Wedding flowers are one of the crucial parts of your big day. Besides adding visual interest, they represent renewal, development, and expansion.
And after the cuisine and the dress, the wedding flowers will be one of the things people talk about the most.
Flowers not only fill a room with a sense of romanticism but also show that your wedding day is one of joy and celebration, making them one of the most visually striking parts of your wedding.
Flora adapt to their surroundings. How much money you spend on flowers will determine how your attendees feel about the event.
Flowers are the lifeblood of any party, and they can set the mood you're striving for, whether it's romantic, contemporary, whimsical, rustic, or something else entirely.
An unsatisfactory florist may turn your dream wedding into a nightmare. Looking for the ultimate Wedding Reception Venue in Melbourne? Look no further, Boutique Events Group is here.
Here's how to pick the right florist for your event.
How to Locate a Florist
There are a plethora of wedding planning websites that have vendor listings along with images, reviews, and basic price details. You might also look at photographs of actual weddings that were hosted in the same city; often the contact details of the florist who provided the arrangements will be provided as well. Schedule stops at three florists' shops, minimum. Check out the wares while you're there. Like the window displays at this store? Have you checked to see whether the flowers in the fridge are still looking good? How neat and well-maintained is the store?
Your florist, ideally, would be a seasoned pro who can show you several examples of bridal bouquets and wedding flower arrangements she has created in the past. It's important that the images are up-to-date and thorough, showing not just one fragrance but rather all the floral arrangements used at a certain event.
Try It Out!
Others start planning their wedding with nothing more than a ring on their finger, while others have always dreamed of their wedding day. Neither approach is inherently better or worse, but if you're just getting started, it's typically best to speak with individuals in the area. Do you live in the same general area as your married friends or coworkers? You should ask them for their advice. Once you've decided on a venue, it's a good idea to see if they have any recommendations for service providers they often work with.
The florists on that list will have a good sense of how to make the most of the available area while staying below your set budget
A Floral Designer Is Not a Florist and Vice Versa.
A floral designer is someone who has experience working with a variety of different vendors and can help you put together the best possible design.
A florist, on the other hand, is more likely to operate out of a storefront where customers may purchase bouquets and other floral arrangements individually.
A florist will do just fine if you only need a few modest items that can be picked up in advance (think: bouquets, boutonnieres, a small number of table arrangements).
However, if you want advice on how to activate a room or bring a concept to life and incorporate larger pieces that need to be produced on-site, such as floral arches or floral chandeliers, then you will likely require the services of a floral designer.
Create Your Own Floral Look
While some florists excel in creating contemporary, minimalist arrangements, others are known for their expertise in creating grand, rich, grandiose centrepieces.
You may figure out your personal taste in floral arrangements by looking at pictures of bouquets and table centrepieces online.
Learn some popular florist jargon so you can communicate effectively with your flower vendor.
Establish Your Floral Requirements
Do you want someone to assist in the planning of your wedding, as well as the design of the aesthetics of the ceremony aisle and reception tables?
The field of floral design may suit you better. Know how to make a plan or have an eye for design? If so, a standard florist should be sufficient.
Sort out which one is the greatest match; doing so will help you focus your search and set a reasonable price.
Harmonize Your Personal Taste.
People who work in the floral design industry tend to be imaginative.
They're in the profession because they like creating art, but everyone has a different idea of what constitutes beauty.
If you want the best outcomes, think like a square peg while choosing a vendor instead of a round one. If you want airy, unstructured aesthetics, you shouldn't select a designer whose previous work is all in strict, conventional styles.
Attempting to find a middle ground would usually result in a "compromise" that disappoints both parties, which is the last thing anyone wants on their wedding day.
Establish a Floral Spending Plan
Spend no more than 10% of your total on floral arrangements and decorations.
This amount should be increased if you have a lot of guests, want a lavish arrangement, or need peonies in November.
Think about things like tax, gratuities, and setup/breakdown fees. Having a target budget in mind is essential when contacting potential florists.
Discuss Financial Plan.
When choosing a florist, it's important to find one whose rates are within your price range.
The price of floral arrangements depends on a number of variables, such as the number of expected guests, the type of flowers to be used, the time of year, and the florist's availability, among others.
That's why you seldom see a designer's rates advertised: it's nearly hard for them to be standard across the board.
Ten percent of the total budget is a good place to begin in order to get a sense of where you could end up.
For a more rich appearance, or if you want to use out-of-season flowers or make a bold first impression with your arrangement, increase this percentage to 15–20%.
Give that to the florist along with the headcount and a list of must-haves. From there, they will be able to provide you an accurate assessment of what they can do within the allotted budget.
