Dallas Wedding Florist can create gorgeous floral masterpieces within your budget. But you must be honest with them about what is most important to you on your big day.
Simple packages focus on wearing flowers only and are a great option for those looking to save. If you want to decorate your entire venue and fully realize your floral vision, consider higher-tier flower packages.
One of the first steps in choosing a wedding florist is understanding your style. A great way to do this is to list your needs and wants for your wedding flowers. This will help your florist create a quote that encompasses everything you want and ensures they can deliver on the basics (bride’s bouquet, boutonnieres, centerpieces).
Then, look through a florist’s portfolio or social media to understand their work. Please pay special attention to their signature pieces and how they use different colors and flower types in their designs. You can even share your photos with them to understand their vision and creative aesthetic.
While it is important to know your desired style, it’s equally as important to let your florist’s artistic freedom shine through. They should be able to take your inspirational images and make them uniquely yours. If you find a florist that can meet all your needs, consider letting them design your entire wedding day (or at least the ceremony and reception florals) to save time and money.
For example, if you are drawn to a rustic and romantic vibe but your florist isn’t, it might be a good idea to move on to another interview. A quality florist should be able to work within your overall wedding aesthetic but also understand that they aren’t a mind reader and need your guidance.
During your interview, bring any mood boards or Pinterest pages that showcase your vision and include details like your color scheme and wedding season. It would be best to get a fabric swatch from your dress or attire so they can see how the flowers will coordinate with your overall aesthetic.
Lastly, clarify how the florist will communicate with your venue and other vendors on the day of. They must be familiar with the venue policies and layout to avoid hiccups or surprises. And, of course, discuss whether they will be handling any setup or breakdown services on the day of your wedding or if they’ll need help from you or your wedding planner to get the job done.
During your consultations, be honest with each florist about your floral vision and what’s realistic within your budget. Florists understand that most wedding couples are on a strict budget and can provide options for how you can achieve your desired style within your parameters.
If you need more clarification on your budget, sit down with your partner and determine areas you are comfortable splurging on versus saving on. For example, you may want to splurge on your bridal bouquet but be more conservative regarding bridesmaid bouquets and ceremony flowers. Once you have an idea of what your budget is, please bring it with you to your consultations and have each florist prepare a high best-case scenario and low bare minimum proposal to compare.
It’s also a good idea to create a general inspiration board for your big day, which you can bring to each interview to share with the florists. This can be a 1-2 page document that includes pictures of flowers you love, a fabric swatch from your gown or bridesmaid dress, and a picture of your dress or attire to help communicate the overall aesthetic of your event.
Keeping your floral arrangements to a few flower varieties will also save on costs as it prevents the florist from having to order in bulk and keep the flowers fresh, says wedding planner Jyl Deering of Deering Events. Single-variety blooms are a very on-trend look that can add color and texture to your wedding while still looking elegant and sophisticated.
Another money-saving tip is to go with in-season flowers whenever possible. With recent import issues impacting the flower industry, embracing seasonal flowers available in your area will not only be a cost-saver. Still, it’ll also ensure your flowers are fresh and thriving on your special day.
Be open to suggestions from your florist as they are a seasoned professional who knows how to incorporate flowers into any wedding theme and can offer helpful tips for where to splurge vs save on your wedding flowers. However, be sure to verify their pricing advice applies to your specific event because the cost of flowers will vary greatly depending on where they are sourced and how they are designed.
When it comes to selecting your florists, knowing your venue is imperative. This is especially true if your wedding is taking place in a particularly large or expansive space that requires multiple floral arrangements to decorate and accent the area fully.
If you’re unsure about your budget or are just getting started with your planning, find florists who have worked at your venue before and ask for a list of their recommended vendors. Then, you can request a sample appointment and see what their style is like in person before you book anything.
You should also know how many other weddings the florist is currently working on and what their capacity for your date is. It is completely normal for a single florist to have dozens of weddings booked on the same day, so you’ll want to be sure that they can accommodate your needs on your day.
Florists can help you plan your bridal bouquet, boutonnieres, centerpieces, and more, so having a general idea of what you’re looking for will make the process much easier. When interviewing, be sure to bring photos and examples of what you have in mind so that the florist can get a clear sense of your vision and how they can create it within your budget.
Finally, if you’ve already finalized other elements of your wedding, including the stationery, linens, lighting, dress colors, and more, be sure to share these details with your florist so that they can ensure their designs complement these other elements. There’s nothing worse than having beautiful flowers but not having them coordinate with the rest of your aesthetic!
Ultimately, you’ll want to meet with florists who understand your unique style and can bring that vision to life. By preparing beforehand, you can make the most of your meeting with each florist and be confident they’re the right fit for your big day!
When vetting florists, consider whether they are full-time or part-time, if they work with other flower farmers and vendors in the industry, and what other aspects of wedding design they specialize in. This information can help you avoid surprises, as well as identify any potential problems in advance.
Some florists have perfected a particular style that they’re known for. Before you book your initial consultation, peruse their website and social media to see if their aesthetic is a good match for what you’re looking for. You can also bring a few of your inspirational photos to the consultation, along with linen swatches or paint swatches to provide color direction for your floral arrangements.
In addition to your vision and budget, you’ll want to discuss flower availability during your initial appointment. Some flowers, like peonies, are extremely popular and have a short window during their availability. You’ll want to ensure that your florist is willing to source them and that they have the time to do so before your wedding date.
It’s also helpful to ask your florist about their process, especially if you have specific questions. Ask how they typically handle things like ordering, delivery, and setup on the day of your wedding, as well as their cancellation policies and payment options. It’s also a good idea to double-check that they can provide the items you need, such as hanging lanterns, mirrors, votives, and other decor elements.
Finally, it’s important to understand how your florist handles waste and disposal on your wedding day. You’ll want to be sure that they are environmentally conscious and know how to properly compost or recycle floral foam and chicken wire when they’re done with your flowers.
During your initial consultation, you’ll want to discuss your vision and budget with your florist so that they can create an accurate quote for your big day. It would be best if you had an estimate for how many bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces you’ll need, along with any other decor items, such as wreaths or hanging lanterns.