Bouquets

After you have secured a venue and chosen a theme for your wedding day, it’s time to book your florist. Flowers are more than a bouquet and boutonnière; they add personality to your event, bringing your celebration to the next level. Here are some of the details to pin down for a productive meeting.

wedding size and budget

If you have no idea how to come up with a budget for flowers, then start out with 8-10% of the overall budget. You can always allocate more if you are using large quantities of flowers for aisles and centerpieces. Figuring out how many bouquets and boutonnières are needed for the bridal party, plus how many table arrangements you will need for guest seating, will also help to determine your floral budget allocation.

With that figure, your floral designer can guide you toward the types of flowers and designs that will help you stay within or close to that amount. Keep in mind that most flowers can be ordered any time of year, but flowers and greenery that are in season will generally be a less-expensive option for your ceremony..

Sundance Girl Photography

flower types and visual aids

Are there any specific flowers or a design you know you like and just have to have? Bring in photos of the styles you like so as to help communicate your ideas. Not that you want an exact replica, but you may love one example for the shape of the bouquet, another for the type of flowers or the elements used, and yet another for the color scheme.

Flowers are seasonal, so keep in mind that what you want may not necessarily be available or cost-effective. Lastly, it’s a good idea to note any flower allergies that you or your groom might have and share them with the floral designer to avoid any untimely sneezes.

Glasser Images

Tip: Have one floral arrangement that breaks apart into three when thrown for your bouquet toss.

descriptive words

Along with the photos, decide on a few descriptive words to help express the style you have in mind. Try to use meaningful words like formal, vintage, rustic, casual and glam, while avoiding basic words like elegant or simple, unless that is really what you mean. When choosing descriptive words, think how you would describe your gown, venues or wedding theme.

know your style

Prepare for your floral consultation by listing your wedding color palette and special touches like monograms and themes you want to incorporate into your flowers.

The atmosphere of the ceremony venue may have a big impact on your floral design (e.g., rustic, modern, elegant).

terms to know

cascade: A waterfall effect, where blooms spill from one handheld base.

hand-tied: A larger bouquet of assorted flowers in a loosely gathered design.

nosegay: This is a small, hand-held bouquet of fragrant flowers and foliage.

pageant: Long-stemmed flowers the bride carries cradled in her arm.

remembrance: Bouquet in memory of a lost loved one or family member who may not be able to attend the wedding celebration.

Cactus Collective

other considerations

Complement your dress, personality and proportions when choosing your bridal bouquet. Here are some basic considerations to factor in before making your final choice.

All-white bouquets are the most traditional choice for brides, while the use of color in a bridal bouquet is a beautiful way to express individual personality. Consider using accent flowers in your different wedding colors, or just something bright and fun.

Consider any embellishments on the front of the dress; you won’t want to obscure the beautiful beading or lace with a large bouquet.

what to ask:

• Do you have my date open?

• How many weddings or events will you schedule in the same day?

• What flowers are in season for the month we’re getting married?

• What can you suggest to tie in my bouquet with the boutonnières, bridesmaid flowers and centerpieces?

• If I have a photo of a bouquet I like, are you able to recreate it?

• Will you work with my cake designer if I decide to have flowers on my cake, too?

• How far in advance of the wedding will you create the bouquets and arrangements? How are they stored?

• Will you preserve my bouquet after the wedding?

• Do you deliver? What are your fees?

Legacy Photo and Design

agree on details

Thoroughly discuss your ideas of how you would like to see your bouquet look, share your photos and descriptive words of the feel you want to accomplish, and then trust your designer. A good florist thrives on having the blessing of doing what is best for the look of the arrangement. Keep in mind, they are working with a natural product. Floral pieces may come in different colors, sizes and shapes than planned. Try to be as flexible as possible and believe the floral designer is working for you with their best intentions at heart.

At the end of the consultation, or shortly thereafter, you should receive a quote for costs and a summary of the meeting. This is not set in stone and nothing is ordered until the contract is signed, so if you want to expand and make something greater, then just let your florist know as soon as possible.

Although your flowers will not need to be ordered until a few months before your wedding date, six months is a good timeline to choose your floral vendor and get on the schedule—no matter the size or complexity of the floral designs you may choose.