One of the things your guests will remember as much as your dress is the flowers. Let's look at ways to help you find a florist that fits your style and cheque book.
Set your budget
Flowers can cost a few hundred or the price of a small house. Assign a realistic dollar amount...usually around 10% of the total budget for the event.
Shop around
Get a few leads from friends who were recently married or from ads you have seen. Next start making calls or checking websites to see who can accommodate your date and your needs. Finally, go and meet the florists that match your style and budget.
Get references
Ask for a few past clients and contact them to get information on their experiences with the vendor. Find out if the flowers matched their expectations and the level of service and attention to details shown by the vendor. Finally be reasonable, don't expect these people you have contacted to be available to meet or show you pictures at your convenience.
Remember the dress
The style of your gown should be taken into consideration when choosing your flowers for the bouquet and your decorations. If your dress is very ornate or beaded you might try to have a cleaner more elegant size and style of bouquet to compliment it. For a more modern style try something like a tight bunch of the same flower or a more unconventional mix of flowers with feathers or crystals.
Have a visual
It is always good to take a few pictures from a book or magazine that best represent what you want for your arrangements. Don't be ashamed to take swatches of fabric from your bridesmaids' dresses either. You are not being anal....just organized.
