Preparing for a Floral Appointment – Advice for Couples

I consulted with my friend Del of A Thing of Beauty by Del for this blog post! If you are looking for flowers for your wedding, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, funerals, and any other occasion, get in touch with her! Del serves the Toronto area!

Choosing your wedding-day flowers is an exciting part of the planning process. However, there are a few things you need to consider and know before you can finalize your blooms. There are no rules when it comes to choosing flowers for your wedding day – this is your day after all – but working with an experienced florist certainly helps as they will know how to turn your dream and vision into a reality within your budget and to suit the size of your wedding.

So, where do you start?

The Idea Phase

If you are planning to meet with a florist, chances are, you have already decided on a theme and colors for your wedding – this is where you should begin. Use your Pinterest or mood board/binder to create a list of flowers and botanicals you possibly want to use. If you don’t have much knowledge on flowers, don’t stress, simply take your mood board to your appointment. Another must for your appointment is a budget. Once your florist understands your budget, they can provide you with realistic suggestions. Before insisting on your budget, make sure you know what flowers and other wedding essentials cost versus what you believe they should cost.

Finding an Expert

Next, you need to find a reputable florist who understands your budget and is able to match your style. Start by asking your venue and other vendors for suggestions – most have their favourite florists they love to work (I do!) with knowing they are professional and reliable. Always read through a few reviews before you schedule an appointment so you know what other couples have experiences with all of your vendors.

It’s ok to not have specific ideas

There is no need to show up to your appointment with specific ideas for arrangements and centerpieces. Your florist is there to guide you. All you need is a general idea of what you are looking for such as colours, size, and general vibe of your wedding.

Limit the additional opinions

It’s natural to want to include people in the planning process but try to limit the number of people you bring to your appointment. When there are too many opinions floating around, it can be difficult to finalize anything. I know loved ones want to come along for the experience, but I say don’t include anyone you wouldn’t go to for advice as everyone at the appointment will have an opinion and we don’t want you being overwhelmed during your consultation.

Set an hour aside

Your first floral appointment shouldn’t be rushed, so aim to schedule an hour-long meeting with your florist. They should be asking you about your wedding style or them, colours, your vision and budget, as well as how tall you and your bridesmaids are. Why? Because you don’t want to be carrying a bouquet that is bigger than you, or one that looks teensie and the wrong size for you. They will also be able to make suggestions for alternate flowers if your choices won’t be in season or will be out of your budget. Be prepared to accept the vibe and feel you want while letting go of some of the flowers that could make your bouquets and centerpieces way beyond what you want or can afford to spend.

Confirm the final details

As you get closer to your wedding date, finalize when you can expect to see samples of your floral arrangements and the timeline for the day if this is something your florist does. This is something to ask about when you have your meeting with your florist. You also want to make sure you know what their payment and delivery policies are!

Don’t forget, you (if you are the bride) should not be your florist’s point of contact on the day of the wedding. You will be way too busy celebrating and getting ready to be fielding calls and answering questions. Anytime I have had to call ahead to a wedding I try everyone I can without having to call the bride. Create a contact list with phone numbers of your venue, parents, wedding party, and anyone else your vendors could contact should there be an issue on your wedding day (like being stuck in traffic or a flat tire!).

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