So, you’ve checked off some of the big-ticket items – your wedding photographer, wedding venue, and wedding planner are booked, and now it’s time to focus on the details that will bring more of your vision to life. Enter: your wedding florist. 

Floral arrangements do more than just decorate; they have the power to completely transform your space with their shapes, colors, textures, and moods. Whether you envision a few simple bouquets or dramatic floral arches and statement installations, flowers bring your highly-coveted wedding Pinterest board to life. While it is typical to book your photographer before your florist, it may not be a bad idea to consider securing your florist first or at the very least simultaneously, advises Stephanie of The Blue Daisy Floral Designs, who lent her expertise to this post. Outside of your attire, tabletop rentals, linens, and stationery, your wedding flowers often set the color standard for your wedding day. The color in your final wedding photos is often altered in the editing process according to the photographer’s style. This can have a bearing on how you perceive your flowers after the photos have been returned to you. Having a good inspiration board and colorway from your florist can help inform the photographer selection process so that you aren’t disappointed in how your wedding day looks in the photos after the big day is over. 

It’s crucial to ensure your florist’s expertise matches your vision. By doing so, whether you’re dreaming of delicate bouquets or grand, floor-to-ceiling displays, you’ll be asking the right questions to set the stage for a smooth, stress-free wedding day.

After all, these flowers will be in your hands (and in your photos) on one of the most memorable days of your life – so let’s make sure they’re exactly what you envisioned. 

Here’s every question you should ask when hiring your wedding florist.

Availability & Scheduling

• Is my wedding date available?
• Do you travel, and is my venue within your travel boundaries?
• Do you charge travel fees, and if so, what do they include?
• Are there specific travel or delivery terms I should be aware of?
• How far in advance should I book with you?
• Do you take on multiple weddings per weekend, or will mine be your sole focus?

Get To Know Your Florist

• What is your favorite element to design for weddings?
• Where can I view your most recent portfolio?
• Is all of the work in your online portfolio and on your social media your own work?
• Do you have client reviews or references I can check out?
• What do you love most about designing wedding florals?
• How do you approach the flow of the day for both you and us?
• How do you handle unexpected challenges, such as schedule changes, flower substitutions due to seasonal availability, or weather-related issues?
• How long have you been doing wedding flowers? What is your industry experience?

Floral Design, Style, Sourcing, & Sustainability

• Do you have a signature style or a design philosophy that guides your work?
• How would you describe your floral design style?
• I have specific design ideas; can you accommodate custom requests?
• How much of the floral design is planned in advance, and how much is decided on the wedding day?
• How do you source your flowers? Are they sourced locally or seasonally?
• What happens if certain flowers are unavailable? How do you handle substitutions?
• Do you incorporate eco-friendly or sustainable practices into your floral design?
• Can I rent vases, vessels, or other decor items from you?
• Do you work with a team, and if so, who will be assisting on the wedding day?
• What happens to the flowers after the wedding? Do you offer donation, composting, or repurposing options?
• Based on my wedding season and venue, are there any floral varieties you recommend?
• Are there any flowers you do NOT recommend based on season, fragility, etc.?

Pricing, Packages, & Payments

• Is there a deposit, and when is the final payment due?
• What is included in your different floral packages? How do customizations affect pricing?
• I only need bouquets and boutonnieres. Can you accommodate this? 
• Are there any additional fees, such as delivery, setup, or breakdown costs?
• How long does it typically take to finalize the floral design and details for my wedding?
• How many arrangements, installations, or bouquets are included in my package?
• Do you offer à la carte services?
• Do you have a minimum price requirement?
• Are there any cost-saving recommendations for staying within my budget while still achieving my vision?
• Do you offer any after-event services, like flower preservation?

Logistics & Wedding Day Details

• Have you worked at my venue before? If not, are you open to doing a site visit?
• What time will you arrive, and when will you finish setting up?
• Will you stay on-site during the event?
• Will you be taking a break during the day? If so, what does that look like, and can we provide your team with food?
• I have multiple locations that need floral arrangements. How do we coordinate transportation and timing between venues?
• I want to move my altar floral arrangements (or other installations) from the ceremony to the reception. How do you handle that process?
• How do you manage the breakdown and removal of flowers after the wedding? Do we need to provide additional support?

Contract & Policies

• Can I receive a list of everything included in my chosen package and a contract for these services?
• In the event of an emergency, what is your backup plan?
• What is your refund policy if the wedding is rescheduled or canceled?
• Do you submit photos of your work to online magazines or blogs?
• Are there any circumstances where your services would be altered or canceled after my contract is signed?
• Do you have an exclusivity clause for you to be the sole provider of florals?
• What happens if rented items are broken or missing at the end of our wedding?