Choosing a Florist

When choosing a florist for an event, it is possible to pick a great vendor in several different ways.  Personally, my best advice for choosing a florist is by word of mouth recommendation from trusted friends and family members.  As Chris and I were looking for a florist for our upcoming wedding, we asked around to trusted friends and family for florist recommendations, and we also scoured the internet heavily to supplement our search.

Before even speaking with a florist, it is a wise idea to have a compilation of several photos or images of floral ideas to discuss at such a meeting.  Using websites such as Flickr and Pinterest, along with wedding blogs and wedding websites can make finding inspiration for your event flowers an easy task.  If you know that you want to have certain colors of flowers in the arrangements and bouquets at your wedding, you can begin to have sample ideas to show your prospective florist.  That way, they can begin to discern the direction in which they should take your ideas.  Keeping notes early will save you the trouble of scrambling to gather ideas right before meeting with florists.

If you have swatches of fabric from bridesmaid dresses, this is another helpful item to bring to a meeting with a florist.  The same goes for pictures of your dress, venue, and other decorations that you are hoping to include on the special day.

Having a firm grasp on your wedding budget is essential to ensuring that you are making a good choice with a florist as well.  If you are able to discuss a budget with the florist, then there will be a clearer picture of what floral services they can provide for you, depending on the flowers and quantity of pieces you need made.

Be prepared to wait at least one week after meeting with a florist to receive an estimated cost for their services.  Following up with all florists you interview is good manners and allows the florist to book another client in your stead.  Good manners and transparency matter in hiring vendors!

Some good questions to ask your florist:

• How many event/wedding clients do you serve per day?  Per month?
• Are the flowers I want in season at the time that I want them?  Is there a similar alternative to what I want if they are not in season?
• What is your contract policy?
• What is the amount due for a deposit on services?
• Is there a delivery fee for transport of florals to the event site?

And always, trust your gut when it comes to choosing any professional to work with!  If you feel that you are receiving top notch service from the vendor, and that the vendor is ready to work with you in a positive manner, then this is a good indicator of the vigor with which they will approach your event.  A good rapport is crucial to a positive working relationship.

My goal is to bring a positive and stress-free experience to any client that I am fortunate to take on.  I am ready to work hard to make your event beautiful and fun, and I cannot wait to work with you to make the beauty happen!

Love and Light,

Alyssa