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Planning Your Wedding Flowers: What Your Florist Wants You to Know
Wedding flowers have a way of bringing the entire day together. Our in-house florist, Flora by Jamae, shares how to make thoughtful floral choices, create beautiful statement moments, and design flowers that complement your venue, your priorities, and the feeling you want for your wedding.
Wedding flowers have a way of bringing everything together. They can soften a space, highlight the architecture, bring in color and texture, and completely change the feeling of a room.
But if you’re starting to plan your wedding flowers and wondering how you're supposed to know what you need—or where your floral budget will have the most impact—you’re not alone.
At Flora by Jamae, our in-house floral studio at The Lageret, I work with couples to take all of those saved inspiration photos, colors and ideas and turn them into a floral design that feels cohesive, intentional and personal to their wedding.
And you definitely don't need to have it all figured out before your first consultation.
Start With the Feeling, Not a Flower List
Before your first floral consultation, think about the feeling, colors and overall style you want for your wedding.
You don't need to know flower names. You don't need to decide exactly how many arrangements you need. And you certainly don't need to walk in with every detail planned.
Inspiration photos are always helpful—even when you can't quite explain what you like about them.
That's actually part of my job. When I look through a couple's inspiration, I can usually start to see the common threads. Maybe you're repeatedly drawn to loose, organic arrangements. Maybe it's a certain color palette, lots of greenery or a particular shape and scale.
Those common elements give us a starting point for creating a design that feels cohesive rather than simply recreating individual photos.
I also encourage couples to ask themselves one important question:
Where do you want your guests' eyes to go?
That answer can help guide so many of the decisions that come next.
You Don't Need Flowers Everywhere
One of the biggest misconceptions about wedding flowers is that more arrangements automatically create more impact.
They don't.
Often, a few intentional statement pieces will transform a space more than lots of smaller arrangements spread everywhere.
Large-scale floral moments—like a ceremony backdrop, hanging installation, statement entry arrangement or a beautifully designed head table—naturally draw the eye. They become part of the experience of the room and often end up in some of the most memorable photographs from the day.
Instead of asking, “Where else should we put flowers?” I like to think about, “Where will flowers make the biggest difference?”
Those are two very different approaches.
Let the Venue Be Part of the Design
Your venue should influence your floral design.
I never want flowers to fight with a space. I want them to feel like they belong there.
At The Lageret, for example, there is already so much character built into the venue—the exposed brick, greenery, industrial details and architecture. We don't have to cover all of that up to make the room beautiful.
Instead, we can use florals to highlight what's already there.
That might mean drawing attention to a ceremony location, adding softness to an architectural feature or creating a statement piece in an area where guests naturally gather.
Every venue has its own personality. The best floral designs work with that personality rather than competing against it.
Put Your Floral Budget Where Guests Will Notice It
When I help couples prioritize their floral budget, we start with the big picture and work backward.
What's most important to you?
Maybe you have always pictured saying your vows surrounded by flowers. Maybe the reception tables matter most. Maybe you want one dramatic installation that changes the feeling of the entire room.
Once we know the priorities, we can put more of the budget toward the elements that will actually make a difference.
Trying to make every single floral detail equally important can spread a budget very thin. I'd rather help a couple create a few really beautiful, intentional moments and simplify in the areas that matter less to them.
Repurpose Flowers When It Makes Sense
Another way to make your floral investment work harder is to consider whether certain arrangements can serve more than one purpose throughout the day.
Altar arrangements, aisle arrangements, welcome pieces and some larger installations can sometimes be moved after the ceremony and used at the head table, sweetheart table, bar or another reception focal point.
But there is an important caveat: repurposing only makes sense when it can be done safely and efficiently.
The timing, size of the arrangements, mechanics and logistics of moving them all matter. That's something your florist can help you determine during the planning process.
When it works, though, repurposing can be a great way to create impact in more than one part of the wedding without designing an entirely separate arrangement for every space.
Wedding Flowers Cost More Than the Stems
Floral pricing is one area that can surprise couples because so much of the work happens before guests ever see the finished arrangements.
