As soon as you have booked your venue and set a date then it's
not too early to think about your flowers. Start to keep a scrapbook
straight away of your favourite flowers and colour schemes. Subscribe to
some useful magazines like 'Wedding' or 'Wedding Flowers'. Ask your
venue too if they have an in house florist that you can use.
With
about eight to nine months to go you will probably have chosen yours and
your bridesmaids dresses, you can add samples of the fabrics or
photographs to your scrapbook. If you still need to find a florist start
looking now. Ask your married friends for recommendations if you have
booked your photographer then ask him/her too! Visit some wedding shows
then you can talk to some florists in an unthreatening environment.
After this research come up with a short list and make appointments to
see them all. Make sure that they know will not be booking there and
then. Take your scrapbook with you; listen to their advice and ideas.
Ask to see examples of their work, most of them will have an album of
photographs to show you or if you see them at a wedding show they will
have real life samples with them that you can look at. While you are
talking to them ask who will make your flowers, will it be them or
someone else. Once you have made your choice book them! Most florists
limit the number of weddings they do each week and you do not want to
miss out. Make sure that you get confirmation in writing of your
booking, the estimated cost, a receipt for your deposit and then date
when the balance is due.
With about 6 months to go you need to
finalise your order with your chosen florist. If they are providing
table centres and other room decorations then ask them to come with you
when you visit the venue. You can then finalise all parts of your order.
Do not forget if you are having flowers for your hair your hairdresser
may want to do a trial before hand. Ask if there is any extra cost for
providing flowers for this.
With a month to go you should meet for
one last time with the florist to check all the arrangements. Make sure
they have the correct addresses for all the different deliveries. Ask
what time they would like to set up at the venue and check that this
time is alright with them. Do not forget to give your florist emergency
contact numbers in case of any problems.
On the big day organise
for someone to 'receive' each delivery on your behalf. Ask them to check
that everything is correct and there and that there is no transit
damage. Once the flowers arrive then think about keeping them as 'fresh'
as possible. Hand tied arrangements should be kept in water but
remember to dry the stems about half an hour before you leave so that
there is no danger of water drops and staining on your dresses. Wired
arrangements should be sprayed often with water and it helps if button
holes and corsages are stored somewhere cool and dry. One last tip as
everyone always asks - lady's corsages traditionally go upside down
(stem pointing up) just below the lady's right shoulder!
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