Instagram isn't your only option.
When you find a florist whose aesthetic you enjoy, it's time to learn more about them.
While an Instagram grid may serve as a wonderful inspiration source, it is generally dominated by a designer's hand-picked highlights and throwaways from staged photographs, neither of which really represent what can be accomplished while working with a limited budget.
To quickly peek into a less edited version of a vendor's work and get a fuller idea of who they are, have a look at their "tagged" photographs instead.
Looking through all of the wedding photos they have taken is the next step.
If a vendor's bouquet particularly impressed you, this is a good way to see how their aesthetic is implemented elsewhere in a wedding.
You'll have a better idea of what they can do at various price points after reading this.
Inquire further.
It's not only about the money; there are also a few details to iron out. Do you know the vendor's average number of weddings every weekend?
Is someone from their staff going to be present to supervise the setup for your event, or will they be there themselves? Just who exactly is in charge of the tidying up?
A professional designer should be able to address your questions in advance. If you haven't already done so, now is a good opportunity to discuss how you'd like to share updates and input on the project's direction.
You won't need to be in perfect harmony with your florist, as you would with your wedding planner, because you won't be dealing with them as frequently.
However, it will be much easier to ensure that both parties are happy with the outcome if their expectations are well-defined and mutually agreed upon.
Take the time to read the feedback they've left.
Don't base your decisions only on their opinions, but use them as a gauge.
Reviews are a helpful resource, but they shouldn't be the only one you use. Often, they don't provide an accurate representation of the quality of a person's work.
It's easy to draw conclusions from a sample of evaluations, and it's wise to avoid a vendor with mostly unfavourable feedback. However, how should you respond to the rare instance of a dissatisfied customer among many positive ones?
The recommendation from us is: Just ask the supplier how they handled those circumstances. They wouldn't be at a loss for words if they were right. But if they're nervous about it, it might be a warning sign.
Think about the long-term effects of your actions.
One of the biggest sources of waste on the big day is the flowers and the food. Choosing an eco-friendly florist requires careful consideration of a few extra factors.
The greatest option would be to hire someone who mostly uses flowers produced in the area, but if it isn't possible, there are still methods to reduce the environmental impact.
Find out if they compost their spent flowers, and if so, how they do it, as well as what materials they utilise in their designs.
Floral foam tends to be a one-and-done item, but chicken wire and floral frogs can be used several times. Additionally, you can enquire about giving the flowers once the event has concluded.
Talk About It, Please
The florist will need to see a sample of the bridesmaid dresses, pictures of bouquets and arrangements you like from publications, the container you want to use, and any other suggestions you may have.
Make a board on Pinterest with all of your prefered arrangements for the wedding and provide the vendor the link before you meet. Verify if the florist is open to your suggestions and can implement your desired look.
If the florist seems to be trying to steer you in a different way or is critical of your selections, you should go elsewhere.
This is someone you can trust completely. You could also ask whether they think your proposed budget is reasonable in light of your proposed strategies.
Obtain Recommendations
You should find a florist who fits your needs and budget, just like you would any other wedding professional.
You should also select someone who is receptive to your ideas and whose judgement you value. Asking recently married friends and family for referrals, doing some internet research, and perusing bridal publications are all great methods to locate a florist in your area.
Wedding planners and vendor coordinators often have relationships with local experts and can recommend their services. Looking for a Wedding Event Planner? Look no further, Boutique Events Group have you covered.
Set Up a Meeting
Find a reliable florist, preferably one with an innate sense of what colours and shapes go well together.
You should schedule meetings with your "shortlist" of florists 9–11 months in advance to get to know them and see examples of their work.
Don't Tell, the TV series.
Tell me, buddy, are you a genuine minimalist? Is a lavish, extravagant wedding more your style? You can't expect your florist to read your mind, and pictures always speak louder than words.
You should bring a picture of your wedding dress, a fabric sample from your bridesmaids' dresses, and a board with your wedding inspiration ideas to the interviews. Communicate your goals and talk about how much money you have available.
Give This Plan Some Thought
Once you've narrowed down your options, schedule a second interview or follow-up conversation to go over specifics like flower varieties, supplies needed, and labour charges.
Has each florist provided you with a comprehensive proposal for your wedding based on your stated preferences and available funds?
Ask for a "high" best-case scenario and a "low" bare-bones proposal if you've discussed many alternative ideas with them.
A package in the middle price range can be created by customising individual elements, such as increasing your investment in centrepieces while decreasing the size of the bridesmaids' bouquets.
