If you have booked your wedding recently and are now in the process of seeking out those all important suppliers to provide your venue, catering, cars, invitations, cakes, dresses and flowers, not forgetting your photographer, I thought I would take the opportunity to try and outline what you are paying for when you receive a quote from your florist.

As a freelance florist I am more than happy to receive an e-mail from a bride who is only looking for bridal party flowers - that being bouquets for bride, and bridesmaids, button holes and a few corsages without getting involved with church and reception requirements, but also brides who are looking for the full package from bridal party flowers, through to church flowers, reception and venue. areas.

I think there is a misconception that it cannot be that hard to put a bridal bouquet together, let alone a bunch of flowers in a vase for a table centre.  So what are you paying for:

The training, expertise and knowledge of the florist you contacted and their specific style
Their time - like any other profession this is chargeable 
Design Fee
Set up/delivery Fee
Equipment hire costs - if needed
Flower and foliage costs (this includes preparing and conditioning)
Labour of hired in staff for larger events
Refreshments for staff for that day
Clear down after event (usually the day after)

The reason why some florists will not take on a smaller wedding is that as florists we have to buy in minimum quantities of flowers from our wholesalers, and therefore it is not cost effective to take this on. Depending on the flowers required, I will try and accommodate a bride, no matter how small their wedding flower requirements, but do not be offended if sometimes this cannot happen, and I might suggest visiting a high street florist for this.

Finally it is really helpful if you are honest about your budget with your florist, and try not to expect a flower filled candelabra to be anything less than £120 (not including the hire of the candelabra) You will see many photographs on Pinterest with flower filled vases - brimming over the edges - the more flowers there are with less foliage, the more you will have to pay.

Please do not ask any florist to provide a "quick quote" over the phone or listed in an e-mail as until they actually meet with the client and understand their requirements in full it will then be possible to provide a realistic quote.  My first consultation is free.  If a further consultation is needed prior to booking my services then this will be chargeable. in advance.

I hope all the above might have helped.  

Look forward to hearing from you.











 

Expectations are high when flowers are delivered.  There are so many variations on the packaging that florists use.

I tend to go for tissue, brown paper, water bubble (made from cellophane) with a satin ribbon to match the flowers, and if the bouquet is to the value of £30.00 or over I provide a box shaped bag,  However, I have twice recently been asked to provide bouquets to go straight into the owners vase.  They look stunning on arrival as well - expanse of tissue, brown paper and ribbon.

For the recipient this can be helpful, as a perfectly hand tied bouquet of flowers with long stems can then be cut to fit the vase rather than the florist (me!) best guessing vase sizes.  However, I do tend to aim for longer stems now.  

Whatever bouquet you receive some top tips are - even if you receive your flowers in a water bubble - remove all
packaging, but leave the tie round the middle that holds it together..  Chose a container that will provide room round the stems so they can take up water easily, so not jammed in the vase.  Make sure the container is squeaky clean - either been put through a dishwasher wash or soapy water and then drop of bleach then filled to brim and rinse.  Snip all the stems at a slight angle which helps with the uptake of water, fill your container about half way with fresh water add flower food if provided and swish round, add flowers and admire.  If you are brave you can now snip that tie that holds your bouquet together - not essential though!

To make the most of your flowers, they do not like to sit in a hot spot, or in full sun or near fruit and vegetables - delicate things that they are - change the water every two or three days, and if you have time lightly snip the ends again.  Remove any flowers or foliage from the arrangement that are looking tired - not all flowers in a bouquet have the same vase life - and this will prolong the life of those left from your bouquet.  

Enjoy your flowers.

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