How to Choose a Wedding Florist
Wedding Florist Dfw can guide you toward the best options for your specific aesthetic. Start your search with a florist whose work resonates with you as early as possible, preferably 6-8 months before your wedding date.
Share your guest count and must-haves with your florist so they can give you an honest take on what’s doable within your budget. Also, be sure to mention any specific flower varietals that you love.
- Know Your Style
The style of wedding florals you envision can greatly impact the florist you choose. Some florists specialize in large, lush, ornate arrangements, while others excel at clean, modern designs. Do online research before meeting with vendors to determine which matches your vision. You can check out a vendor’s portfolio and social media to see examples of their work. Look for tagged photos for a more comprehensive, less curated view of their portfolio and full galleries of real weddings.
You can also help your florist figure out your style by describing it to them. Some couples will provide a detailed color palette (using paint chips or photos). In contrast, others may opt for a more general description of their dream flowers (“pinks and neutrals”) and allow their florist to use creativity to interpret this vision.
Another important information to bring to your initial consultation is the number of bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces you’ll need for your wedding. This will help your florist determine the time and materials required to order for your big day.
The location of your wedding venue can also significantly influence your wedding flower style. For example, you would want something other than oversized tall centerpieces at a beach or warehouse venue, and a rustic floral style might clash with the clean lines of a contemporary ballroom.
- Know Your Budget
When it comes to wedding flowers, there are a lot of factors that influence the final cost. Your choice of flower types and colors, the size of your venue, and any extra details you want (like floral sprigs on every plate or at the bar) can all add up. So, it’s important to know your budget before meeting with your florist.
Most couples will describe a general look they hope for during the initial consultation. But, they only sometimes know all the options available for their color palette and which are in season at the time of their wedding. So, when they receive their quote, they are often shocked at how much it will cost to create their vision.
To help prevent this, share your budget before you meet with your florist and let them know what you’re willing to splurge on vs save on. They should suggest ways to get the most out of your budget and create the look you envision.
Also, you may need to be flexible on some of your wedding day details if the flowers you want are out of season or require additional shipping costs. For example, peonies and dahlias are typically priced at a premium during winter due to supply and demand.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask your florist for a discount! They will happily provide one if they know you are serious about working with them, not just window shopping. Also, ask about additional service fees, including minimum charges, transportation costs, and refrigeration.
- Communicate Your Needs
During the first meeting, couples typically describe a broad sort of “look” they are after- but often won’t know all the different flower options that fit into their color palette, what flowers are in season, and what’s possible within their budget. This is an opportunity to ask all of those questions. Also, this is a great time to see if they have a clear understanding of what they are capable of and not capable of, such as handling a full design for your entire wedding or if they can only do bouquets and boutonnieres.
A good florist will take the time to fully understand all of your needs and provide a proposal for your day. Be sure to review these proposals carefully and make any necessary changes. A well-established floral professional will have the systems and policies to communicate with clients, respond to inquiries, set up meetings, present a design concept, and ultimately turn a proposal into a contract.
In addition, Weinberg suggests determining what types of supplies are needed for the day and confirming if they have enough space to store all the flowers. She says asking how they label personal flowers, such as bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres, is also a good idea. This is a way to guarantee that all flowers are accounted for and go to the correct person on the wedding day. It also helps to ensure that flowers are remembered and included in the shuffle of getting dressed and leaving for the venue. Knowing how the vendor will handle this and their fee is important.
- Be Flexible
Flowers are one of the main elements of your wedding aesthetic, and it’s important to find a florist who can be flexible with you. It is ideal to book your florist early on, right after booking your venue and photographer. This will ensure they can be intimately involved in your design process and save you money.
It’s also helpful to talk with your florist about what you want from them before you sign a contract. It’s a good idea to bring photos of flowers you like and any inspiration to help them understand what you are looking for. We would like to discuss any specific time constraints you might have for your wedding day so they can set up all your flower decor at the appropriate time.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to discuss the season you are getting married in. This can help you narrow your floral options, as some flowers are only in season at certain times of the year. For example, tulips, daffodils, and mimosa are lovely options for spring weddings, while peonies, ranunculus, and anemones make a stunning centerpiece in June or July.
It’s also a good idea to ask your florist about tipping. While this is a personal choice, most couples tip their florists for their work. It’s usually a small amount, but it’s always appreciated! A cash tip is usually best, but if you’re uncomfortable, you can always give your florist a nice gift. This will still show them how much you appreciate their hard work and serve as a great reminder of your special day!
- Be Honest
It’s important, to be honest with your florist about what you can and cannot afford. If your heart is set on having a floral archway to say your vows under or having a floral runner down your aisle, it’s best to be upfront about your budget so they can help you find ways to make those things happen without blowing your entire wedding budget.
Your florist may have a portfolio that shows off some of their most notable work. Still, it’s worth digging deeper into Instagram for a less-curated portrayal of what they can achieve within a certain budget range. It’s also a good idea to ask for references from past brides to ensure you’re selecting a professional, transparent, and straightforward vendor with their policies.
Florists train for years and know their blooms inside and out. It’s not in their best interest to give you the wrong types of flowers on your big day as it could cost them valuable time reworking the design or, worse, result in the flowers being thrown out after the event because they don’t meet your quality standards.
After your initial meeting, your florist will assemble a proposal for you to review. Be sure to read this carefully, as it will include a list of all the flowers required for bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces, along with their price. If you have any questions about the proposal, don’t hesitate to ask!