Choose the victor
Analyze the submitted bids and pick the best one. Talk to your prefered florist now if you have any questions or reservations regarding the proposal's price or details. If you accept the proposition, your florist will write out a legally binding agreement. Five to six months before the big day, you should start looking for a florist.
When to Book Your Wedding Florist
The ideal time to begin discussing floral arrangements with your florist is six to eight months prior to the wedding, with the contract being signed four to six months before the ceremony.
Before your florist can draught a formal contract, you'll need to settle on the following details.
- The location where the ceremony will take place must be reserved, and you must determine in advance how many floral arrangements will be required for decoration. Is a chuppah and/or a garland required? Do you intend to embellish the aisle?
- Booking the reception location is essential, as is knowing the dominant colours of the venue (so the flowers don't clash) and the areas outside of the guest tables that you plan to decorate (coat check, restrooms, entryway, etc.).
- List of Invitees: Figuring out how many centrepieces to order requires knowing about how many guests will be attending the wedding. (Most circular tables may accommodate eight, ten, or twelve persons, but rectangular tables are usually set for eight).
- Corsages (for mothers, grandparents, and occasionally readings or other distinguished visitors), boutonnieres (for males), and the number of bridesmaids (and their dress colours) are all part of the wedding party (for the groom, groomsmen, ushers, and sometimes readers or other special guests).
- How about the after-wedding luncheon and the rehearsal dinner? Do you need flowers for them, too?
What to Ask the Florist for Your Wedding
You should ask your florist a few questions once you've met them and looked at their recent work to make sure your aesthetics are compatible. A few of the most sought-after choices are:
- In other words, how do you approach design? Which do you prefer, contemporary setups or classic ones?
- Do you want to be the one to set up my flower arrangement?
- How many other weddings/events will you be planning/hosting the weekend of my event?
- When is my wedding and what flowers will be in season and less expensive? Tell me how I can get the most out of my money.
- I need your help planning my wedding, what creative suggestions do you have? Tell me about the best plans you've made for weddings in the past.
- May I please get a chance to show you a picture of my centrepiece and bouquet?
- Are you able to bring my flowers to me and arrange them? How long do you usually stay at a place to get everything ready? Is there a fee for shipping and/or installation?
- Can the flowers from the ceremony be used during the reception as well? Can you take them somewhere, or will we have to? Do you charge for transportation?
- How much more will I have to pay? Are there any other fees I should be aware of?
- Do you have vases, urns, candelabras, and potted plants for hire, or do I need to find an other rental company?
- How long do I have to make changes to my wedding bouquet or other arrangements?
- Could you put together a detailed quotation of our conversation?
- When should I send in my money to secure your services? When making a deposit, what is the bare minimum I must pay?
Do you need any further items?
Finding a florist who meets your needs is much easier if you know exactly what extras you'll want.
For maximum convenience, it's best if your florist can handle all of your needs in an one location.
Petals for the send-off, corsages for honoured guests like readers and grandmothers, and small floral arrangements to make the venue's restrooms look elegant are just a few examples of how you can get more mileage out of your florist beyond the standard trappings of centrepieces and the bride's bouquet.
A skilled florist, however, should not limit themselves to just floral arrangements.
Candles, furniture, decorations, and tableware should all create a striking individual statement.Check out our list of Wedding Florists to help you select the perfect blooms.
Working with a single, multitalented floral designer makes for a more unified look and less stress during wedding preparation.
Conclusion
How much money you spend on flowers will determine how your attendees feel about the event. An unsatisfactory florist may turn your dream wedding into a nightmare. Boutique Events Group is here to help you pick the right flower arranger for your big day. A floral designer is someone who has experience working with a variety of different vendors and can help you put together the best possible design. Some florists excel in creating contemporary, minimalist arrangements, while others are known for their expertise in creating grand, rich, grandiose centrepieces.
When choosing a florist, it's important to find one whose rates are within your price range. If you want airy, unstructured aesthetics, you shouldn't select a designer whose previous work is all in strict, conventional styles. Having a target budget in mind is essential when contacting potential florists. Here are some tips on how to make sure both parties are happy with the outcome. Ask for a "high" best-case scenario and a "low" bare-bones proposal.
If you accept the proposition, your florist will write out a legally binding agreement. Figuring out how many centrepieces to order requires knowing about how many guests will be attending. If you're looking for a florist, it's important to be clear and specific about what you want from a professional, so you can get the most out of your money.
Content Summary
- Wedding flowers are one of the crucial parts of your big day.
- How much money you spend on flowers will determine how your attendees feel about the event.
- An unsatisfactory florist may turn your dream wedding into a nightmare.
- Looking for the ultimate Wedding Reception Venue in Melbourne?
- Check out the wares while you're there.
