The Pinterest Illusion: Why Wedding Flowers May Look Different in Real Life
When planning a wedding, inspiration is everything. Couples often turn to Pinterest as a visual roadmap for their floral vision, curating mood boards filled with dreamy, perfectly styled arrangements. As a florist, I love when couples bring these references—it’s a fantastic way to communicate preferences in shape, movement, and overall aesthetic. But there’s one important caveat: Pinterest is not reality.
A recent conversation with one of my brides illustrated this perfectly. She had carefully selected images for her mood board, highlighting one floral arrangement she adored while noting another that didn’t quite align with her vision. The interesting part? Both images were the same—the only difference was how they had been edited. One had been softened with warm, golden tones, while the other had a cooler, moodier filter. This subtle shift completely altered the perception of color, raising three crucial considerations for any couple planning their wedding flowers:
1. Digital Edits vs. Real-World Blooms
Most images on Pinterest have undergone some form of digital enhancement—whether through professional editing, filters, or even AI-generated elements. A delicate blush rose might appear peachy in one photo and almost lilac in another, depending on lighting and post-processing. While inspiration images are valuable for defining a general color palette, they should be seen as a guide rather than a guarantee.
2. Photography Matters More Than You Think
The way your flowers appear in your wedding photos will depend largely on your photographer’s editing style. Some favor warm, sunlit hues, while others enhance cooler, more muted tones. Before finalizing your choice, request to see a full gallery from their portfolio—not just curated Instagram highlights—to ensure their approach aligns with how you want your florals (and entire wedding) to be captured.
3. Flowers Are a Living Art Form
Nature doesn’t work within a Pantone chart. The exact hue of a bloom is influenced by the season, weather conditions, and even the grower’s specific soil and climate. This is especially true when working with British-grown flowers, which we love for their organic, seasonal beauty. While we always strive to match a couple’s vision as closely as possible, the true magic of florals lies in their natural variations and the artistry of how they are arranged.
Embracing the Beauty of the Unexpected
The best floral designs are not about achieving an exact replica of a Pinterest image, but about crafting something uniquely yours—something that feels natural, effortless, and deeply personal. A well-designed floral palette considers tones, textures, and movement rather than rigidly adhering to a single color swatch.
So as you dream up your wedding flowers, embrace the beauty of nature’s nuances. Trust your florist to translate your vision into something breathtakingly real—because, after all, the most memorable designs are the ones that feel alive.
Let’s create something unforgettable together. Fill out our Contact form today.
