Congratulations! You're engaged!! So am I! Isn't it exciting!!
Once the date has been picked, and the venue has been chosen, it is almost time to find florist that has a designer that you love. I believe having your gown before deciding on flowers is essential. However, it is never to early to find YOUR designer. I, personally, am fortunate. My mother is the owner and designer of Buds & Bows Floral Design. She does the most amazing work with flowers I have ever seen. So, my problem lies elsewhere. I was leaning toward a beach wedding, but not sure if August is the best time to do that, in Florida. So now I am not sure if I should change the date, or change the location. Hmmm... I'll
move on while I ponder my own dilemma.
While looking at bridal magazines and researching florists, take note of the kinds of bouquets you like, including shapes, flowers, and colors. A bride recently had a gorgeous cascading bouquet filled with Stargazer lilies, purple roses, hot pink miniature roses, several other bright vibrant flowers in a brilliantly cascading bouquet. She chose 7" round all white bouquets for her wedding party beautifully designed with roses, miniature roses , and a few bits of limonium for just a hint of purple. I would have never thought to have white bouquets for the bridal party, but it looked amazing, and everyone loved it. A mutual friend also said the bouquet completely captured her personality, perfectly. That is what you are looking for. Your designer needs to get a feel of who you are and what you want. Once you have an idea of the look and feel you are going for as well as, color scheme for wedding party and your gown is chosen, it is time to choose the right designer help your vision become reality. Your flowers are meant to be an accent to your wedding. They should not get lost it it all, nor should they overpower it!
There are some things you should know when you meet your designer. Aside from the normal date, time, location, color scheme, and theme or feel, you should also know:
- How many in wedding party, including bride and groom? Male and Female
- Flower girl-wristlet, corsage, bouquet, or basket of rose petals
- Ring bearer-pillow and/or boutonnière
- Mother of the Bride, and/or Groom-wristlet, or corsage
- Father of Bride and/or Groom-boutonnière
- Grandparents
- Any Special Friends or Relatives
- Flowers for rehearsal dinner
- Ushers
- Welcoming flowers for any Out of Town Guests
- Will you have any area at ceremony that you would like to have decorated?
- Altar, Archway, Aisle, Aisle Runner, Steps, etc...
- Do you need to rent an Archway? A Florist can sometimes help...
- Will you need flowers for the reception?
- Will you need any of the flowers moved from the ceremony to the reception?
- Table Pieces, Cake Table, Gift Table, Entryway, etc...
- Make a list of any questions for the designer
Collect some photographs, and any ideas you have for your wedding flower, as well as, some flowers you like.
Make sure your budget coincides with your needs.
If you want all roses, there are 10 people in your bridal party, and 15 table pieces, you must allot more than two hundred dollars in your flower budget, or you must be willing to be flexible on some details. Unfortunately, sometimes the style you love does fit well with your pocket, so it is great to have a backup plan. Periodically, flowers you must have are out of season or some other problem arises out of the designer's control. Having pictures of what you like, style-wise, for her to look at will help her get a feel for what you like. While on your consultation, your designer should be able to help you figure it out. Make sure you find someone who is passionate and detail orientated. Ask to see some of their work.
Don't forget, you should save the date with your florist as soon as possible. Most of the time a deposit is required to save that date, but every shop is different. Now this is for your protection, as well as the shops.
