Key Questions To Ask Your Wedding Florist

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task, and choosing the right florist is an important part of the process. To ensure you get the wedding flowers of your dreams, it's crucial to find a florist who understands your vision and has a similar design style. Before booking, you should ask potential florists several questions to ensure they are the right fit for your special day. These questions might include their availability, the types of flowers and arrangements they recommend, their design style, and whether they can provide additional decor items. It's also important to discuss the logistics, such as setup times and any additional fees, to ensure a smooth process. By asking these questions upfront, you can feel confident that your florist will help bring your wedding dreams to life.

Ask about their design style and whether they understand your vision

When planning a wedding, it's important to find a florist who understands your vision and can execute it with their design style. This means doing some research before interviewing floral artists by visiting the websites or shops of vendors you're considering. You want to know that whoever you hire can create bouquets and arrangements that suit your style.

Before you sign a contract, it's important to meet your potential florist in person or via video call. During this initial consultation, you can ask them about their design style and whether they understand your vision. For example, you can ask them to describe their design style (e.g., traditional, modern, rustic, organic, ikebana, trendy, European, or romantic). You can also ask if they've worked with your ceremony and reception location(s) before and if they're familiar with the sites. If not, you can offer to do a venue walk-through before the wedding date.

Additionally, you can ask the florist about specific flowers or bouquets that you're interested in and whether they can recreate them. You can also provide them with pictures of your dress or suit, as well as swatches or photos of the wedding party's attire, the linens you'll be using, and your venue to help them understand your vision. It's also a good idea to ask about vase options and whether they can provide additional decor items, such as candle holders, backdrops, fabric draping, lanterns, or lounge furniture.

Remember, finding a florist who understands your vision and has a similar design style is crucial to making your wedding dreams come true.

Discuss the types of flowers and arrangements you want

When planning a wedding, it is important to discuss the types of flowers and arrangements you want with your florist. This will help ensure that your vision for your special day is brought to life. Here are some things to keep in mind when discussing flower types and arrangements:

Flower Types

The type of flowers you choose will depend on your personal preferences, the season, your budget, and the overall theme or colour palette of your wedding. For example, do you prefer roses or peonies? Wildflowers or greenery? Are you focused on neutrals or bold colours? Do you want organic, pesticide-free, or sustainably grown flowers? It is also important to consider the availability of certain flowers during your wedding season. Your florist will be able to make recommendations based on these factors and let you know if your desired flowers are available during your wedding season.

Flower Arrangements

There are several types of flower arrangements that you may want for your wedding, including bouquets, boutonnieres, centrepieces, and ceremony or reception decorations. Consider whether you want fresh flowers or preserved flowers, which can be more expensive but last longer. Discuss the size and quantity of your arrangements, as well as the height and placement of centrepieces. If you are using flowers as your main source of decor, you may need more arrangements, but if you are looking to save money, you can pick a venue that already has plenty of natural flowers.

Design and Creativity

Your florist should be able to create designs that complement your wedding attire, linens, and venue. They can also provide suggestions based on current wedding trends and your budget. Be open to their suggestions, as they are the experts and may have ideas that you haven't considered. Discuss the level of creativity and customisation you are looking for, whether you want simple and traditional arrangements or something more unique and modern.

Logistics and Communication

In addition to the creative aspects, don't forget to discuss the logistics and communication surrounding your flower arrangements. Ask your florist how far in advance they will create the bouquets and arrangements, how they will be stored, and how they will be delivered and set up on the day of your wedding. Finalise the booking timeline and methods of communication to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Inquire about their experience with your venue and familiarity with the sites

When planning a wedding, it is important to ask your florist about their experience with your venue and their familiarity with the sites. This will ensure that they can create floral designs that complement the existing aesthetics of the ceremony and reception locations. Here are some ways to inquire about their experience and familiarity:

Ask about their prior experience with the venues:

Find out if the florist has previously worked at your ceremony and reception locations. If they have experience with your specific venues, they may already be familiar with the layout, lighting, and any unique features or challenges of the spaces. This can help them create floral designs that enhance the overall atmosphere and impact of the wedding.

