Ready to begin thinking of your big-day decor? Choosing your wedding flowers, bouquet and centerpiece style can seem either super-easy (how can fresh flowers look anything other than gorgeous?) or overwhelmingly difficult (inspiration overload!). But if you begin the process armed with a few quick tips and tricks, you’ll have a dazzling decor scheme mapped out in no time. Here’s how to approach your first florist meeting, the question you have to ask at your venue, and how to instantly save money on your blooms. (Psst: Want more guidance? Reach out to our wedding experts at RiverCrest.)
DO: Beware of what you see online.
Fell in love with a creamsicle-hued anemone you saw on Pinterest? Be sure to show a picture to your florist or try to see the flower in person. The colors of bouquets and blooms in photos are sometimes subtly tweaked (or heavily Photoshopped), and you don’t want to get your heart set on a particular flower that might not exist in real (unfiltered) life.
DON’T: Schedule your initial florist consultation too early.
While it’s a good idea to start looking for your florist about a year before your wedding, you should nail down a few major wedding-day details before booking a consultation. Your meeting will be more productive and informative if you go in knowing your wedding date, venue, color scheme and overall budget.
Pro Tip: Flowers generally account for 10 to 15 percent of your total wedding budget.
DO: Ask your venue about any decor restrictions.
Many venues have decor restrictions, and you’ll want to pass these on to your florist. For instance, if you’re dreaming of a thousand twinkling votive candles at your reception, make sure your venue allows open flames. This extends to ceremony venues, too: Some churches don’t allow flower arrangements on the altar or affixed to pews.
DON’T: Forget that flowers are seasonal.
Sounds obvious, but choosing flowers that are in-season can drastically lower your costs, as sourcing and shipping fresh flowers from across the world can be prohibitively expensive. Talk to your florist about specific flowers you love; if your favorite is out-of-season, your florist can recommend similar-looking blooms. For instance, while peonies are only in season in early spring, ranunculus have a similarly soft, cloud-like look but are more readily available in winter and fall.
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