Wedding flowers are the heart of your celebration and can set the tone: romantic, modern, whimsical, rusticโthe list is endless. Choosing the right wedding flowers can also help tie in your color scheme and overall theme, making your special day even more memorable. It’s important to work with a florist who understands your vision and can bring it to life.
Selecting and working with a floral designer should be at the top of your to-do list as you begin planning your wedding. A floral designer can help you bring your wedding vision to life with beautiful arrangements and bouquets that compliment your overall theme. They can also offer valuable advice on which flowers are in season and how to stay within your budget.
Here is a step-by-step guide from an expert to finding the perfect florist for your wedding day.
Expert Advice #1: Determine your wedding flower style
Before you start your search for a wedding florist, chat with your fiancรฉ(e) about how you want to incorporate flowers on the big day. Consider the overall theme and color scheme of your wedding, as well as your budget and any specific flower preferences or allergies. This will help you narrow down your options and find a florist who can bring your vision to life.
Decide whether you want your flowers to have a classic, rustic, vintage, modern, or completely unexpected look. When the time comes, start gathering floral ideas and wedding flower trends that you can use. While some florists are better at creating contemporary, minimalist arrangements, others specialize in creating tall, lush, ornate centerpieces. It’s important to research and hire a florist whose style aligns with your vision for the event. Look at their portfolio and discuss your preferences to ensure you get the perfect floral design.
Expert Advice #2: Know the difference between a floral designer and a florist
A floral designer is a designer who uses flowers to decorate. A florist, on the other hand, is someone who cuts, arranges, and sells plants and flowers. Florists may also offer additional services such as delivering flowers to customers or creating gift baskets with flowers and other items. While both professions involve working with flowers, their focus and expertise differ. Florists are great if you only need a few small elements that you can prepare ahead of time (such as bouquets, boutonnieres, and table arrangements). However, if you’re looking for someone to provide expertise on how to activate a space or bring a theme to life, and you want to include larger elements that must be built on-site, such as floral arches or floral chandeliers, the services you’re looking for are more likely to align with those of a floral designer.
Expert Advice #3: Research florists
The first rule of how to find a wedding florist is to not wait until the last minute. It’s a good idea to start looking into wedding florists as soon as you’ve chosen your wedding date and made a venue reservation. This should give you a few months to look for a wedding florist and schedule a meeting with them without feeling rushed or under pressure. Additionally, starting your search early will give you more time to compare prices and services, ensuring that you find a florist who can work within your budget and meet your specific needs. It is recommended to start looking for a wedding florist at least six months before the wedding day. To give your florist enough time to secure the wholesalers and distributors they’ll need to obtain your desired flowers, you should ideally hire your wedding florist at least 10 months before your special day and decide on which flowers you want to order around eight months beforehand.
To find a wedding florist who can bring all your dreams to come true, start by asking for recommendations from the vendors youโve already hired. These vendors may have worked with florists in the past and can provide valuable insights. Additionally, you can also check online reviews and portfolios to get a better idea of a florist’s style and expertise. You can also check online reviews and social media pages to see what other couples have said about their experiences with different florists. This can help you narrow down your options and find a florist who is reliable, talented, and easy to work with. Donโt forget to schedule a consultation to discuss your vision and ensure they understand your needs.
Expert Advice #4: Have a general idea of your budget
Floral costs vary widely, but a good rule of thumb is to budget for florals at 10-20% of your overall wedding budget. To ensure that your floral vendor fits your budget, it is recommended that you have a clear idea of what you want and communicate it with your vendor. Consider how much you can afford to spend on the floral dรฉcor. This is crucial in figuring out whether a florist will support your overall goals.
Be open and honest with your potential wedding florist about how much money you have to spend because your budget will dictate which types of flowers can be used. Remember that some wedding flowers are more expensive than others and that prices can fluctuate depending on the season. Additionally, consider asking your florist for suggestions on how to stay within your budget while still achieving the desired look and feel for your wedding. They may have creative solutions or alternative flower options that can help you save money without sacrificing quality.
Expert Advice #5: Visit their flower shop
Consider visiting the florist’s walk-in shop for a few minutes one day to get a sense of how they do business. This will give you an opportunity to see their selection of flowers and arrangements, as well as their level of customer service and expertise. You may also be able to ask any questions you have about specific flowers or
arrangements. If you visit during the weekend, remember that Fridays and Saturdays are typically busy for florists (especially during wedding season or around holidays), so keep it quick and try to be more of an observer than a potential client with a ton of questions.
Remember, you can always schedule an appointment to come back and chat with them in depth. It’s also a good idea to bring a notepad and pen to jot down any ideas or inspiration you may have during your visit. This will help you remember what caught your eye and make it easier to discuss your vision with the florist in more detail later on. Additionally, if you are looking for a specific type of flower or arrangement, itโs best to call ahead and check if they have it in stock to avoid disappointment. Itโs also helpful to have a general idea of your budget before you go in so the florist can suggest options that fit within your price range.
Expert Advice #6: Schedule a sit-down appointment
Once you’ve found a potential florist, it’s crucial to set up a one-on-one meeting so you can work out all the details. During the meeting, you should inquire about the wedding florist’s availability, style, preferred flower types and colors, delivery and setup arrangements, and any other specific requests you may have. This will ensure that you and the florist are on the same page and that your vision for the event is executed flawlessly. Tell them how many people will be in your wedding party and how many guests you anticipate having. You can mention any dislikes or requirements you want them to be aware of during the appointment, such as any specific kinds of flowers you don’t want them to use. Before deciding which florist to hire, don’t be afraid to meet with several of them. It’s important to communicate your preferences clearly to ensure that you are satisfied with the final product. Meeting with multiple florists can also help you compare prices and styles to find the best fit for your needs.
Expert Advice #7: Book and pay
Read the contract thoroughly. Before signing a contract, you have the right to request reasonable changes. It is important to carefully review and negotiate the terms of your contract with the florist before signing. Additionally, it may be helpful to seek advice from a wedding planner or legal professional to ensure that your interests are protected. Pay the deposit. Some florists accept credit cards, and some donโt. Just the nature of the business. It is important to check with the florist beforehand to ensure that they accept credit cards if that is your preferred method of payment. Alternatively, you can also ask if they accept other forms of payment such as cash or check.
Remember that wedding planning and floral design should be an exciting and enjoyable way for you to express yourself creatively through blooms. It’s important to communicate your vision and preferences clearly with your floral designer to ensure that they can bring your dream wedding to life. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and collaborate with them throughout the process.
Wedding Secrets Tip:
Bouquets on your wedding day should be kept submerged in water until your photographer wants to take their picture. It will continue to be more hydrated and fresh. Don’t fling it around while holding it. They are delicate, the flowers. Face the altar while walking down the aisle with the stems at your belly button at a slight angle
