This was just posted in my Examiner.com wedding column, but I wanted to share here as well!
Today we have the lovely Jennifer Hodgins of Branford Flower Shop in for her second visit to the blog {read her first post here} to provide us with some very helpful wedding flowers advice! Jennifer will be addressing the following for us: What do you wish couples knew before they ordered their flowers? What is your best piece of advice to someone looking to find wedding flowers?“
Tip #1 - Meet with the florist in person. It’s so important to find a florist you can trust and feel comfortable with. With everything the bride needs to consider for her wedding, dealing with a florist who’s offensive is the last thing she should have to experience.
Tip #2 - It’s OK for the bride not to have a clear understanding of what flowers she wants for her wedding. A good florist will be able to ask the right questions to determine the best flowers, colors, style based on the bride’s answers. If the bride feels she is being “told” what flowers to purchase, then she’s dealing with the wrong florist. The florist and bride need to be cohesive partners.
Tip #3 - As a florist, I welcome all pictures of what the bride likes, including color swatches. “A picture is worth a thousand words”. Bring is whatever you think helps convey your ideas.
Tip #4 - The couple needs to know what their flower budget is. This is so helpful to the florist who can then guide the couple to flowers within their budget, thus eliminating several renditions of the flower estimate.
Tip #5 - The bride needs to understand not all flowers are easily available on her wedding day. Out of season flowers can be much more expensive and will ultimately cut into her overall budget.
Tip #6 - Go online or talk to friends about their experiences with florists. Florists can be found in abundance online. Check out their websites, read the testimonials. Visit those that have designed flowers similar to what you like.
Tip #7 - Select a florist near the venue. This can save you money. Many florists charge delivery and setup fees which can mount up if the florist is located far from the site. However, having a good rapport with your florist who’s located further away may be worth the extra dollars. Weigh the options.
Tip #8 - If at all possible, start looking for your florist at least 8 months prior to your wedding.
Tip #8 - Don’t get married on a holiday, especially Valentine’s Day. The florist is extremely busy then and flower prices are higher.
Thank you Jennifer for joining us today!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for all the floral tips! I will be using all of this advice in a few months!
Love these tips! I totally agree with tip #4. It's also important to ask your florist if there are alternatives that look similar and are in-season or more cost-effective. Case in point, I love peonies. I wanted my bridesmaids to carry them, but my florist/DOC pointed out that garden roses are very similar and less expensive. So to save some dough, I'll carry peonies and my bridesmaids will carry garden roses. :)
This is great advice! I loved working with my florist, even if she was in California and I in Illinois! But she did a fantastic job of asking me questions when we met in person and showing me pictures of flowers she thought I would like. We definitely communicated well and therefore ended up with tear-enducing beautiful flowers.
Thanks this is really helpful!
I am really bad with flowers… I love them but I never seem to buy them… hoping it will be different in my new crib! :D
xxx
http://gypsy-diaries.blogspot.com/
P.S: I’m having a $100 designer dress giveaway! Come and join in on the fun! ;)
All great advice, especially #8. I had a client get married on Feb. 12 & I warned them that they would save on everything for a winter wedding EXCEPT the florist due to Valentine's Day. & wow, that floral bill was over the moon!!!
you like you are concentrating very hard. but also you look lovely, so it's all good :)