5 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Florist Before Booking
With the amount of planning a couple has to do, it’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed and have no idea where to start. Once you have your venue booked and the date of your wedding, you can begin booking all of your other vendors. Pre-Covid, we would have recommended booking your wedding vendors nine to twelve months out. Now, we recommend that you start booking vendors twelve to eighteen months out—calendars fill up quickly and you don’t want to miss out on your dream florist!
Florists can offer more than just flowers on your wedding day, so if you are asking the right questions, they can help you with a multitude of decor for your big day. We also suggest coming prepared with a Pinterest board of inspiration or some ideas of what you want your wedding day aesthetic to be.
If you don’t know where to start, check out Thistle Bee’s Pinterest page for some inspiration on all things wedding. Don’t stress about colors, many florists can change the color scheme up to three months before the wedding.
To take some of that stress out of wedding planning, our team put together a list of several questions to ask when considering a florist for your wedding.
1. Are you available on our wedding date?
I would ask this question before even booking a meeting with a florist. If they are already booked and don’t design multiple weddings in one day, then they may have friends in the industry they can recommend you to that are similar to them in style.
If they’re available on your wedding day then get your appointment booked as soon as possible!
2. Can we see photos of your work from past weddings?
If you haven’t already stalked their work on Instagram or their blog, then definitely ask the florist to see pictures of their work. Florists will have a ton of pictures from past weddings and can find pictures that may match the wedding day style you’re looking for.
Bonus Question: Do you have photos of your work from our wedding venue?
This allows you to envision what the space may look like on the day of your wedding. Also, it allows you to see what spaces other couples have decorated that you may have never realized could be—fireplaces, staircases, and even the ceiling!
Our Pinterest board is organized by decor type, venue, and ceremony. We even have a board for creative spaces we have decorated at past weddings.
3. Do you have a minimum? What is included in your fee?
This is VERY important if you are working within a certain budget. Be upfront about your budget when working with your wedding vendors, most are willing to work within a reasonable range or offer suggestions on how you can stick within your budget.
Many vendors also have a minimum, if it’s not within your budget, they may be able to suggest friends in the industry that may be within your budget.
Also, what is included in their fee may vary among the florists you talk to. Many florists will break each piece down and provide what the fee is for that item to give you a clear understanding of exactly what you’re getting and the cost associated with it. Don’t be afraid to ask to modify items to fit your budget needs.
4. How would you describe your aesthetic?
Rustic, romantic, vintage, whimsical, modern, or bohemian—no matter what your theme is, you will want to make sure your flowers match. Your florist’s work will set the tone and aesthetic for the day, so make sure you are selecting a vendor that matches what you are looking for.
As we stated in question number two, ask to see pictures of past weddings matching the aesthetic you are looking for. Florists want to bring your dreams to life, so providing as much detail and inspiration for your dream aesthetic helps them make it a reality.
5. If we decide to move forward, how do we hold you for our wedding date?
With vendor dates booking quickly, you want to clarify the next steps with your florist. Due to the abundance of interest, many vendors are no longer holding dates without a deposit. Clarify with your vendor how to go about securing your date as soon as you know you want to work with them. Get details on the next step and a rough estimate of what a deposit will look like so you are prepared to book as soon as possible.
Start Planning the Wedding of Your Dreams
Meeting with prospective wedding vendors should be fun, not stressful! Make it a mini date night and grab a glass of wine with your partner and relax while interviewing wedding vendors. As long as you’re doing your research and asking the right questions, you’ll find the best-fit vendors that will make your wedding day absolutely perfect!
Don’t know where to start planning? Download our FREE floral planning checklist to use before meeting with your florist.
