Our final part in this gorgeous series! Bringing you all of the best tips, advice and inspiration from our favourite florists throughout New Zealand…
1. On My Hand
What is your ultimate favourite flower to use for weddings over the Spring/Summer season?
There are too many! If I had to pick one off the top of my head and say tree peonies. A flower that is so hard to come by in mass quantities.
Where do you see floral trends heading for the next wedding season?
We are lucky to attract clients that aren’t focused on trends, and have a lovely mixed bag of styles and palettes this season as our couples have trusted us to pitch ideas that marry their own style with their season and where they are getting married. Definitely seeing a lot more colour though! I have also noticed that a lot of our clients are becoming more conscious of where their flowers come from, we have so much to offer in New Zealand and some really amazing growers!
Is there any advice you would give to couples planning florals for their wedding?
Have a really good research online and find a florist that makes you excited about your wedding. Call or email them and chat about what you are after, tell them your ultimate dream and be direct about your budget. It often takes a lot of time to get to a final quote, and it’s much better for us to know your limits upfront. A good florist will guide you throughout the process, doing their best to provide you with your dream day while keeping on track of your spending – trust their ideas and knowledge.
What has been one of your most memorable experiences as a florist?
I have so many, but nothing beats getting a text at 1am from an elated bride after her wedding to tell you how much you nailed it!
Danelle Bohane 
Stephen & Nakita 
Bubblerock Amanda Thomas Bayleigh Vedelag Bubblerock 
Frank & Peggy Olive & Sage
2. The Vase
What is your ultimate favourite flower to use for weddings over the Spring/Summer season?
I find it hard to look past a romantic full bloomed peony with their velvety and ruffled petals. I also love that they have such a beautiful sentiment for weddings, being romance and prosperityand are regarded as an tokenof good fortune and a happy marriage.
Where do you see floral trends heading for the next wedding season?
I don’t personally think too much about trends, I more solely spend my time dreaming up a new vision I haven’t seen before and this is usually based on the relationship I have formed with my clients. However, with the current climate of uncertainties, I’m already seeing a lot of couples restructuring their wedding day and turning it into a more intimate loved filled day just about them. I’m in the process of redesigning one couples floral budget from their originally planned larger wedding of which they have scaled down to a very intimate number of 7. We now have the opportunity to go all out on the ceremonial florals which is fabulous.
Is there any advice you would give to couples planning florals for their wedding?
Book your florist for their style, I cannot express this enough. Have faith in and “trust your florist”, this is when magic happens, well it does for me!
What has been one of your most memorable experiences as a florist?
In February a dream of mine became reality when I flew in a helicopter in Queenstown with our local elopement company The Lovers Elopement Co. This was the day I became a flying florist!!! We flew to a remote mountain top where I created a floral ceremonial installation over looking a beautiful rocky glacial valley for our couple Sam + Hayden to say “I do”. It was so magical creating up on top of the world, feeling a million miles away with not a care in the world. I will never forget the raw emotion of that beautiful day.
Dawn Thomson Dawn Thomson Dawn Thomson 
Dawn Thomson Dawn Thomson Jim Pollard Dawn Thomspn 
Dawn Thomson
What is your ultimate favourite flower to use for weddings over the Spring/Summer season?
Hands down Spring is such a favourite time of year for flowers for me, large branching blossoms, abundant spirea, poppys, and sweet pea – its hard to choose a favourite!
Where do you see floral trends heading for the next wedding season?
We have just come out of a very floral heavy season in past years and with the current climate I think we might see a pairing back of the floral density and instead opting for a focus on more mixed designs incorporating lush branching greens again to spread impact a little further for budget.
Is there any advice you would give to couples planning florals for their wedding?
Focus on a few key areas and don’t try and scatter gun your spend. Its better to opt for a couple of stand out feature pieces that will be memorable and impactful than try and spread it to thin through the space. Also really lean into who you are and try not to get sucked into the trends – flowers are such a expressive medium and provide such an opportunity to put a unique spin on your day so trust your gut and march to your own beat.