- A floral designer is someone who has experience working with a variety of different vendors and can help you put together the best possible design.
- You may figure out your personal taste in floral arrangements by looking at pictures of bouquets and table centrepieces online.
- Learn some popular florist jargon so you can communicate effectively with your flower vendor.
- Establish Your Floral RequirementsDo you want someone to assist in the planning of your wedding, as well as the design of the aesthetics of the ceremony aisle and reception tables?The field of floral design may suit you better.
- Know how to make a plan or have an eye for design?
- If so, a standard florist should be sufficient.
- People who work in the floral design industry tend to be imaginative.
- Spend no more than 10% of your total on floral arrangements and decorations.
- Having a target budget in mind is essential when contacting potential florists.
- When choosing a florist, it's important to find one whose rates are within your price range.
- Instagram isn't your only option.
- When you find a florist whose aesthetic you enjoy, it's time to learn more about them.
- Looking through all of the wedding photos they have taken is the next step.
- Is someone from their staff going to be present to supervise the setup for your event, or will they be there themselves?
- Just who exactly is in charge of the tidying up?A professional designer should be able to address your questions in advance.
- If you haven't already done so, now is a good opportunity to discuss how you'd like to share updates and input on the project's direction.
- You won't need to be in perfect harmony with your florist, as you would with your wedding planner, because you won't be dealing with them as frequently.
- Take the time to read the feedback they've left.
- Think about the long-term effects of your actions.
- One of the biggest sources of waste on the big day is the flowers and the food.
- Choosing an eco-friendly florist requires careful consideration of a few extra factors.
- Make a board on Pinterest with all of your prefered arrangements for the wedding and provide the vendor the link before you meet.
- Verify if the florist is open to your suggestions and can implement your desired look.
- Obtain RecommendationsYou should find a florist who fits your needs and budget, just like you would any other wedding professional.
- Set Up a MeetingFind a reliable florist, preferably one with an innate sense of what colours and shapes go well together.
- You should bring a picture of your wedding dress, a fabric sample from your bridesmaids' dresses, and a board with your wedding inspiration ideas to the interviews.
- Has each florist provided you with a comprehensive proposal for your wedding based on your stated preferences and available funds?Ask for a "high" best-case scenario and a "low" bare-bones proposal if you've discussed many alternative ideas with them.
- Talk to your prefered florist now if you have any questions or reservations regarding the proposal's price or details.
- Five to six months before the big day, you should start looking for a florist.
- When to Book Your Wedding FloristThe ideal time to begin discussing floral arrangements with your florist is six to eight months prior to the wedding, with the contract being signed four to six months before the ceremony.
- Before your florist can draught a formal contract, you'll need to settle on the following details.
- The location where the ceremony will take place must be reserved, and you must determine in advance how many floral arrangements will be required for decoration.
- Do you need flowers for them, too?What to Ask the Florist for Your WeddingYou should ask your florist a few questions once you've met them and looked at their recent work to make sure your aesthetics are compatible.
- Tell me about the best plans you've made for weddings in the past.
- Is there a fee for shipping and/or installation?Can the flowers from the ceremony be used during the reception as well?
- For maximum convenience, it's best if your florist can handle all of your needs in an one location.
- A skilled florist, however, should not limit themselves to just floral arrangements.
- Check out our list of Wedding Florists to help you select the perfect blooms.
- Working with a single, multitalented floral designer makes for a more unified look and less stress during wedding preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florist
New South Wales couples are willing to fork out the most for their floral arrangements, sitting at an average of $1,710 for their wedding flowers. Western Australian and South Australian couples are willing to pay a similar amount - $1,465 and $1,420 respectively.
According to our friends at Weddingwire.com, the average cost of wedding flowers in the U.S. is around $1,500 for small to medium size weddings and up to $5,000+ for large weddings. Whatever your wedding budget is, it is safe to start with 8-10% of your total budget dedicated to the florals.
DIY Flowers Are Budget-Friendly. You Can Save on the Labor Costs of Hiring a Florist! One of the major draws of DIY wedding flowers is the cost-effectiveness. It definitely saves money on a wedding florist when you end up designing your own floral arrangements!
Most couples spend between $1,800 and $7,000 on catering. Most caterers will include alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as part of their packages. The average cost per person for a wedding in the United States is $40 for a plated meal and $27 for a buffet. Adding an open bar typically ups the cost by $15 per person.
Your wedding florist will make your wedding day even more beautiful by providing gorgeous floral arrangements. Depending on your style and needs, your wedding flowers cost will vary, but the average cost of wedding flowers in the U.S. is around $1,500 with most couples spending between $700 and $2,500.