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March 10, 2025
sarah poyourow
Lets get into it!
Flowers play a huge role in setting the tone for your wedding, whether you’re envisioning a lush, flower-filled event or a more minimal, elegant celebration. One of the biggest decisions you’ll make when booking a florist is choosing between full-service floral design and à la carte wedding flowers. While both options can result in stunning floral arrangements, they cater to different needs, budgets, and levels of involvement.
As a wedding florist, I often guide couples through this decision, helping them find the best fit for their vision and priorities. In this guide, I’ll break down the key differences, benefits, and factors to consider when choosing between full-service wedding flowers and à la carte floral options.
What Are Full-Service Wedding Flowers?
✔️ Custom Floral Design: Your florist will work with you to design a unique floral aesthetic tailored to your wedding style, color palette, and venue. Every detail is thoughtfully curated to ensure a harmonious look.
✔️ Personal Flowers: This includes bridal and bridesmaid bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, and floral crowns—all customized to match your wedding vision.
✔️ Ceremony Flowers: Expect breathtaking floral arrangements for your ceremony, such as arches, aisle markers, floral pillars, and altar arrangements.
✔️ Reception Florals: From centerpieces and sweetheart table arrangements to floral chandeliers and bar decor, full-service florals ensure a beautifully styled event space.
✔️ Delivery, Setup & Installation: Your florist and team will deliver, style, and arrange every floral element, ensuring a polished, professional look.
✔️ Teardown & Cleanup: At the end of the event, your florist will return to remove the florals, allowing you and your guests to enjoy the day without worrying about cleanup.
Who Should Choose Full-Service Wedding Flowers?
This option is ideal if:
✅ You want a fully customized floral design that enhances your wedding theme.
✅ You need large-scale installations like floral arches, hanging arrangements, or cascading tablescapes.
✅ You prefer a stress-free experience where all florals are professionally styled, delivered, and cleaned up.
✅ You have a larger floral budget and want to maximize impact..
Pros of Full-Service Wedding Flowers
✔️ Completely customized floral designs that align with your vision.
✔️ Flawless execution with professional setup and styling.
✔️ Luxury floral installations like statement arches, floral chandeliers, and tablescapes.
✔️ No stress for you or your family—everything is handled by professionals.
Cons of Full-Service Wedding Flowers
❌ Higher investment due to labor, design expertise, and premium flowers.
❌ Less DIY flexibility since the florist manages all aspects of the floral setup.
Now, let’s look at à la carte wedding flowers and how they compare.
What Are À La Carte Wedding Flowers?
For couples who need floral essentials but don’t require large installations or setup services, à la carte wedding flowers offer a more flexible and budget-friendly option.
Instead of a fully customized floral plan, you can order individual floral pieces—such as bridal bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces—and pick them up or have them delivered without the additional costs of full-service design.
What’s Included in À La Carte Floral Services?
✔️ Personal Flowers: Bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages.
✔️ Small Arrangements: Centerpieces, bud vases, and petite altar arrangements.
✔️ Pickup or Simple Delivery: You (or a designated person) will be responsible for placing and styling the flowers at your venue.
✔️ No Large Installations: Floral arches, ceiling installations, and aisle structures are not included in à la carte services.
Who Should Choose À La Carte Wedding Flowers?
This option is best if:
✅ You need only a few floral pieces, like bouquets and centerpieces.
✅ You’re having a small or intimate wedding that doesn’t require elaborate floral decor.
✅ You’re comfortable handling the setup of your flowers on your own or with help from a planner or wedding party.
✅ You have a limited budget but still want professional-quality flowers.
Pros of À La Carte Wedding Flowers
✔️ More budget-friendly—you only pay for what you need.
✔️ Great for intimate weddings where large-scale florals aren’t necessary.
✔️ Flexibility to mix professional florals with DIY arrangements.
Cons of À La Carte Wedding Flowers
❌ Limited customization since the designs are often pre-set.
❌ No setup included, meaning you’ll need to arrange the flowers yourself or assign someone to do it.
❌ No large-scale installations like arches, backdrops, or floral chandeliers.
How to Choose Between Full-Service and À La Carte Wedding Flowers
Still unsure which option is best for you? Here are a few questions to consider:
💐 What’s your floral budget?
If flowers are a top priority and you want a fully styled event, full-service florals are the best investment. However, if you’re looking for a way to save while still having professional blooms, à la carte may be a better fit.
💐 How elaborate is your floral vision?
If you dream of a grand floral arch, cascading tablescapes, or suspended installations, full-service is the way to go. On the other hand, if you only need personal flowers and a few centerpieces, à la carte is a great alternative.
💐 Do you have help for floral setup?
If you’re booking à la carte flowers, you’ll need someone—whether it’s a friend, family member, or coordinator—to pick up and place the flowers. If you prefer a hands-off experience, full-service is the better option.
💐 Do you want a stress-free wedding day?
If you’d rather relax and enjoy your wedding day without worrying about floral logistics, full-service is the best choice. Otherwise, if you’re okay with some extra hands-on work, à la carte can be a good budget-conscious alternative.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to wedding flowers, both full-service floral design and à la carte options offer beautiful results, but the right choice depends on your vision, budget, and the level of involvement you want.
• If you want a custom, stress-free, and high-end floral experience, full-service is the way to go.
• If you only need essential flowers and prefer a more hands-on approach, à la carte is a great solution.
No matter which option you choose, having professional-quality flowers will elevate your wedding decor and bring your vision to life.
💐 Need help deciding? I’d love to chat about your floral needs! Contact me today to find the best fit for your wedding flowers.
