When should you book your wedding florist?
The short answer…
If flowers and the impact that they provide to the look and feel of your wedding day is important to you then I recommend that you book your florist right away!
As soon as you have found the florist that you trust to deliver your shared vision, then secure your wedding date and sit back and relax in the safe knowledge that you have an incredible team of suppliers working with you on your big day and let everything fall into place. Ideally for weddings taking place during peak summer wedding season (May to September) then, I would recommend booking your date with W&B around 12-24 months before your date.
The long answer…
If you don’t book your florist immediately then it may not be too late. I do see couples book their weddings with 6 months or less to go before their big day leaving to fait if their date is still available. Planning florals and styling in a short amount of time is perfectly achievable as long as a couple has a clear vision on the look and feel they would like for their day, the ability to make quick decisions and of course if they have an experienced team of suppliers ready to support and guide along the way.
Why are flowers important?
Now, obviously I may be biased about the importance of flowers but I truly believe that flowers are an integral part of a wedding day.
The history of flowers at weddings
The tradition of a bride carrying a bouquet of flowers stems back to Roman times when it was thought that carrying a bunch of flowers or wearing a flower garland signified new beginnings, fidelity and a hope of fertility. In the Middle Ages the smell of heavily scented flowers and herbs acted as a way to ward off and drive away evil spirits, bad luck and ill health. Nowadays the reasons for carrying flowers may be a little different but the beauty and romance that they add is nonetheless very special.
Flowers that frame you
Flowers act as the most incredible backdrop for photographs framing a couple in a way that nothing else can match. They provide romantic styling and texture to soften areas of a venue that will benefit from a little extra detail. Flowers also provide an incredible scent to calm those wedding days nerves wrapping you in a warm floral hug.
I also believe that using seasonal ingredients apart from better for the environment and your pocket, also helps to create incredible floral memories that will remind you of your wedding day each season as you see ‘your flowers’ appear in gardens or the shops.
Choosing seasonal ingredients
Well, in theory you could have peonies for your wedding in December – but I wouldn’t recommend it.
When I married ‘the other one’ many moons ago, I was desperate to have sweet peas in my bridal bouquet but unfortunately, they weren’t in season. So, despite being a little disappointed I bowed to the experience of my wedding florist to make the right call on choosing ingredients that were readily available and which offered me the best quality.
Choosing seasonal flowers means that the flowers are fresher, often locally grown so the right environmental choice and also a better price per stem. If you were to buy peonies in December they would definitely be imported and often of a much lower quality and size as peonies are typically an early summer flower. They would also be incredibly expensive which means that you would be making an unnecessary hit on your floral budget. We have an abundance of wonderful ingredients in the UK that link you to the season that you are choosing to hold your wedding in so why wouldn’t you choose the ingredients that are in season!
A shared vision
There are many factors to consider when selecting your florist; availability, style, location, cost but when I work with couples my advice is always to ‘book the florist who really gets you’.
Obviously, I hope that is with me but I fully understand how important it is that both florist and couple share a clear vison for the day and if that isn’t me, then I get it. Some couples arrive with a clear vision of the look and feel that they want for their big day. Some couples are brought to me via wedding planners and stylists who are helping them to define their wedding scheme and others come to me with a rough idea but with no defined ideas or plans. All of these ways are absolutely fine so if you fall into the latter camp then please don’t worry, I will be there to hold your hand right up to the big day.
The one thing I am often told in my couple’s testimonies is that they found an instant connection with me with the confidence to put their trust in me to lead them through the array of choices and decisions that are part of planning a wedding. That is the part that is not easy to explain other than ‘you know when you know!’ and I feel forever grateful for couples who put their trust in me.
Jen wrote ‘From the moment we first spoke it was like chatting with a friend. Helen listened to my blabbering and half formed ideas and was able to visualise them and help me sculpt them into the perfect florals and tablescapes for our wedding. Nothing was a hassle; she truly went above and beyond throughout the whole process and especially on the day.’
For me this is what it’s all about; putting you at ease and putting my heart and soul into delivering more than you expect for your day so that it’s the best wedding day that you dreamt of!
Much love – Helen