Wedding Flowers 101: How to Choose Blooms That Last: Best of Growing Joy Replay

2026-08-20

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When I got engaged, I figured choosing wedding flowers would be the easy part. I'm a plant person, right? Wrong. Wedding florals are an entire world of their own, and I was lucky to have a florist who walked me through all of it and built the floral landscape of my dreams. That florist is Corina of The Botaniste, and in this Best of Growing Joy episode, she's sharing the wedding flower crash course I wish I'd had from day one. We get into how to choose blooms that actually hold up and don't wilt (spoiler: several of my first picks were a hard...

That florist is Corina of The Botaniste, and in this Best of Growing Joy episode, she's sharing the wedding flower crash course I wish I'd had from day one.

We get into how to choose blooms that actually hold up and don't wilt (spoiler: several of my first picks were a hard no), why conditioning matters more than expensive stems, how to work with seasonal availability instead of fighting it, and how to lean on greenery to stretch your budget. Corina also covers the trends she's seeing, how to talk to a florist even if you don't know a single flower name, and how to repurpose arrangements so they outlast the ceremony.

And if a wedding isn't in your future, don't skip this one because it all applies to backyard bouquets and dinner party tables too!

In this episode, we learn:

[02:22] Introducing Corina
[04:16] What to expect of the last episode of My Botanically Inspired Wedding Series
[09:29] Corina shares her experiences planning wedding florals with couples
[10:33] Why Pinterest is every bride’s best friend AND worst enemy
[11:52] How Corina became a plant lady and how she started The Botaniste
[17:29] Corina’s biggest influences in floral styling
[18:18] What are current and upcoming trends for wedding flowers?
[19:46] What elements are there in a tablescape?
[22:28] Is there a difference between wedding flowers and event flowers?
[26:14] Maria shares her decision-making process with her wedding florals
[28:02] How flowers elevate any event
[29:26] How to preserve your wedding flowers
[31:00] What are the best and the worst flowers to have at your wedding?
[34:01] Which flower is an alternative to peonies?
[35:54] New rose varieties to try in your wedding flowers
[39:27] How to condition cut flowers
[41:23] How to keep cut hydrangeas from wilting
[42:58] Where to get the best organic indoor and outdoor gardening products
[44:12] Planning to grow from seeds this coming garden season?
[48:15] How to work with florists and where to start with your wedding flower planning
[52:33] Building a trusting relationship with your wedding florist
[55:08] Corina’s advice for couples planning to DIY their wedding
[58:51] Maria’s garland and greenery vision
[01:00:40] How to style a wedding with greenery
[01:03:38] Incorporating bud vases in your wedding
[01:07:55] Adding statement greenery to your wedding venue and reception
[01:12:49] What you should know about greenery
[01:14:38] Corina’s ultimate tip for wedding planners and contractors
[01:15:15] Corina’s current favorite flowers and combinations
[01:17:00] What Maria loved about blushing bride protea
[01:18:08] Where you can hire Corina as your florist
[01:20:25] Maria’s Wedding Series reflections