While we're all about the pretty pictures and gorgeous inspiration, one of our favourite parts of our jobs is giving you honest, practical, helpful advice for planning your wedding.
And when it comes to sourcing vendors (a daunting task!) advice doesn't get more honest, practical, or helpful than today's post by Rachel Cho Floral Design.
Rachel is an acclaimed New York florist, who grew up in her mother's Bronx flower shop (so she basically has gorgeous blooms in her genes!). With a background in fashion, she creates the most stylish, romantic, and beautiful wedding florals – so, who better to share her insights on what makes a great vendor for your big day blooms?
Over to you, Rachel…
Bouquet by Rachel Cho Floral Design, Photo by Kelly Kollar Photography via Style Me Pretty
The Wedding Flower Interview: How to Spot a Good Florist in 5 Easy Steps
Choosing a wedding florist can sometimes feel like one of the most daunting aspects of wedding planning. As a bride, you probably have a very specific vision of what your wedding flowers should look like.
You want to ensure you find just the right florist—a designer who can make your vision come to life and give you lots of helpful, practical advice along the way.
But how do you identify a good florist? If you’re not already familiar with the industry, the world of wedding flower professionals can be mystifying, and it’s not like there’s an official checklist.
With that in mind, I want to make your life a little more stress-free, dear bride-to-be! As a floral designer for 10+ years, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on which qualities characterize a valuable florist. Below are some thoughts from over the years, broken down into five quick tips.
Response Time and Follow-Through
Bouquet by Rachel Cho Floral Design, Photo by Kelly Kollar Photography via Style Me Pretty
After you’ve looked around on the web and identified florists whose work you think is pretty, it’s time to reach out and see what they can do for you!
Be sure to pay attention to the timeliness of each florist’s response – did you hear back within 24 hours or did you have to send a follow-up email?
It’s true, the life of a florist is unbelievably hectic, and we’re not always right at our desk. But a florist who is dedicated to the service she provides will be sure to maintain conscientious, timely contact with you, even if you’re just a prospective client.
Photos, Photos, Photos
Flowers by Fleur My Darling, Photos by Zee & Cee Photography via Bridal Musings
One of the most important things a florist can ask you as an interested bride is for a link to your Pinterest board!
Without seeing photos, any florist would have a hard time quoting you properly (or executing your vision, for that matter.)
A florist who asks to see your inspiration takes the décor scheme you have in mind seriously and also wants to make sure you are given realistic pricing for it. Being asked for photos is a sure sign that you’ve found a responsible and thoughtful vendor.
Restate & Confirm
Flowers by Taylor'd Events, Photo by Traci Griffin Photography via Bridal Musings
Another sign of a great wedding florist is one who is able to look at the photos you send and then restate your vision back to you.
She might say, “Ok, based on the photos you sent, I see that you like a lot of texture and variety in your flowers. I also see that you don’t want a fully overgrown look, but something in between that and totally compact. Does that sound right?”
This is the florist showing you that she paid attention to what she saw, and more important than that, that she wants to make sure you’re on the same page with her.
Focus on Colors, Textures, and Feel
Bouquet by Rachel Cho Floral Design, Photography by Paige Newton Weddings
The best wedding florists will place an emphasis on colors, textures, and the overall feel that you’re going for, over talking about specific flower types.
Counterintuitive as this may seem, a florist who really focuses on flower-types is limiting both of you creatively.
By trying to steer the conversation in an open-ended direction, the good wedding florist leaves room to play with the finest blooms your wedding season has to offer. Through emphasis on color, texture, and vibe, a florist opens up the design and detail possibilities available to you.
Straight-Shooting Advice
Hair Piece & Bouquets by Rachel Cho Floral Design, Photo by Uplift Photography via Style Me Pretty
Something that I always love is a florist who will give good advice, right away—even if you’re only calling in to ask about availability and pricing.
You might get into a conversation about what you had in mind for the reception—you want all tall centerpieces, and you have a small budget—and the good wedding florist will be sure to offer you some helpful, practical advice right away. How about a half-tall and half-low look to keep costs in line? Have you considered tall candles as a tall centerpiece alternative?
Practical advice like this not only shows you the florist has experience, confidence, and creativity, it also demonstrates the florist is ultimately mindful of you as a person.
To her, it’s not all about filling out your budget; it’s about finding a happy-place between your budget and your vision. And a florist like that is golden!
Bouquet by Rachel Cho Floral Design, Photo by Kelly Kollar Photography via Style Me Pretty
Now that you have these five key tips in mind, I hope that your wedding florist search is that much more fruitful.
At the end of the day, you want a florist who communicates well, who pays attention by taking your wants and your needs into consideration, and who can offer timely, helpful advice.
And of course, you want a florist whose designs you absolutely adore—but that goes without saying!
Good luck, lovely brides, and don’t forget to have fun!
Flowers by Anna LePley Taylor Floral, Photo by Miki & Sonja Photography via Bridal Musings
So many great tips – and they can be transferred to other vendors too, like planners, caterers, hairstylists, and make-up artists. Your vendors can make such an impact on not just your wedding day itself, but your experience leading up to it too, it makes everything so much easier, and more enjoyable, when you choose the right ones.
Thanks so much to Rachel Cho for sharing her awesome advice, visit her website and follow her on Instagram for more gorgeous floral inspiration.
Check out our Bouquets Board on Pinterest.