When you're investing in professional wedding florals, you're not simply paying for the flowers themselves.
The price can include the product, sourcing, freight, design time, vessels, mechanics, labor, setup, installation, teardown and cleanup.
Large-scale installations in particular can require significant planning behind the scenes. We have to think about how something will be constructed, how it will be transported, how long it will take to install and how it can safely exist in the space.
What guests see for a few beautiful hours is the finished product of a much longer process.
Understanding that can also make conversations about budget easier. Instead of simply asking, “How many flowers can I get for this amount?” we can talk about how to use that investment intentionally.
Don't Make Everything a Priority
If there's one thing I wish every couple knew before planning their wedding flowers, it's this:
Don't try to make every single detail a priority.
Choose the things that matter most to you and invest there.
Your wedding flowers shouldn't just check boxes on a list. They should help tell the story of the day and create the feeling you want your guests to experience.
Come to your florist with your inspiration, your priorities and an idea of how you want your wedding to feel. Then give them some room to create.
You don't have to arrive with every answer.
That's what we're here for.
Planning Your Wedding at The Lageret?
One of the advantages of working with Flora by Jamae, The Lageret's in-house floral studio, is having a floral designer who already knows the venue—its architecture, its possibilities and the logistics behind bringing a design to life in the space.
Whether your vision is understated and organic or filled with statement floral moments, the goal is the same: to create something that feels like your wedding, while making thoughtful use of the space and your floral investment.
A Wedding Day at The Lageret: The Moments You'll Remember Forever
Experience a wedding day at The Lageret through the moments that matter most—from quiet mornings and heartfelt vows to joyful celebrations and unforgettable memories. Discover why couples choose our historic Stoughton venue to begin their forever.
The Morning You've Been Dreaming About
There's something special about the quiet anticipation that fills the hours before a wedding ceremony.
Long before guests arrive, The Lageret begins to come to life. Music drifts through the bridal suite as hair and makeup artists put the finishing touches on the morning. Bridesmaids laugh over Mimosas, family members peek in to admire the dress, and photographers carefully capture the heirloom details that tell each couple's story.
Downstairs, florals are placed with care. Tables are set. Candles are lit. Every detail that has been thoughtfully planned for months begins falling into place.
It's a season of anticipation unlike any other—a few peaceful hours before one of life's biggest celebrations begins.
For many couples, these quiet moments become some of the most meaningful memories of the entire day.
They are the moments when excitement, gratitude, and just a few happy tears begin to replace months of planning.
When Time Suddenly Slows Down
The pace of the morning often changes with a single moment.
Sometimes it's a first look tucked away in a quiet corner of the venue.
Sometimes it's a father seeing his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time.
Aaron Jensen Photography
Sometimes it's simply taking a deep breath before the ceremony begins.
No matter how it unfolds, these moments have a way of making everything else disappear.
The laughter becomes quieter.
The timeline fades into the background.
For just a few minutes, it's simply two people—or a parent and child—sharing one of the most meaningful moments of the day.
Aaron Jensen Photography
These are often the photographs couples return to again and again because they capture something impossible to recreate: genuine emotion.
Whether couples choose a private first look, exchange personal vows before the ceremony, or save that first glimpse for walking down the aisle, each choice creates memories that are uniquely their own.
The Room Falls Quiet
Then, almost without warning, the moment arrives.
Guests find their seats.
Music begins to play.
Conversations fade as everyone turns toward the aisle.
For a few beautiful minutes, the world seems to stand still.
Whether bathed in soft afternoon light or surrounded by candlelight during an evening ceremony, there's something unforgettable about watching two people promise forever in a room filled with the people who love them most.
Shannon St. Claire Photography
Every wedding ceremony at The Lageret looks a little different.
Some are intimate and understated.
Others are filled with joyful laughter.
Some include cultural traditions or personal readings that reflect a couple's unique story.
No matter the style, each ceremony transforms the historic warehouse into something deeply personal—a space where family traditions begin and lifelong memories are made.
And when the ceremony ends, applause fills the room as two people begin their next chapter together.
