Where My Love for Wedding Flowers Began
I grew up in a flower shop. I watched my mom, Antionette, craft floral arrangements with the kind of instinct that can’t be taught only lived. She’s been in the floral industry for over 30 years, and even after teaming up with her professionally, I still find myself studying her in absolute awe.
I’ll watch her place one stem next to another and ask, “How did you know those flowers would work with everything else in the room?” Or when she hands a bride her bouquet, I’ll whisper, “How did you know it would pop so perfectly against that dress?” And my favorite, when she builds a color palette that elevates the linen texture, lighting, and overall vibe of the space, I always think, How did you know that would be the thing that ties the whole design together?
The truth is, the same questions I ask her are the questions couples ask me in consultations all the time.
When newly engaged couples sit across from me, they usually fall into two buckets:
- They have a vision for the overall wedding but no idea where to start with selecting wedding flowers, or
- They’ve fallen in love with one particular bloom, color, or shape and want everything built around that moment of inspiration.
Most people see flowers simply as décor but florals and décor are not the same thing. They’re partners. They work together to tell a story through color, mood, and intentional design. Flowers should enhance the atmosphere, not just exist in it. They influence the energy of the ceremony, the intimacy of the reception, the elegance of the tablescape, and the emotion captured in photos.
As the planner, my job is to bridge the gap between your vision and the reality of bringing it to life. Before we ever talk about bouquets or centerpieces, I’m thinking about how you want your wedding day to feel. That feeling guides everything. Because here’s what I’ve learned: couples often fall in love with a Pinterest board or a beautiful photo, but what they don’t realize is that the feeling they’re drawn to is created by a combination of elements, florals, décor, lighting, linens, rentals, and sometimes even the venue itself.
So before we dive into blooms and bouquets, I always ask:
What is most important to you—florals, décor, or production rentals?
From there, we craft a plan and a budget that reflects your priorities and sets the foundation for Antionette’s magic.
Expert Floral Insight: What Couples Should Know Before Choosing Wedding Flowers
Once we’ve talked through the feeling you want your wedding day to create, I bring in the person who understands flowers on a level I could never pretend to, my mom, Antionette. Thirty-plus years in the industry means she’s seen trends come and go, seasons shift, and color palettes evolve. What hasn’t changed is her approach: flowers tell the story of your day, not just fill the room.
When I introduce couples to Antionette, she usually starts with one grounding truth:
“Flowers aren’t just pretty. They’re purposeful.”
And she’s right. So before couples start choosing bouquets or centerpieces, there are a few foundational pieces she wants them to understand.
1. Core Floral Elements Every Wedding Needs
Antionette breaks florals down into five anchor categories:
- Bouquets – personal flowers that set the tone for the wedding aesthetic
- Boutonnières & Corsages – small touches that bring cohesion
- Ceremony Florals – where your guests first encounter the story of your day
- Reception Centerpieces – the heart of the guest experience
- Installations – the “wow” moments, from arches to hanging florals and statement pieces
Understanding these basics helps couples see the full picture, not just the one bouquet they fell in love with online.
2. The Questions Couples Don’t Expect—but Need
Antionette asks questions that often catch couples by surprise:
- How do you want guests to feel when they walk into your ceremony?
- What photo moments matter the most to you?
- Is your color palette a must-stick-to or a guide?
- What décor elements are equally important so we can balance the budget?
These questions move couples beyond “I like this flower” to a design conversation that supports the whole wedding.
3. Common Misconceptions About Wedding Florals
Pinterest is a gift, but also a trap. Antionette reminds couples that the photos they save are influenced by:
- Venue architecture
- Ceiling height
- Natural light
- Designer style
- Floral seasonality
- Budget size
- Specialty rentals
- Photography editing
Most couples think they’re reacting to the flowers, when in reality they’re reacting to the full environment. She helps identify what they actually love. Is it color, shape, texture, mood? Once identified she then recreates that feeling for their day.
4. Trust Matters More Than Anything
Antionette has a saying I hear every wedding season:
“If you trust the process, the flowers will exceed your expectations.”
Substitutions aren’t compromises. They’re strategic upgrades that keep your flowers fresh, beautiful, and realistic for your season and venue.
