30 Important Questions to Ask Your Wedding Florist

Roses, peonies, dahlias, gardenias, lilies or all the above - choosing your wedding flowers should be a fun, creative process. The addition of beautiful flowers can make a wedding, but try not to get too carried away and forget to ask your florist a few essential questions before you make any of the important floral decisions. Where possible, remember to explore all your options before you commit, your floral designer is the ultimate professional who will be able to introduce some creative ideas that you might not have even thought of. From your color scheme to the size and style of your bridal bouquet, now is the time to ask your florist everything you need to know! Like all wedding suppliers, there are many florists out there to choose from so depending on your location, your wedding aesthetic and your budget, narrow your shortlist down to a select few and get in touch. Once you know for sure that you get on, and you're happy with their answers to the following questions you'll be ready to make a decision and move on to the next stage of your wedding planning!

Essential questions to ask your florist

Some of the below might seem obvious and even if you feel you've done your research, there's really nothing like seeing fresh flowers (or even dried flowers) in person. Where possible, why not visit your potential wedding florist and ask for a mock up to see and smell the delights of their craft before signing on the dotted line. Are you available to supply flowers on my chosen wedding date? How many weddings have you supplied flower arrangements for in the past? How long have you been a floral designer? Can I see some of your previous work? Will you be supplying flowers to other events on the same day as mine?

Minimum floral budget

Whether you're going all out with your wedding flowers or keeping things simple, talk about your wedding budget early on so you manage expectations and give your floral designers a clear idea of what you want to spend. Do you have a minimum floral budget? What will the total cost be and do you require a deposit? Can you reassure me that there won't be any extra costs when the invoice arrives? Which flowers will work best for my budget? When will I need to pay the final balance?

Signing on the dotted line

It may seem like the laborious part of planning your wedding day and it certainly isn't as fun as discussing your favourite blooms but don't forget to cover the 'what if' questions with your prospective wedding florist... What if you can't source the flowers we've decided on? Will you suggest similar alternatives? What's your refund policy? What's your cancellation policy? Is there a delivery charge?

Floral design

Most wedding florists will undoubtedly have a social media account where they can show off their creative talent, however, make sure you see more than just a carefully curated Instagram grid so you can see their signature style for real before you commit. Communicate all you can to your florist so they can paint a picture of your wedding style, colour scheme and wedding theme to ensure the floral arrangement fits perfectly. This could be through illustrations, photos of previous work or a shared Pinterest board. How would you describe your style / floral design? Can I see a mock up of my bridal bouquet beforehand? Which flowers will be in season during my wedding? Can you add flowers to my wedding cake? Have you created wildflower bouquets before?

Wedding day flowers

It goes without saying that you want as little stress as possible on the morning of your big day. With that in mind, get the answers to the below key questions for peace of mind that everything will go perfectly to plan. Will you deliver the flowers and bouquets to the wedding venue on the morning of the big day and can you help with the floral arrangements? Or is this an additional cost? How long will the set up take on the wedding morning? If we're hiring props such as vases, will you collect them or do we need to return them back to you? Can you help to move ceremony flower arrangements to the reception venue? What if I'm not happy with the wedding flower arrangements on the day?

Other décor considerations

Whatever size or style of special day you're having there will be a floral designer for you. Your potential florist will be able to provide floral touches even in the most unexpected places which will anchor an unforgettable memory of your big day and transform the look and feel of your wedding party. How far in advance do I need to order my wedding flowers? Can you help with decorating other wedding décor such as wedding signs, candle holders and centrepieces? Do you supply or hire out extra accessories such as vases and other decorative items? Have you worked at our wedding venue before? Can you supply organic or pesticide-free flowers? Depending on how much of a wow factor you want to create, your chosen wedding florists should work with you to ensure your wedding flowers suit your wedding style, helping you choose the right flowers for your venue and budget. Provided you're happy with the answers to the above you should be ready to make your final decision, just don't forget to toss your wedding bouquet over your shoulder and spread the love even further to one of your single guests!