What has been one of your most memorable experiences as a florist?
We have had the pleasure of working on some incredible days surrounded by a incredible team to help pull it off. Memorable experiences come thick and fast in this industry as each and every event is different. Last season we had the absolute pleasure of working over on Rakino island to pull off one heck of a wedding. 3 days of set up, ceiling rigs, boat transport daily, massive rain storms rolling in and last minute ceremony site change’s all made for an interesting setup. These are the days I thrive on, I love a challenge and creating a space from scratch for guests to enjoy for the night is always such a thrill.
Amy Kate Amy Kate Chasewild 
Nisha Ravji Nisha Ravji Estrada Weddings Samantha Donaldson Two Birds
What is your ultimate favourite flower to use for weddings over the Spring/Summer season?
Ohh this is tricky, but I would have to say the stunning Phalaenopsis Orchid.
Where do you see floral trends heading for the next wedding season?
Current international flower trends are following a contemporary and dynamic art direction, which I love. One of my all time favourite Melbourne floral artists is, Hattie Molloy. I can envision New Zealand wedding seasons to come having more of a contemporary edge, including myself!
Is there any advice you would give to couples planning florals for their wedding?
I always recommend for my brides to use local inspirational platforms to gather their inspiration from. I always recommend our beloved Together Journal, as their features are on trend and always have regional features which gives brides an idea of what blooms are in season.
What has been one of your most memorable experiences as a florist?
Meeting the beautiful face behind, Cecilia Fox. Creating with Melanie, was a fabulous and unforgettable experience! Mel has been, and still is one of my most inspirational floral artists in Melbourne.
Samantha Donaldson Samantha Donaldson Samantha Donaldson Claire Mossong Claire Mossong 
Memories By Alena Memories By Alena Memories By Alena
What is your ultimate favourite flower to use for weddings over the Spring/Summer season?
Either foxgloves or sweet peas. They’re both beautiful spring flowers and sweet peas especially have a lovely fragrance which is nostalgic for lots of people (myself included).
Where do you see floral trends heading for the next wedding season?
We’re seeing more and more couples wanting a mix of dried and fresh flowers in their wedding florals. Dried flowers aren’t my absolute favourite to work with but the add a lovely texture and warmth to bouquets and arrangements.
Is there any advice you would give to couples planning florals for their wedding?
Trust your instincts. You don’t need to have 3 large hanging installations and all the bells and whistles just because you’ve seen them on Pinterest. Think about what will still matter to you both in 20, 30, 40 years time. That will help focus you when it all gets overwhelming.
What has been one of your most memorable experiences as a florist?
When the father of one of our brides told me how much he appreciated everything we’d done for his daughters wedding, the little attention to detail elements were what he’d noticed. It nearly made me cry.
Ivelina Velkova Nisha Ravji Kirsty Peta Stone Susannah Blatchford Rachel Soh Hayley Guildford Amy Kate I Do Photography
What is your ultimate favourite flower to use for weddings over the Spring/Summer season?
There is no way I can choose only one… sweet peas, clematis, cosmos, scabiosa, cornflowers… pretty much all of the delicate, dancey and romantic florals.
Where do you see floral trends heading for the next wedding season?
I’m thinking (and hoping) couples will look towards doing things a little different, maybe experimenting with new colour palettes, adding in interesting textures and moving away from the more classic style of florals.
Is there any advice you would give to couples planning florals for their wedding?
YES! Be open with your florist about your budget, they will be able to give you options which fit into this and it will save a lot of time if you are up front from the get go. Flowers are not cheap in the slightest so allocate your floral budget to where it will make the most impact – maybe a stunning arch and bridal bouquet – don’t worry about the little extras, the last thing you want to do it spread your budget too thinly. Oh, and TRUST US – we will create our best work when you give us creative freedom and it always helps if you choose a florist who creates the style of flowers you are looking for, you wouldn’t ask an illustrative tattoo artist to feather touch your eyebrows, would you?
