Floral Designer vs. Florist: What’s the Difference?

Floral Designer vs. Florist: What’s the Difference?

When planning your wedding, you’ll likely come across the terms floral designer and florist. While they sound similar, they offer two very different approaches — especially when it comes to creating a cohesive, high-end wedding experience.

What a Traditional Florist Offers

A florist typically provides pre-priced floral arrangements based on your color palette and quantity needs. They’ll ask what you want, create the designs, and drop off the flowers on the day of your event.

  • Transactional: you choose items, and they deliver them

  • Often uses standard recipes and pricing tiers

  • Little to no involvement in layout, lighting, or overall mood

For couples seeking simplicity, this can be a great option. But for those designing a truly immersive wedding experience, it often falls short.

What a Floral Designer Brings to the Table

At Lilly & Iris, we approach florals the way a creative director approaches a fashion editorial. Everything — from the stems to the candlelight — is designed to work together in service of a feeling. A moment. A memory that lingers.

  • We begin with your vision, your venue, and your vibe

  • We build custom design boards and flower recipes for each event

  • We source from trusted growers worldwide to ensure quality and rarity

  • We offer rental candles, vessels, and arches to style the full visual story

  • We’re on site for installation, styling, and teardown

Design vs. Décor: Why It Matters

Floral design isn’t just about making things look pretty. It’s about intention. A true designer considers lighting, scale, movement, and color theory — ensuring each bloom has a purpose.

When you hire Lilly & Iris, you’re hiring an artist, a problem-solver, and a collaborator who works with your planner, photographer, and venue to make sure every petal is placed with precision.

So… Do You Need a Floral Designer?

If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels elevated, effortless, and editorial — you need more than a bouquet. You need a full floral experience tailored to your day, your space, and your story.

Let’s Bring Your Vision to Life

We take on a limited number of weddings per season to ensure our full creative attention is on each couple. Ready to design something breathtaking together?

Click here to inquire and begin your floral design journey.

Lilly and Iris