Florist

[Kacie_bride]

For those of you using a florist or for those of you that did I have a question. When did you start looking for a florist? I am planning on doing this after I get my invitations ordered which should be soon I hope. I know I want to talk to several and get different quotes and ideas. I would also like to see some pictures of their work. I have no idea what type of flowers I want really. I've thought of some, but I keep changing my mind. I think I need to see some examples and hear a professional opinion. So my question really is, should I do this now or do I have time to wait?

[WhiskeyGirl]

I woudl do this now. like everyone else, florists book up quickly. I booked our florist a year in advance and I was lucky to get her for our weekend. I would suggest six months to a year before the date, so that you may get the florist you want!! Unfortunately a young boy was killed where we used to live and a week before the wedding our florist was swamped with our wedding arrangements and the funeral of the boy, but she still managed to get it all taken care of! So like I said, book ahead!! Don't delay, book today! lol

[Jenn060306]

Definatly start talking to some florists soon esp. since your wedding is so close to the christmas holidays.
A good florist should be able to make suggestions based on your ideas for the wedding and should have plenty of photos of their work.

[LaceyinPgh]

Well it always helps to have an idea of what you might want in terms of bouquets (which will be in 99% of your pictures), church decorations, centerpieces, ect. Go to your local Barnes and Noble or Borders. There will be a whole section on wedding books with lots on flowers. Just flip through and see what you like. It will describe the bouquet and the flowers in it. What colors and/or themse is your wedding again. I have a HUGE flower folder. (I went crazy with flowers). I'll dig through and see if I can find some stuff.

It is ok to tell your florist you have a budget too. They have to know that so they can tell you if what you want is possible.

[LaceyinPgh]

I just relooked (is that a word?) through your journal. For some reason I forgot that your wedding was red and silver. So here is what I found flower wise. You don't have to like any of them, they are just to give you an idea of colors, flowers, and styles.
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW312
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW309
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW117
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW185
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW376
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW320
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW365
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW366
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW261
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW483
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW496
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW403
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW484
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW487
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW383
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW331
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW339
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW489
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/show.asp?product_id=TW05-2
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/show.asp?product_id=TW12-2
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/show.asp?product_id=TW24-2
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/show.asp?product_id=TW24-3
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/show.asp?product_id=TW28-1
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/show.asp?product_id=TW28-2
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/show.asp?product_id=TW28-3
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/show.asp?product_id=TW28-4
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/show.asp?product_id=TW33-3
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/show.asp?product_id=TW60-1
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/show.asp?product_id=TW60-2
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/show.asp?product_id=TW60-6
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/show.asp?product_id=TW61-4
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/show.asp?product_id=T089-08
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/show.asp?product_id=T097-01
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/show.asp?product_id=T091-02
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW332
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW333
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW369
http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/portfolio_detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=BW262

[Kacie_bride]

Oh Wow. Thanks guys. Thanks for all those links Lacey. After I type this I'll look through it. I had poinsettias in mind at one time as I'm sure you might have found in my journal, but I don't want them anymore. It started to remind me to much of an office holiday party.

[Kacie_bride]

I like this idea the best

http://www.bloomeryweddings.com/images/full/BW365lg.jpg


I think what I would like to do is have my bouquet in a very stricking red and then have all the bm with a scaled down version (of course) in a stricking white bouquet with some of the crystal stuff too. The flower girls have a wintery white basket and will be throwing snowflake petals instead of flower petals.

The groomesmen will be wearing black tuxes with red vests and ties. I think I would have them with red boutonniers. Justin will be wearing a black vest and a red tie. Maybe put him in a white boutonnier? I would also like the mother's to have red coursages.

[WhiskeyGirl]

I believe Jenn said that a good florist can help you bring out all your ideas and a good florist will have TONS (I know mine did) of books to look through to give you ideas, as well!! Good luck! :)

[WebLady]

Here is a little article I wrote about flowers/florists ...

When you are shopping for florists, consider bringing photos of your dress and the Bridesmaids dresses, along with fabric swatches if you have them. At the very least you should have an idea of what colors you like as well as they type of flower or flowers you may have a particular preference for. All this helps with flower selection and pricing options.

Have a budget in mind and don't be afraid to let the florist know what it is. It can also helpful to take a moment before the meeting to sit down and make a list of each member of the Bridal Party, Parents, Grandparents, special friends or relatives, and anyone else who is providing one service or another no charge. While it is certainly not necessary to give all of these people a flower, but it is a nice way of letting everyone know which people are playing an active part in making your day special. It is not customary to give flowers to anyone charging for their services (i.e.. florist, DJ, Photographer, Coordinator, etc.)

If while looking through bridal magazines and such, you come across a floral piece that you really like, show it to your florist, and ask if he/she can recreate it. As for what else to ask the florist ... Don't be afraid to ask a florist anything that you have concern about. If your ceremony is going to be held a good distance away from the florist, make sure they are willing to travel. Find out if he/she ever books more than one wedding in a weekend. If so, make sure they have adequate and experienced staff to handle the extra work. Ask about their experience, references, payment and cancellation/refund policies. Ask to see a portfolio or examples of their work and ask to speak to the designer that would be working on your wedding. If you have any questions that you think the florist should be able to answer, ask. The worst that will happen is you will find out that the person is not
right for you and that you need to look elsewhere.

More than anything, you should feel comfortable with your florist as you should with any one of the vendors you hire. There are probably a thousand different reasons to hire or not hire any one particular florist. Comfort level is a big one in my opinion. They could have all of the experience and references in the world with a portfolio to match and give you all the right answers to your questions, but if you're not comfortable with them, DON'T HIRE THEM!

By the same token, if he/she is a new florist with only a few references, but you get along well and he/she shows sincere interest in you and your wedding, being comfortable may be enough of a reason to hire them. Even still, make sure you get a written agreement or contract.

Never let a florist dictate to you what they will be doing for your wedding. If you like his/her style and want them to incorporate it into your wedding, great! It is even okay to ask for a recommendation on anything and/or everything. But make sure he/she is willing to accept your opinions and ideas and that you are getting what YOU want and not what they want you to have.

Best wishes!