How to Pick a Florist
Word of mouth is always your
safest bet. If the florist's service and work comes highly recommended,
chances are they will do a good job for you. Do your research
by going to bridal shows and looking at online pictures from your
store's website. Make appointments to visit at least 3 different
florists.
When you visit each florist,
look at pictures of their previous work and look around their
shop.
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Do you like the arrangements
that you see in the shop's displays?
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Do the flowers in the pictures
look fresh or are the petal edges brown?
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Are the pictures dated
or are they following the current trends?
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Is the designer willing
to work with you or are they telling you that your idea won't
work?
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Make sure you speak to
the florist that will do your arrangements.
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Do you feel comfortable
with your florist?
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Is your florist paying
attention to you while you're talking and does he/she seem
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interested?
When To Book Your Florist
6 months before your wedding is a good time
to start your search. Book your florist approximately 4 months
before your wedding date. You need to have your reception and
ceremony sites picked out before you can hire a florist because
you'll need to know how many arrangements you'll need and that
the colors you pick don't clash with the colors of your venue.
You'll also need to know what co lour your bridesmaids' dresses
are.
What To
Bring To An Appointment
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Pictures of flowers and
arrangements that you like (magazine clippings or websites)
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Picture of your wedding
gown - swatches of material from your bridesmaids gowns - if
available, a picture of your reception room
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If you are supplying the
containers for arrangements, bring those too.
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Bring quotes you've gotten
from other florists.
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Bring a list of all the
flowers and arrangements you need and who they are for, so that
the florist can label corsages, boutonnieres and bouquets, with
names or titles. Example: on a bouquet a stapled piece of paper
reads "maid of honor". This way everyone gets
the right flowers.
Questions
To Ask The Florist
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When viewing photos of
past work, ask if the flowers where arranged by the same person
that is doing your arrangements.
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After giving your florist
your ideas, ask for their opinion or ideas. You don't have to
take their advice but at least take the time to listen. You
never know, you might like their ideas better then your own.
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Is there a delivery charge?
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Is there a setup fee?
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Do they have rental supplies?
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Do they need a map for
the different delivery locations?
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Can you change your order
if you have another idea? What's the cut off date for new ideas?
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What times will the flowers
be delivered to each location? This question can be asked 1
month before your wedding.
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Will the florist transport
ceremony decorations to the reception location? Is there a fee?
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Can they make a sample
of your bouquet and centerpiece? Some florists will, some won't.
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Will they write you up
an itemized quote? Some won't in fear that you will bring it
to other florists for a better deal.
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Are the flowers you've
chosen in season? What flowers are in season for your date?
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You're on a tight budget,
can the florist work with a mixture of silk and fresh flowers?
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Are there any additional
or hidden costs?
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Is the florist familiar
with your reception and ceremony locations?
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1 month before your wedding
date, call the florist and ask them if they can get the type
and color of flower you wanted?
Things
To Keep In Mind
If your wedding date is around
the time of a flower giving holiday (mother's day, valentine's,etc)
you're going to pay more for your flowers. The florist will also
be very busy during this time and you can't expect to be the centre
of attention. Meet and speak to the person that will be making your
flower arrangements.
A good place to start is with
the bride's and bridesmaid's bouquet, work with those colors and
flower types to create your centerpieces, alter arrangements and
other floral decor.
You don't have to book on the
spot. Take your quote home and think it over.
The more information you give
your florist the better they will understand what you want.
If you choose flowers that are
not in season and have to be shipped, you're looking at a bigger
expense and you don't know what effect the shipping will cause on
your flowers.
What Goes
On The Contract
In most cases your bill will
be your contract. Read the small print on the bill. Everything the
florist is supplying should be on the bill:
- Your name, address and phone number.
- The contact person's name, address and phone
number for every delivery location.
- An itemized list and description of every
floral arrangement, the number required, color of ribbons and
other decorative accents.
- Time of setup
- The name of your floral designer
- The service they will provide. i.e. setup
and delivery to each location and what this entails.
- The total cost, your deposit and the amount
still owing and the date for the last payment.
For
more articles like this one, click here to visit our Wedding Flowers
section.
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here to research Saint Louis Wedding Florists. |
