Why Use a Professional Florist? 

Flowers are a nice touch for any event, but for a wedding they are an integral part of your experience. They add color, texture, fragrance and style. Recent studies prove that flowers do affect us and can go a long way in creating an overall feel and mood.

Your floral consultant is trained to work with you to find the perfect array of flowers to satisfy your vision and your budget. Using a professional florist or event designer is one of the best decisions you can make for a perfect wedding. With their experience, knowledge of flower varieties and flower care, as well as access to all the latest tools and trends, they can make magic.

Getting married is a life-changing event. It is exciting and challenging at the same time. With so many details to attend to as you plan, it is important to have professionals available to assist you and offer expert advice. A wedding flower specialist and event consultant can give you the confidence that things are being taken care of and will be beautiful and of high quallity.

Choosing Your Florist 

One of the best ways to decide on a florist is through word of mouth. Ask your friends and family who they would use. Visit some shops. What is your first impression? Ask if you can browse through portfolios of their wedding work and consider having an arrangement sent to you from them.

Resist the desire to start asking questions about your wedding then. Flower shops can be very busy places and you will receive more attention and get a better feel for things if you make an appointment for a sit-down consultation.

You may wish to choose a wedding and special event design studio to work with you. In this case, there may not be a storefront to visit. Check out their web site and ask if they have information they can send to you prior to your meeting.

Most florists do not charge for an initial consultation. Those who do, will apply it to your final order.

Hand-tied Bouquets 

A popular look right now

Hand-tied bouquets are very popular right now. Here are some that I made.

The stems of your hand-tied bouquet can be wrapped with ribbon but left free at the bottom so that it can later be placed in water to prolong its life (make sure to recut the stems first). A double-sided satin ribbon wrap feels luxurious. Pearl or crystal beading can be used to embellish the wrap.

Certain flowers do not last well in a bouquet like this where there is no water source, for instance lilac and hydrangea. However, there are options where a special holder with water-soaked light weight foam is used to insert the flowers. The florist can still give it the popular hand-tied look by attaching stems to the handle.

Click on the bouquets shown here for a larger view and description of the flowers used.

Purple Bouquet

Yellow hand-tied bou...

Bride's Bouquet

How do Florists Differ? 

Why choose one over another?

1. Some florists are AIFD certified (American Institute of Floral Designers). The certification process is rigorous and it shows that the florist is an expert in execution of many styles of design. This does not mean that someone who is not AIFD certified is not excellent. Its just one marker. It is not neccesary to have AIFD after your name to be an good designer, but it does show a high level of commitment to the profession. A designer may also be an FTD certified Master Designer.
2. How do they present themselves to the public? Is their shop, showroom, website and personal presentation organized, attractive and of high quality?
3. Do they spend time listening to you and your goals and do their suggestions to you reflect that? As they talk with you and as you refine your understanding of each other, they should begin to get a feeling for who you are and what will make you happy.
4. Do they take the initiative to make suggestions based on their experience with your wedding/reception site and the latest trends?
5. Do they encourage you to consider some different ideas that you may not have thought about but which can make your wedding stand out as unique? A talented designer can help you create something different, not just provide a cookie cutter service.
6. Do your personalities click? This is very important. You want to feel at ease with your consultant.
7. And, though they will probably have help putting it all together for you, will they be there to coordinate and make sure that everything is just right for you when the designs are made?

Preparing for Your Consultation 

Once you have an appointment in place, organize your ideas. If you have not been cutting out photos of bouquets you like, consider doing so. It will give the florist a good idea of your style. Be prepared to provide information on dress colors and dress styles.

Your consultant will also want to talk to you about yourself to get to know you and have a better idea of how to most effectively suit your needs and follow your vision.

Another little hint about your consultation: If you are reading this you have probably done other research about choosing your florist. By now, we know all the questions you are going to ask to try to "qualify" us. You can still ask those questions (Are you the one who will be doing my flowers?", for example) but it does not compare with the simple action of getting to know your florist -- sharing thoughts, feelings and ideas and building a bond with them as you plan your wedding. This will get you the best results. People always want to do good work, but they are extra motivated when they like and respect the customer.

