Flowers at a wedding are one of the most beautiful, remembered and talked about features of your wedding day. Therefore, getting it right is a must; you need to find a florist who will be able to interpret what you want and provide you with the perfect solution on time, and most importantly, within budget.
Scrap book it
No doubt you're going to have some bridal magazines in the early days of engagement, you just cannot contain the excitement and want to start planning every aspect. Now is a good time to start making a scrap book of all the flower arrangements you see, be it for the design, the flowers used or the colours. Once you think you've got enough of a collection you should start looking for local florists in your area. We would recommend narrowing your list to about 4 or 5 florists and visiting each of them to discuss what it is you want and whether they can provide it.
Questions to ask
It's not going to be of much use to either of you if you don't know what it is you want therefore we suggest taking as much information as you have with you when you meet them so that they can gauge what is you require. Pictures of flowers and your venue, your colour scheme for your wedding, perhaps even fabric swatches. This is the time to discuss what your budget will be for flowers and most importantly, the date of your wedding. This will then let the florist know which flowers will be in season at that time remembering that out of season flowers attract a premium! Some questions you might want to ask are:
- Will they be doing any other weddings on the same day as yours?
- Will they deliver and install the flowers for the ceremony and reception or is that your responsibility. Also will the bridal flowers be delivered to wherever you are getting ready?
- Are there any ways to reduce the cost of the flowers?
- Ask to see past examples of their work; they will have a portfolio binder.
- When will the deposit and the final balance need to be paid?
The florist will work with you and your partner to make sure you are 100% happy with your flowers. They will suggest which flowers are in season and which compliment your theme. They should also be able to provide you with a mock up of the table centrepieces for the reception.
They will be able to interpret your scrap book and ideas and, within your budget, suggest a perfect solution. Remember, floristry is a creative profession, and as such you should give the florist a degree of freedom (within reason).
As with all wedding suppliers, florists will be busy all year round and their diaries will be booked so our advice is to book as soon as you find a florist you like and trust.
