Flowers are an essential part of your wedding ceremony and reception. They can make a beautiful statement in centerpieces, decorations and of course your bridal bouquet. When planning your wedding, take time to pick the perfect wedding florist for you.
Narrow Down Your Choices
Find four or five florists in the general area near your ceremony and reception site. Don’t pick anything too far away — they may charge extra for delivery according to distance. Instead of just picking florists from the phone book, try to get personal referrals from friends and family members as you narrow down your list.
Meet with each florist to discuss your floral needs. Be sure to know your wedding colors, number of attendants, and total flower budget before the appointment.
Types of Bouquets & Flowers
Talk in depth with the florist about your centerpieces and other decorations, paying special attention when it comes to your bridal bouquet. There are many types of bridal bouquets to choose from and the prices range dramatically. You can choose a simple hand-tied posy bouquet, an elaborate cascading bouquet or something in between.
A basic wedding flower package includes:
- Bridal bouquet
- Bridemaids’ bouquets
- Corsages for mothers, grandmothers and other important women
- Boutonnieres for the groom, groomsmen, fathers, grandfathers and other important men
- Centerpieces for the reception
Other flowers to consider include a smaller bouquet to toss, flowers for your flower girl, blooms for the altar and other floral decorations for both the ceremony and reception site.
Get Quotes
Ask the florist to provide you with two quotes — one for a basic package and one for a more elaborate package. Consider that exotic flowers, dyed flowers and flowers that are out of season are going to cost more.
Check References
After you have quotes from several florists, ask them for a few references from their previous brides. If they are unable to provide such references — move on! It’s a big warning sign if they don’t have any brides willing to vouch for their services.
Talk to the references about the customer service, promptness of delivery, quality of flowers and any other concerns. If you find a florist that you really like, but the prices are a little too high, don’t worry. Many florists are flexible and will help you to develop a package that will fit your budget.
