Follow our advice on choosing your florist to guarantee the best blooms for your big day
If you’re struggling to decide, trust your instincts. “Finding a florist is a bit like finding your dress,”
When you’ve made your decision, book the florist as soon as possible. Some suppliers will get booked up months, or even years, in advance, especially for weekends and special dates. “Good florists are in demand particularly for Friday and Saturday weddings from April to September, so the ideal time to make first contact with your florist is nine months to a year before your wedding,” explains Nick Priestly.
The theme and colour scheme of your celebration can be enhanced by beautiful arrangements. Vintage-themed weddings continue to grow in popularity, so why not incorporate pearls and lace into your bouquets or venue decorations to tie into this look? For a classic style, you could choose all-white flowers, such as roses or lilies, while funky weddings can accommodate bolder colours like orange and cerise gerberas. The options are endless, so work with your florist and your wedding flowers will act as a gorgeous complement to the rest of your wedding day’s look.
So if you’ve always envisaged having roses and your big day is mid-February, you can expect to pay a hefty price. Discuss this with your florist early in the planning process to see if a solution can be found. “The price of roses can treble around Valentine’s Day,” admits Amy McMurray. “For the best advice on which flowers to use, ask your florist what they would recommend for that time of year. They should be able to keep you well within budget.”
You can use your flowers to add a wow factor to your big day too, by displaying them in unusual places and incorporating them throughout your venue for a unique look. Amy McMurray explains, “Typically, most weddings have flowers on the tables at the reception, but there are other ways of decorating the venue too. If there is a staircase, for example, why not have a floral garland? If it’s a traditional marquee, you could decorate the internal poles with flowers. A church wedding can lend itself to an arch of flowers at the entrance – it always looks striking in photographs.” [Image: David Austin Roses are a timeless classic for your bridal bouquet]
If you like the look of a florist, but you’re not sure if they’ll supply to your area or if they could create the bouquet you’re envisaging, don’t be afraid to ask. “Have a look at their website to get a feel for what they do, but don’t be put off if you want something different – most florists are very flexible and can create anything. So don’t be shy! Let them know the look you want. And remember, it’s always best to go and speak to the florist in person to see what ideas they have,” advises Amy McMurray.
Once you’ve made your decision and chosen your flowers, it’s time to relax and let your florist get to work. “Each of the florists at Mood Flowers only deals with one wedding on any given day so the bride and groom can expect their full attention,” says Nick Priestly. We’re sure you’re be pleased with the results!
(BSW:29)