Planning SOS: The flowers

We chatted to Tanya Henton at Stem by Stem about wedding planning and getting started on picking your wedding flowers.

We’re engaged! Now what?
Get the main things booked before you book a consultation with a florist. It helps to have these elements in place when you talk flowers as the venue will guide the style and placement of floral decorations; the dress will give an indication of the size, shape, style of the bridal bouquet; and the colour of the bridesmaids’ dresses and groomsmen's attire generally reflect the palette for the wedding.

What’s the one question you get asked and how do you respond?
Are peonies in season when we get married? Everyone loves a peony, but these are only available for a short time in early summer. In this case I'd suggest going for something similar with multiple petals such as garden roses, ranunculas or something voluminous such as hydrangea or bloom chrysanthemums.

How can we make our big day totally us?
Don't be over-influenced by Instagram photo shoots. Most of these aren't real life and aren't practical. For example, glass vases and candles placed on floors and stairs isn't a good idea on health and safety grounds. And fluffy pampas grass in bouquets – do you want your groom to be covered in grass seeds as it falls to bits? Really think about what's important to you. You want the day to reflect you and your personalities, so don’t feel you have to have a grey colour scheme if you love yellow and it makes you happy.

What’s your top planning tip when it comes to the flowers?
Go seasonal and sustainable. Your florist will tell you what's best for the time of year and don’t be afraid to use twigs, leaves and grasses to add extra texture and interest. Design your floral decorations so they can be taken away easily at the end of the evening or given to a local nursing home or hospice afterwards.

Tanya Henton, Stem by Stem
www.stembystemflowers.co.uk