Most of the time, it's your wedding florist who will take responsibility for the flowers in the church, as well as the floral arrangement at the reception. So if you want a look that suits the theme of your wedding, you need to choose your florist wisely.
Book as early as possible.
Most of the good quality florists are busy, especially during the wedding season. So if you want the services of a well-known florist, make sure to book in advance. Ideally, you should contact them at least 6 months before the wedding day.
Check with your reception venue.
You also need to check the reception venue to find out how many florists they allow. Certain venues only allow selected florists for their services. You can also ask your banquet hall organisers to suggest good quality florists they know of.
Ask around.
It’s truly amazing how word of mouth works. Be sure to ask your friends and acquaintances who have organised weddings for any florist they can recommend. If you've been to a friend’s wedding who had beautiful floral arrangements, make sure to ask them the details of the florist. Through a friend’s suggestion, you can often get a perspective or insider opinion of the services of the florist and the kind of reputation they have. You can also know little but important details, such as whether they're easy to work with or not.
Ask for quotations.
You'll obviously need to shop around for the best deals. So be sure to contact different florists and ask for quotations. Then assess each of them independently and compare with other providers, too. Ask them for samples or a portfolio of their previous works. This will help you get an idea about their level of service, the quality of work and so forth.
Take a sample fabric.
Once you've decided on a florist, take along a small sample of the fabric used on the bridesmaids’ gowns. This way, your florist can suggest suitable flower colours and designs which go with the theme and mood of the wedding.
Look in the neighbourhood.
It's always good to choose a florist who has prior experience with working in the same neighbourhood. This sets precedence and most often the florist will also know the trends and styles that work in the locality and what doesn’t.
Find out if the florist uses a variety of media.
A good and experienced florist will always want to experiment with diverse media. They're usually open to mixing media such as candles, fabric, chair covers, etc.
Negotiate.
You always need to negotiate and bargain on the price. Even if you find high-end florists, you should still ask for the best price they can quote. You may be surprised to know that florists often increase the rates in a quotation as they know that eventually, you'll bargain.
Tell them what you need.
Even if a florist seems a little dominating and tends to tell you things you require, don’t hesitate to notify them of your checklist. It’s your wedding after all and you're entitled to have whatever you wish for, so don’t be terrified to ask them for whatever it is that you want. Remember they're providing you with a service.
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