It’s no secret that more and more brides and grooms are choosing to grow their own flowers (and vegetables) for their big day. Or maybe mom, dad, aunts, uncles or friends have offered to grow some of the couple’s favorites. In any case, planning ahead is the key to success and the first step in our guide to growing your own.

1. PLANNING: How many flowers will you need, do you have the space, do you have someone to help with the growing, when will you harvest or cut the flowers before the wedding? And think beyond just flowers! Will you grow your own vegetables for a crudité platter? Maybe vegetables can be your centerpieces?
2. CHOOSE YOUR VARIETIES AND COLORS: Luckily, you have a wide range to choose from if you buy and start from seed but again, plan ahead so you won’t have to put together combinations you’d rather not have. By far, annuals are the easiest flowers to grow for a summer wedding unless you want to plan years out for shrubs to grow and bloom or plan your wedding date around the bloom time of your favorite perennial. (OK, that’s not unheard of but still…)
3. ORDER SEED: Click here for many online retailers who sell AAS Winner seeds.
4. PLANT MORE THAN YOU’LL NEED: That’s not just a sales pitch. You never know when the neighbor’s cat will destroy your garden or a hailstorm destroys some plants.
5. MAKE A CONTINGENCY PLAN: Just saying. Life happens so make alternative plans just in case.
6. BE FLEXIBLE: Again, life happens so be prepared to alter your meticulously laid plans because Mother Nature does throw a curve once in a while.

Lastly, plant, maintain and enjoy!