Tips for Working with a Professional Florist for your Wedding

Once you have contacted a florist, generally a bridal consultation is required or suggested to discuss the details of your wedding flowers.  This is valuable time you will be spending with the florist, so make the most of the consultation by being prepared.  If possible, set an appointment with the designer who will be designing your bridal flowers.  If this isn't possible, disucss the possibility of speaking with the desinger at some point during the planning process.  Most flower shops understand that communication with the designers for something as important as your wedding is expected.

Your florist will give you wedding selection guides to view or they may have a website you can view to get ideas.  Some shops may have in shop monitors for viewing designs.  This is a great opportunity for you to exchange ideas in a very visual setting.  Bridal magazines also provide ideas.  Begin collecting pictures of designs you find attractive before you visit the flower shop.  This will save time and will help your floral designer customize designs for you based upon your selection ideas.  It is very important for your designer to get as much information from you so that they can translate it into a design that works within your budget and the seasonal flowers available at the time of your wedding.

It is wise to have chosen your colors and dresses before the consultation so the designer can offr guidance in making atractive selections to complement your colors and dresses.  It is also very helpful to provide swatches of fabric from your dresses to better coordinate colors and fabrics.  Your designer can better match color and accenting ribbons to swatches you provide.

There are several considerations when booking your florist for your wedding flowers.  Pre-Planning and communicating makes the process of choosing a florist and planning the wedding flowers much easier and stress free.

Consider:

• Weather Conditions:- Will it be extremely hot or cold on the day of your wedding.
• How will the weather conditions affect delivery details?  Do you have a plan?
• What flowers are in season?  Ordering flowers in or out of season effects your budget.  Ask your wedding professional what flower varieties are available for your chosen season.  Will these varieties be available in the color choices I prefer?
• Has the florist booked multiple weddings on the date of my wedding and if so, are they staffed sufficiently to accomodate my special needs?
• What delivery arrangements should be considered?  How can I facilitate seamless delivery?  Will someone in my bridal party be available to receive delivery at designated delivery address if I won't be available.
• Are there multiple weddings taking place at my ceremony location, if so, what time can my florist gain access to the location?
• Does the ceremony location have rules and regulations regarding flowers and decorations?
• Are there additional charges for set up or break down? Do I need my florist to deliver at unusual hours?
• What additional charges are there?  Taxes, delivery and break down charges?
• Should I consider rentals: linens, live plants, candelabras, containers?
• What are the payment terms?  Is there a contract?  When and how do I make payment for my wedding flowers?
• Does the florist offer a package plan?
• Does the florist offer other wedding services such as invitation ordering, favors or attendants gifts?  Many times if your florist offers these items, they will offer them a t discounted rates when ordering your wedding flowers through the florist.
• What money saving ideas can the professional florist offer to reduce costs?

Flowers are such an important part of your wedding day.  If you plan right, ordering and planning wedding flowers will be the least stressful task of your wedding planning tasks.  Your flowers set the tone for your wedding and will help create beautiful memories for years to come.