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.