How Can I choose an excellent floral designer for my wedding?

I think it is important to interview florists for you wedding, to develop a relationship and understanding with the florist. 

TIP:  Order a friend flowers from a florist you’re considering for your wedding to see if you like the arrangement.

The florists may have a great reputation in wedding design, that could be intimidating, be sure to have an understanding of what your needs and wants are, so you are not taking over if the florist is becoming overpowering.

How much can I expect to spend on flowers for a wedding?

Budgets are weddings are vast, our least expensive wedding is $500.00 US dollars, our most expensive wedding $100,000.00. 

TIP:  Make sure your floral are featured in the wedding photography, allowing you to enjoy them after the event.

It depends on what you want to say.  The budget depends on what you are trying to say.  The typical amount is $2,000.00 - $3,000.00 dollars. 

What are the main floral pieces to order for my wedding?

It is great to have a list of what you need before you talk to you florist.  WE will also tell you what you may want to consider. You usually have…

-         Centerpieces

-         Bride, bridesmaid and flower girl bouquets

-         Boutonniers and corsages

-          Perhaps flower girl, ring barrier pillow

-         Aisle treatments

-         Huppa or wedding structure

-         Buffet arrangements

-         Bar arrangements

-         Cocktail pieces

-         Powder room pieces

Smaller weddings may only want centerpieces and personal flowers.

What kind of bouquet should my bridesmaids carry?

Bridesmaids get bouquets that are usually a smaller bouquet than bride.  If the brides bouquet is a variety of different flowers, we can use one element of flower for the bridesmaids, example make the bridesmaid bouquet all tulips.

How far in advance should I order flowers for my wedding?

Depending on how much flowers you need, you should be contacting you florist a year in advance.  The florist will inform you about flower availability, which can impact the feel of your wedding.  If you are looking for something simple for you wedding, recommendation would be to contact your florist 2-3 months in advance.  If it is high season, June, September, October, November, December, contact your florist 6 months in advance.

How can I let my wedding florist know what I want?

Before you meet with your florist look at magazines, well presented architecture books, cool presented Japanese garden designs, look at flowers you are attracted to when walking through the park, in the natural world. Also, it is important to know the theme of your wedding, before coming to the florist.

How can I get great wedding flowers if I don’t know what I want?

Not everyone knows what they want before they go to their florist.  If you trust your florist the can help guide you.  The best florist will guide you in a way that they feel you would want to go.

What questions should I ask my floral designer?

IT is important to have your florist itemize and give you a proposal before you agree to a contract.  Then you can see what all their costs are, then you can sign off on that contract, so they are bound to that.. 

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR WEDDING FLORIST:

-         what is included in the cost?

-         What container rentals are needed?

-         When will the flowers be set up and when will they be picked up?

If you do not have a wedding planner, you will need to set up a time for the florist to set up the flowers on your wedding day.  Think about the depth that is required in setting up the flowers.

What are some alternatives to traditional wedding florals?

Everyone wants to make their wedding special.  We have plenty of ideas to help individualize your wedding.  IE.  Using centerpieces without containers, an orchid plant with rocks and mushrooms, something organic, or crazy sculptural, you can get super elaborate.  It depends on your taste, think beyond the box.

What are some of the most common mistakes brides make in ordering wedding florals?

Common mistakes that brides make in ordering their wedding flowers, is going with a look they think is the in thing, something the bride has seen that a celebrity has done.  It may not be personal, it is important to maintain your needs and wants when ordering your wedding flowers.

What should I do if the flowers for my wedding are not to my liking?

If you are disappointed with your florist, with your wedding it is pretty hard, that florist has put in a lot of work.  Although, a poor job is a poor job, you need to try to be compensated for that. 

TIPS:  Clear communication and samples can prevent disappointment in your florals.

Video Floral arrangement styles

What are the most common styles of floral arrangements?

Traditionally, the most common styles of floral arrangements are triangle shaped sprays, that you would get in a basket.  This style is dead do not ever order it.   There are Modern arrangements, clean arrangements, Ikebana arrangements, Prop-based arrangements with teddy bears, wood.

What is an “old-fashioned” floral arrangement?

There is two schools of thought in old fashioned floral arrangements, it is either a Victorian fashion accessory, the term usually refers to a small rounded bouquet.

You are looking for a hand tied bouquet, soft looking bouquet.

There is the fifties style bouquet, you might have flipped through an old-fashioned magazine.  There are the triangle shaped spray, that look like they could belong in a funeral arrangement.

What is a “clean” floral arrangement?

A clean floral arrangement is usually one type of flower, a bunch of tulips in a clear vase for example.  There can be more appreciation for the single flower. If you are calling a florist you do not know, a clean floral arrangement is a great stand by, they will give you a single flower arrangement. 

What is a “modern” floral arrangement?

Modern arrangement have a little divergent path, slightly different then the clean arrangements.  You begin with a clean arrangement and you begin to add other elements.  You may add anthryriums with pineans, it is using elements outside the box