Flowers

Wedding Flowers Q&A

What to ask at your first meeting with a prospective florist.

1. “Can you fulfill my wishes at my budget?” Finances are, unfortunately, the foundation of most weddings. It’s not enough for a florist to agree to stick to the budget; they must do so comfortably and willingly. Don’t be pressured into stretching your money to accommodate someone else’s wishes.

2. “Can you bring my dream to fruition?” Many brides have a specific idea of how they want their wedding to look. Be sure to choose a florist who is willing to abide by your vision or, conversely, one who is willing to work with you to find that vision if you’re unsure of what you want.

3. “Can I see some of your work?” There’s no better way of judging a florist than by his or her portfolio. Obviously, make certain that each shot is individualized and not a corporate shot. You should be able to view flower arrangements in the shop as well as set up for a wedding.

4. “Do you have references?” The flowers may be beautiful but you want to make sure that previous brides were happy with the working relationship. Make sure that billing was reasonable, delivery prompt and service friendly. You may be able to call one or two past customers to validate their testimonials.

5. “Is the date secure? Will I be your only wedding?” Large florists may be able to handle more than one wedding a day but, if you’re using a small, independently owned company, make certain that there will be no conflicts (business or personal).

6. “Are you familiar with my wedding location?” Certain locations prefer to work only with florists with whom they have an established relationship. Is your florist comfortable with your ceremony and reception site? Are they familiar with the protocol? Are they able to visit the site with you before agreeing on definite plans?

7. “Is there a written guarantee?” If you order dozens and dozens of tulips and end up with a handful of gardenias, will you be forced to pay the balance of your bill? Most florists will accept some portion of payment after the flowers are actually delivered.