Is it better to cut flowers in the early morning or closer to when you will give them to someone?

I have a lilac bush growing and this girl I'm seeing said that she loved lilacs. We're meeting for lunch tomorrow and I want to surprise her with a bouquet. Every source that I've seen says that cutting flowers is best in the early morning, but I've also seen people say that fresher is better and that a matter of hours can make a noticeable difference in how the flowers look and smell. Should I get up early and cut them and put them in water until I leave, or should I wait until I'm about to head out the door? Thanks!