10/05/2026
A word or two on AI...
AI can be an extremely useful tool for brides looking for ideas for their wedding florals! It can help give me ideas for the overall look that's needed and understand the desired color palette. It does have limitations, however, and these are the main drawbacks we run into....
1. Scale.
A standard 60" round table that seats 8 can only fit so much glass and a certain amount of flowers and still leave room for table settings. The flowers on the AI image on the top are disproportionate to the candles clustered around it. Most people are fairly familiar with how big the candles are, and this might give them the illusion that the flower arrangement is going to be far bigger than it actually is likely to end up being.
I created a mock up on my round table that included chargers, taper candles in 4" chimneys at 18" height, 7.5" floating candles, and a couple sizes of cylinders with pillar candles, plus a few votives. When I quote a table setting such as this, the cost of the arrangement is primarily determined by the size. This arrangement is a "medium dish." I can create this same arrangement in a small or large dish, but the large would require reducing candles and would be hard to see over. The small would be lovely, and the candles could be pulled in more tightly if the table cost needed to be lowered. My quote is tailored to suit budgets, keeping the inspiration in mind. If a couple receives a quote that's too high, I can offer a smaller size and the look would be very similar. Or go bigger, if they want more impact!
2. Mechanics.
Flowers require structures such as vases, armatures, chicken wire, etc. to be arranged, held up, suspended, draped, you name it. If you prompt AI to show you a hanging flower installation, it won't understand that we are limited by ceiling beams, heights requiring a lift, load weight etc. It'll likely show you a picture of flowers hanging in midair with nothing holding them up. My job is to sort out the mechanics and figure out what's possible... Then hide it. I call it "hiding the underpants." It's a little bit magical, but not AI unrealistic.
3. Flowers and colors that don't exist in nature.
Real flowers are limited by genetics. I can use an AI picture to understand a color scheme, but sometimes I have to recommend a bride explore using artificial flowers because her colors aren't possible. Blue is the most problematic flower color. Very few blue flowers exist, and they are primarily filler-sized. I do not use dyed flowers... They will leak and aspirate onto someone's wedding dress, and my cortisone levels are high enough on wedding days as it is. Otherwise, I can suggest a different flower type in the correct color. Roses are particularly wonderful for having a very wide range of shades... Except for blue.
I'm not AI shaming, it can be useful... My job is to help a couple realize a vision within their budget, using the right colors... and hide the underpants. That's true magic right there.
💐🪄✨