More Hand-tied Bouquets 

A hand-tied bouquet is created using a special technique of spiraling the flower stems around a central core and tying them. It should be balanced to be able to stand on its own on a table just by setting it on its stems.

Another very traditional style of bouquet is the cascade where flowers drape or cascade down from the central core of the bouquet. Some of the flowers that look particularly nice as they drape down are dendrobium or oncidium orchids and calla lilies. Oncidium orchids are available in yellow and are like a flutter of tiny butterflies. The Dendrobiums and what are called "posey" (smaller) callas, come in a variety of colors such as white, shades of purple, pink and, for the callas, yellows and oranges.

Click on the photos for a larger view and description of these hand-tied bouquets.

Blue Bouquet

Yellow Bouquet

Pink Bouquet

Bringing a Friend Along 

Should you or shouldn't you?

Sometimes brides are tempted to bring along a friend to help them make decisions. I recommend a personal, one-on-one consultation where you can more readily bond with your florist and take full advantage of his or her expertise.

Your parents or fiancee may wish to come along and this is very reasonable, however, getting too many people involved can lead to confusion and can potentially dilute your vision. Trust yourself and your professional florist to help you create a beautiful wedding.

And...Pricing! 

The issue of trust

1. Professional florists these days are very precise. Gone are the days when florists used to make something and then stand back and say, "That looks like $50 worth." And, I can tell you that when this was done it was usually not in the florist's favor.
2. Florist's have a formula or recipe which they use when preparing arrangements. The recipe includes everything used: the container, the foam, the greens, the flowers and labor. This holds true for weddings as well. You will not be short-changed.
3. Just like with any other business, there is overhead involved: cost of equipment (including refrigerators) and maintainence, cost of flowers and supplies and shipping or travel, labor, advertising, etc.
4. Florists handle a perishable product and, as for a restaurant, there is a certain amount of loss involved. Of course, this is kept to a minimum, but it still figures into pricing. It is part of the nature of the business.
5. When you are given the estimate, the designer is most likely not going to tell you, to the flower, how many they will use, unless they are showing you bouquets from a recipe book, which you probably don't want anyway. An experienced and creative designer will be able to give an accurate price which will allow them to be flexible, be creative, and fullfill all your desires.
6. Trust your florist and his or her style enough to allow them flexibilty. Some flowers are ordered 2 weeks ahead to arrive the week of your wedding and others may be selected at the nearest flower market much closer to the date. When you are flexible, as they go to market or place an order and there is something perfect for your wedding, they can use their best judgement and provide the freshest and highest quality flowers available.
7. On the other hand, don't worry, if there is something you really want for your wedding, it is usually available. Seasonablility is not much of an issue anymore now that flowers are shipped from all over the world. There may, however, still be some flowers at certain times of the year that just can't be provided.
8. Some flowers and design styles are more expensive than others. If you have a tight budget, let the designer know ahead of time so that you can work together to stay within your range.
9. Don't try to haggle over price like you would for a used car. It just doesn't work that way. Florists carefully plan their prices to be fair and accessible.
10. Preferences vary so much in terms of the importance of flowers at each wedding that there is really no average I could give for a flower budget per wedding. It varies depending on the number of attendants and tables, but it also varies based on how important it is to you to have an abundance of flowers. It could run anywhere from $300 for the very simple to $25,000 and even more for a fabulous flowery wedding.
11. If you want to find somewhere to cut back on your budget, I usually suggest the church, as your guests will probably be spending a much longer time at the reception.
12. I find the greatest sticker shock comes from hearing the reception table costs. People tend to not think about what a difference it makes once you multiply all those tables by the price of each centerpiece. Just keep this in mind so you can plan accordingly.
13. It is hard to compare estimates between shops based on, for instance, corsage prices. These may vary from shop to shop, but aren't necessarily a marker for comparison. Some shops may do their pricing differently and make up the difference elsewhere.
14. Finally, once you have found a florist you really, really like, go with it. Prices don't vary that much and, even so, you get what you pay for in this business, just like any other.

