One of the most common questions couples ask when planning a wedding is: “When should we book our florist?” Florals play such a big role in setting the tone of your day—from the ceremony aisle to the reception tables—so timing your booking correctly can make all the difference.
If you’re planning a wedding this year, here’s a clear, realistic timeline to help you feel confident (and stress-free) about booking your wedding florals.
Why Booking Early Matters
Florists often take on a limited number of weddings per weekend to ensure quality, creativity, and proper setup time. Popular dates—especially spring, summer, and fall weekends—can book up quickly.
Booking early allows you to:
-
Secure your preferred florist
-
Lock in your wedding date
-
Have time to thoughtfully design your florals
-
Avoid last-minute compromises
Even if you’re still finalizing other details, your florist can help guide your overall aesthetic early in the planning process.
The Ideal Booking Timeline (At a Glance)
9–12 months before: Best-case scenario, especially for peak wedding season
6–8 months before: Still a great window for most weddings
3–5 months before: Possible, but options may be limited
1–2 months before: Tight timeline—expect simpler designs or limited availability
Let’s break that down further.
9–12 Months Before Your Wedding
If you’re getting married during peak season (typically April–October), this is the sweet spot. Booking your florist early ensures:
-
Maximum availability
-
Full creative collaboration
-
Access to premium floral varieties
At this stage, you don’t need every detail finalized. A general vision, color palette, and venue are enough to begin the conversation.
Perfect for:
-
Large weddings
-
Destination weddings
-
Highly styled or installation-heavy designs
6–8 Months Before Your Wedding
This is the most common booking window—and still an excellent time to secure florals. Many florists will have availability, and you’ll have plenty of time to refine your design.
By now, you’ll likely have:
-
A confirmed venue
-
A clearer guest count
-
A general design direction
Your florist can help you finalize priorities, whether that’s a statement ceremony moment, lush tablescapes, or elevated personal florals.
Perfect for:
-
Most traditional weddings
-
Couples with a clear aesthetic
3–5 Months Before Your Wedding
Shorter timelines are absolutely doable, but flexibility becomes key. Some floral varieties may be seasonal or already reserved, and custom installations may be limited.
That said, experienced florists can still create something beautiful within a tighter window—often by focusing on impactful, well-curated pieces rather than large-scale builds.
Perfect for:
-
Intimate weddings
-
Local venues
-
Couples open to seasonal blooms
1–2 Months Before Your Wedding
This is considered a rush booking. Availability will depend entirely on the date and your florist’s schedule.
Designs may be simplified, and flexibility is essential—but don’t panic. Florals are adaptable, and a talented florist can still bring your vision to life with thoughtful choices.
Perfect for:
-
Elopements
-
Micro-weddings
-
Last-minute planning
What You Should Have Ready Before Reaching Out
You don’t need everything figured out, but having these basics will help your florist give accurate guidance:
-
Wedding date
-
Venue(s)
-
Approximate guest count
-
Color palette or inspiration photos
-
Budget range
Being transparent about your priorities helps your florist design something that feels intentional and elevated—no matter the scale.
If you have all of this in place, great job! The Hidden Garden is LA's most trusted wedding florist, follow this link to learn more and contact us about supplying your wedding.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to wedding florals, earlier is always better—but beautiful designs can happen at almost any stage with the right expectations and flexibility.
If florals are a meaningful part of your wedding vision, don’t wait too long to start the conversation. Booking your florist early not only secures your date—it gives you peace of mind and the opportunity to create something truly special.
If you’re planning a wedding this year and ready to talk florals, reach out sooner rather than later. Your future self will thank you.
Follow this link to see real examples of our work from recent weddings.
