It’s about balancing intimate, personal details with bigger visual moments.”
Your guide to wedding flower centrepieces
How do you create a cohesive floral look from ceremony to reception?
Cohesion doesn’t mean repetition.
Erin advises starting with a theme that reflects who you are as a couple – colours, textures or symbolic details – and letting that guide the day.
Louise adds: “I take cues from the venue itself – the light, materials and landscape. Subtle variations and tonal layering often feel more natural than exact colour matching.”
“Trusting your florist’s knowledge and creativity usually results in something far more natural, cohesive and beautiful than you’d get trying to control every detail,” says Mia at Wilder Flowers (Photo: Adam Luto Photography)
What wedding flower logistics do couples often overlook?
“Timings are a big one,” says Mia. “Access times, multiple locations, weather plans for outdoor ceremonies and repurposing arrangements all need to be considered. The more information we have, the easier it is for us to take care of everything behind the scenes.”
Erin also advises thinking about flow and visibility: “Arrangements should frame moments without blocking views or pathways.”
How can you make your wedding flowers more sustainable?
Sustainable wedding flowers go beyond simply choosing seasonal blooms.
Louise explains: “I use natural moss instead of floral foam wherever possible, and I love designing flowers that can move from ceremony to reception. Another lovely option is gifting arrangements to guests at the end of the evening – it gives the flowers a chance to live on.”
Eco-friendly wedding flower ideas include:
• Foam-free mechanics
• Repurposing ceremony flowers
• Using locally grown blooms
• Gifting arrangements to guests
What’s a spring wedding without a fabulous pop of colour? This bouquet by Catkin Studio brings all the sunny vibes (Photo: Patrick Phillips Photography)
What’s the most important thing to know before booking a florist?
The florists all agree: trust your supplier.
“Find a florist whose work you genuinely love and trust their creative style,” says Mia. “Come with inspiration, but allow them the freedom to create the full picture.”
As Erin puts it: “There are no rules. Whether your flowers are bold and dramatic or subtle and intimate, the most important thing is that they feel like you.”
Discover the florist who matches your wedding vision
