In Poppy’s analysis of over 7,000 customer consultations, terminology confusion surfaced in 256 separate conversations — making it one of the most common pain points in wedding flower planning.

Real Customer Voice

“What even is a compote? I keep seeing that word and I have no idea.”

— Poppy couple

This guide defines every term you are likely to encounter, organized by category.

Personal Flowers: What You Carry and Wear

Personal flowers are the arrangements carried or worn by members of the wedding party and honored guests.

Bridal Bouquet

The arrangement the bride carries during the ceremony and portraits. Typically the most elaborate personal flower item.

Typical cost at Poppy: $150-$300 depending on size, flower selection, and design complexity.

Common styles:

  • Round / Classic — Compact, dome-shaped, all stems trimmed to the same length. Traditional and polished.
  • Cascading / Trailing — Flowers and greenery spilling downward. Dramatic, best with flowy gowns, typically more expensive.
  • Garden-style / Loose — Organic, hand-gathered look with varying heights and a just-picked feeling. The most popular modern style.
  • Nosegay / Posy — Small, compact, round bouquet. In modern usage, the terms are interchangeable. Ideal for bridesmaids or brides who prefer something understated.
  • Presentation / Pageant — Long, arm-cradled style. Less common but striking for formal affairs.

Bridesmaid Bouquet

A smaller, simpler version of the bridal bouquet, designed to complement (not exactly match) it.

Typical cost at Poppy: ~$105 each.

Bridesmaid bouquets can double as centerpieces — bridesmaids place them in pre-set vases at the reception, pulling double duty as table flowers and reducing the number of separate arrangements you need to order.

Boutonniere

A small floral arrangement worn on the left lapel by the groom, groomsmen, fathers, and other honored guests.

Typical cost at Poppy: ~$25 each.

Key variations:

  • Pin-on — Traditional style, secured with a straight pin through the lapel
  • Pocket boutonniere — Sits in the breast pocket; avoids putting a hole in the suit
  • Magnetic — Uses a concealed magnet through the fabric; gaining popularity for convenience

Corsage

A small arrangement worn on the wrist or pinned to clothing, traditionally for mothers, grandmothers, and other honored women.

  • Wrist corsage — Attached to a bracelet or ribbon. More common today because it avoids pinning to delicate fabric.
  • Pin-on corsage — Attached near the shoulder or collar. Traditional but less popular now.

Hair Flowers / Floral Crown

Fresh flowers in the bride’s hairstyle — from a single bloom behind the ear to a full floral crown (wreath of flowers worn on top of the head), a hair comb (flowers on a comb that slides into the hair), or individual blooms pinned into an updo.

Tip: Avoid blooms that wilt quickly (hydrangea florets, sweet peas) or stain (lilies with pollen). Hardy options: spray roses, wax flower, baby’s breath, small ranunculus.

Centerpiece Types: What Goes on the Tables

Centerpieces set the visual tone for your reception and represent the largest volume of flowers in most wedding orders.

Bud Vase

A small, narrow vase holding one to three stems, typically grouped in clusters of three to five per table.

Typical cost at Poppy: ~$75 for a trio (three bud vases per table).

Compote

A footed bowl — a shallow dish on a pedestal. Compote arrangements are low, wide, and lush, sitting at a height that does not obstruct conversation. The term refers to the specific vessel shape, not just any low arrangement.

Low Arrangement

Any centerpiece below eye level when seated, typically 8-12 inches tall. The container might be a compote, cylinder vase, wooden box, or any other vessel. The defining feature is height — low enough to see over and talk across.

Elevated / Tall Arrangement

A centerpiece raised on a tall stand or riser, typically 24-36 inches tall. The arrangement “floats” above the table, creating drama and allowing conversation beneath it. Requires more flowers and a stable base, making it one of the more expensive options.

Cloud / Floating Arrangement

A suspended arrangement hanging from above the table rather than sitting on the surface. Creates a dramatic, immersive effect.

Garland / Runner

A long, continuous arrangement running down the center of a table, typically on long rectangular or farm-style tables. Can be greenery-only or interspersed with flowers and candles.

Cost note: A full greenery-and-flower garland for an 8-foot table runs $200-$500. Greenery-only garlands are more affordable ($75-$150).

Wreath Centerpiece

A circular greenery or floral arrangement placed flat on the table, often surrounding a candle or lantern. Popular at fall and winter weddings.

Ceremony Terms: What Happens at the Altar

Arch / Arbor

A freestanding structure positioned behind the couple, dressed with flowers and/or greenery. Comes in many shapes: round, square, triangular, hexagonal, asymmetrical. “Arbor” typically implies a more rustic, wooden structure, but the terms are often used interchangeably.

Chuppah

The canopy under which a Jewish couple stands during the ceremony, symbolizing the home they will build together. A cloth or tallit (prayer shawl) supported by four poles, decorated with flowers, greenery, fabric, or a combination. Poles may be held by honored guests or freestanding.

Ground Cloud / Ground Meadow

A low, sprawling floral arrangement at the base of the ceremony space, surrounding the couple’s feet. Creates the impression of standing in a flower meadow.

