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.
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.
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