Things to consider when planning your wedding flowers
You’ve been looking forward to this bit haven’t you? Chances are you’ve done some research and seen lots of things you like but you haven’t met with a florist yet?
There are lots of things to consider and your florist will guide you through all of those choices (we’ve got the foolproof checklist) but there are a few things to think about so you can make the most of your appointment. Most of all, enjoy it! Planning your flowers should be a really fun part of the process.
Most people meet with their florist 6-8 months before their wedding but if you find a florist you love and trust and want on your team then absolutely book them as soon as you can to make sure you bag them before anyone else does.
WHAT YOU NEED
Make sure you’ve got your vital stats to hand for your meeting. Your florist will need to know; the date of your wedding, the location, the number of guests, the number of people in your bridal party and your estimate budget (usually 5-15% of your total budget.) Don’t worry if you have no clue what your ideas cost and if you'r budget is enough - you aren’t a florist and we expect you to have inaccurate expectations. A good florist will chat everything through with you so you get what you want and manage your budget.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
The style of your venue. Is it traditional, a blank canvas, does it have strong colours that need to be complimented? If you can bring any images of the venue for your florist to look at that will make their day! Some people want to make beautiful ceiling installations and some people want to let the building speak for itself. Decide what’s important to you.
Compliment your look. Your flowers are the finishing touch to your incredible outfits so you’ll want to think about what size and style will compliment your dress/suits best.
Seasonality. A pretty obvious consideration but potentially the most frustrating because we tend to fall in love with certain flowers and it’s very hard to accept we can’t have them if they simply aren’t available at that time of year. Don’t get caught out.
Flowers that mean something. Of course you can pick flowers that look amazing but it’s a very special thing to carry and be surrounded by flowers that have a secret meaning to you or your friends and family. You can do a little research or ask your florist about specific flowers and their meanings/associations.
How will they look in photographs? Think about where in your venues you’ll be papped and how much floral decoration is needed in those spaces. Do you want your flowers to stand out in your pictures like a ‘pop’ of colour or do you want them to compliment the decor and outfit more seamlessly?
Style and colours. If you can bring swatches or any colour references to your appointment that will really help your florist but at the very least you’ll need an idea of what your colours are going to be. Most people find Pinterest a really great resource to start their wedding research and decide what style they like. If you’re unsure or have a few things you like bring it all along to your appointment to discuss. Most of all, be open minded to new suggestions. Your florist has so much creativity and experience to offer so you’d be mad not to get their input on your ideas to develop them further and make them unique to you and your day.
What kind of florist are you looking for?
Honestly, I don’t envy you in this decision because there are A LOT of Florists out there and how are you to know which one will ‘get’ your vision and be trusted to pull it off beautifully on the day?
Short answer. It’s tough pal! My advice would be to just have a think about what’s most important to you. Do you want to go with a big name who have a tried and tested reputation for weddings. Do you want to work with an individual or small team that has the time to chat and will invest a lot of their time and heart into your day?
If the latter sounds good, lets meet! When I take on a wedding it’s because I’m just as excited as you about the concept we’ve created together. Weddings aren’t a ‘package deal’ to be chuffed out each week; I want every single one to be unique. Chemistry is important and when you meet your florist you’ll know if they’re the one you want on your wedding team. If you have any questions about planning your wedding flowers, would like to make an appointment with me or would just like to have a quick chat to say hello get in touch.
