Ask a Wedding Florist: Vol. 3
Welcome back to my Ask a Wedding Florist series (in case you missed the earlier ones: The Basics, The Design Process). This is where I answer some of the most common questions about what it’s really like to be a floral designer for weddings and events.
Today, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked parts of the job: the logistics.
Because while flowers are all beauty and romance on the surface, behind the scenes it’s an operation of coolers, trucks, late-night strikes, and lots of strategic planning to make sure everything looks perfect when it counts.
The Logistics of it All
1. How do you keep flowers alive for so long?
It’s kind of wild to think about how long a flower’s journey is before it even makes it to a wedding or event — often weeks. From when it’s first cut at the farm, through fulfillment at wholesalers, and finally into my hands — each stem needs some good ole TLC to keep them at their best:
✨ Each stem is carefully processed (stripping leaves and thorns, a fresh snip, and hydration right away)
✨ Buckets are regularly cleaned and water is changed (bacteria will fast track wilting)
✨ Everything is stored in a floral cooler set to the ideal temp to keep flowers crisp and happy
✨ A refrigerated van or truck ensures flowers arrive to the event looking just as fresh as when they left the studio.
2. Do you deliver and set up the flowers?
Yes! I offer full-service floral design which means I handle everything — from the vision, to creation, to delivery, on-site setup, and breakdown. Our #1 goal is to make sure the process is smooth and seamless for our clients, planners, venues, and other vendor partners. We work with the planning and venue teams to coordinate our timeline, and are generally on-site most of the day ensuring every last floral detail looks perfect. This reel gives a good behind the scenes glimpse into a setup!
3. How do you transport all the flowers without ruining them?
OK this is one of the most stressful parts of the job! Florists put so much heart into creating perfectly composed arrangements — and careful transportation is what makes sure they actually arrive looking that way.
We pack each arrangement meticulously in reusable bins and with special materials to keep them secure and prevent any shifting en route. For larger events, I’ll build out shelving inside the truck so every arrangement has its own safe spot.
Most of my weddings and events involve renting refrigerated sprinter vans or trucks. This keeps everything fresh on the way from my studio to the venue (especially important for Bay Area drives that can be 3+ hours long). We’ll often use the refrigerated truck to stage arrangements during long, warm setup days, so they stay pristine right up until setup.
4. Do you ever repurpose floral elements from the ceremony to the reception?
Absolutely — when it makes sense for the design and logistics. Repurposing is one of my favorite ways to extend the life of flowers and support our sustainability efforts. I’ll assess the specific setup and suggest the best ways to transition pieces from ceremony to reception. We’ll go through all the options together ahead of time to ensure everything flows beautifully and seamlessly on the day.
5. What happens to the flowers after the wedding?
At the end of the night, my team comes back to handle breakdown — a.k.a. “strike” — where we carefully remove all floral elements and rentals (like vases and candles) and make sure everything is properly composted and packed up.
If clients request to keep some arrangements or send guests home with flowers, I always recommend chatting about it in advance so we can set realistic expectations and come up with the best plan. Being honest here: we time everything so the flowers are at their absolute *peak* during the event. After hours out in the heat, sun, or without hydration, wilting can happen fast. Since client and guest experience is always my top priority, I like to be thoughtful about what goes home — so it’s still a joy, not a disappointment, the next day, ya know?!
Behind all these logistics is years of experience, detailed planning, and clear communication with planners and vendor teams. I approach every wedding with a steady hand and thoughtful strategy, so you can trust that when the day arrives, every floral detail is beautifully handled and your celebration feels as effortless as it looks.
In the meantime, if you have any questions you’d love to see answered in this series, leave a comment — I’d love to hear from you!
Ready to Create Something Unexpected and Unforgettable?
If you’re planning a luxury wedding or event in the San Francisco Bay Area and seeking a floral designer to bring bold, artful designs to life, let’s chat! I’d love to hear more about your goals, and collaborate together via a high-touch floral design experience to create something extraordinary together.
Inquire here to get the conversation started!