Where Celebration Takes Over
If the ceremony is the heart of a wedding day, cocktail hour and the reception are where the celebration truly begins.
As guests mingle with family and friends, the atmosphere shifts from anticipation to joy. Conversations fill the room, glasses are raised in celebration, and loved ones reconnect—some seeing each other for the first time in years.
Every couple brings their own personality to this part of the day.
Some choose a signature cocktail inspired by their story. Others create interactive experiences like champagne walls, late-night snacks, or even temporary tattoo bars that keep guests talking long after the wedding is over. Thoughtfully designed florals, candlelight, and personalized décor transform the space into a reflection of each couple's unique style.
One of our favorite parts of every wedding is seeing those personal touches come together. No two celebrations at The Lageret are ever exactly alike, and that's exactly how it should be.
As dinner is shared, heartfelt toasts are given, and laughter echoes throughout the room, the months of planning begin to fade into the background.
What's left is simply the joy of celebrating with the people who matter most.
Long After the Last Dance
As the evening unfolds, timelines become less important.
The dance floor fills.
Shoes come off.
Children twirl alongside grandparents.
Friends sing every word to favorite songs while newlyweds pause for just a moment to take it all in.
These are often the memories couples describe years later—not because they were planned, but because they happened naturally.
One dance turns into another.
One hug leads to ten more.
A quiet moment on the balcony becomes one of the couple's favorite photographs.
As the music plays and the celebration continues, something beautiful happens.
A room full of family and friends becomes a collection of memories that will be shared for generations.
Whether the evening ends with a packed dance floor, a private last dance, or a quiet walk beneath the lights of historic downtown Stoughton, every celebration closes with the same feeling:
Gratitude.
The Moments You Never Planned
When couples imagine their wedding day, they often picture the big moments.
Walking down the aisle.
Exchanging vows.
Sharing a first dance.
But after witnessing hundreds of weddings, we've learned that some of the most meaningful memories are the ones no one could have planned.
A flower girl spinning in circles while no one is watching.
A father quietly straightening his daughter's veil.
A grandmother wiping away tears during the ceremony.
Friends embracing after years apart.
The laughter that erupts during a heartfelt toast.
The squeeze of a hand before walking into the reception.
These moments don't appear on a timeline.
They can't be rehearsed or recreated.
They simply happen—and often become the memories couples treasure most.
They're the reason photographers wait patiently for genuine emotion.
They're the reason videographers keep their cameras rolling between the big events.
And they're the reason every wedding at The Lageret tells a story unlike any other.
Because while every celebration follows a timeline, it's the unscripted moments in between that become part of your family's story.
Why Couples Love The Lageret
Shannon St. Claire Photography
Nestled in the heart of historic downtown Stoughton, The Lageret has welcomed couples from across Wisconsin who are looking for more than just a beautiful venue.
They want a place where family and friends feel at home.
Shannon St. Claire Photography
A place that blends timeless character with modern elegance.
A place where every celebration can reflect their unique story.
With its warm brick walls, soaring wood beams, expansive two-level layout, and thoughtfully designed spaces, The Lageret offers couples the flexibility to create a wedding that feels authentically their own.
From intimate ceremonies to lively receptions, every corner of the venue becomes part of the experience.
And with Flora by Jamae located in-house, couples can seamlessly incorporate stunning floral designs that complement the beauty and character of the space.
While every wedding is different, one thing remains the same.
Our greatest privilege is witnessing the beginning of a new chapter in each couple's story.
Your Story Begins Here
Aaron Jensen Photography
Years from now, you probably won't remember exactly what your centerpiece looked like.
You may not remember every song that played during dinner or every item on your reception menu.
But you'll remember how your partner looked waiting at the end of the aisle.
You'll remember the cheers as you walked back down together.
The hugs.
The laughter.
The happy tears.
The people who traveled near and far simply to celebrate with you.
At The Lageret, we're honored to be part of those moments.
Because while weddings last a single day, the memories created within them become part of a lifetime.
Planning your wedding? We'd love to show you around The Lageret and help you imagine your own unforgettable day.
Contact us to schedule a tour or learn more about celebrating with us.