OK, let’s start with a caveat. We’re trained and experienced florists and so we’re always going to say get your flowers from a professional florist for your big day. Other than a funeral, we can’t think of another more important time to ensure your look isn’t ruined on the day, than for THE DAY!

People think floristry is just ‘throwing’ some blooms together. But there is so, so much more to it than that.

Everything from what flowers and colours compliment each other, to the type of flowers for a specific bouquet, to what’s actually in season for you to use. Think form, in terms of what will stand up, what will wilt, why they do that and on and on.

The single biggest reason for a bride to want to do her own flowers is usually budget. But there are ways to manage a wedding flower budget without risking the day to imperfect and hashed together flowers that you will live with in your photos forever.

See the gallery with some hints and tips to show what went wrong in these DIY disasters.