Flowers
How to...
Select the right florist
Select the right florist
Ask your venue for their recommended list of suppliers. They usually have florists on their lists.
Ask friends and family if they recommend anyone.
Scour the internet, there are many florists that have their own website. If their website looks professional, and if they show good examples of their work, get in touch and ask for a quote.
You can also look through your telephone directory and look at bridal magazines. Many florists take out ads in both.
Remember to shop around. This is your wedding and you need to find the best supplier possible and comparing florists based on their style, quotes and professionalism is the best way to go about it.
Before you see your florist:
Get an idea of the type of flowers you want and the design of your bouquet and flower arrangements that will adorn your tables.
You will get a better result from your florist if they know what you are after - take photos of flowers you like or tear out pictures of magazines.
If you have them already, take samples of materials of your wedding dress, your bridesmaid's and groom's outfit.
Remeber: The first meeting with your florist, or any supplier for your wedding, should be a good experience. You have to like them personally as you will be working with them in the run-up to your wedding. Having a good working relationship will make things a lot smoother in the long run.
Ask friends and family if they recommend anyone.
Scour the internet, there are many florists that have their own website. If their website looks professional, and if they show good examples of their work, get in touch and ask for a quote.
You can also look through your telephone directory and look at bridal magazines. Many florists take out ads in both.
Remember to shop around. This is your wedding and you need to find the best supplier possible and comparing florists based on their style, quotes and professionalism is the best way to go about it.
Before you see your florist:
Get an idea of the type of flowers you want and the design of your bouquet and flower arrangements that will adorn your tables.
You will get a better result from your florist if they know what you are after - take photos of flowers you like or tear out pictures of magazines.
If you have them already, take samples of materials of your wedding dress, your bridesmaid's and groom's outfit.
Remeber: The first meeting with your florist, or any supplier for your wedding, should be a good experience. You have to like them personally as you will be working with them in the run-up to your wedding. Having a good working relationship will make things a lot smoother in the long run.
Ten practical tips on picking the right flowers
1. Quality: If you are choosing your own flowers you must ensure that you buy flowers of good quality.
2. Do your research by visiting as many botantical gardens, flower markets, florists, farmers markets, and browsing through books, magazines and the internet (see box below on sites you should visit). Make notes of the ones you like and ask experts, such as florists, about how much the flowers you are interested in cost and when they are in season.
3. Compare prices: Remember to get a variety of quotes, not just one.
4. Save money by buying flowers that are in season (see box below for a list of in-season flowers).
5. Try to buy from wholesale flower sellers. You can do this online too - see box below. This is cheaper than buying flowers directly from florists.
6. Transport friendly: Ensure that the flowers are well packed for transport.
7. Maintentance: To prevent flowers from drooping or wilting on your wedding day, buy them fresh on the day if you are able to, or buy them the day before and store them in a cool room. Look for flowers that are just about to open, so they are in full bloom on your wedding day. Keep flowers out of draughts and direct sunlight.
8. Provide nourishment: Feed your flowers plant food or add a drop or two of bleach to the water in the container or vase to keep them fresh.
9. For time-poor brides: If you are unable to commit time and energy to caring for the flowers, buy flowers that require little maintenance.
10. Test your supplier: If you are unsure about buying online, do a test order first to see if you like their stock and if the company is prompt and professional
1. Quality: If you are choosing your own flowers you must ensure that you buy flowers of good quality.
2. Do your research by visiting as many botantical gardens, flower markets, florists, farmers markets, and browsing through books, magazines and the internet (see box below on sites you should visit). Make notes of the ones you like and ask experts, such as florists, about how much the flowers you are interested in cost and when they are in season.
3. Compare prices: Remember to get a variety of quotes, not just one.
4. Save money by buying flowers that are in season (see box below for a list of in-season flowers).
5. Try to buy from wholesale flower sellers. You can do this online too - see box below. This is cheaper than buying flowers directly from florists.
6. Transport friendly: Ensure that the flowers are well packed for transport.
7. Maintentance: To prevent flowers from drooping or wilting on your wedding day, buy them fresh on the day if you are able to, or buy them the day before and store them in a cool room. Look for flowers that are just about to open, so they are in full bloom on your wedding day. Keep flowers out of draughts and direct sunlight.
8. Provide nourishment: Feed your flowers plant food or add a drop or two of bleach to the water in the container or vase to keep them fresh.
9. For time-poor brides: If you are unable to commit time and energy to caring for the flowers, buy flowers that require little maintenance.
10. Test your supplier: If you are unsure about buying online, do a test order first to see if you like their stock and if the company is prompt and professional
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Recommended websites:
www.aboutflowers.com: This website has a library of common flower varieties and a section dedicated to the meaning of flowers in Victorian times.
www.flowers.org.uk: Has a whole section dedicated to wedding flowers. Click here to obtain a list of the flowers currently in season.
If you live in the United States consult the Wholesale Florist and Florist Supplier Association. It's website allows you to search for wholesalers by state: www.wffsa.org
Also try these wholesalers:
www.rosesource.com
www.ecoflowers.com
www.flowerbud.com
www.aboutflowers.com: This website has a library of common flower varieties and a section dedicated to the meaning of flowers in Victorian times.
www.flowers.org.uk: Has a whole section dedicated to wedding flowers. Click here to obtain a list of the flowers currently in season.
If you live in the United States consult the Wholesale Florist and Florist Supplier Association. It's website allows you to search for wholesalers by state: www.wffsa.org
Also try these wholesalers:
www.rosesource.com
www.ecoflowers.com
www.flowerbud.com
