How do you find a florist who understands what wedding flowers you want, and what suits your budget?
Find the perfect wedding florist to provide fantastic flowers for your big day
They’re going to be responsible for one of the most beautiful elements of your wedding day, so how do you find a florist who understands what wedding flowers you want, and what suits your budget?
Start searching
As soon as you get engaged, chances are you’ll start flicking through various magazines and books and looking online at some fantastic wedding flowers. Start making a list of the flowers and designs you like, and also of florists whose work you admire. Local directories, confetti’s supplier listings, and wedding magazines are all great ways of finding florist contacts in your local area. Your reception venue may also have a list of recommended florists. Choose the most promising three or four florists in your area and arrange an appointment to see each one.
What should I ask them?
When meeting your florist, take along as much information as you can to help them understand exactly what you’re looking for. Pictures of flowers are helpful, as are photographs of your venue and even fabric swatches of your dress or your bridesmaids’ dresses. You’ll also need to give the florist an idea of your budget, and your wedding date so they will know what flowers are in season. Arm yourself with a notepad and ask the florist the following questions:
- How many weddings do you do each year?
- How many weddings will you be doing on the same day as mine?
- Will you deliver to the ceremony and reception venues and set up there? Will you deliver the bridal flowers to my home?
- Can you give advice on what flowers are in season?
- Can you suggest cheaper flowers or ways to reduce costs?
- Can I see a mock‐up table centre before I book?
- Can flowers be delivered the day before if necessary?
- Can you preserve my bouquet afterwards?
- Can I see photographs and testimonials from other weddings you have worked on?
- How many staff will be available to work on my arrangements?
- Have you done flowers in my reception venue before?
- Will you visit the venue in the run up to my wedding?
- Can I hire vases and candelabras from you? Can you provide candles?
- When do I need to pay the deposit and final balance?
A good florist…
A good wedding florist should be able to take your ideas and your budget and suggest something that you can afford and that will fit with the style of your wedding. If they keep encouraging you to spend more, they’re not right for you. Equally, you have to allow a florist to be creative, so be sure to listen to any alternative ideas and suggestions they may have.
As with all suppliers at your wedding, you also need to make sure that you get on well with your florist. Some personalities simply clash, and this isn’t ideal when you’re planning a wedding. You need to feel that your florist understands your ideas, and that you can totally trust them when you’re feeling stressed in the run‐up to the big day!
Book up
If you’re happy with your choice, make your booking. This can be as far in advance as you like ‐‐florists tend to get booked up, especially over the summer, so it’s good to get your name down asap! You’re likely to need to meet and discuss flower choices around three months before the wedding.
Find your wedding flowers on Confetti.