Aisle Markers

Floral arrangements along the ceremony aisle — pew markers (small arrangements on church pews or chair backs), shepherd’s hook arrangements, aisle urns, or scattered petals (the most affordable option).

Altar Arrangements

Arrangements flanking the couple, often freestanding urns or pedestal arrangements. Among the easiest ceremony flowers to repurpose at the reception.

Design Language: What Your Florist Means

  • Lush — Dense, abundant, packed with flowers, minimal visible gaps. The opposite of sparse or airy.
  • Garden-style — Natural and organic, as if gathered from a garden. Varying heights, mixed textures, visible greenery. The most commonly requested look at Poppy.
  • Romantic — Soft colors (blush, cream, lavender), lush textures (peonies, garden roses, ranunculus), flowing shapes.
  • Whimsical — Playful and unexpected. Unusual color combinations, wildflowers, grasses, or seed pods.
  • Modern / Minimalist — Clean lines, restrained flower selection, intentional negative space. Often monochromatic with structural flowers (orchids, calla lilies, protea).
  • Monofloral — Only one type of flower. Creates strong visual impact and can simplify sourcing.
  • Textural — Focused on variety of surface and shape rather than color. Might combine smooth roses, feathery astilbe, spiky thistle, and fuzzy lambs ear.
  • Wild / Organic — Even more unstructured than garden-style. May include grasses, seed heads, berries, and branches.
  • Monochromatic — A single color in varying shades and tones. Feels cohesive and sophisticated.
  • Ombre — A gradient of color, typically light to dark within a single arrangement or across a series.

Service Terms: What Happens Behind the Scenes

  • Setup / Installation — Delivering flowers to the venue and placing them in designated locations. “Installation” implies on-site construction (building an arch, attaching flowers to a structure). At Poppy: covered by the $470 delivery and setup fee.
  • Breakdown — Removing all floral items after the event — taking down ceremony structures, collecting vases, cleaning floral debris. At Poppy: optional service at ~$400. If you skip it, the responsibility falls to your venue coordinator, planner, or someone in your wedding party. Many venues require all decor removed by a specific time.
  • Flip — Moving floral arrangements from ceremony to reception during cocktail hour.
  • Delivery Window — The scheduled time frame for flower arrival. Most florists arrive 1-4 hours before the ceremony.
  • Proposal — A document from your florist outlining recommended flowers, quantities, styles, and pricing. You review, revise, and approve before finalizing.
  • Farm-Direct — Flowers sourced directly from the grower rather than through a wholesaler. Typically means fresher flowers and more predictable availability. Poppy sources from a partner farm in Ecuador and other direct farm relationships.

Flower Form Terms: Why the Same Flower Has Different Names

Spray Rose vs. Standard Rose

  • Standard rose — A single large bloom on one stem. The classic long-stemmed rose.
  • Spray rose — Multiple smaller blooms (3-7) branching off a single stem. Adds volume and a garden feel at lower cost per bloom.

Garden Rose vs. Hybrid Tea Rose

  • Garden rose — Large, round, multi-petaled with a ruffled, peony-like appearance. Highly fragrant. $5-$12 per stem, significantly more luxurious.
  • Hybrid tea rose — The classic florist rose with a pointed, high-centered bud. $2-$5 per stem, clean and formal, but less romantic than garden roses.

Garden roses are the closest peony substitute and available for a much longer season (May through October). They share the same lush, ruffled, full-petaled appearance that couples love 1 Blooms by the Box Wholesale Flowers Seasonal Chart .

Open vs. Closed Blooms

  • Open bloom — Fully opened, displaying all petals. Lush, romantic appearance.
  • Closed / Bud stage — Partially or fully closed. Tighter, more structured, and typically lasts longer.

Most florists time orders so blooms reach full bloom on the wedding day. Hot weather can cause flowers to open faster — one reason outdoor summer weddings require careful flower selection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know flower names to order wedding flowers?

No. Most couples come to Poppy without knowing any flower names. Your designer translates your vision — Pinterest images, color preferences, or a general feeling — into specific recommendations. “Something romantic and full, kind of peachy-pink” is all you need to say.

What is the difference between setup and installation?

Many florists use these interchangeably. When distinguished, “setup” means placing pre-made arrangements (centerpieces on tables, bouquets in the bridal suite). “Installation” implies on-site construction — building a floral arch, attaching flowers to a structure, or creating a hanging arrangement. Installations require more time, skill, and labor.

How Poppy Helps

Poppy was built for couples who do not speak “florist.”

No jargon required. Describe your vision in whatever language feels natural — “soft and romantic,” “lots of greenery with some pink” — and your designer translates that into specific selections.

Visual proposals. Proposals include flower imagery and clear descriptions so you see what you are getting, not just Latin names. Every item is labeled in plain language with transparent pricing.

Expert guidance included. Designers know which flowers hold up in heat, which colors photograph well, and how to maximize your budget — all included in Poppy’s service at no additional cost.