here are a few tips I wish brides knew as they plan their wedding:
Trying to replicate inspiration
I often see brides obsessed with an image, whether it’s from a tear sheet or Pinterest. Even with the same materials, It's nearly impossible to re-create an image exactly. No two designers are alike. So my advice is focus less on replicating a photo and instead be open and comfortable with your inspiration becoming a springboard for a new interpretation.
Flowers aren’t expensive only because they are for your wedding
The idea of a “wedding tax” being put on florals isn’t true, I promise. Flowers eat up a larger part of your budget because of the many hours put into them. Unlike for more basic events, brides tend to be very focused on complex details of their bouquets, leading to more hours for florists spent making them flawless. Between speaking with the bride, planning the florals, and actually executing the floral plan, florists can spend hours bringing the bride’s floral vision to life. If you think about it, you’re really ordering custom art—and in most cases, multiple pieces.
Flowers and the overall wedding budget
Most florists can work within your budget and know how to make your dollars stretch. We don't expect every client to have an unlimited floral budget. Maybe smaller centerpieces in a similar style to the XL ones you've fallen in love with will do. Or maybe your wedding cake really doesn't really need as many blooms in it so you can afford your dream oversized bouquet. There are more options than you think for cutting down cost. I’m happy to make recommendations, just ask.
DIY Isn’t as easy as it seems
It’s becoming more and more common or brides to put their own bouquets together or outsource to a friend. If that’s your thing, great—but make sure you do the research ahead of time. Removing pollen, thorns, and other pointy stems is an absolute necessity, and it looks a lot easier than it actually is to create a pretty group of flowers. Each corsage, boutonnière, and bouquet takes time. You don’t need the undue stress of designing the flowers the night before your wedding—especially if you are not used to floral design.
Seasons Matter
If the flowers you’re ordering are out of season, the price will rise even further. Flowers that don’t naturally bloom at this time of year have to be carefully raised in greenhouses, and the resulting supply will be small compared to the demand. To keep prices down, ask me what’s in season.
Outdoor events are hard on flowers
Once cut and placed in an arrangement, a flower becomes more sensitive to temperature changes. If you’re planning an event or a photo shoot outdoors, your flowers will wilt. Unfortunately, I can’t do anything about nature’s tendencies, so plan accordingly. The summer heat and winter chill can both be tough on flowers. Take some portraits, then have a bridesmaid take your flowers back inside for a trim, a drink, and some rest.
Trust your vendors
Florists work with a natural product, which means they often need to stay flexible. If the flowers you ordered haven’t quite bloomed or aren’t as large as I would like, I may need to make substitutions to keep your florals looking perfect. Trust that I have your best interests at heart.
At the end of the day, I wants to work with you to make your wedding the day you’ve been dreaming of. But by keeping these tips in mind, you’ll have fewer bumps in the road and smoother sailing to “I Do” surrounded by gorgeous florals.
Flowers after the fact
I know weddings current look a lot different than they did just a few months ago. Once this virus calms down, if you choose to have lavish florals for your wedding and reception, perhaps consider donating florals to hospitals and retirement homes for more people to enjoy. Centerpieces or anything in a water tight container will do. Past brides have given their florals away as favors to guests. As for your bouquet, here are a few of my favorite preservationists: