Florists play a huge role in bringing your wedding vision to life with beautiful floral arrangements. From stunning centerpieces and altar flowers to boutonnieres and bouquets, florists can transform your venue into a colorful, sensual, and romantic floral scape that will take your breath away. Before you begin picking out your favorite blooms, you need to find a floral designer who can share your vision and aesthetic and make your wedding flower dreams a reality. To help you in your search, the experts at Flora D’ Amore are listing the top 20 essential questions to ask your wedding florist.
1. Do you have my wedding date available?
If the florist you would like to hire is not available on your wedding date, you’ll need to move on to your second choice. Don’t get too attached to a particular florist until you know they are available.
2. Have you done events at my ceremony and/or reception location(s) before?
Talented florists can create magic in nearly any environment, and if they are familiar with your chosen venue, they may be able to suggest flowers and designs that work beautifully within that particular space. If not, reviewing your venue together is a great way to brainstorm ideas together and discuss your options.
3. How long have you been a floral designer, and how many weddings have you done?
If experience is important to you, then knowing that your florist has been in the business for many years will give you peace of mind. On the other hand, if you love supporting new designers or young florists who bring something new to the wedding industry, then this information can help you decide if a certain designer is right for your wedding.
4. What design styles (e.g., ikebana, traditional, modern, trendy, European, Oriental) do you work in?
This can be a very important question to ask your florist, especially if you have a very specific vision or are excited to explore a particular wedding style. If a floral designer excels at your desired aesthetic, then you can be sure that they will be a good fit.
5. Can you work with my budget? What recommendations can you give me to maximize my budget?
Florists are experts at working with a variety of budgets and can help stretch your personal budget as far as possible. Be honest about your desired price point and let the florist know your estimated guest count, flower style, and the number of people who will need personal flowers. This way, they can give you a proper quote that maximizes your budget.
6. What’s the latest date I can make changes to my order?
Make sure you note on your personal calendar when the final centerpiece counts are due and the deadline to make any changes to your design. Florists usually need 4-6 weeks before an event to order supplies, extra containers, decor, and flowers, so be sure to confirm these details with your designer.
7. Are cheaper or artificial flowers available?
Whether you want to tweak your design to add more cost-effective blooms or swap real flowers for faux flowers, your florist should be an expert in all forms of florals. Make sure that they can guide you down the best path to achieve the look and feel you want at an ideal price.
8. Do you offer specific packages or is everything customized?
Many florists offer packages with different price points to streamline the process of working with a lot of couples on their weddings. Final prices are dependent on any special requests you may have, but the packages give you a good idea of the final costs of flowers. Other florists may not offer packages but allow you to customize each detail of your wedding and select only the things you need the most. If this is the case, be sure that your florist can provide you with a quote before committing to their services.
9. What flowers are in season for the month I am getting married?
Florists are experts at knowing which popular blooms are available throughout the year. They can tell you the flowers that are in season for your event and recommendations for substituting your favorites that may not be available or in season.
10. Is there a difference in price if I use one type of flower vs. a mixed arrangement or bouquet?
Out-of-season blooms are always a bit pricier than in-season blooms, but your florist will have the knowledge of great substitute blooms or mixed varieties to fit within your budget and still provide you with the style you love.
11. If I request it, can you provide any organic, pesticide-free, or sustainably grown varieties?
Florists care about the environment, and many are already participating in sustainable floristry programs. Check with your florist for the costs and benefits of going this route, especially if this is something you and your finance feel strongly about.
12. What about coordinating boutonnières, bridesmaid flowers, and centerpieces?
Your florist will help you select brilliant styles for personal flowers and centerpieces, as well as suggest coordinating styles and blooms within your color theme for additional pieces. Since your florist will be creating all of the floral details and designs for your big day, you can ensure that everything will look cohesive and seamless.
13. What other services or products do you provide?
Some designers offer additional décor items such as table linens, aisle runners, candelabras, trees, arches, votives, chairs, etc. Be sure to ask if any of these products or services are included in your package or offered at an extra cost. It can be a great idea to rent these additional decor items and furniture from your florist and coordinate with one vendor who is already invested in bringing your wedding vision to life.
14. If I give you a picture of a bouquet and/or arrangement that I like, can you recreate it?
Some florists prefer that you bring in photos of a wedding design you like, share your wedding Pinterest board, or already have colors, theme, or style in mind. While not every florist will be willing to duplicate a bouquet or arrangement exactly, they can certainly create pieces that are similar and offer your desired style, look, feel, and content.
15. Do you have photos or live examples of florals designed in the style I want?
Florists will typically have photos on hand of the different styles, themes, and venues in their portfolios. Asking to see these pictures or browsing through their social media pages will give you a clear picture of their design style, expertise, and what they can do for you.
16. Can you do sketches or mock-ups of the arrangements you’ve described before I sign the contract? If so, is there an additional fee for this?
Seeing a mock-up design of your floral choices is a great way to adjust anything you don’t like and relay any fears you have about your design.
17. How much time is needed to set up the flowers at the venue?
Make sure to keep your florist looped in on ceremony and reception start times to ensure everything is set up properly and ready to go before you walk down the aisle. You will also want to coordinate with your venue on what time your florist can access the space to begin setting up.
18. Can you assist me in preserving my bouquet after the wedding? If not, can you recommend someone?
Your florist will likely have suggestions or even instructions for preserving your wedding bouquet, as well as associates you can contact who do this type of work professionally. Whether you want to dry your bridal bouquet or press it into a frame, your florist will be honored that you plan to keep and display this special piece of your wedding day.
19. Do you charge a delivery fee? Or do you have an extra charge for the setup and breakdown of the floral décor?
Some designers offer setup services, but not all of them include this in the price of your wedding flowers. It is crucial that you ask about your florist’s policy on setting up and breaking down before assuming it is included. Knowing exactly what to expect from your florist and other vendors will prevent any mix-ups and stress on your wedding day or when reviewing your final invoice.
20. What is your refund policy if I need to cancel my order?
In case anything unexpected happens, it is always good to review your florist’s refund and cancellation policy in advance. Canceling or postponing a wedding can be hard enough without the surprise of further invoices or charges from your wedding vendors.
Asking your florist and wedding designer these questions will ensure that you are not only well prepared to work with them but your wedding flowers will be spectacular and everything you have been dreaming of!