Roses, daisies, lilies, what will you choose to hold while walking down the aisle? What about for the bridesmaids? How about the decor? The number of options and combinations can be overwhelming. Enter: the wedding florist. Finding the perfect wedding florist who can bring your wedding day vision to life may be just what you need! But where/how to find one? Let’s discuss.
Determine Your Flower Style
Before you start your search for a wedding florist, it’s important to determine your style and preferences. Are you looking for a classic, traditional look or a modern, contemporary vibe? Do you prefer bright and bold colors or soft and romantic pastels? Knowing your style and preferences will help you narrow down your search for a florist who can bring your vision to life.
No clue what your style is? Here are some ideas:
- Bohemian (i.e., boho): free-spirited, hippie, flowy, natural
- Traditional/Classic: timeless, clean, symmetrical
- Modern: asymmetrical, minimal, simple, neutral
- Rustic: natural, earthy, muted colors, unstructured
- Minimalist: simple, neutral colors, monochrome
- Eclectic: mix and match, vintage, colorful
- Glamorous: bold colors, dramatic, luxurious
Set a Budget
The budget for a wedding florist can be variable based on location, the size of the wedding party, the types of flowers and arrangements desired, and the level of experience and reputation of the florist. However, according to some wedding industry experts, couples should typically plan to spend around 10% of their overall wedding budget on flowers and decor.
It’s important to note that there are ways to save money on wedding flowers, such as choosing in-season flowers, opting for greenery instead of flowers in some arrangements, and working with a less experienced florist or a flower market. It’s also important to communicate your budget and priorities with your florist to ensure they can work within your means and still create the desired aesthetic.
Research Potential Florists
Once you have determined your style and budget, it’s time to start your search for potential florists. Here are our recommended steps to get your search started:
- Define your floral vision: make sure you have an idea of what you want. The first thing a florist is going to ask you is what you want! In order to set your budget and wedding plan, a florist needs to understand your vision. And if you don’t have a vision, you can have the florist help you make one (likely for an added cost).
- Ask for recommendations: Friends, family, and coworkers are a great place to start.
- Do your own research: Social media, wedding websites, and Google should be your first stops. Any of these outlets will have plenty of florist options for you to choose from. Don’t forget to read the online reviews!
Schedule Consultations
After you’ve narrowed it down to a few florists, it’s time to schedule consultations. Consultations are a great way to meet with the florist and discuss your ideas and vision for your wedding day. This is also a great opportunity to see if you and the florist are a good fit and if they understand your vision.
Make sure you come ready with a list of questions. Not sure what to ask? We’ve gathered a few Q’s for you to start with:
- How many weddings do you do each weekend?
- What do you do with leftover flowers that are brought for my wedding but not used?
- Do you have business insurance?
- Can I provide my own props? (Vases, candelabras, etc.)
- What flowers are in season during my wedding date?
- Can you work within my budget?
- How do you handle delivery and set up on wedding day?
- Can you provide a sample arrangement and/or mock-up of my vision?
- Do you have any recommendations on how to save money?
Ask for References and Check Reviews
When meeting with potential florists, ask for references from previous clients and check online reviews. This will give you a general idea of the florist’s reputation and their level of service and quality of work.
Review the Florist’s Portfolio
When meeting with potential florists, review their portfolios to see examples of their previous work. This will give you an idea of their style and the quality of their work. It’s also smart to ask if they have done weddings at your wedding venue before, as they will be familiar with the space and can offer helpful suggestions.
Consider the Florist’s Experience and Expertise
When choosing a wedding florist, it’s important to consider their experience and expertise.
If you have the budget for it, you may want to choose a florist who has experience working with weddings and who has a good understanding of the floral design process. An experienced florist will also be able to offer helpful suggestions and advice on how to make your wedding flowers look their best.
To save some cash, you might go for an apprentice or newer wedding florist. They may not have the experience, but they probably still have the vision and skills to get the job done. Heck, they may even be more energetic and “hungry” to make your wedding their best one yet!
Discuss Floral Arrangements and Options
Once you’ve officially selected your florist, it’s time to start talking about specific floral arrangements and options. Consider the types of flowers you want to include, the colors and textures you prefer, and the overall look and feel you are going for. The florist can help you choose the right flowers and arrangements to fit your vision and budget.
If you’re not sure where to begin, your florist can surely give you some ideas, including showing you past weddings they’ve done and their own visions for your personal style.
Discuss Delivery and Set-Up
Another important factor to discuss with your wedding florist is delivery and set-up. What do delivery and set-up include? It may include the timing of delivery/set up/take-down, location, contact person, special requests, backup plans, fees, and cleanup. It’s really important to make sure you understand any additional fees that come along with delivery and setup because it may throw an unexpected wrench into your budget planning.
Sign a Contract
Before you make any final decisions or payments, make sure you sign a contract with the florist. The contract should outline all the details of the floral design, including the cancellation terms, refund terms, what happens if they bail at the last minute, types of flowers, arrangements, delivery and set-up times, the total cost, and more. This will ensure that everyone is on the same page and that there are no surprises on your wedding day.
Confirm Details and Changes
As your wedding day approaches, it’s important to confirm all the details with your florist and make any necessary changes. This will help reassure you that everything goes smoothly on your big day and that your vision is executed perfectly.
Finalize Payment and Tips
Finally, make sure you finalize your payment and any tips for your florist. It’s customary to tip your florist for their hard work in helping to make your wedding day the best (and most beautiful) day of your life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about wedding flowers and florists
Still have lingering questions? We’ve got you.
Q: How far ahead of time should I book my wedding florist?
A: The general recommendation is to book your wedding florist 12 months in advance of the wedding day. Some wedding florists are in such high demand that it may be more than 12 months. For lesser-known florists, 12 months should give you enough time to consult, plan, and finalize the paperwork.
Q: How much should I plan to pay for wedding flowers?
A: The average cost in the United States for wedding flowers is approximately $1,500.
Q: What types of flowers are best for a wedding?
A: The “best” flowers are whatever you like! However, some of the most commonly used flowers include peonies, garden roses, anemones, ranunculuses, and dahlias.
Q: Can I use silk flowers instead of real flowers for my wedding?
A: Of course! You can do whatever your heart desires… it is YOUR day, after all.
Conclusion
Finding the perfect wedding florist can be a challenging task, but with a little bit of research and planning, you can find a florist who can bring your wedding day dreams to life. By determining your style, setting a budget, researching potential florists, scheduling consultations, discussing your vision and ideas, and signing a contract, you can ensure that your wedding flowers are as perfect as your love for one another! (Cue corny music!).
Passion can best be described as a limitless dream – and with over 18 years of experience in the events industry, GiGi McDowell is the heart of Fêtefully; the most innovative and comprehensive wedding planning platform available for today’s on-the-go couples. Fêtefully connects couples with the top wedding planners in the world while leveraging technology to go from inspiration to “I Do” virtually.
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