Expert Insights: Essential Questions to Ask a Florist for Your Event, Answered by a Professional
When hiring your florist for your wedding, gathering as much information as possible to ensure they understand your vision and can meet your floral needs is important. Here are some questions to ask your florist. Below are our answers.
Can you show me examples of your previous work or a portfolio? Yes, the florist's website serves as an excellent repository to explore our portfolio. It's worthwhile to browse through their portfolio and peruse their blog for a comprehensive view of our work. For an even more extensive and diverse collection, I recommend delving into their Instagram profile. Their feed is where they showcase their finest creations but don't forget to also explore the tagged photos section and the highlights for a broader perspective.
Are you available on my event date, and how many weddings do you take per day? Verifying the date is of utmost importance. It's advisable to secure your florist's services between six months to a year in advance of your event. Given the seasonal nature of our offerings, it's essential to recognize that florists often manage multiple events on the same date. While this might raise concerns when collaborating with a newly established florist, a more experienced professional with over five years of experience can confidently handle multiple events simultaneously.
How many weddings or events have you done in the past? We have successfully executed hundreds of weddings since we have been in business for 10 years and design 25-35 full-service weddings yearly. However, if you add our elopements and intimate weddings, we may be close to 1,000. A typical florist will take anywhere between 15-75 weddings a year, depending on location, how long the season is (it varies based on location), the size of the event, and personal preference. A florist in their first year or two may have 30 or fewer weddings under their belt since it’s hard to book weddings when you first start out.
Do you specialize in a particular style of floral design? We possess a comprehensive understanding of diverse floral design styles. Our particular aesthetic is characterized by its light, modern, airy, and natural essence, infused with a touch of whimsy. We pride ourselves on staying abreast of current trends and continuously evolving our approach. While many florists focus on mastering a single style, we stand out by seamlessly transitioning between multiple styles. It's crucial to align your preferences with the florist whose designs resonate with you. Keep in mind that a traditional florist might not excel in crafting a garden-inspired, airy bouquet, and vice versa. Choosing a florist in accordance with your preferred style ensures a harmonious match.
Can you work within my budget? How do you handle pricing? We fully appreciate the significance of adhering to a budget and are dedicated to crafting floral arrangements that align harmoniously with your financial considerations. It's worth noting that while we aim to accommodate your budget, our pricing remains firm. The world of flowers entails both expense and indulgence, embodying an artistic process that demands immense talent, time, materials, and expertise to transform your floral vision into a reality that enhances your special day.
We maintain transparent pricing information on our website and Instagram platform for your convenience. We extend detailed proposals to serve as a point of reference. Should you entrust us to leverage our expertise and creativity, we're more than willing to explore budget-conscious alternatives. By doing so, we ensure that your investment yields the utmost value.
Our pricing structure is meticulously established, founded upon the floral selections we employ and the costs associated with impeccably executing your wedding vision. To realize our distinctive aesthetic, we curate floral arrangements with a specific caliber of blooms that exude quality and refinement. We do provide an à la carte package that retains our signature style and atmosphere while employing more cost-effective blooms for those seeking a more budget-friendly option.
It's important to acknowledge that some florists might offer lower pricing, but they often utilize more economical flowers, potentially altering your arrangements' overall ambiance and feel. Similar to various retail businesses, including restaurants and clothing stores, we, too, incorporate a standard markup in our pricing structure to account for the expertise and personalized service we deliver.
What flowers are in season during my event date, and can you recommend alternatives if my preferred flowers are unavailable? We stay up-to-date with seasonal flower availability and can guide you on the best options for your event date. If your preferred flowers are unavailable, we will suggest suitable alternatives that complement your desired aesthetic. Please note our industry is based on Mother Nature, and sometimes she throws in dry, rainy, or unusual weather that may cause the season to shift a little, so please understand not every flower in your exact color is always available. Please be flexible.
How do you source your flowers? Do you offer organic, locally grown, or sustainable options? We prioritize sustainable practices and offer various sourcing options. We strive to work with local growers and can provide organic or sustainably grown flowers when available. During off-season (winter) local farming is far and few. We care about the environment, our health, and yours. The chemicals on flowers from non-organic or other countries contain harmful chemicals we don’t want you and your guest breathing. Note that not all florists buy locally or organically. We are lucky to be based in California, where many blooms are grown due to our perfect weather. A lot of florists have to source from all over to have access.
Can you create a sample centerpiece or bouquet to help visualize the final result? Absolutely! We can create sample centerpieces or bouquets for you to visualize the final result. This allows us to fine-tune the design according to your preferences, but we charge for the meeting and cost of the blooms. Most florists charge for this; if they include it, you may still play for it within your proposal. We charge the total cost of the centerpiece plus a delivery fee to the meeting and a flat rate for the time spent.
Do you provide other décor elements, such as vases or candles? In addition to floral arrangements, we do not provide decorative elements such as candles, table numbers, and similar items. Regrettably, our studio's limited space prevents us from offering storage for these additional items. Including these elements in your floral budget might exceed your preferred expenditure for floral arrangements, excluding table decor. The expenses associated with these items can accumulate rapidly and demand significant labor for proper execution. We are enthusiastic about assisting you in making design choices and can provide you with a list of rental companies that specialize in such items. While many florists do offer these elements, it's important to note that they often come with considerable costs. Exploring second-hand purchases or acquiring these items yourself for later resale might potentially offer a more cost-effective solution.
Will you be personally setting up and arranging the floral arrangements on the event day, or will someone else handle it? Our experienced team will personally handle the setup and arrangement of the floral pieces on your event day. We take great care to ensure everything looks perfect and aligns with your vision. If you order from our a la carte package, these items may be dropped off depending on your order.
Can you accommodate specific color schemes or themes? Absolutely! We are adept at working with specific color schemes and themes. We will collaborate with you to ensure that the floral designs seamlessly align with your vision. However, our style is our style. We are not rustic or traditional so if your theme is not on brand, we are not the right florist for you.
How far in advance do you need the final order and any necessary changes? Ideally, we would appreciate receiving your final order at least a month before your event. However, we understand that changes may arise and will do our best to accommodate them within a reasonable timeframe.
Are there any additional fees or charges I should be aware of, such as delivery or setup fees? We will provide a comprehensive breakdown of all costs, including applicable delivery, setup, or breakdown (strike) fees. Transparency is important to us, and there will be no hidden charges. However, things may pop up over time if you choose to alter your proposal or your venue requests items that may take more labor or equipment.
Can you work with any specific venue restrictions or guidelines? We are experienced in working with various venues and are familiar with their unique restrictions or guidelines. We will adapt our designs to comply with any requirements. Please understand some installations may have to vary from inspo based on venue restrictions.
What is your cancellation or refund policy? Our cancellation and refund policy will be outlined in our contract. We understand that circumstances can change, and we will work with you to find a fair resolution in such cases.
