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Wedding
Tips on Working with Your Local Florist
1. Contact your florist once you've selected
the date, time and place for your wedding and
reception. It will be helpful if you know the
colors and style of the gowns you and your bridesmaids
will be wearing.
2. Look through bridal books and floral guides.
Sketch ideas, cut out pictures or take photographs
of flowers you like and share them with your
florist. Seeing your ideas and personal style
will help your florist translate your concepts
and special requests into workable floral designs
and arrangements that are just right for you.
3. Set up an initial consultation with your
florist to discuss specific design ideas that
fit both your personal style and budget. Make
arrangements for your florist to visit both
the ceremony and reception sites. Plan a second
appointment to review recommendations and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
How
far in advance should I contact the florist
when ordering wedding flowers?
Flowers are one of the most important aspects
of your wedding day. They set the mood and tone
for the event and will be remembered for years
to come. Many florists can accept only a set
number of weddings on a given day, so it is
important to contact your florist well in advance
to begin planning. A good rule of thumb is to
contact your florist at least three months in
advance. However, if your wedding is going to
be an exceptionally elaborate event, take place
during peak wedding season or fall on a holiday,
then six months to a year is not too soon to
contact your florist. This will allow the florist
to begin looking for any props or specialty
items you might need. Wedding flowers can be
highly specific and colors often have to be
very precise, so florists need advance notice
to place flower orders.
Will
a florist work within my budget?
Yes. Be honest about your budget on the initial
consultation so the florist knows what to recommend.
By taking your budget into consideration from
the very beginning of the planning process,
the florist can give you the best advise on
how to place the flowers for maximum effect
and what types of flowers will be the best value
to achieve your desired look.
Is
it okay to visit several florists to get estimates?
Sure, but tell the florists that you are gathering
estimates rather than making an appointment
for a consultation. Be prepared with a detailed
list of your floral needs. The florist will
be able to give a rough estimate without a lengthy
meeting. If you are gathering ideas and then
comparisons, it is best to inform the florist
of your intentions. Floral designers are trained
and highly skilled floral artists. Their ideas
have value. You may be asked to pay a consultation
fee if you want to discuss a florist's actual
ideas for your wedding. In most cases, the fee
will be applied to the flowers once the order
is placed.
What
should I bring to the flower shop when I have
my wedding consultation?
The more information you can provide the better
your florist will be prepared to offer creative
suggestions. Your florist will want to create
a spectacular and memorable event for you. Anything
you can bring will be beneficial. Pictures that
depict what you have in mind are extremely helpful.
Bring a photo of your dress and a sample of
the fabric or lace if you have it, as well as
swatches and photos of the bridesmaids' dresses.
Also think about what "style" of wedding you
want. If you are not sure, your florist can
offer suggestions based on your wedding plans
so far.
What
can a florist do to help me stretch my ceremony
and reception budget?
Besides suggesting specific types of flowers
that will work within your budget, a professional
florist can offer helpful suggestions as to
what flowers might be used at both the ceremony
and reception. A few examples: bridesmaids'
bouquets can become table decorations; the bride's
bouquet can become the head table arrangement;
the pew markers can become festive bows on cars
or doors; altar designs can flank the buffet
or cake table, etc. Florists are overflowing
with creative ways to make use of your budget
and flowers wisely.
The
Flower Lady is best known for her floral decorations
at the first private 2000 New Years extravaganza
at Hearst Castle. From a single rose to the
wedding of your dreams, The Flower Lady is a
available for weddings from Monterey to Santa
Barbara.
