Today I ran across a great article by Real Simple: "What to ask your wedding florist". I decided to add a response from the Festive Designs point of view. Enjoy...it brings up some great points to think about! Feel free to read the original article here:
1. Will you set the flowers up at the site according to my specifications?
If not, you may need to hire a wedding coordinator. If the florist will be setting up, make sure you both go over a diagram of where everything will be.
We believe that love is in the details…as Oprah always says. If you’ve gone to the trouble of making a diagram or map of how you want everything placed- we will honor those wishes. But we always recommend hiring a wedding coordinator as well. If you’ve changed your mind since our consultation with you, he or she will probably have the most updated version of your layout. It’s great to have someone whose job is to communicate your wishes to your vendors. It’s a guarantee that all of your energy and effort won’t be in vain.
2. Will you take away the arrangements at the end?
This could incur an extra fee, but it might be worth the price if it allows you and your wedding party to depart without a backward glance. If you are renting containers or other decorative items, don’t assume the florist will retrieve them. Check the contract to make sure who’s responsible. And be sure you know the venue’s policies about cleanup.
Great question! If it’s something you’ve rented from us, we will retrieve it at the end of the night, or the next day. We coordinate that with the venue’s representative. If you’ve purchased everything- it’s yours! If you don’t want it back, we find that selecting certain guests & family members who have really helped out a lot- love being able to take something lovely home at the end of the night. If any of the containers or accessories are yours- you need to label them very clearly, or have your coordinator collect and track them. You don’t want to risk a guest walking out with your Great Grandma’s vase and not knowing who has it! Trust us…it happens.
3. Who will be in charge of my wedding flowers?
For quality control―and to make sure all your conversations haven’t gone to waste―get confirmation that the floral designer you’ve been dealing with will do the arranging. If you’re having a large wedding, it may be too much work for one florist, so she should be aided by a trusted associate.
This is huge. With some companies you meet with the owner, but they never touch your wedding flowers! No bueno. Melinda is present at all consultations and design sessions. She sees your vision through from beginning to end. We do have other girls who help design (learn about them by clicking the Faces of Festive Designs label) but Melinda is always overseeing the process and approving the final product. To make sure that Melinda has a clear idea of what you want, we always encourage you to bring/email photos of your desired look.- because “big bouquet” may mean 12” diameter to her, but a 16” diameter to you. Consider everything that could be lost in translation, and see if you can find evidence of what you want in a photo!
4. Do you typically limit the number of weddings you have slated on a weekend?
Ideally, the answer to this is yes―the florist should have one or two, max. However, this may depend on the size of your wedding and the size of the florist. If the florist seems to have an astronomical amount of weddings on her plate, make sure she is confident that she can devote ample time to your event.
We want you to feel like you have our undivided attention! It’s your special day, and it should be treated accordingly. We never double-book our weddings unless you are okay with Nicolette and an assistant being there instead of Melinda and have given written permission for us to do so. But beyond those rare, special occasions, we typically only do one wedding per day. Melinda really loves to hand you your bouquet and see the look on your face! She likes to see everything through and ensure that your floral needs are met.
5. What would you consider suitable substitutions for the flowers we have discussed if these are unavailable?
Hammer this out now so you aren’t surprised minutes before you hit the aisle. The florist should guarantee color harmony, size, look, and price. You may even want to request a picture of what the florist has in mind before approving.
This is the one question where I slightly differ from Real Simple’s answer. Even though flowers are grown in greenhouses, doesn’t mean that Mother Nature isn’t still in charge. And as we all know, there are no guarantees with her. If there’s a freak cold-snap and the freesia population gets wiped out, they WILL be more expensive. Crops of roses can vary in size from week to week. If the chemical balance in the soil changes, the color can change. If your consultation is in August and your wedding is in April, we won’t be able to make you a sample tulip-filled bouquet to approve…they just don’t bloom until Winter/Spring. That being said, if our main wholesaler doesn’t have what we need the week of your wedding, we will search around to see if someone else does, if that fails, we will come up with a plan B and call you immediately to discuss the options. We pride ourselves in our ability to come up with great solutions and replacements.
6. How will I reach you on the wedding day?
The florist should give you a cell-phone or pager number.
One of the best things you can arm your coordinator with is a great contact list! The vendors, their names, emails, phone numbers…even key wedding party members. That way in case anyone is lost, late or missing, they can be contacted! It also helps to give US a few phone numbers we can call if we get lost…so we don’t become late. And we beg of you please, if you’re having your photos taken at a different location than your wedding, let us know so we can bring your flowers to the correct location!
7. When will the flowers arrive, how will they be transported, and how will they be packaged when they arrive?
Flowers should be delivered at the last possible moment, even if the building is air-conditioned, to prevent wilting. Bouquets should be delivered about half an hour before photography is scheduled to begin. Your florist will determine the delivery time, taking into account the time of year, the temperature, and the sun’s brightness. Florists use climate-controlled vehicles (some have refrigeration), so the blooms arrive fresh.
The arrival time varies from wedding to wedding. Many factors come into play…when your photos are being done, the weather, the venue, the types of flowers being used, how much set-up labor is required, etc. We customize it based on what is best for your wedding and your flowers. Bouquets and personal flowers come in our white boxes with holders, on ice. They like to be in that box on ice as much as possible. We recommend that after your photos are done, you return your bouquets to the box to freshen up. While I’m on that topic…please be wary of dropping it on the ground, throwing it, swinging it, letting it get squished in a hug, etc. There’s only so much we can do to repair it at a certain point. And guys- watch those boutonnieres when you go in for a manly hug or chest bump….we bring replacements and extras just in case…but my heart stops for a slight second when I see that rose just crumble on your tuxedo.
8. Can you advise me on which flowers would be best for my wedding?
You and your florist should discuss whether it’s an indoor or outdoor event (with sun exposure a factor), the length of the photo session, the gap between ceremony and reception, and so on. These factors will help determine if the flowers you select will be hardy enough.
This question is why professional florists are so important. We have years of experience and knowledge to advise you on different options. We try to suggest flowers that will survive your day- but if your dream is to have white hydrangeas in an open field in July, we will do it. We will give you ample warning “These bouquets will live in the air conditioning until you walk down the aisle”, but we won’t refuse to do the look you desire.
9. Are there any taxes, overtime charges, gratuities, or fees that aren’t included in the contract?
You don’t want hidden fees to pop up after the wedding (there will be enough last-minute expenses as it is). Make sure the cancellation policy and associated fees are also in the contract.
Planning a wedding is stressful and expensive enough already. We’re not all about trying to squeeze extra money out of you. Everything is spelled out in our contract. If you have questions or concerns, we will be happy to discuss them with you. Yes we charge tax, according to CA law. No, we don’t charge overtime- we give ourselves enough time to complete our work and are very accurate with our delivery time quotes. Gratuities and tips are always your option when it comes to all of your vendors; coordinators are great people to consult with about how to handle that. Wedding flowers shouldn’t be treated like used cars- our success is dependent upon our good reputation; without happy former clients, we don’t have new clients and we understand that.
10. When will the balance be due?
While there’s no hard and fast rule, florists generally request payment about two weeks before the wedding.
That’s in your contract! If it’s not in by that date, we usually give you a reminder email or phone-call. We all lose track of time occasionally…especially when wedding planning!
Melinda with a bride from this summer!
