What Couples Get Wrong About Wedding Flowers – with Shamrock Garden Florist
WRITTEN BY Linda Trevoy, Shamrock Garden Florist | PHOTOGRAPHY BY Sabrina Keepman Photography
I know what every couple is thinking: picking flowers will be easy.
You have the inspiration photos and the Pinterest boards and the little square color swatches from your bridesmaid’s dresses and groomsmen’s ties. And frankly, you’re absolutely sure someone is going to be upset if a gardenia is nowhere to be found.
But while most couples walk in armed with all of that and more, very few have a clear plan for how to make it all work. They may have a general sense of what they like, but translating that into what fits their wedding, their venue and their budget isn’t always as simple as it looks.
After more than 40 years in the floral business, I’ve learned that firsthand. And I’ve seen just about every mistake.
MISTAKE #1: The Pitfalls Of Pinterest
The beauty of Pinterest is just that — everything looks beautiful. But achieving those exact looks isn’t always so simple.
The truth is that Pinterest is a great place to start forming ideas, but there’s so much more to the story. You might be looking at something grown in a completely different climate, or even a styled shoot that wasn’t designed for a real event. I see a lot of Pinterest photos, and I always tell couples the same thing: You don’t always know where that image came from or whether it’s even realistic.
And let’s not forget, flowers aren’t grown right here at our shop in Lombard. We’re sourcing from all over the world, and availability changes based on season, demand and what growers are producing at the time. When trends hit, everyone is asking for the same things at once, and that doesn’t always mean those flowers are easy to get.
That’s why working with a florist matters. My job is to take what you’re drawn to and translate it into something that works for your venue, your timing and your budget, without setting you up for disappointment.
MISTAKE #2: Not Visualizing Your Vision
The first question I have for every couple I meet is fairly simple: Do you have a vision?
Most of the time, the answer is, “It’s all over the place.” But once I start looking at what they’re drawn to, there are always common threads. They just don’t see it yet. That’s where an experienced florist really comes in.
For example, I like to sit with a bride and look at her inspiration. Let’s say I see that her color palette includes blue. Then I notice she has blue nails, or she’s wearing a blue shirt. It’s already there. People naturally gravitate toward what they like; they just need help putting it together.
My job is to take all of those scattered ideas and turn them into something cohesive. You don’t need to walk in with a perfectly defined plan, but you do need someone who knows how to guide you there.
MISTAKE #3: Thinking Flowers Are One-Size-Fits-All
Picking your wedding flowers isn’t as simple as ordering a 12-inch pizza.
Customization is the key. Every arrangement is different, and everything is priced individually based on what you’re asking for. From the moment we sit down for a wedding consultation, I’m looking at your venue, your overall vision and what kind of impact you want to make.
The good news is there’s always flexibility. There’s always a way to make something bigger, and there’s always a way to make it smaller. Once you see the numbers, you can decide what matters most to you and where you want to invest.
What I try to guide couples on is proportion. A small arrangement might look fine in one space, but it can get completely lost in a larger venue. The goal is to make everything feel balanced and intentional, not like something was scaled down just to fit a number.
MISTAKE #4: Trying To Plan An Entire Event Over Texts
I’ve been doing this a long time, and if there’s one thing I have learned, it’s this: You can’t text color. You can’t text fullness. And you definitely can’t text a feeling.
Planning your wedding florals isn’t something you can figure out through a few messages or photos on your phone. You need to sit down, look at options and actually see what you’re choosing. When I meet with couples in person, I’m not just looking at pictures, I’m getting a feel for who they are, what they’re drawn to and how everything should come together. That’s where the confidence comes from.
It’s not about making things complicated. It’s about making sure you walk into your wedding day knowing exactly what you’re getting.
MISTAKE #5: Not Understanding The Value of a Full-Service Florist
I’m not just here for your wedding day. I’m here for everything: birthdays, celebrations and even those moments where it feels as if your world is crashing down. Over time, my clients often turn into friends, and it is that relationship that allows me to truly understand what matters to them.
As a full-service florist, that also changes how I’m able to work behind the scenes, and ultimately, that benefits you. Because I’m not only ordering for one event, I can also bring in a wider range of products, select the best of what comes in for your wedding and make sure everything feels as fresh and full as possible. It’s a different approach, one that ultimately benefits the couple in ways they don’t always see, until their guests notice.
At the end of the day, your wedding flowers should feel like you. And when you work with someone who gets to know you and how best to guide you through the process, I can assure you: they will.
About the Author
Linda Trevoy is the president and owner of Shamrock Garden Florist, a family-owned, full-service florist serving Lombard, Elmhurst, Riverside, Winfield and surrounding communities. With nearly four decades of experience in wedding florals, she and her team specialize in turning couples’ visions into reality while respecting their budgets. Whether it’s with fresh flowers or wedding rental items, Shamrock Garden Florist can produce one-of-a-kind floral arrangements for your momentous occasion.
*This article was originally published in our 2026 print edition. Alongside the article, we showcased one of Shamrock Garden Florist’s styled shoots. See more images from the shoot in the gallery below and HERE