Bouquets: The Heart of Personal Florals
When it comes to wedding flowers, bouquets are often where everything begins. They’re the first floral element you interact with on your wedding day, and for many couples, it’s the moment the entire design suddenly feels real. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched a bride see her bouquet and say, “Okay… now it’s happening.”
Why Bouquets Matter
From a planner’s perspective, bouquets appear in some of your most important moments:
- Your first look
- Your walk down the aisle
- Your portrait photos
- Your detail shots
- Your getting-ready moments
And because they follow you, they become the thread tying your wedding day visuals together.
Antionette’s Considerations When Designing a Bouquet
Bouquets aren’t just a bundle of flowers—they’re intentional design pieces. Antionette thinks through details that couples rarely realize matter:
- Dress: The silhouette, texture, color, and detail of your gown influence bouquet size, shape, focal blooms, and even stem wrapping.
- Color Palette: She considers undertones in your dress, seasonal flower availability, photography lighting, and the bridal party attire.
- Shape & Movement: Loose and garden-style? Sleek and structured? Cascading or round? The bouquet’s mechanics change depending on your style.
- Texture & Ingredients: Statement blooms, supporting flowers, fillers, greenery, and even fragrance are carefully balanced to create harmony.
Bouquet Surprises Couples Often Encounter
- Weight: Lush bouquets are heavier than expected.
- Seasonality: Not all flowers are available year-round.
- Longevity: Flowers respond to heat, movement, and time, so durability is key.
Bouquets set the tone for your entire floral story, guiding bridesmaids’ bouquets, boutonnières, ceremony florals, and reception centerpieces.
Ceremony Flowers & Installations: Setting the Stage for Your “I Do”
Your ceremony is the first impression guests will have of your wedding day. Ceremony flowers create the emotional backdrop for your vows and photos.
Key Questions to Ask
- Does the venue already have strong architectural beauty?
- Do you need a floral arch, aisle décor, or a full installation?
- How will flowers interact with photography and lighting?
Antionette’s Advice
- Installations are labor-intensive but offer high impact.
- Mechanics must be secure for safety and longevity.
- Ceremony flowers should echo personal florals and reception elements for a cohesive look.
Centerpieces & Reception Florals: Designing the Guest Experience
Once we’ve designed the personal florals, the next step is creating a guest experience through reception flowers. Centerpieces are where your wedding’s mood comes alive on every table.
Planner Perspective: Guiding Couples
I help couples decide:
- Elevated vs. low arrangements
- Mixing florals with candles and décor
- Whether certain tables need more impact or intimacy
- How centerpieces interact with table size, linens, and lighting
Antionette’s Expert Considerations
She looks at:
- Room layout & ceiling height: Tall arrangements in small rooms can overwhelm.
- Table size & scale: Flowers should complement, not block conversation.
- Guest experience: Centerpieces must enhance dining and photo moments.
- Budget impact: Tall, dramatic installations cost more in mechanics and labor.
Centerpiece Tips for Newly Engaged Couples
- Prioritize key tables: sweetheart, head table, guest tables for immediate family..
- Decide where to allocate your budget for maximum impact.
- Trust substitutions for seasonal flowers. They often look and cost better.
Final Takeaway for Newly Engaged Couples
Wedding flowers are more than décor. They tell the story of your day. From the bouquet in your hands to the centerpieces on the tables, every stem, color, and arrangement sets the tone and creates lasting memories.
Here’s what to remember:
- Think about feeling, not just flowers. Your wedding should evoke emotion.
- Prioritize your budget wisely. Decide what matters most.
- Trust the process. Expert designers like Antionette know how to turn vision into reality.
- See flowers as part of a larger design story. They work best in collaboration with décor, linens, and lighting.
Whether you’re just starting your wedding planning journey or feeling overwhelmed by Pinterest boards, remember: flowers are your story in color, texture, and shape. And when you work with a planner and floral designer who truly understand your vision, your wedding day will be beautiful, cohesive, and unforgettable.
Bring Your Floral Vision to Life
Your wedding flowers should feel intentional, cohesive, and true to your story. If you’re ready for expert guidance that turns inspiration into a beautifully designed reality, schedule a consultation with CM Production ATL and let’s bring your vision to life with confidence. Inquire with CM Production ATL today!