What has been one of your most memorable experiences as a florist?
So many! Definitely hosting my own floral workshops and getting to relax over wine and bubbles with beautiful bunches of gals while teaching floral arrangements. I also love meeting and working with other florists and brands in the wedding industry, it is such an exciting and supportive industry to be a part of.
Lana Nova Sheri McMahon Lana Nova Sheri McMahon 
Florists Own Carla Mitchell 
Aimee Kelly Stories By Bianca
7. Petal Pusher
What is your ultimate favourite flower to use for weddings over the Spring/Summer season?
I cannot go past a Ranunculus in spring. We were blessed in Taranaki having (Emerden Flowers) a local grower import seed and grow the largest and fluffiest Ranunculus I have ever seen. I could get lost for hours in the masses of petals and the dream like feelings they evoke in me. Dahlias have to top the summer flower list for me. The variety of colour, form and size bring a real range to the summer bouquet and a bonus is they thrive in our free draining volcanic soil so are readily available locally right into autumn.
Where do you see floral trends heading for the next wedding season?
Flower heavy, pared back style. More than ever I see his as a time to support New Zealand grown flowers both large scale and small local flower farms. With recent shortages and freight issues I see this is an opportunity to get creative with otherwise over looked product that grows in abundance in your area. I am forever scanning the country side for an interesting foliage or native flower such as the Ake Ake flower.
Is there any advice you would give to couples planning florals for their wedding?
Flowers can completely transform a venue and feel of a wedding. They are one of the first and last things people will see at your wedding, from ceremony, reception to dancing the night away under an amazing install. With times tough for a majority of people in this unsure time hire a florist who can adapt and provide florals with more than one uses. Ceremony flowers moved to frame the bridal party during reception or aisle arrangements that can be moved to the dance floor.
What has been one of your most memorable experiences as a florist?
For me it has been the opportunity to create a beautiful and inspiring environment for myself to work in. I love having a space dedicated to creativity and somewhere I can call my own. I get a kick out of bringing beauty to a space and having the opportunity to pass on my forestry knowledge via workshops with fellow flower enthusiasts.
Alice at Aimee Kelly 
Alice at Aimee Kelly Abbie at The Virtue 
Abbie at The Virtue Jenna at The Virtue Sheri McMahon Florists Own 
Florists Own
What is your ultimate favourite flower to use for weddings over the Spring/Summer season?
Although nature is having a party in spring with all the bulbs, it still has to be the rose. I use roses in pretty much all my work. The colour selection is so wide, with many different shades and tones within one colour group, I can design a whole colour palette around this flower. With many different varieties of roses, it’s such a great base to start with for all arrangements.
Where do you see floral trends heading for the next wedding season?Definitely will see a big reduction in the amount of greenery, if any, used in bouquets. We will start to see more of a chic, luxe look with flowers. As for table flowers, I think there will be more of a move to minimal design, with emphasis on beautiful simple vases and vessels, which is great for the wedding budget.
Is there any advice you would give to couples planning florals for their wedding?
Wedding flowers can either make or break the wedding style you are after. Don’t underestimate the impact of flora. But, many couples are unaware that flowers are costly and is often the first thing to be cut when the budget gets tight! Be really open and honest about your budget with your florist, and what you want to achieve with this. A good floral stylist will talk to you about costs and have some great ideas and tips to make the most of your budget.
What has been one of your most memorable experiences as a florist?
I’ve had the pleasure of being asked to stay on and enjoy the ceremony of some of my weddings. Over the months of planning, I make some really good friendships with the couples and to see them walk down the aisle and stand in front of our flowers on the most important day of their lives, is very moving. It’s also very humbling to see the other vendors involved and working hard on the wedding day, and how we all have such a unique part to play in working together to make the couples day incredible.