Check Out Some Florists Right Now 

San Francisco Area Design Studios 

Wine Country Flowers

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA: Includes a portfolio of arrangements organized by themes, seasons and venues. A wedding and events-only florist.

Stanlee R. Gatti Designs

SAN FRANCISCO: Very playful and interesting site highlighting an exceptional designer who has a background in architectural design.

Tapestry

SAN FRANCSICO BAY AREA: Designer Karen Axel presents a beautiful display of her work organized by color.

* Wiggy Flowers *

SAN FRANCISCO, WINE COUNTRY & SEATTLE: Floral artist Catherine Conlin has recently expanded to serve Seattle. * CHECK OUT her links to other preferred, affiliated florists from all around the country--all very high quality.*

Bellafiore

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA: Includes a portfolio of bouquets and arrangements from designer Mol Tran. Very romantic and nice use of color.

Floramor Studios

SAN FRANCISCO: Beautiful site showcasing bouquets and decor created by event specialists and designers Laura Little and Stephen O'Connell.

Fleurs de France

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA: Portfolio of bouquets, ceremony and reception arrangements created by wedding designer Jessica Switala.

Water Lily Pond

SAN FRANCISCO: A team of designers creating contemporary bouquets and unique decor for weddings and special events. Includes designer profiles, galleries organized by themes and describes workshops offered for bridal parties and corporate team building.

Simply Blooms

SAN FRANCISCO AREA: Designer, Matika Angkatavanich, grew up in Thailand and it shows in her beautiful wedding bouquets, centerpieces and ceremony flowers.

San Francisco Area Wedding Florists

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA: A comprehensive list of San Francisco wedding florists and flower shops plus links to other area wedding specialists, much like the above site for New York.

California Wedding Flower Specialists 

Flowerwild

BURBANK, CALIFORNIA: Designer, Kate Sapienza specializes in contemporary, romantic arrangements and bouquets.

Adrianne Smith Floral Design

ENCINITAS, CALIFORNIA:-Design studio specializing in garden style bouquets and decor. Includes portfolio and background information.

Marcia L. Johnson

ORANGE COUNTY CALIFORNIA: Profile and portfolio of flowers for wedding ceremonies and receptions by talented Southern California-based designer, Marcia Johnson.

Scott Corridan & Company

SANTA BARBARA & LOS ANGELES: Scott Corridan is quite a personality, as this website will show you. Videos, a biography, design philosophy, magazine articles and photographs of wedding flowers are included in this jam-packed promo.

Flourish

SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA: Talented designer Shannon Cosgrove-Rivas is a well-established, very professional wedding consultant with expert skills. She also teaches classes in floral design for those of you who want to learn to do more on your own.

Flower Divas

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA: Designers experienced in interior design as well as floral design will help you put together a one-of- a-kind wedding. They have many rental items available also.

Flowers by Denise

TEMPLETON, CALIFORNIA (CENTRAL COAST): Unique bouquets and event decor created by Denise Benda. This is an event and wedding-only design studio.

Other People's Wedding Flowers 

Keep Scrolling!

Keep going! There is more to come besides links to florists.

By: jolli

By: jolli

New York Design Studios 

Avi Adler & David Stark

NEW YORK: The well-regarded wedding and event design team of Avi Adler and David Stark has divided in two, but this link will take you to both of them. You will also find a link to one of their books in another section further down.

Carolyn Gregg Flower Design

NEW YORK: Lovely garden style designs from an experienced designer with a background in painting. Beautiful use of color and texture.

David Beahm Design

NEW YORK: Designer for celebrities. David has packaged his flowers to make them more accessible to everyone. This site includes not only photos, but pricing, as well, and suggestions to help you make choices.

Michelle Rago

NEW YORK: Michelle Rago's floral & event design studio. Her work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Instyle Magazine, Mode

De Juan Stroud

NEW YORK CITY/NEW JERSEY: A husband and wife team specializing in opulent floral decor and entire event design.

