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 Often brides have very set ideas about which flowers they want, the colour the design and the settings. For those of you that are undecided about what floral arrangements they would like for their wedding, or for those who are not sure of what questions they may need answering, here are 30 questions you may wish to ask a potential florist.
1. How long have you been doing wedding arrangements?
A florist should be happy to share their number of weddings, years of experience and how they got started in floral design. You should be able to see the florist's previous work from actual photographs, rather than from a stock catalogue. A professional wedding florist will have a portfolio of custom work, and be proud to show it to you.
2. Which flowers will be in season on my wedding date?
Seasonal, locally grown flowers are much better value and quality than those which have been imported. The time of year you're getting married will therefore determine the flowers that will be available.
3 . Does you have a signature style?
Some florists are well-known for a particular style or type of floral design. Make sure their style is compatible with your wedding theme.
4. How will you help me stick to my budget?
A good florist should know how to produce designs you can afford, rather than insisting you spend more.They should offer multiple options for your budget, and suggest to them you for your wedding. Ask them to give you a detailed quotation at an early stage so you can negotiate where necessary.
5. Can you advise me about which arrangements would suit my colour scheme?
This largely comes down to personal preference, ideally your flowers will also co-ordinate with your venue. Take notice of any distinctive colours at your venue and match them accordingly to your flowers and theme. If you?re undecided, neutral colours are a safe and classic bet. You'll have a huge range of flowers to choose from.
6. Which flowers will suit the style of venue and theme?
Whether you?re going for a modern or a traditional look, your choice of flowers should suit the style of your wedding. The expertise of your florist is vital here, so make sure they understand the atmosphere you want to create, so they can suggest flowers to match your vision. At your first consultation with your florist, take along any ideas you have and pictures of your dress and the bridesmaid dresses, so they can build up a detailed picture of your day.
7. Which flowers and arrangements are current?
If it's important that your flowers are the height of fashion, check that your florist is hot on the latest trends. Do make sure that it still ties in with the general theme of the day. It's no good having contemporary designs when the remainder of your theme is vintage.
8. Have you worked at my wedding venue before?
If your florist is familiar with your venue, they'll have some ideas on which arrangements work best. They will have first hand knowledge of what works well and what doesn't work. They may also have ideas concerning the location that you haven't thought about. If they've never worked at the location, ask if they'd be prepared to take a tour with you so they can get a feel for the place. Bear in mind that a few venues will only allow you to use their own florist, so check before you set your heart on going with a particular supplier.
9 . Do you have any other commitments on the same date?
Some florists get very busy, especially during prime wedding months and may have multiple weddings on one day. Ask if there will be any conflict with the preparations for your wedding? Ask for reassurance that the florist will be able to cover your wedding without any shortcuts or by being stretched too thin. If your florist has a big team, then working on another wedding shouldn't be a problem. But if you'd prefer one-to-one attention, it's definitely worth checking.
10. What bouquet shape would suit my dress?
A good florist will have images of the most popular bouquet styles, from trailing shapes to contemporary posies. The one you choose should complement your figure and the shape of your dress. If you're unsure of the best style for you, ask your florist's advice and try holding a few samples to see which feels the most appropriate for you.
11. What ideas can you offer to make my wedding flowers unique?
This will give you an opportunity to see how creative and helpful the florist is.
12. Will you transport my ceremony flowers to the reception venue?
Altar displays, pew-ends and other ceremony displays can often be re-used very effectively at the reception, and doubling up like this is an ideal way to keep within budget. Ask if this will work with your wedding flowers and, if so, make sure there's a firm plan in place for transporting them.
13. Who will be designing the arrangements?
If you?ve built up a rapport with a particular florist during the consultation and are confident you're on the same wavelength, you'll want to ensure they actually design the flowers and deliver them on your big day. If they can't guarantee this, discuss how much they will be overseeing the task and ask to meet with the rest of the team
14. Can I preview your work at one of the venues?
Without doubt, the best way to judge a florist's work is to see it in real life, so ask your florist if you can have a veiwing at the finished ceremony or reception venue before the wedding guests arrive. Seeing their designs in situ and getting a glimpse of how a florist works under pressure will be the perfect way to make your final decision.
15. Will you reherse my chosen arrangements?
Your florist may provide this service at no extra cost, but be prepared to be charged a fee. You should do this close enough to the date of your wedding so you can try the bouquet with your dress, while leaving enough time to make any necessary changes.
1 6. When and how will I receive my flowers?
It's important to talk about timings and addresses of where you want your flowers delivered. Is there a maximum distance they will travel? If you want your bouquet and buttonholes delivered to different locations, make this clear.
17.Do you charge a delivery fee?
Some florists charge for delivery and some don't. And while a delivery fee may actually be small by comparison, this is good to know when it comes to figuring your overall flower budget. It could be a factor, if your florist is far away from the ceremony and reception locations.
18. How long will it take to decorate the venue?
Your florist may need access to your ceremony and reception venues much earlier than anyone else. If they plan to assemble large arrangements at the venue, it's also a good idea to ask if they'd like an allocated room or space of their own.
19. What is the cut off point for amending my order?
If you have a sudden change of heart after confirming your order, you need to know whether your florist is prepared to amend the designs and how much it will cost. Imported blooms will be more difficult to cancel at short notice.
20. What is your timeline for making my flower arrangements?
You don't want your flowers too early or too late. Find out the schedule from the florist to be sure it will be done on time and in full bloom. This information will also help you in knowing when to plan RSVP deadlines as table flower amounts will vary depending on how many guests are attending.
21. Do you provide a tossing bouquet?
If so is there an extra charge for this?
22. What will happen if you are ill?
This is a question that is appropriate to ask if you are dealing with a florist that does not have a team to fall back on.
23.Will you provide samples of my flowers?
Some florists will give you a sample of your bouquet. This is a great feature and gives you a tangible example for planning your flowers. Do expect to pay a fee for any extra work the florist is doing for you.
24.Do you offer a discount if I go above a specific amount?
This may be worth asking if you are placing a particularly large order, for all you know by upgrading or having a few extra things, you could actually save money with a discount.
 25. What are the arrangements for returning any equipment?
Not many florists will want to hang around until midnight to dismantle your arrangements and remove equipment, so make sure you confirm collection times. There is a possibility you will have to arrange to return vases or equipment yourself.
26. How long before the wedding will the order be confirmed?
Most florists will want the order confirmed six weeks before the big day.
27.How do you set fees?
Some florists charge by the stem, by the arrangement or by the project. It is a good idea to find out prices for individual aspects of your arrangements - Bridal bouquet, bridesmaids' bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, swags, potted plants, etc. Having individual figures for these pieces will give you a basis do to some comparison shopping. Payment methods vary, so discuss details with your florist. Most require a deposit, with the remainder due a week before the big day.
28. What are your deposit requirements?
Most florists will probably require a deposit of 20% to 50% . This is normal and will help you budget accordingly.
29.What are the terms and conditions?
Payment methods vary, so discuss details with your florist. Most require a deposit, with the remainder due a week before the big day. Also ask if there is anything else to be taken into consideration.
30. Do you provide instructions on preserving the bridal bouquet?
This is important if you want to save your flowers. |
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