Finding a florist

Securing the services of a professional florist on your wedding day is an essential luxury. Even if you are planning a small celebration, think very carefully before committing to doing your own flowers. It's a big risk because it is al last minute. "When are you going to do it? What if something goes wrong? How do you know the best place to source your flowers? How do you know what to look for? Do you have the expertise to assess a flower's quality?" Florists are professionally trained, it's their job to know these things and it is their expertise, experience and a guarantee you are buying as well as the blooms. If you do your own flowers, or if anyone close to you does them, you'll be involved and there is a immovable deadline to work to. You need to shop for flowers, transport them, store them, sort and arrange them and this all takes time. Time is at a premium on your wedding day and the days leading up to it. We would not recommend to do your own flowers. The day is stressful enough without having to worry about wilting flowers.

Also think carefully before encouraging a mamber of the wedding party to take charge of the flowers because in likelihood they won't have time either.

If you hold your wedding locally, you may already know a fabulous florist. If not, a recommendation is your best way to find one. Alternatively, local brides' guides and the internet are useful tools. If you are marrying at a local hotel or other venue, they may offer recommendations too.

Most florists will offer a free consultation. Hereby also look at the quality of the flowers in the shop and the personality of the people who work there. Did they meet and greet you? It then comes down to meeting the florist and striking a chord with them, which is the most important thing. Whoever you have selected to do your flowers needs to understand what you want and have empathy for it. And that is an immediate thing . "Either you get on, or you don't" The florist understands you, or they don't." If you have any doubts then find someone else.

When meeting a florist for the first time allow at least an hour and take as much information with you as you have: the wedding date, photos of the venue(s), a picture of your dress together with a swatch of the fabric (if you have an idea at this stage that is enough), the approximate number of guests, and a selectionof clippings from magazinesof flowers and arrangements you are drawn to. This information will assist the florist to assess your style and your aspirations for the wedding. You will also need an idea of your budget.