Yes, we can ask friends/family to arrange displays
and bouquets, but this is a precious day to
you and unless they have been professionals
for several years, it is not advisable. Its
so easy, but have you actually done this? Well
don’t get superior and take a chance on
your wedding just because it is easy to do.
Flowers, set the tone, key the colours and are
important to the beauty of your photographs
throughout your wedding day. Who’s going
to set them out, making certain the right person
has their correct bouquet, etc. Disaster reigns
when you personally try to complete the flower
arrangements and corsages yourself. This is
last minute work that can ruin your hands and
be exhausting.
I Want - What I Want - When I Want It
We all get a bit cheeky about it being “our
day” and “we can have what we want”,
but with everything there is a plus and a minus.
Your mind may dance with a composite of dreams,
memorable weddings profuse with flowers, but
you cannot always get what you want. Violets
are a visual delight but don’t hold up
well. White is not pure white against the dress,
but the photos were wonderful because of the
contrast. And what do they mean by “costs
more because they are out of season?”
It means you can still get them, but you will
pay double the costs -- because they are not
the local growing season. Also be warned higher
prices and non-availability will surround the
holidays and Valentines Day, order early, and
you’ll get them.
What Am I Paying For When I Hire a Florist
Your girlfriends may tell you it is possible
to do this cheaper yourself, but is this what
you want to be doing the day before your wedding.
Personally, I’d rather be at the spa or
packing my honeymoon case full of fillies instead
of getting my nails dirty. When you hire a florist,
you are paying for:
the florist’s
education and training - colours and use
their design skills
and creativity
knowledge when flowers
bloom and the economics of each
the flower’s
perish ability in holding up to hugs,
heat, etc.
the knowledge to calculate
the blossoms you require
the hired extra staff
to assist in completing everything at
the last minute
and delivery and set
up and into your hands at the correct
time
Florist must work quickly with many hands and
have a cooler for storage of the completed work.
A florist will create a setting for the ceremony
or the reception site. This may consist of completing
the aisles for the ceremony, the draping of
tulle and swags, columns, arches, pedestals,
chair decor and linens with your keyed colours.
They may only be hired for the ceremony or for
the reception or both. This type of florist
will have drawings, theme ideas and work with
you or alone to achieve the desired effect you
both agree upon. Along with this they complete
the basic list of flowers for the wedding.
It is important that you interview with several
professionals and see photos of their work from
their portfolio. Once you have decided on two
you prefer, give them your list and ask for
a line bid from each. This can make it easier
for you to see your costs on each line item
as you compare your bids. Bids or proposals
are especially important to show how and where
you can cut your costs to lower a budget. Always
keep alternate ideas in mind and ask for the
florist’s advice on lower priced substitution
if you must cut the costs. Finally, it is important
to call them back to advise whether you are
using their services. As with other services,
you will be required to pay a deposit for reserving
their time and services. While some florists
specialize in a particular style, most florists
can offer you flowers of every description [from
around the world] plus a variety of silks, herbs,
potted plants, unique containers and display
or centerpiece items. They will fill out an
itemized list with you on what is required throughout
the celebration. They formulate décor
for the rehearsal dinner tables, ceremony area,
bridal party, the reception room and joyful
petals strewn down the aisles.
We all like saving money, so use these proven
methods to continue using your ceremony flowers
and cut costs.
Give remaining flowers
to nursing homes to brighten a shut-in’s
day.
Learn what flowers
are in season. Ordering flowers out of
season will increase your price by a third
or half.
Save on blossoms by
increasing the greenery and use less flowers
in every bouquet or centerpiece.
Rent silk flower displays
for the reception and use fresh for the
ceremony - or complete this in reverse.
Have the bride and
attendants carry a single flower; long
stemmed roses or calla lilies are often
used. [Caution! remember to de-thorn
roses and the stem juice from any lily
can give quite a rash.]
Rally in the greens,
ivy and such from your friend’s
gardens to be used on the reception tables
or in the garlands. Check for snails or
other travelers.
