TOP GUIDE FOR CHOOSING A FLORIST FOR THE BIG DAY

Wedding flowers are one of the main features of the big day, so here’s a guide to making sure they’re bloomin’ gorgeous! .

It’s essential to plan well ahead.  Four to six months before the big day you should start making enquiries.

Word of mouth is always a great start.  People will generally only make personal recommendations when they’ve been really impressed, so ask friends and family for their personal referrals.  Other people who will have first-hand experiences and who are great sources of information include hairdressers, the venue manager, dress designers and photographers..

When you’re looking for ideas, Perth online florists are a good option.  You’ll get a good idea of what the various florists are offering and what the current trends are.   You should collect fabric swatches, photographs of arrangements that you like, magazine clippings and books so that you have a frame of reference when you consult the wedding florists.

Before you book your florist, you’ll need to have finalized the ceremony and the reception venues and be well down the road with your wedding gown and what your retinue will be wearing.  The design, colour, style and proportions of your dress and those of your bridesmaids are really important aspects when it comes to designing bridal flowers.

It’s best to narrow down your list to two or three potential candidates.  Before consulting any florists, go through the following checklist:

·         Have you got your collection of photos and magazine clippings?

·         Photos or designs of your wedding dress

·         Swatches of fabric from the wedding dress, plus the retinue’s outfits

·         Details of how you will be wearing your hair

·         Your requirements : ie bouquet, posies for the flowergirls, rose petals for confetti, church flowers, venue flowers, corsages and buttonholes, cake decorations, table centerpieces etc

·         Information on the ceremony and reception venues

·         If you’re supplying the containers for the flowers, bring a sample with you to the meeting

A professional wedding florist should be able to provide :-

·         Customer referrals

·         A detailed budget (including delivery charges, after-hours charges, insurance etc)

·         A comprehensive contract which includes their cancellation and refund procedures

·         Samples so that you can see what you’re getting.  When you’re planning months in advance, it’s important to remember that flowers are seasonal and the florist should clarify what varieties will be available on your big day.  Out-of-season flowers carry a heftier price tag, so you may want to talk about options. 

Get a clear grip on all the costs and make sure you’ve covered all the bases.  No-one wants a nasty surprise at the end!. 

There’s a close relationship between bride and florist, so the chemisty has to work.  If you answer ‘yes’ to these questions, you’re well on the way to finding your wedding florist :

·         Are they up to date with the latest trends? 

·         Are they coming up with good ideas and interesting creative suggestions? 

·         Do they really understand your needs and are they listening to what you want? 

·         Are they enthusiastic? 

·         Are they clear on budgets and costings?

Don’t feel intimidated by their knowledge and experience – it’s their job to create beautiful things that beautify the occasion.  It’s your day and their job is to enhance the special memories. 

Don’t rush your final decision.  As a leading Perth florist which specializes in wedding flowers, Angel Flowers, says : Flowers are the universal language of love and no wedding is complete without them, so make them perfect!