Jul
29
When looking for a wedding florist you need to find someone who is able to create beautiful centerpieces, but also someone you can communicate with clearly. That someone has to be able to understand your vision to be able to translate it using flowers and décor.
Florists often get emails asking for a quote, and it is very frustrating trying to explain to each bride that the only way to provide an accurate quotation is by having a meeting. No one wants to waste time, so here are a few tips on how to shop around for a florist and then work effectively with your florist.
1 Do your research
The best thing is to start by browsing wedding listing sites such as Celebration, and you can also look through photographers blogs and have a look at the florists they have worked with and credited on their websites.
Have a look at the the websites and blogs of the florists you liked, and you will be able to get an idea of their style and experience.
Are you looking for someone who has a more classical and traditional style, or do you want to work with someone who loves experimenting with different concepts? Your questions will be answered if you pay attention to their online portfolio and presence.
After some web searching try and narrow you list to 2 candidates.
2. Contact florist
You can give them a call or send an email.
Ask following questions:
- Do you do flowers only (many florists are also décor designers and specialists and in fact own a lot of décor stock or handle the hiring of the necessary décor stock to suit the ‘wedding look’)
- Do you own your own décor stock, or do you sub-hire?
- If you sub-hire, do you mark up the hired stock?
- What is your system of working with a client
- Will you do a mock-up for me and how much that will cost?
- Will I be able to keep the flowers after the wedding or not?
3. Book a meeting
You can book a complimentary meeting with a florist to discuss your wedding in details.
Before I meet with a perspective client, I ask following:
- date and venue
- colours and themes for your wedding
- a few images of inspirations to give me a direction
All this information helps me to get ready for the meeting, research some ideas, come up with creative concepts and most importantly explain to the bride at the meeting which flowers will be available and suitable for her wedding.
4. Meeting
Share as much of your vision as possible, you can bring your wedding stationery, or fabric swatches, or anything else that inspires you. And if you are not creative at all, your florist should have books, magazines and other images to help you find a direction.
Your florist has a wealth of knowledge and experience – use it.
You will need to provide your florist with important details such as the location of your ceremony and reception (the cost of delivery and set-up varies if the ceremony and reception sites are not at the same place), where will you be getting ready (for the delivery of bouquets).
If you are getting married outdoors, the back-up plan (in case of the rain) needs to be discussed with your florist.
5. Discuss your budget
It is very seldom we get a client when budget is of no concern. Majority of the brides are on a very strict budget. You need to discuss your realistic budget with your florist, and don’t be afraid to be honest. Florists needs to earn a living, but they also love creating beauty and have an indescribable need to serve clients. If they know your budget, they can recommend creative solutions.
6. Making your decision
After the meeting, you will receive a quotation reflecting discussed details. If you have any concerns about the quotation, you need to discuss those concerns with the florist.
7. Book your florist
Each company/florist works differently, but to book their services you will be required to pay a deposit and send back a copy of a signed contract.
8. Attend Mock-Up
A mock-up is a meeting with a florist where your discussed ideas come to life. Again, each florist works differently and your florist will let you know how he/she works.
A mock-up is an opportunity to make some changes to your vision, or add other elements which you never though of before. Just remember, if you change your centerpieces or add additional decor at the mock-up, this may have an impact on your quotation.
9. Sign off
After your mock-up you should receive final figures reflecting all the details discussed at the mock-up along with a document with a detailed description of all floral and décor items that will be present at your wedding – bridal party flowers, ceremony flowers and reception decorations. You may be required to sign that document, so scrutinise it in great detail.
You can confirm that everything is on track a few weeks before the wedding, but a good florist will stay in touch with a bride during the few weeks leading up to the wedding.
10. Enjoy your wedding
If you chose well, your florist/decor designer will take care of the set-up on the day of the wedding.
And another important tip – creative people are very generous. You will be able to get a lot more value out of your florist if you trust them to do what they do best – create beauty and splendor.
Are you starting to plan your wedding in 2012? Is it a big bash or an intimate affair, ballroom extravaganza or an outdoor spring fling setting? Is your mind spinning with decisions, options, possibilities and much dreaded budget matters?