Preston Bailey

NEW YORK CITY: If you want a full-on, flower-filled, dramatic event, noted wedding and event designer Preston Bailey will provide just that for you. The website includes a biography, design portfolio, celebrity events and book information.

New York Wedding Florist Directory

NEW YORK: This site links you to many top-quality New York florists who specialize in wedding flowers and offers fun info like "Dream Centerpieces" and "Choosing a Florist"

Eastern US: Wedding Flower Specialists 

Joyce Murphy Custom Floral Design

OTTSVILLE PENSYLVANNIA: Two great designers, Joyce Murphy and her niece Suesan Klein, create together in a relocated barn. Very friendly. Pretty designs.

Philippa Tarrant Floral Design

WASHINGTON DC: Trained in Europe, this wonderful, contemporary designer provides a very easy to use gallery on the website.

Blue Sage Floral Designs

COCKEYSVILLE MARYLAND (BALTIMORE AREA): Designer: Jeanne Graham. Beautiful work. Check out her book on wedding flowers on her website.

Carolyn Shepard Design Group

CHARLOTTE NC: This is an excellent wedding and event-only floral design studio. Very beautiful and informative site.

Le Jardin Blanc

SOUTHBOROUGH MA, NEAR BOSTON: Features French garden-style bouquets and event decor by New England artist Nancy Vargas. She has studied with the well-known British floral designer Paula Pryke. Her designs are lovely and striking and are organized by season.

The Bloom Room

ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA: Beautiful work. The website includes videos of some of the weddings this design group has put together. The Biltmore Estate is the setting for many of the weddings.

Karla Ramirez Floral Design

WILTON, CONNECTICUT, also serving NEW YORK: specializing in romantic wedding bouquets and decor.

Magnolia Street Floral

ATLANTA, GEORGIA AREA: Design studio of Denise Weiss, featuring a portfolio of bouquets, reception and ceremony floral designs.

Petal's Edge Floral Design, LLP

WASHINGTON DC AREA: Custom bouquets, ceremony and reception designs are created by design team and good friends Gerry Rogers and Rebecca Morris.

Grandiflora

RHODE ISLAND AREA: Floral designer Nancy Birch shows you an extensive collection of her wedding and event work, including client comments.

Winston Flowers

BOSTON: "Winston Flowers has been a purveyor of the fine art of floristry for over 50 years, with a commitment to bringing the residents of Boston and the surrounding communities superlative floral products, award-winning design, gourmet gifts and unsurpassed service." Winston Flowers is definitely an institution in Boston and has a distinctive style: compact, monochromatic and textural.

Cymbidium Floral

EXETER, NEW HAMPSHIRE: Jessica Christoferson has created a beautiful shop in the quaint, historic city of Exeter. Her background in interior design shines through in her stunning and unique floral creations. Her friendly style will be sure to put you at ease. Newly married herself, she knows just what you need to design the perfect flowers for your wedding.

Wisteria Flower Shoppe

DERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE: Two sisters started this small, delightful shop in Derry, New Hampshire. Kim is the designer and her style is very unique and pretty. If you give them a call, tell them Nancy sent you!

Chalifour's Flowers

MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE: Here is where you can find me most days. I work here with a fabulous group of designers. In our wedding work, first we focus on getting to know you, learning about your personal style and about your hopes and dreams for the perfect wedding. We work with you to create a beautiful and one-of-a-kind floral display -- something you and all of your guests will remember and talk about for years to come. If you are to be married in New Hampshire, downeast Maine or northern Massachusetts, come visit us for your flowers. We love what we do.

Western US: Wedding Flower Specialists 

Asa Flowers

MAUI, HAWAII: Portfolio and background information on designer Asa Igi. Exotic and traditional designs.

Sweat Pea Flowers

DENVER, COLORADO: Private design studio specializing in weddings and corporate events. Includes designer's (Lisa) background, customer comments and a wedding design portfolio.

Juniper Flowers

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: Very artsy shop. Great color sense and use of texture make their designs hip and striking.

