If you’re planning a wedding, having a clear vision for your floral decor is important. Wedding Florists in Dallas can help you define this vision and ensure your wedding flowers are cohesive with your overall design plan.
Bringing your wedding decor inspiration boards and fabric swatches to your consultation will help cue your florist into your desired aesthetic, but be open to suggestions about where to splurge vs save. Flowers that are rare, hard to find, or out of season can add up quickly.
Floral decorations are often the largest expense of a wedding. They’re also the most memorable and impactful and can make a huge difference in your photographs. However, it’s important to have a realistic idea of your budget before you start shopping around. Sit down with your partner and determine price ranges, if not specific numbers, that you’re comfortable with for the day.
Once you’ve determined a general range, ask each florist to create a proposal based on your vision and budget. Be sure to discuss delivery and installation costs, floral and rental items (like ceremony backdrops, table runners, and centerpieces), as well as state and county sales taxes if applicable.
You’ll also want to consider repurposing flowers for the reception. This is a great way to save money and get more bang for your buck! For example, if your florist is creating a beautiful ceremony arch, ask them to move it to the reception space and use it as a backdrop for your head or sweetheart table. Similarly, you can repurpose bridesmaid bouquets by placing them on cocktail tables and other decor pieces throughout the night.
Another way to cut down on expenses is by choosing flowers that are in season at the time of your wedding. These blooms are more affordable because they’re widely available at the flower market. For example, tulips and daffodils are ideal for spring weddings, while peonies shine in summer and dahlias reign supreme during fall.
A wedding florist should be able to provide you with a list of flowers that are in season at the time of the event. They will be able to help you choose the right flowers that fit your budget and will look best on your big day.
Be open to suggestions and trust your florist’s expertise. They have a firm grasp on current wedding trends and know where it’s best to splurge or save. They should also be able to offer suggestions on how to keep your floral decor within your desired budget range without sacrificing aesthetics or quality.
When choosing a wedding florist, find one whose style aligns with your aesthetic. The best way to do this is by seeking recommendations from friends, family or wedding planners. It’s also helpful to have a rough idea of what you want before meeting with your floral designer. This includes having your color palette in mind, a list of wedding bouquet styles you like, and photos or swatches of the linens you plan to use at the venue.
Once you’ve gathered your ideas, have each potential florist put together a design proposal. This will include a high best-case scenario, a middle-range option and a low bare-minimum package. This will help you understand each florist’s pricing and make an educated decision based on your budget.
Florists that specialize in weddings often have a variety of designs in their portfolios, so it’s important to compare these before selecting one. You may notice that a few of the florist’s designs appear similar to each other. This is because they have a certain design language that they use in their work, and it can be helpful to see this when you’re narrowing your options.
A reputable wedding florist will have a portfolio of their best work on their website and social media accounts. Take some time to browse through it and note how the flowers, greenery, and other elements are used to create a cohesive look. Pay particular attention to the colors and textures that you see, as this will give you a good indication of their skill level.
For a romantic, garden-inspired wedding, ask your florist to incorporate more greenery into the bouquets and centerpieces. Greenery is an inexpensive element that can add a lush, natural feel to your bridal arrangements. Popular wedding greenery options include ivy, dusty miller, lamb’s ear and lily of the valley.
For a budget-friendly, no-waste option, use leftover sprigs from your wedding bouquets to decorate the wedding menus at your reception. This simple trick will tie your menus in with the rest of your floral decor, and it will make guests feel like they’re getting a special treat. For example, tucked lilac sprigs that were originally part of the bride’s bouquet into each menu card.
When meeting with potential wedding florists, it’s important to have all of your major details settled. This includes your floral budget, style, and venue. It also helps to know how much time you expect your flowers to take up on the day of your wedding. This will help you weed out florists who may be 1. Out of your budget, or 2. Unwilling to negotiate a smaller quantity of stems or cheaper containers.
A lot of couples start sourcing wedding inspiration and ideas long before they get engaged, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But it’s best to work with your on-the-ground resources (i.e., local wedding planners) before starting to meet with vendors. Aside from having the advantage of having a list of trusted partners, these professionals will be familiar with your local venues and will be able to adapt their services to fit each space’s unique aesthetic.
The venue is a huge part of your wedding aesthetic, and it should inform the design aspects you choose. For instance, if your ceremony is outdoors, you’ll want to consider whether an overabundance of florals would overwhelm the space or if it will look stunning in its simplicity.
It’s also helpful to ask your florist about what kinds of arrangements and decor they have worked on at your venue in the past. Not only will it give you a sense of their capabilities, but it can also help you visualize the overall effect you’re hoping for on your big day.
When reviewing a florist’s portfolio, pay attention to the quality of their work and their ability to translate your vision into reality. It’s also a good idea to view their “tagged” photos for an unfiltered look at their work, which can provide more insight into the florist’s process.
Once you’ve found a florist you love, be sure to ask about their availability on your wedding date before booking. Jumping the gun on this can result in scheduling conflicts, especially during peak season. It’s also important to have your ceremony and reception venues booked before booking a florist, as they can often only book their services once the dates are finalized.
A florist can take your wedding vision and hundreds of inspiration photos and help you settle on flower varieties that will bring your wedding to life. The flowers you choose should complement your venue and wedding colors, accent the look of your bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen, and reflect your unique style.
Before you meet with a florist, it’s helpful to put together a checklist of the floral arrangements you want to have for your big day. If you’re keeping it simple, you may only need bouquets, boutonnieres, and reception centerpieces. If you’re going all out, your checklist could include arrangements for cocktail tables, food stations, and even powder rooms.
Lilacs are a classic spring flower that can add a delicate and romantic touch to any bridal bouquet. With its soft petals and ruffled texture, this bloom is available in a variety of different hues, including white, pink, and purple. Lilacs are also an excellent choice for wedding centerpieces because of their large size.
Gardenias are a popular wedding flower that is often found in bridal bouquets and boutonnieres. With its fragrant aroma and ruffled petals, this flower has a feminine charm that works well for boho or humanist weddings. Gardenias are available in various shades of pink and white, as well as burgundy and violet.
Dahlias are another popular wedding flower for their bold color and voluminous shape. They’re a great option for summer and early autumn weddings and can be found in a number of different shades, including white, blue, pink, cerise, and lilac.
Hydrangeas are a staple in many wedding bouquets because of their versatility and wide array of colors. Their season runs from May to the end of September, making them perfect for summer and fall weddings. The flowers can be used alone or in combination with other flowers to create larger arrangements.
Other popular wedding flowers include peonies, ranunculus, tulips, and orchids. Florists also often use tropical flowers like plumeria, aka frangipani, for leis and bouquets at Hawaiian weddings. Other common flowers include Icelandic poppies, amaryllis, and poinsettias, which are typically red but can be seen in a range of other colors.
