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Lock in your floral designer early
in the wedding-planning process. You'll want a designer who is gifted,
knowledgeable, and agreeable. Most importantly, your florist should
delight in providing you with the most beautiful flowers your budget can
handle. Be sure to check with the local Better Business Bureau before
hiring. Here are 12 questions to ask potential florists:
1. What is the florist's design philosophy? Minimal? Traditional? Elegant?
Edgy and modern? Florists love explaining their artistic sensibilities --
the styles they love, their favorite flowers, the palettes they adore. Do
the florist's views fit with your own ideas?
2. Does the florist's style -- and the overall look of the shop -- match
yours? (This is common sense. Go with your gut.)
3. Can you see photographs or live examples of past work? (Real bouquets
and arrangements will give you a better sense of the florist's abilities
than photos -- especially photos that aren't of the florist's actual work
but show things the florist says he or she can do.)
4. How big is the shop (number of staff), and who will work on your
wedding? Make sure the floral designer you're interviewing will actually
create the arrangements.
5. Try to gauge the florist's expertise by asking questions. What flowers
will be in season when your wedding takes place? If your budget is on the
small side, ask how you can maximize your options. What are some less
expensive alternatives to blooms beyond your price range?
6. What are the hottest floral trends of the moment? Why do they work or
not work? What's the most innovative concept the florist has recently
brought to a design project?
7. Which flowers are least likely to wilt in hot weather? What are some
hot weather no-nos?
8. Has the florist done weddings at your ceremony and/or reception sites
before? If so, he or she may have pictures of arrangements done at your
site and will be knowledgeable about what sizes, shapes, and colors work
in the space.
9. Will the florist deliver flowers for your wedding or spend time at the
site, setting up and making sure everything is in order? You'll pay more
for a full-service florist, but you get what you pay for.
10. How many weddings will the florist do on the same day or weekend as
yours? The florist's answer determines how much time will be spent on your
gig.
11. Does the florist offer rental items -- vases, potted plants, arches,
trellises, candelabras, urns -- or must you contact a rental company?
12. Does the florist preserve bouquets after weddings? If this is
important to you, find out now if he or she will do so, or if you can be
referred to someone who does. You may have to make an appointment *before*
the wedding to ensure that your bouquet can be preserved directly
afterward.
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