For those who dream about having a destination wedding on a tropical island or in the mountains of Switzerland it will bring about its own unique and challenging planning aspects. One of these challenging aspects a lot of our couples may not have thought of is the flowers! The climate, accessibility and country laws and regulations all need to be taken into consideration when planning a destination wedding.
With any of our destination weddings we put in the time and effort to research what is available for our couples in their chosen location to ensure we can create the most beautiful setting with flowers we can access and that will last the extreme climate’s we encounter! To help our researching couples we have put together a guide of what to consider.
Know what is available
Most flowers are only available at certain times of the year, if you have your heart set on a particular bouquet try to keep an open mind to substitute a similar looking flower to the one you love, if it is not in season.
Access to unique flowers
By choosing to have a destination wedding you will often have access to very beautiful and unique flowers! Imagine the options of including exotic blooms that you can incorporate into your day which your travelling friends and family may have not seen before! It is your opportunity to be unique and creative with your floral design.
When to purchase
Flowers are the most cost effective and in the best condition during the peak times of their flowering season. If you find a flower you would really like to incorporate into your wedding we have had brides who will plan their date around the flowers season!
Be mindful of local agricultural laws
We have found that most islands have strict agricultural laws in place that restrict flower imports. Some smaller islands also don’t have large flower plantations so make sure you thoroughly research if any flowers can be imported or where you can source some locally grown flowers. It can often require you to get creative with your decorations. If you are having your wedding at a resort, talk to the staff and ask them for their local knowledge.
Choose weather-friendly blooms
If having a wedding in a humid and hot environment we suggest choosing resilient flowers like orchids, birds of paradise, lilies and even some roses if available. You want flowers which will keep their colour and shape for long periods of time. For optimal freshness, keep flowers under cool temps, store them out of direct sunlight and if there is a fridge or ice nearby keep them in there for as long as you can.