Discuss their familiarity with the sites:

Even if the florist hasn't worked at your exact venues before, inquire about their general knowledge of the sites. They may have worked at similar venues or be familiar with the local area. Ask if they are aware of any potential challenges or advantages the sites may present for floral design and decoration.

Request a venue walk-through:

Suggest doing a walk-through of the venues with the florist before the wedding date. This will allow them to visualize the spaces, take measurements, and better understand the scope of the floral decorations required. During the walk-through, they can also identify any unique features, such as archways or statement walls, that can be accentuated with floral installations.

Discuss your vision for the venues:

Share your wedding style, theme, and any specific floral ideas you have for each venue. Ask the florist how they plan to bring your vision to life within the context of the ceremony and reception spaces. This will help you understand their creativity and problem-solving skills in relation to the specific sites.

Inquire about their collaboration with other vendors:

Ask the florist if they are willing to collaborate with your cake designer or other vendors to incorporate flowers into other aspects of your wedding. For example, they may need to work with your cake designer to add flowers to your wedding cake or with your wedding planner to ensure the flowers complement any non-floral decorations.

Remember, the florist's experience and familiarity with your venues will help ensure a seamless and well-coordinated wedding day. Their ability to understand and work with the unique characteristics of the sites will contribute to the overall success of the floral designs and decorations.

Understand their process, including timing, setup, and any additional fees

Understanding the florist's process, including timing, setup, and any additional fees, is crucial for a stress-free wedding experience. Here are some essential questions to ask in this regard:

Timing

Ask about the florist's availability and how far in advance they will create the bouquets and arrangements. Inquire about their setup timing on the wedding day, including the time they will arrive to deliver personal flowers and set up the ceremony and reception arrangements. It is also important to know how long the setup will take to ensure everything is ready before the wedding begins.

Setup

Discuss the setup process in detail, including any additional services or items they will provide. For example, ask if they will work with your cake designer to add flowers to your wedding cake and if there is an extra fee for this. Inquire about other décor elements they can provide, such as vases, candle holders, backdrops, fabric draping, lanterns, or lounge furniture.

Additional Fees

Clarify all potential fees to avoid unexpected costs. Ask if there is an extra charge for staying throughout the ceremony to move arrangements to the reception site. Inquire about price differences between various flower types and arrangements, such as single-type flowers versus mixed bouquets. Also, understand their payment policies, including any minimum spend requirements.

Communication and Logistics

Establish clear communication channels and expectations. Discuss how soon you need to finalize the booking and the methods of communication throughout the process. Understand who will handle communication with other stakeholders, such as the venue, to ensure smooth coordination.

Backup Plans

Ask about their backup plans in case of any unforeseen circumstances. For example, inquire about their plans if they need to overrun on the day or if they have a backup option if they cannot deliver your flowers due to an emergency.

Remember, understanding the florist's process and logistics is crucial to ensure a seamless and well-coordinated wedding experience.

Discuss eco-friendly options and additional decor items they can provide

Ask your florist about eco-friendly flower options, such as locally-grown, in-season flowers, which support natural growth cycles and reduce the need for energy-intensive methods or long-distance transportation. You could also consider using dried flowers, wildflowers, or potted plants as centrepieces, which can be given away as favours after your wedding. If you're set on a specific type of flower, ask your florist about organic, pesticide-free, or sustainably-grown varieties.

Floral foam, a lightweight foam block used by florists to keep flowers in place, is made from plastic and breaks down into microplastics that can stay in the environment for centuries. Ask your florist about alternatives to floral foam, such as using curly willow to create a nest for your flower arrangements.

In addition to flowers, florists can often provide other decorative items such as vases, table runners, backdrops, mirrors, lanterns, and candle holders. Ask your florist about the types of vases they suggest, and whether these are available to rent or if you get to keep them. You could also ask about any additional decor items they can provide, such as an aisle runner, candelabras, trees, or votives.

Frequently asked questions