CHOOSING A FLORIST

Selecting a Floral Designer
Most floral designers have a portfolio of their work. Choose a floral designer who will spend time getting to know your style and desires for your wedding and who respects your ideas while offering their expertise. If you plan to arrange your own flowers, it is a good idea to consult a floral designer who can offer advice and help get the flowers you need.

Setting a Budget
As with everything else, it is important to set a budget for your flowers. Your floral designer can inform you about what flowers will be in season and styles that will appropriately fit your theme and budget. Be honest about your budget so the floral designer can cater their services to fit your needs. One of the best ways to stay within a budget is to select a color scheme rather than specific flowers. For example, if you go to your floral designer saying you only want a certain type of orchid, you are subject to whatever the market price is at the time. Be open to a variety of flowers that will match your colors and theme.

Develop a Plan
Think about your floral design and decorations and write it down. Determine what you will need for the various people involved, arrangements for the church, and decorations for the reception.

Meeting With The Floral Designer
You should meet with your floral designer as soon as possible. A floral designer can only commit to a limited number of weddings or events, especially during the busy summer months. If it is not possible for them to see the wedding and reception sites ahead of time, it is a good idea to provide photos of the locations so the arrangements can best fit the surroundings.

Being Prepared For Your Floral Designer
It is good to bring ideas to the first meeting with your floral designer. Although the floral designer may have photos of arrangements and bouquets or books of ideas, it is important to give a sense of what you are looking for. Take advantage of the floral designer’s expertise. Be sure to tell the floral designer if there are flower types that you absolutely do not like; also let them know what you love!

Flower Shades and Colors
Colors and shades can be challenging when selecting flowers. Always use a fabric swatch or ribbon sample to show your floral designer the exact color you are thinking of.

Bouquet Toss
Consider having a separate, smaller bouquet for the bouquet toss.  Many brides wish to have their bridal  bouquet preserved.

Beyond The Bridal Bouquet
Corsages and boutonnieres should be ordered for the wedding party and the mothers of the bride and groom. Also decide what type of arrangements you would like at the ceremony and the reception. If flowers will be near the food, be sure to choose mildly scented ones so as to not overwhelm the scent or taste of the food.

Delivery and Setup of Flowers
It is very important that your flowers be delivered at the right time.  Always put the location and date on your contract, as well as the desired time of delivery so to prevent questions or last-minute problems. They should arrive before the photographs are taken and kept out of direct heat or sunlight. Check to see if delivery and set-up are included in the contract. Be sure to read the entire contract before signing a final agreement with any floral designer.