Avoid a Floral Faux Pas on Your Wedding Day
Nothing can put a damper on your wedding day quite like problems with your floral arrangements. You can probably deal with receiving the wrong flowers if they’re in good condition and match your event’s colors, but what do you do if half the blooms are wilted or in shades that clash with your décor? Even worse, what if your arrangements are gorgeous but overpower with their scents or cause fits of sneezing? Fortunately, you can steer clear of disasters like these by following a few smart steps as you plan your nuptial celebration.
Choose the Right Professional
Your first step for avoiding wedding flower disasters is to select a trustworthy florist. Start by talking to newlyweds in your social circle and checking out area vendors online. If you’re using a wedding planner, ask for his or her recommended list of professionals. Don’t forget to review each florist’s online customer reviews and check out its ratings with organizations such as the Better Business Bureau.
The Spruce’s Nina Callaway suggests that you visit at least three different florists in person. To narrow down your final selection, Callaway advises obtaining some key information about each vendor:
- Its design philosophy
- The number of events on its calendar scheduled on or around your wedding day
- Seasonal and budget-friendly blooms recommended for your chosen date
- The name of the person designing your arrangements
- Delivery and setup costs
- The length of time required for onsite setup
Meanwhile, Callaway also recommends asking each florist if it offers bouquet or centerpiece samples. These floral samples can help you evaluate a professional’s work and decide whom to hire. Brides contributor Kelsey Butler adds that some vendors include sample arrangements in their final pricing while others require an additional fee.
Communication Is Vital
You can also prevent misunderstandings with floral vendors by clearly communicating your expectations upfront. In a June 2017 Brides article, Stefania Sainato emphasizes that you need to precisely describe the type of décor you want. Alicia Prendergast of Wedding Wire Canada adds that you must inform potential vendors of other key details such as your venue, attire, table count, and the size of your wedding party.
Of course, you’ll end up relaying these specifics to prospective florists if you follow The Knot’s advice and request detailed proposals. Besides your desired arrangements, blooms, and colors, these documents should include your preferred alternatives as well as list any unacceptable substitutions. Additionally, the proposal should mention the dates and times of your events, delivery details, fees, a payment schedule, and the florist’s refund and cancellation policies along with any accessories that the florist will supply. It’s wise to work with your chosen professional and make any minor changes to the job proposal before any specifics are incorporated into the final contract.
Be Flexible With Your Floral Selections
Since the availability of preferred blooms can unexpectedly change, Bridal Guide’s Kristen Klein urges nearlyweds not to fixate on having an exact variety and shade of flower in their wedding arrangements. Try to adopt a flexible approach, collaborate with your florist, and consider using seasonal flowers along with other cost-effective alternatives that are available in your event’s color palette. Klein also strongly advises against selecting flowers based solely on looks without accounting for their scent. You could inadvertently pair together varieties with strong scents, causing intense and unpleasant effects for you and your guests.
Whether you’re trying to craft an overall aesthetic or you’re inspired by your love of certain blooms, choosing your wedding flowers can be fun. At the same time, making unwise decisions may lead to less than satisfactory results. Hiring a reputable florist, clearly communicating your desires, and maintaining a flexible attitude towards the final product will help ensure that you’re happy with the floral arrangements created for your special day.