Here's a Great Book on Bouquets 

To Have & To Hold: Magical Wedding Bouquets

by David Stark, Avi Adler

David Stark & Avi Adler are fabulous designers. Looking at this book will give you ideas for the some of most up-to-date and high class designs. Check out their websites below.

Amazon Price: $18.15 (as of 10/12/2008)

Fantasy Weddings, For Sure! 

Preston Bailey's Fantasy Weddings

by Preston Bailey

Ooooo....if you want to see just how far you could go with flowers for your wedding, check out Preston Bailey's book. Its a WOW. See his website under the "New York" section.

Amazon Price: $29.70 (as of 10/12/2008)

Some More Flower Specialists 

Christina Hay - Flowers For All Occasions

SYDNEY AUSTRALIA: Examples of the generous use of orchids and other exotics.

Mill Street Florist

MANOTICK, ONTARIO: since 1987 focusing on a very creative and natural look. Designer/Owner: Joanne Plummer.

Stephen Seedhouse Flowers

INVERNESS & NAIRN, SCOTLAND: Serving the entire UK, this wedding and special event design studio has an impressive list of clients.

Paula Pryke Flowers

LONDON, ENGLAND: Well-known and highly regarded among fellow florists is designer Paula Pryke. Look at her website to see her styles which tend to be on the cutting edge. She has written many books and has a design school as well.

More Wedding Tips 

Shopping!

Wedding dresses: Deals in Boston

Filene's Basement Running of the Brides: Designer wedding gowns cheap. Since 1947, those four words have drawn hundreds of women to Filene's Basement in Boston for the wedding dress sale to beat all sales. Here are 10 tips for finding a bargain bridal gown at a Filene's Basement wedding dress sale,

Bouquet Jewels

If you are a sparkley kind of person, you may be interested in adding some crystals to your bouquets. This company provides very high quality jewels for bouquets including many colors and fun things like butterflies.

You can order on line, or ask your florist if they have them available.

Gracey's Flighties

Release butterflies at your wedding! Based in Florida.

What Does a Floral Designer Do? 

Check out this other lens of mine on floral design.

Getting Paid to Design with Flowers

Reading over this lens will help you to better understand what a designer does and can make you a better, more knowledgeable customer.

Make Giving to Others a Part of Your Celebration 

The Flower Power Foundation

If your wedding is in the LA or New York City area, you can donate your wedding flowers to the Flower Power Foundation. This philanthropic group will turn your flowers into bouquets for the elderly and terminally ill so they, too, can experience the gift of flowers.

What a great feeling it would be to tell your guests that the flowers from the wedding will be further enjoyed by some people who will really appreciate it.

Have Fun! 

Have fun planning your wedding!

If you are in the southern New Hampshire area and would like to consider having me design your wedding flowers, feel free to contact me by clicking on "Contact the Lensmaster."

Ask Me a Question 

Do you have questions about ordering flowers for your wedding? Use this to ask me and I will answer on line.

cathyswraps Great lens! I just wanted to share an idea with your brides who might be thinking of donating their flowers. It's a modern floral vase idea for centerpieces for wedding and events, but it also adapts to hang with ribbons, church pew clips and suction cups. Best of all, the flowers can all be used again at the reception and given as favors or donated to a charity at the end of the day. To create the unique aisle decorations, tie your flowers to a chair back or a shepherds hook. For church weddings hang CathysWraps with a pew clip onto the church pews. Or wow guests with flowers on the mirrors & windows hung with sturdy suction cups. The fun is endless... have a great day~Cathy Posted June 09, 2008

Janet21 Nice lens! You are invited to join my Let's Party group. Posted February 24, 2008

lifestyler Wow, thank you for all the beautiful flowers - they really can give a wedding so much more atmosphere. Posted January 03, 2008

AidanR This lens has great content! I absolutely love the idea of donating your flowers to others for them to enjoy after your wedding day. Wow! I'm adding this to my favourites. Rachel Posted November 26, 2007

frances Really well researched lens and some sensible advice. 5*, and lensrolled to my wedding tent decoration lens. Posted November 21, 2007

 

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