How to Buy Flowers

Co-authored by Jeanne Walker and Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: March 7, 2023 References

If you’re new to buying flowers, the choices can seem overwhelming. Whether you’re buying flowers for a date, hoping to brighten someone’s day, or choosing your wedding flowers, you want to get the perfect blooms every time. Luckily, the most important part of picking out flowers is to trust your own taste, and there are a few simple tips that can help make the rest of the process easier.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Ordering Your Flowers

1
Visit your local florist for a fresh selection. As far as buying locally, you’ll find the best selection and the freshest options if you visit a florist. In addition, you can call ahead and let them know your budget, and you’ll get a custom bouquet designed by a professional.^{[1]
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- If you’re buying last-minute, florists also usually have a selection of bouquets in-store that you can browse. If you don’t see any when you walk in, just ask!
- You'll usually get the best price if you're buying flowers that are in season. If you're buying flowers out of season, they typically have to be imported, and they're harder to find, which is why they usually cost more.^{[2]
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  Jeanne Walker
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  Expert Interview. 15 April 2020.}
2
Stop by the grocery store if you’re in a hurry. Many grocery stores have a floral department where they sell bouquets. You might not have as big of a selection here, but you’ll usually have several options to choose from. Just pick whatever you see that you like the most!^{[3]
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- Grocery stores sometimes have a florist on duty who can help you pick out the perfect blooms.
- Some flowers don’t ship well, even if they’re in season, so you might not be able to get certain flowers in your area. On the other hand, you might have access to blooms you can’t find anywhere else!
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3
Order flowers online if you can’t pick them out in person. If you’re sending flowers to someone who doesn’t live close to you, a floral delivery service can help solve your problem. Choose a service, then browse through their selection online. There are also services which allow you to order flowers over the phone if you would prefer to speak to an operator.^{[4]
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- Before you order anything online, always look online at the customer reviews to ensure you’re going through a reputable vendor. You can also ask your family, friends, and social media contacts if they’ve used a similar service and whether they were satisfied with the results.
- Some of the more popular floral delivery services include Teleflora, 1800 Flowers, and FTD.
- Keep in mind that since the flowers are being shipped, the vendor can’t control the exact appearance of the arrangement when they arrive at their destination.
4
Select flowers that are in season if you’re buying online. Chances are, if you’re buying flowers locally, the selection offered will be in season, or high-quality options grown in another climate. However, if you’re buying flowers from a delivery service, take the time to make sure the blooms you pick are in season. If not, the flowers have probably been shipped from another country, and they might not be as fresh.^{[5]
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- Some flowers are perfectly fine when they’re transported a long distance, but when you’re buying online, it’s better to stay on the safe side.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Choosing Flowers

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Go with flowers that match the recipient’s personality. Giving someone flowers is a personal gesture, so be sure to tailor your choice to their individual style. If the person you’re buying flowers for is sunny and cheerful, for instance, stargazer lilies are a beautiful option, and they smell great too!^{[6]
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- If you’re looking for a flower for someone who’s a little dark and dreamy, try blue orchids.
2
Go with a traditionally romantic flower for a date. Roses are always romantic, especially red ones. However, some people would prefer you pick a more creative option, like peonies, lilies, orchids, or even wildflowers.^{[7]
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- If you’re not sure what to pick, think about their personality. If they’re traditional, roses are a safe bet. If they’re creative or tend to think out of the box, you might do better to go with another option.
- If you're buying flowers for Valentine's Day, be aware that the price of roses can go up by as much as double when the demand is high.
3
Cheer up a loved one with brightly colored flowers. If someone you know is going through a hard time, has been ill, or you just want to send them a smile, go for bold, bright blooms. Gerbera daisies, sunflowers, bluebells, tulips, calla lilies, and daffodils are all cheerful options that will make any room seem sunny!^{[8]
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- These flowers are also perfect as thank-you gifts or for special non-romantic occasions like birthdays and Mother’s Day.
4
Opt for pretty flowers with lots of greenery if you’re sending condolences. If someone you know has experienced the loss of a loved one, flowers are a thoughtful gesture that lets them know you’re thinking of them. Zinnias, lilies, purple hyacinth, gladiolus, and forget-me-nots are all common choices to send to a person who’s grieving.^{[9]
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- Send along a short note with your flowers letting the recipient know you’d love to take them to lunch when they’re feeling up to it. That way, they know you’ll be available to listen when they’re ready, but they won’t feel pressured.
5
Avoid chrysanthemums if it’s a joyous occasion. Although they’re bright, beautiful, inexpensive, and cheery, chrysanthemums symbolize death in some European cultures. This is because they’re commonly placed at graves, so the people in these societies don’t associate mums with happiness.^{[10]
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- This certainly isn’t true of all cultures. In Japan, chrysanthemums are celebrated at the Festival of Happiness each year.
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Don’t get overwhelmed by all of the different options out there. There are endless lists that detail the meanings of different flowers, but in the end, it comes down to what you like–and what you think the other person will like. Whether you’re buying flowers for a special occasion or just as a thoughtful gift, it’s perfectly okay to wing it and pick whichever bouquet looks the best in the store.^{[11]
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- Use your best judgement. If you’re buying an arrangement for your mom, don’t choose flowers that make you think of a romantic occasion, and if you’re buying flowers to take to a date, don’t pick something that would look more appropriate in a hospital room.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Selecting Wedding Flowers

1
Choose flowers that will be in season on your wedding date. In addition to being more affordable, seasonal blooms will look better on your big day. Just because you’ve always dreamed of having a big bouquet of gardenias doesn’t mean they’re a good choice for your outdoor summer wedding. In fact, if the temperatures will be above 70 °F (21 °C) outside, your gardenias could start to wilt and turn brown.
- If you’re having a summer wedding, try garden roses, dahlias, birds-of-paradise, and zinnias.^{[12]
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- For a winter wedding, you can’t go wrong with sweet pea, forget-me-nots, or hydrangeas.^{[13]
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2
Bring inspiration photos with you when you meet with your florist. You don’t have to memorize the scientific names of every flower to get a beautiful floral arrangement on your wedding day. Look through wedding magazines and browse pictures online and save a few of the pictures that you like the most, so your florist will be able to easily understand what you have in mind.^{[14]
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- If you can, try to narrow down your pictures to ones with a common color scheme or feel. If you bring pictures of bright tropical lilies mixed in with delicate English roses, it might be hard to pick up on your visions.
3
Go DIY if you have access to plenty of fresh flowers. Buying your own flowers and arranging them yourself can be nearly as pricey (and way more time-consuming) than hiring a florist. However, if you just want a simple arrangement, using flowers you pick or purchase wholesale can be very cost-effective.^{[15]
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Coordinate your floral arrangements with the venue. Think about where your wedding will be held and how the flowers will suit the space. If you’re having a rustic outdoor wedding, simple flowers with lush greenery will be a perfect complement, while ornate arrangements can dress up a modern industrial space.
- If you're having a wedding in a beautiful cathedral, you might want to use only minimal flowers as part of the decor, or you might opt to skip them and only carry a bouquet.
5
Choose a bouquet style that complements your dress. The flowers you choose are only one part of your wedding bouquet. You’ll also need to decide on the shape and size of the flowers you’ll carry. The best way to decide this is to pick flowers that will suit your dress.
- For instance, a cascading bouquet looks especially dramatic if you’re wearing a sheath dress, while a traditional round bouquet looks beautiful with a ball gown.