The Velveteen Collective Julie Moore-Pilbrow Abi Hackling Abi Hackling Abi Hackling 
Julie Moore-Pilbrow Estrada Weddings The Velveteen Collective
9. Flourish
What is your ultimate favourite flower to use for weddings over the Spring/Summer season?
My all time favourite flower for spring/summer weddings would absolutely have to be Peonies – so romantic! Everyone loves the extravagance of peonies!
Where do you see floral trends heading for the next wedding season?
I see a definite trend for the coming season towards a mixture of dried and fresh flowers – so popular at the moment – BIG blooms – with a really old world romantic almost renaissance feel, very loose and wild with an almost just foraged straight from the garden look. Lots of lovely deep rich colours – so romantic!
Is there any advice you would give to couples planning florals for their wedding?
My best tips for any bride to be is ALWAYS find photos of the look you’re after – Pinterest is best and gather a collection of them to bring with you when you book your consultation to discuss your wedding. Also, have a budget and try to stick to it as much as possible.
What has been one of your most memorable experiences as a florist?
Definitely my favourite experience of doing wedding flowers was for my own daughter Georgia – how wonderful to be able to do your own daughter’s wedding flowers. Also, my niece – family is best! J Slightly biased yes I know but also absolutely blessed! JSo great to be able to know one another so well that you absolutely know the feel they’re after – very important to have a good understanding of your bride’s vision for their wedding.
Chasewild 
Grey Area Productions Maisie Nevin 
Laura Tait 
Maisie Nevin 
10. Petal & Leaf
What is your ultimate favourite flower to use for weddings over the Spring/Summer season?
Favourite spring/summer flower would have the be the beautiful Sweet pea – Each stem is so different to the next. The way they grow so wild makes it such a unique flower.
Where do you see floral trends heading for the next wedding season?
Where do I see floral trends heading? I think recently we have seen quite muted tones for some brides but I think it’s going to get more colourful in the coming seasons, still wild and organic but more playful colours and I can’t wait
Is there any advice you would give to couples planning florals for their wedding?
Advice for upcoming brides and grooms planning their weddings. If you have your heart set on certain vendors get in touch with them as soon as possible. Brides and Grooms are super organised these days so vendors are booking out 2 years in advanced. Get in touch with them so your not let down by leaving it till too late.
What has been one of your most memorable experiences as a florist?
The most memorable experience as a florist – Gosh there are so many! Mine would have to be seeing the faces of my beautiful brides when I hand over their bouquets. We have usually created a friendship over the meetings and discussions of their wedding so it’s an amazing feeling some of my brides tear up t the sight of their bouquet. Moments ill treasure forever
Ivelina Velkova Ivelina Velkova Ivelina Velkova Sarah Florence Sarah Florence Sarah Florence Bek Smith Bek Smith
What is your ultimate favourite flower to use for weddings over the Spring/Summer season?
Ultimate favourite! Gosh that’s like choosing a favourite child haha! I love so many flowers all for different reasons but if I had to choose one it would be the rose variety – more specifically beautiful old fashioned garden roses, they are so ruffly and smell delicious!
Where do you see floral trends heading for the next wedding season?
En mass is becoming more and more popular each season and I can’t see that trend stopping anytime soon. I also think we will start to see more and more fun colour combinations coming through, particularly with the cooler colour palettes.
Is there any advice you would give to couples planning florals for their wedding?
I always try to steer my couples into choosing specific areas that are really important to them and their space to dress with flowers and focusing on doing them well. You get a lot more impact and bang for your buck by choosing key features, whether it is your archway, a ceiling installation etc and doing a beautiful full coverage in that area than you do from tryin to spread blooms all around the place.
What has been one of your most memorable experiences as a florist?
I think booking my first ever wedding for Little Leaf Florals will always be a massive highlight. That was my first goal when starting my business – to book one wedding. It was booked within the first week of launching and I couldn’t believe it! It was a very humbling moment for me.
Amy Kate Samantha Donaldson Samantha Donaldson Wedding By Levien Wild & Grace Wild & Grace Wild Souls Wild Souls
