It would help to choose a florist who you feel comfortable with, understands your vision, is experienced enough to create what you’re looking for, and fits well within your budget. Word-of-mouth records from other brides are a great place to start, but you can also ask your venue for a list of their recommended designers. For professional expertise, contact Wedding Florist Dallas.
Your floral budget is essential in determining the style and scope of your wedding flowers. Start by discussing your vision and budget with each potential florist during an initial interview or consultation, so they have a good sense of what you’re looking for. Bring a Pinterest board or other visuals of the floral designs you love as well as fabric swatches and photographs of your dress or bridesmaids’ dresses to help them get an idea of your aesthetic. Ask each florist to provide you with a “high” best-case scenario and a “low” bare minimum proposal for your floral design so you can compare options and costs.
There are many factors that go into a wedding florist’s pricing, including their labor costs, delivery fees (including fuel surcharges), and the cost of the flowers themselves. For this reason, it’s difficult to put a general price on wedding florals. As a rule of thumb, most couples set their budgets around 10 percent of their total wedding expenses for flowers, but every budget is different.
The types of flowers you choose, your guest count, and the complexity and quantity of arrangements also impact how much you’ll spend on florals. For example, a bridesmaid bouquet that’s more elaborate will be more expensive than a simpler arrangement. Similarly, large floral towers are more costly than smaller centerpieces.
Another factor to consider is the cost of materials and rentals. This includes the cost of the flowers themselves (typically based on their season), the containers in which they’re placed (including votive holders, vases, taper holders, and candelabras), and any additional equipment needed to transport or store them, such as carts and rolling racks.
Keeping track of your budget is crucial, and one way to do that is by using a wedding planning app like Zola. It will automatically keep track of your payments and give you helpful tips on staying within your budget.
Style
When selecting a florist, you want to make sure that their style aligns with your aesthetic. Look at their website and social media accounts for a more comprehensive view of their work. You should find a mix of photos – from professionally-styled wedding shoots to actual weddings – and arrangements that showcase their talent and skill level. Pay attention to whether or not the flowers are paired with coordinating backdrops and linens, as this can help you gauge the quality of their work.
It’s also a good idea to see if the wedding floral designer can provide other decor items, such as vases, table runners and lanterns. This way, you can avoid having to work with multiple vendors and ensure that your floral vision is fully realized for your big day.
Many florists have a signature style that they’re known for. This is a good thing to keep in mind, because they’ve likely perfected their craft over time and have an eye for what looks best together. Look at their websites, Facebook and Instagram pages to get a feel for what they offer. If their design aesthetic is a good fit for your vision, this could be a great partnership.
Once you’ve found a florist whose work you love, it’s a good idea to reach out for a consultation. This gives you the chance to discuss your ideas for your big day and allows them to understand what you’re looking for in a floral partner.
This is a great opportunity to ask the florist any questions you have, from pricing to delivery and set-up options. You should also bring up any specific flowers that you’re interested in and ask the florist if they can accommodate them.
Some florists may also offer packages that are slightly different from their standard offerings. For example, they might offer a simple package that includes only worn flowers and doesn’t include centerpieces or other decorative elements. These packages are often a good choice for couples who are planning a smaller wedding or an elopement. They can also help those who are working within a tight budget, as they’ll save on costs by eliminating unnecessary floral elements.
Venue
It’s important to find a florist who has experience working at your venue, especially if your wedding will be held at a hotel or event space. This can help streamline the setup process on your day and ensure that they have a good understanding of your space’s layout, lighting and how flowers will look within it. It’s also a good idea to ask how they typically handle large, elaborate floral installations, especially in terms of logistics like labor, delivery, and pickup.
Another question that Strong recommends asking is how a florist handles last minute changes or unexpected requests, as this could impact your budget and timeline. “It’s also a good idea to discuss your floral vision and expectations with your florist before signing on the dotted line, so they can provide you with an accurate estimate of what will be possible given your budget and timeline,” she says.
Many couples start reaching out to wedding vendors without having a date in mind, but it’s best to wait until you have booked your ceremony and reception sites before finding a florist. This is because most skilled specialists get booked quickly and will be unable to accommodate your needs if they are already reserved for your chosen date.
When you are ready to start the search, make sure to book an appointment with any florists whose work resonates with you. This allows you to fully discuss the details of your vision and allows the designer to create a proposal that is tailored to your specific preferences.
During the appointment, be prepared to bring your Pinterest board, a bridesmaid dress fabric swatch and photos of other elements that inspire you, such as tablescapes or centerpieces. This will help the florist understand what aesthetic you are going for and be able to offer suggestions that can either elevate your vision or bring it back down to earth for a realistic wedding budget. In addition, it’s a good idea to bring any flowers you have in mind for your bouquet, boutonnieres and centerpieces so that the florist can show you what they will be able to achieve with those selections.
Personality
A good wedding florist is an artist who can take your ideas and turn them into a reality. They will also be able to offer suggestions to help make your vision even better than you imagined it. They can also work within your budget and timeline, so be honest with them about what you want from the start of your planning process.
Ask your potential florist for photos of past events and how they have achieved the look you want for your wedding. Aside from these photos, a florist’s website and social media accounts will also provide clues to their style. Does their work evoke a romantic, lush feel? Or do they use a more minimalist approach to create a contemporary, modern vibe? If the florist’s design aesthetic matches your own, you’ll likely have a great fit.
Kaytee Stice, owner of Kentucky-based floral design company Roots Floral Design, agrees that a florist’s personality is an important consideration when hiring for a wedding. “It’s important to find someone that you can really communicate well with,” she says. “If you aren’t on the same page, it will be difficult to work together.”
Before your first meeting with a prospective florist, gather photos of wedding flowers that speak to you. These images can be as simple as pictures of bouquets you like from Pinterest or bridal magazines. Then, share these images with your potential florists along with a list of your flower goals and what you expect from them (and how much you are willing to spend).
You should also ask if they have any availability for your wedding date. Many florists are double- and triple-booked during a weekend, so it’s a good idea to book a consultation early.
In addition to booking an appointment with a florist, ask for referrals from wedding planners and venue representatives. These professionals can connect you with florists who have worked at their respective locations and are familiar with the space’s unique features. They can also tell you whether the florist works solo or has a team of experienced wedding floral designers who are familiar with the venue and can provide you with the best options for your specific event.
