How to Choose a Wedding Florist

Wedding — By 88DB Knowledge on March 8, 2011 4:09 pm

Choosing a wedding florist is like choosing a hair designer. You have to find someone who knows design, color and has some flair. There are ways to “weed out” the bad ones! Don’t get a quick-fix for the most important party of your life!

Steps

Visit websites and look for style and an address of a real business. Try and remember someone who does work from their basement may not be in business when you are ready to walk down the aisle. Some are wonderful, too, just be smart about the contract.
Attend bridal shows. Look at the floral displays available.
Talk to friends for possible referrals.
Talk to vendors, photographers, banquet managers, hair stylists, and wedding gown salespeople. They all have had experience with florists, and will be great resources of information.
Look at pictures of various florists’ work.
Come with a BUDGET in mind.
Interview at least three florists. Bring the following items with you as you interview each of the florist:
- Swatches of fabric for bridesmaids dress, if you have them.
- Pictures from magazines that have captured your imagination.
- A picture of the wedding dress.
- A list with the number of bridesmaids, flower girls, groomsmen, fathers, mothers, and grandparents. This list will determine the number of bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres that are needed.
- Have an approximate number of tables being used at the reception.
- Know the number of people in your wedding party and an approximate number of guests.
Ask the florist and yourself the following questions:
- Do they “get you”? Do they get a sense of your style and budget?
- How many events do they book per day?
- Do you feel comfortable with them? A good rapport is essential.
Keep notes during the consultation, and compare prices and design, but remember, don’t compare apples to oranges, meaning don’t go to the flower shop that made Aunt Ann’s funeral flowers, then go to a wedding florist.

Tips

Plan ahead. Choosing a good wedding florist is a very personal thing and should be well researched. One year to 6 months is standard.
Keep away from florists that show you a standard industry book of arrangements, “page 3 number 6 your colors dear…”
Make sure they note your height, and design the bouquet to your size, which is slightly bigger on your day due to white dress and high shoes and hair.
When you first contact a florist(s), talk about flowers, different arrangements and don’t mention at that time that the flowers are for a wedding. Maybe you can avoid the “wedding” markup.
Let the florist know what your budget will be. The florist will work with you to select flowers that will fit with your budget.

Warnings

Talk to someone who actually knows something about flowers. Find a professional and stop taking free advice.

Related wikiHows

Sources and Citations

Tips for Selecting a Wedding Florist, http://www.sandiego-romantics.com/San-Diego-Wedding-Florists.html – research source

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