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12 Essential Questions for Your Florist

A quick list of must-make queries

by the editors at Modern Bride magazine

If possible, try to interview several florists at least four months before the wedding and compare their ideas and estimated costs before making your final decision. Here's a list of questions you should be sure to ask.

 

  1. Are you familiar with the site(s)? If not, will you arrange to visit the site(s) with me?
     
  2. May I see photographs, sketches or sample wedding albums that show your work?
     
  3. Can you also provide aisle runners, stanchions, candelabras? What about any other decorations that the site cannot provide?
     
  4. Are there any limitations on my choices of flowers (due to bridesmaids' gowns, the decor of the site, lighting or the lack of it, seasonal availability or budget considerations)?
     
  5. Given the locations, time of day, season of the year and planned reception activities, do I need particularly hardy flowers which can retain their appearance under less than ideal conditions?
     
  6. Can you use flowers to help me enhance a wedding tone or mood: casual, country, formal, sophisticated, dramatic?
     
  7. Can you make me a preliminary list of what you think I'll need in numbers of bouquets, arrangements, boutonnieres and so on?
     
  8. When will the flowers be delivered? Is there a delivery fee? Who is to receive them?
     
  9. Is there a setup fee?
     
  10. What are your guarantees regarding freshness, availability and substitutions?
  11. What is the estimated total cost of all my selections?