What should I do to be really for the florist?

It's 5 months til my wedding and we just disided to go with fresh flowers, our budget is low but everyone keeps saying you have to take care of this now. I'm clueless here, what should I ask the florist what should I have with me? how should I pick the right one? All I even know for sure that I want is for each bridesmaid to have a single flower with ribben other then that 'or even want kind of flower' i'm lost! help please?

What should I do to be really for the florist?
First off, you need to have a list of how many bouquets, boutineers, corsages, pew markers, centerpeices, and that sort of thing you will need. Its ok to not know exactly what you want for those things, but you at least need to know how many of them! Figure out what colors you want your flowers to be, if you don't have an idea of what actual flowers you want. Look around and figure out what you DON'T like, for instance if you hate baby's breath or calla lillies or something of that nature, you can tell your florist this....its at least a starting point. Look around online and see if you can find some pictures of some bouquets or arrangements you like. The best thing I can tell you is be open minded. I am a free-lance florist myself, It's kinda my weekend job, and I have been at it for years..... and when a bride comes to me and thinks she has it all figured out, down to the exact number of flowers I can put in things, they ussually end up disapointed. Florists are creative people. If you can give them a general idea, and a few definet do's and don'ts, maybe a picture or 2- things end up being a lot prettier. I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve that can make your flowers look wonderful if the bride will just let me!





as far as picking the florist, ask around your area, and go to a couple and talk with them, get some prices, look at their work, see if its what you like. Ask them things like will delivery be included, or will you have to come pick them up that day. Some may be willing to go to your site with you and help you decide how to decorate (I do, others won't just depends) Ask them how may weddings they have done, and will their be any other weddings they will be doing at the same time as yours (when I actually worked as a florist, sometimes we would take on several and I would end up fried and my work would suffer.) If they seem to be railroading you into something they want, not what you want, then don't stand for it...this is your day, and a lot of them will think they know your day better then you do, and thats not fair and you should move on. Good luck to you, I'm including a link to sites with wedding bouquets and arrangements, I hope it will help! Let me know if you have any questions!
Reply:First you should remember is try not to look clueless and do a little research before going there. There are sites with wedding bouquets and decorations, just google it and you will get color %26amp; flower ideas. So, check it out a little bit and then visit two florists (I think more will be confusing ). You may even print out the bouquet/decoration you liked and ask how much it will cost you. You could even tell them your budget.





Some weddings have church/town hall and reception room decoration, two brides bouquets (a simple one to throw %26amp; one to keep), flowers for the bridesmaids, rose petals for the flower girls etc You don't have to have all those just decide before going to the florist because once you go clueless they will present everything as essential to have.





Another even greater idea would be to ask a friend to help you with the research/ideas.





Good luck with all the preperations just try to enjoy them!
Reply:Ask to see their books. All good florists have photo books not only of what they can do, but of weddings they have actually done the flowers for. Make a list of all the people who need flowers (bridesmaids, groomsmen, MOB, MOG, grandmothers, etc.) and of any flowers you want for the church. Talk to the florist about your ideas and budget and see what they suggest. A single flower for the bridesmaids could be a calla lily, a gerbera daisy (which may even match or compliment the color well), a rose, or something else that meets budget and taste. Get a quote in writing and shop around. After you talk to several florists you will have a better idea of who you like.
Reply:Well Roses and Daisies are the cheapest flowers cause they're always in season.


Orchids and Lillies are normally more money since they're exhotic!





Ask your florist where they get their flowers from,and if they come to site and deliver. They also charge for other materials they use like wire and styrofoam so make sure they dont overcharge there!





Some florists will over-charge dependiong on what kind of car they see you drive up in and what your engagment ring looks like too! I know it sounds bad but it does happen.





...Take somebody with you when you go to your appointments so they can tell you if youre being ripped off!
Reply:Relax. See as many as you possibly can decide on colour and flowers and then ask the florist if she has any ideas for you. She'll have loads of pics or you to choose from