1st Floral Appointment today!!

On Saturday I have my FIFTH floral appointment...each time I go I keep taking things away and redoing what I want in order to not spend a fortune.

Be open to season flowers, it costs a lot less...depending on your colors, sunflowers, mums, daisy are all very inexpensive. My first quote was a heart attack and I about died...the pricing was so outrageous!

All I did was take my Pinterest page, which I was forced to make for another florist that we were going to meet with but decided not to, and then showed her everything I wanted with intructions on how I wanted them. Mine was pretty easy. She was super excited about my personal style and my wedding colors so she was really eager to be a part of it. She told me she would get a proposal for me, then I'd give her my budget and she would create an estimate based on my budget. She actually got it under budget and I'm still getting everything I want.

Just make sure you are prepared when you go in. I didn't know what type of flowers I wanted, but my pictures were very specific so I was like "That one! I want that thing!". Know what you want for your bouquet, the BM bouquet, MOH bouquet, GM boutonniere, Bestman, FH, RB, FOB and FOG, MOB and MOG, FG, ushers, do you want one for your officiant. Do you have ideas for centerpieces? What about your ceremony (I did not have this one so that was hard). They know the flowers that there are and should be able to work with you to get your look with your budget. If they don't feel like they are going to be a good fit for you, keep looking.

Second the Pinterest board of your inspirations, including your dress too.

Also it's good going in with your budget, put it on the table and that's a good way to start your negotiation on cost.

Thank you ladies!! I do have a Pinterest board with some flower ideas I'll take that with me. I have a few other pictures and a list that has everything I need and who it goes to.

@Melissa good points thank you. I didn't even think of getting a bout for our Pastor!!

The appointment went really well. She said I was very prepared lol. Now just waiting on the estimate...that's the part I'm nervous about:/

Questions to ask:

Ask to see photographs or live examples of their work?

Have they done weddings at your ceremony or reception site before?

Are they handling other weddings the same day/weekend as your wedding? (get this in writing)

Will they simply be dropping off flowers, or will they be helping set up too? (get this in writing)

Are they willing to work within my budget?

Will they be responsible for working with your venue to find out about any restrictions they may have in terms of décor? (get this in writing)

What other services do they offer? (If they offer anything, get this in writing)

Who will handle setup and delivery? What about breakdown? How long will they need for both, and what are the fees? (definitely get this in writing)

Good! Did you let her know your budget or did she say she is willing to work with your budget?

I recommend lying to her.

But seriously, be upfront about what you need and what your budget is. Be open to suggestions for the colors and look you want and how that can be achieved. Don't get a flower for your officiant; it's a sweet, sweet thought, but most of us are either wearing robes or trying to be not noticed, lol!

Many of my venues have real-touch arrangements in place for serving tables and foyers, etc, so that's a good thing to know before you meet.

Most of my couples use the ceremony flowers at the reception; sometimes the centerpieces will line the aisle on columns. You might also want to see if your venue has another wedding before yours; sometimes you can split aisle or ceremony space decor.

What Maltese said, be ready to be a little shell shocked (the 2nd florist quoted 2600 over my budget).

Thanks for the knock there celia, you done being the high school bully now?

@Melissa I told her front what my budget was because like I said this is our 2nd florist. I told my other florist we had a $1000 budget and she sent me an estimate for $1800...Wth? So I made it clear in a very nice way this time around lol thank you for all your helpful tips!!

I basically told her every single thing I wanted and how I wanted it, I also had pictures. She said she would work with me to get exactly what I wanted and stay within our budget so hopefully it works out. She has two weddings this weekend so she will be sending the estimate out Monday or Tuesday!

@Celia You're right! He will have a robe on hmm I didn't even think of that lol thanks! Our venue really isn't a wedding venue, we just made it one lol..Its actually a gorgeous theater so there won't be any weddings going on that day or that week for that matter. My DOC will moving the big arrangements from the ceremony area to the reception area during cocktail hour Thanks for your helpful tips!