Choosing a florist might seem easy (pretty flowers and nice aesthetic? Hired!), but there are plenty of factors you need to consider before signing on the dotted line. After all, your florist is responsible for a significant part of your wedding’s overall decor, and they’ll most likely need to work closely with your venue to pull it all off. Here are seven questions to ask your wedding florist. We promise they’ll end up saving you time, money and headaches later on, so you can enjoy a stress-free wedding day — and maybe even stop and smell the roses while you’re at it.
1. Can I see a portfolio of your past work?
Don’t just zero in on specific flowers, but look at the overall feel of the florist’s work. Does the aesthetic match your venue and your wedding vision? For instance, if you’re looking for more traditionally formal arrangements for a ballroom wedding, it’s probably not worth meeting with a whimsical, wildflower-loving florist.
2. Can you work within my budget?
Most wedding florists can work within many price ranges, but it’s still helpful to get an idea of how they plan to achieve your vision on your budget. Some florists have more of an eye for subtle cost-cutting than others, and you want to be sure your flower arrangements look high-end and thoughtfully crafted even if your budget was on the smaller side.
3. Have you ever worked with our venue before?
If the answer is no, it’s not a deal-breaker, but you should ask if the florist will do a site visit with you. The bonus of hiring a florist who is already familiar with your venue is that he or she will have an idea of what type of arrangements look best in the space in terms of scope, placement and scale.
4.Will you work with our venue to deal with any decor or installation restrictions?
Many venues have restrictions on what sort of decor can be used in the space. For instance, some venues won’t allow candles with an open flame, or they restrict the installation of drapery or additional lighting. Unsurprisingly, it’s way easier when your vendors communicate directly with the venue, so you don’t have to play mediator.
5. Will you be working on multiple weddings the day and/or weekend of my wedding?
Some vendors can easily handle multiple weddings, but smaller outfits might have more difficulty with this juggling act. Get an idea of how much volume they’ve handled in the past and make sure you’re comfortable with it.
6. Will you deliver and set up, or just drop off arrangements at the site? And who is responsible for the breakdown and pickup after the wedding has ended?
These sorts of services can rack up the cost, but a full-service florist does help to keep things progressing smoothly and seamlessly on your wedding day. (Plus, no late-night scramble to corral all the vases to be delivered back to the florist!) Be sure to ask what is included, and if there are additional fees for things like set-up and breakdown.
7. What else can you provide?
Some florists go far beyond the blooms, providing things like candelabras, lanterns, and even linens, draping and chairs. If you need to rent these sorts of items anyway, it’s easier — and often more cost-efficient — to only have to go through one vendor.
Comments are closed.