Claire Foliage
Owner & Lead Designer · June 10, 2026
I've designed florals for over 200 weddings at this point. And in those 200 weddings, the same mistakes come up over and over — not because couples aren't thoughtful, but because nobody tells them the right questions to ask. This is my attempt to fix that.
Start with the season, not the flower. The number one mistake couples make is falling in love with a specific flower on Pinterest without knowing when that flower is actually available. Peonies are glorious. They're also only reliably available in Oregon for about 8 weeks in late spring. If your wedding is in July, peonies will be imported, expensive, and inconsistent in quality. Your florist can always find something gorgeous — but it will be more expensive if you've locked yourself into an out-of-season choice. Tell us your palette and your vibe. We'll find the best flowers that are actually in season for your date.
Budget conversations first, mood board second. I know mood boards are more fun. But when you show me a Pinterest board full of $500 bouquets before we've talked about your budget, we're starting in the wrong place. Be honest about what you can spend. A good floral designer can create something beautiful at $800 and at $8,000 — but not if we're designing toward an $8,000 vision on an $800 budget. Tell us the number early.
The ceremony arch is the most photographed item at most weddings — and also the most overpriced if you book without understanding what goes into it. A full floral arch at a Portland venue takes 6–10 hours of design time and significant material cost. If you want a statement moment but have a moderate budget, consider a half-arch, a single floral installation behind the officiant, or a beautifully designed aisle treatment instead. We can talk through what will photograph beautifully at your venue within your actual budget.
Finally: hire your florist early. We book our weekends 6–12 months out for wedding season (May through October). If you find a designer you trust and your date is open, book it. The consultation and design refinement happens later — but your date is gone once someone else claims it.
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