Educate yourself on the criteria for a hiring a wedding florist – written by a top wedding florist in the business!
Flowers set the mood and tone for your wedding. Much as the food feed the guest’s appetite, the flowers are like eye candy to feed the senses! So, a seasoned florist is an essential asset, contributing toward the smooth planning, design and creation of your floral arrangements.
The florist will be assist you in selecting the appropriate flowers to complement your color scheme and style of wedding. Once you have finalized the degree of formality of your wedding and selected the wedding attire, you need to find a creative and capable florist.
If you aren’t familiar with the florists in your area, get referrals from friends, family and your wedding venue, and/or use a local directory like Top Wedding Sites’ listing of top wedding florists in the US, UK and Ireland Florists and wedding floral specialists in Canada. Once you’ve viewed the florists’ websites (which typically offers a gallery of photos to preview), make an appointment with 3 to 4 of your favs to view samples of their work, and discuss services and prices according to your budget. Once you’ve selected your florist, discuss the details at length, describing the style of your dress, your attendants’ attire and the theme of the ceremony.
As a rule, always carry fabric samples and photos to the florist for matching colors. Your florist should possess a photograph of your wedding gown, as well as a fabric swatch of the attendants’ dresses. Even if the bride has a white wedding dress, this will come handy as whites can vary in their shade and intensity.
Special Note: Floral designers are trained and highly skilled floral artists whose ideas have value. You may be asked to pay a consultation fee if you want to discuss a florist’s specific ideas for your wedding. In most cases, the fee will be applied to the flowers once the order is placed.
How far in advance should I contact the florist when ordering wedding flowers?
Many florists can accept only a set number of weddings on a given day, so it is important to contact your florist well in advance to begin planning. A good rule of thumb is to contact your florist at least three months in advance. However, if your wedding is going to be an exceptionally elaborate event, take place during peak wedding season or fall on a holiday, then six months to a year is not too soon to contact your florist. This will allow the florist to begin looking for any props or specialty items you might need. Wedding flowers can be highly specific and colors often have to be very precise, so florists need advance notice to place flower orders.
Will a florist work within my budget?
Yes. By taking your budget into consideration from the very beginning of the planning process, the florist can give you the best advice on how to place the flowers for maximum effect and what types of flowers will be the best value to achieve your desired look.
What can a florist do to help me stretch my ceremony and reception budget?
Your professional florist will provide suggestions on alternative types of flowers within your budget, and how they could be used at both the ceremony and reception.
Is it okay to visit several florists to get estimates?
Yes. Once you compare estimates and decide on which florists you want to talk further with, you can call and set up appointments for a consultation. If possible, set an appointment with the lead designer who will be in charge of filling the order for your wedding flowers.
What should I bring to the florist for my initial consultation?
If you have been gathering ideas and pictures don’t forget to take them along with you for talking points. Look through bridal books and floral guides. Sketch ideas, cut out pictures or take photographs of flowers you like and share them with the florist. Seeing your ideas and personal style will help the florist translate your concepts and special requests into workable floral designs and arrangements that are right for you. The more information you provide, the better your florist will be prepared to offer creative suggestions. Try to be prepared to inform the florist of your preferred color palette, style, and flowers you are most interested in.
I love to hear from brides (or other florists and wedding planners!) so if you have a question or a comment – bring it on. Let’s talk flowers!
