Flowers show up in more of your wedding photos than almost anything else. They’re in your getting-ready details, your hands during the ceremony, the arch behind your vows, and every table at your reception. So the florist you choose shapes how your whole day looks, long after the flowers themselves are gone.
The five florists below are some of the best florists I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside at weddings across the Bay Area and wine country. Each has a different style, so this list is less about who’s “best” and more about helping you find the one who fits your vision.
Table of contents
- Vanda Floral Design | Petaluma
- Autumn Marcelle Design | Santa Cruz Mountains, Serving All of California
- Laurel & Vine | Northern California and the Bay Area
- Enchantment Floral | San Francisco
- Dream Flowers | San Leandro
- How to Plan Florals That Look Great in Your Photos
- Finding the Right Florist for Your Day
Vanda Floral Design | Petaluma
I first worked with Vanda at a wedding at Ru’s Farm in Healdsburg, and I’ve been a little obsessed with their work ever since.
Their style lines up with the weddings I love photographing most: vineyards, gardens, and private estates where every detail has been thought through. They’re based in Petaluma, so Sonoma and Napa weddings are right in their backyard.
If your Pinterest board is full of wine country weddings, put them at the top of your list.
Autumn Marcelle Design | Santa Cruz Mountains, Serving All of California
I’ve known Autumn since early 2020, right before the world shut down, and we’ve worked together on several weddings since.
Her designs are creative and unique, and honestly, I can spot her work from across the room. She’s based near Santa Cruz but designs weddings all over California, so don’t let the distance stop you.
If you want your flowers to be something guests talk about, and you’re happy to give your florist room to get creative, Autumn is your person.
Laurel & Vine | Northern California and the Bay Area
Marie, the designer behind Laurel & Vine, is one of the kindest people I get to work with. I’ve known her for a couple of years now, and she’s always so easy to work alongside on a wedding day.
Her designs are organic and natural, which I love. And if you’ve ever thought about making some of your own wedding flowers, she teaches a DIY wedding flower course too.
If you’re drawn to an organic, natural look, or you want a florist who feels like a friend by the end of the process, reach out to Marie.
Enchantment Floral | San Francisco
I worked with Liz of Enchantment Floral at a wedding at Charles Krug in St. Helena last year. She’s based in San Francisco and travels for weddings around the Bay Area and wine country.
Her work is classic and polished, with high-quality blooms and really precise design. Everything has an intentional, almost architectural shape to it, which looked right at home against the historic stone buildings at Charles Krug.
If you love a traditional, elegant look and want florals with clean, structured lines, Liz is a great choice.
Dream Flowers | San Leandro
Dream Flowers designed the florals for the most recent wedding I photographed at Above the Rim at Chase Center in San Francisco. The studio is run by Lana in San Leandro and works all over the Bay Area.
Their work there was all white and green, with tall arrangements on gold stands framing the sweetheart table and a gold hoop around the cake. My favorite detail was the garland. It spilled off the sweetheart table and onto the floor, which gave the whole setup a soft, romantic movement in a very modern room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Bay Bridge.
If you’re dreaming of a classic white-and-green palette with statement installations for a large or modern space, Dream Flowers is worth a call.
How to Plan Florals That Look Great in Your Photos
Whichever florist you choose, a few small details make a big difference in how your flowers show up in your photos:
- Share your timeline with your florist. Bouquets and boutonnieres should arrive before getting-ready photos start, so they’re in your detail shots and your portraits.
- Ask for a few extra blooms. A couple of loose stems or a small piece of greenery helps your photographer style your invitation suite, rings, and other details.
- Plan where your ceremony florals go next. Many florists can move arch or aisle arrangements to the reception, so you get more out of them in photos and in your budget.
- Think about summer heat. On a hot wine country afternoon, keep bouquets in water and out of direct sun between photos so they still look fresh at sunset.
- Introduce your florist to your other vendors. When your florist, planner, and photographer all work from the same timeline, setup and photos run more smoothly.
Finding the Right Florist for Your Day
The right florist is the one whose work already looks like the wedding you’re picturing. Browse their galleries, notice which designs you keep coming back to, and ask whether they’ve worked at your venue or similar ones.
If you’re still building your vendor team, my list of Best Wedding Planners in Napa Valley is a good next stop. And if you’re planning a Bay Area or wine country wedding, I’d love to hear about it. Check my availability here.
