How to Hire a Florist for Your Wedding

Floral decorations help lend an aura of elegance and beauty to your wedding. Here's how to choose a florist who can produce your vision for your special day.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Floral Preservatives
• Oasis Floral Foam
• Floral Arrangements
• Floral Tape
• Floral Wires

1. Decide whether you need a florist or a floral designer. Floral designers will transform your entire venue. A florist will provide you with arrangements and advice on how to use them.

2. Ask friends, family, recent brides and coworkers to recommend florists.

3. Call at least five florists and ask about their availability.

4. Visit at least three florists with your partner.

5. Bring along pictures of your gown and the bridesmaid's gown, a swatch of fabric from the bridesmaid's gown and snapshots of the ceremony and reception sites.

6. Bring a list of your favorite flowers and any flowers you don't want.

7. Be prepared to frankly discuss your budget.

8. Describe your wedding in detail: colors, degree of formality, numbers of attendants and family members, etc.

9. Ask to see the florist's portfolio of weddings she has decorated.

10. Ask if she is familiar with your venues and whether she is willing to visit the sites with you. Ask if there is a fee for this service.

11. Ask if the florist rents accessories such as aisle runners and candelabra.

12. Get a cost estimate and ask about delivery times, payment and cancellation policies.

13. Compare the information and discuss the pros and cons of each florist with your partner.

14. Expect to pay a 50 percent deposit up front. You'll pay the balance two weeks before the wedding.

15. Reconfirm the details of the contract when you pay the balance.

16. Make sure you have a contact number in case of a wedding day emergency.

17. Have the flowers delivered to a specific person or an exact location.

Tips & Warnings

• Though the groom's family traditionally pays for the bride's bouquet, mothers' corsages, men's boutonnieres and rehearsal dinner flowers, it's wise to order all flowers at the same time. In this way, you can take advantage of package or volume discounts.
• Try making boutonnieres and corsages yourself to save money.
• Listen to your florist's suggestions; remember that she's an expert in her field.
• If the weather might be hot, get flowers that can hold up to heat and humidity.
• Avoid highly fragrant flowers around food.

[melsandiego]

on 1/11/2009 Be sure that the flowers for the men in your wedding party are delivered to the wedding site and not to where the bride is getting ready.