Firstly, huge congratulations, this is a very exciting time!
There is so much to plan, all your ideas to write down and research and, over the next few months, I’m sure you will read through a mountain of magazines telling you what to do and when.
As a florist, flowers will always be high on my list of things to plan, but for many couples, they are often the last thing on the list. Some brides tell me that they were dreading choosing flowers or thought it would be the hardest part. I always say it should be one of the best bits!
Flowers can really tie everything together, and they can certainly finish off a room.
Here are some tips to make your wedding flower planning that bit easier..
Twelve months to go…
– Make a list of all the flowers you need, and also of any extra bits you would love.
– Gather some ideas of flowers you like and colour schemes that you think would fit with your wedding.
– Grab some flower magazines and if you can, set up a Pinterest board of ideas you love.
– Ask recently married friends for florist recommendations, pick up leaflets at wedding fairs and Google florists in your local area.
– Email florists with a list of what you would like and ask for a rough quote.
Nine months to go…
– Pick two florists from your emails and arrange to meet up with them. Take along a swatch of bridesmaids material, pictures that you have collected and anything else you think might help the florist. Ask for a quotation in writing, checking that there are no hidden costs with set up fees or delivery charges.
– Book your favourite florist, the one you feel most confident with, that may not necessarily be the cheapest one. You will probably need to pay a deposit to secure the day. Ask for a confirmation in writing.
Five months to go…
– Arrange another meeting with your florist. Go through the finer details of your flowers, numbers of buttonholes, corsages and table decorations if you know them. If you would like your florist to label buttonholes, now is the time to give them names of Groomsmen etc.
– If your florist isn’t familiar with your venue, perhaps arrange to meet them there.
– Ask for a final quote.
One month to go…
– Contact your florist and confirm details of times and addresses for deliveries on your wedding day. Most florists will set up two-three hours before your ceremony time, depending on how much there is to do.
– Make sure your florist has phone numbers for you, your Groom and another person on your wedding day, just in case.
– Check when your final balance is due, most florists ask for the balance around two weeks before the wedding.
A few days before…
– Give your florist a quick ring to make sure everything has arrived ok and there are no problems.
– Check what time your florist will be arriving on your wedding day.
Your big day…
– Once your florist has delivered your flowers, try and keep them as cool as possible.
– If your flowers have arrived in water, dry the stems around half an hour before you are going to carry them to your ceremony.
We have had lots of enquiries from lovely brides about their wedding flowers, and we are arranging lots of meetings to discuss their wedding flowers for this year and 2017. Our next wedding fair is Sunday 24th January at Plymouth Guildhall! Where you will be able to see some of our gorgeous work and see upcoming trends and colour schemes. It would be great to see some of you there!
If you would like to meet up and discuss your ideas, please just get in touch.
Email : hello@hannahburnettflorist.co.uk
Phone : 07887 369275
Hannah x