Click here for Local Florists

Timing

If you want fresh flowers for your wedding, contact the florist three to six months before your wedding; they don't require as much advance notice for silk or preserved flowers. For large weddings, the florist may need more than six months' notice.

What they do
The florist provides all the flowers, whether fresh, silk, or preserved, for the bride and groom, the wedding party, and the ceremony and reception sites. The arrangements and bouquets will be designed using as inspiration your personality, taste, and wedding colours. The florist will deliver the flowers to the ceremony and reception sites on your wedding day.

How to work with them
Make an appointment to view books of floral designs. The florist will need swatches of fabric and sketches of your gown and the attendants' gowns. If you want to use fresh flowers in the bouquets, find out if any of your attendants have pollen allergies; you don't want any sneezing fits at the altar! Make arrangements for flower delivery at your ceremony and reception sites.

Make an appointment to view books of floral designs. The florist will need swatches of fabric and sketches of your gown and the attendants' gowns. If you want to use fresh flowers in the bouquets, find out if any of your attendants have pollen allergies; you don't want any sneezing fits at the altar! Make arrangements for flower delivery at your ceremony and reception sites.

Selecting Your Florist
Here are some great tips to help you in selecting your florist.
First, before you begin your appointment with the florist, look around their shop...

• What is the decor of the shop like
• Is it nicely and creatively decorated?
• Do they have interesting floral arrangements?
• Do they use unique vases or baskets in their arrangements?
• Do the flowers look fresh?
• Do they have interesting varieties of flowers or just your standard roses or carnations.

Remember, you're not just buying flowers…your buying CREATIVITY and STYLE of the floral designer. Your florist should listen and offer ideas and suggestions. Here are a few questions you should ask your florist...

Ask to see photographs of other weddings done by the florist. Do they look different or do the arrangements all look the same? You're looking for creativity and style. Be sure to tell the florist what you like and what you don't like about certain arrangements.

Ask about their service the day of the wedding. Who will be setting up the day of the wedding? Ask how many weddings are done in one day. Ask if they are familiar with both the ceremony and reception location. If not, can they make arrangements to visit them prior to the wedding?

Ask about delivery and set up times. This is especially important when it comes to the hotter weather. If the flowers are dropped off too early they can wilt and won't stay fresh throughout the entire reception.

When you choose your florist, make sure that your contract or receipt details:

ALL of the arrangements, bouquets and any other decorations that the florist is to provide.

A detailed description of the colour and variety of flowers to be included in the bouquets and floral arrangements. You don't want to ask (and pay for) roses and end up with carnations and lilies.

Make sure delivery time and the number of hours of set up time is specified in your contract or on your receipt.

The last words of advice...try and find a florist who's style (and price) you like. Be specific about your tastes and what you want. Don't just say I'd like a bouquet that's white with roses. There are so many different styles, shapes and sizes, you don't want to be disappointed when you open the box!