5 Helpful Tips for Preparing to Meet with a Florist

One of our ever popular Milk Glass centerpieces, containing mostly cottage flowers.

Many couples come to us having never had to purchase custom florals before.  Perhaps the last time you were in a flower shop was when you needed to order a holiday arrangement for your Aunt, or perhaps you had the very unfortunate experience of having to order sympathy arrangements.  Maybe you enjoy gardening and growing your own flowers, but have no idea where to begin when it comes to fresh cut flowers.  Perhaps you often buy bunches of flowers from the grocery store, but have no idea what the difference is between by the bunch bouquets and professionally designed creations.  Or maybe you are like so many of our clients, who are afraid to even walk into a florist with so little knowledge of what to expect.  Not to worry, we are here to help you!

We have written this blog  for your convenience, to help you in your search for the perfect floral designer or florist.  Whether you choose to work with us, or one of our friendly competitors, we wish you the most beautiful wedding day possible!

Find your Favorites

Do some preliminary research and locate some businesses you are interested in learning more about.  After reading their most recent reviews, send each business an inquiry e-mail, or give them a phone call to see if you may schedule a consult with them, either face to face or via phone or skype.  Rather than meet with every single business in town, I would advise narrowing your selections to no more than 3 businesses.  Most floral designers charge very similar fees, so you are really shopping more for a personality fit and a creative match for your vision, rather than price when it comes to this type of wedding pro.

Here are our tips on how to better prepare for your meeting:

1. Do you research about different arrangement types and prices, so you can be better informed about what types of designs you can get for your budget.  FTD, Teleflora, and many other wire service websites offer tons of everyday arrangements (which many times can also be used as centerpieces) in all shapes and colors and price points.  Look at the sympathy arrangements to get ideas about larger items such as alter arrangements, buffet pieces, and place card tables (funeral baskets).  Please keep in mind many of these prices may be higher in the case of weddings where there is far more labor involved, and many popular blooms for the season come with a premium price tag.
2. After doing initial price research, set a realistic budget. If you have 15 centerpieces, ceremony décor, bouquets and boutonnieres for a 16 person wedding party and a bridal bouquet, don’t expect to do it all on a $500 budget.
3. Compile a list or bring photos of your favorite flower types, colors, and styles. You may also want to bring a list or photos of flowers, colors and styles that you don’t want, so your florist knows what to avoid.
4. Bring photos of your dress, and the bridesmaids’ dresses, invitations, fabric swatches, or any other items that may better help describe the look and feel of the event, this way you can be sure that your flowers will match that feel.
5. Try to limit your additional friends and family to no more than two or three people.  When a larger crowd comes along to your consult, it can many times become overwhelming with everyone’s opinions about what looks best. As a bride, you don’t want to be talked out of, or talked into choosing something that isn’t what you truly want for your big day.

It is also important that you ask the right questions while meeting with potential wedding florists so that you can gauge if their work will suite your needs and wants. Here is another useful blog to check out to help you in that department: http://blog.anightinbloom.com/?p=2273 Happy planning everyone!