Based in the UK, focusing on crafting beautiful memories for your wedding day. Huge believer of documentary, story-telling and natural approach of photography style.
I had the chance to work together with Jenny last year when I shot Tom and Mel’s wedding. Jenny was their wedding day florist and she is the woman behind the business Jenny Fleur Event Florist. Pop over to her website or Instagram to check out her beautiful work. I invited her to guest write on my blog to share her knowledge on how to choose a florist for your wedding day and I’m so excited to share them with you.
Words by Jenny.
Most people love flowers and would like them to be a part of their wedding day but the options can be a bit bewildering when it comes choosing a florist.
So where do you start? Jenny Fleur is on hand to guide you through the garden gate when it comes to finding your florist…..
Where would you use your flowers and allocate a budget
Firstly make a rough list of the flowers you think you would like, for example, the bridal bouquet, buttonholes, ceremony flowers and table centres. It’s a good idea to split the list into ‘essentials’ and then a ‘wishlist’ – such as an arch or backdrop. Then have a think about your flower budget, as a rule of thumb couples often allocate around 10% of their overall wedding budget but it can be less for smaller weddings or a lot more if flowers are a big part of the day.
Where to look for florists
Once you’ve got an idea of what you want then start researching florists.
If you’ve booked a specific venue they will often have a list of recommended suppliers which can be a good starting point and there are numerous wedding directories online listing florists across the country. Ask your friends and family if they have any recommendations, they might know or have used an amazing florist for their own wedding.
Follow their work online
Follow florists on social media, this way you’ll get a really good insight into their style and work. I think it’s really important to find suppliers who are a good fit for the type of wedding you’re going for; just as you wouldn’t choose a traditional photographer for your alternative wedding there’s no point in choosing a florist who creates neat, uniform arrangements if you want a wild, boho style!
Create a shortlist of a few florists whose work and style you like and have a good look at their websites to find out any more info about how they work. Read some reviews or testimonials from past couples and see whether they have a price guide or minimum spend. This may help narrow down your shortlist in finding the right florist for to fit your budget as well as your style.
Contact your chosen florist
Get in touch! In terms of timescale, it’s not too early to be contacting your florist 12-18 months in advance, especially for popular summer dates and bank holidays. Ideally send your favourite florists an email with your date, venue and some ideas on what you’d like. For me it’s always useful when couples share some images or a Pinterest board so I can get a feel for what people after and whether we share the same vision.
After the initial email arrange a call or meeting to chat through your ideas and expectations; explain what flowers are a priority and what is on that wishlist; be honest about your budget and see what they come up with. Even when I’ve done multiple weddings at the same venue I will always suggest different options to suit different styles, seasons and budgets.
Get a quote
Once you’ve gone through ideas in more detail most florists will be able to provide you with a quote. Bare in mind that the quote is still likely to be an initial outline; things like table numbers or buttonholes may change but you should have a good idea of costs. By all means compare the quotes you receive but do understand it’s very hard to compare like-for-like when it comes to wedding flowers as everyone has different ways of working and different overheads.
Find someone you can connect with
Now you’ve done all your homework and it comes down to making a choice I have a final piece of advice. After considering all the options couples should be booking a florist they can connect with and who they trust. Someone who is excited get creative, who can listen to your needs and be honest and someone who is both fun and professional to work with.
There are lots of really amazing florists out there, catering for all styles and budgets so good luck in choosing your perfect florist!
