Florist consultations/questions

kaylas16

Well, I have my first meeting with a florist tomorrow, luckily FMIL is coming along because when it comes to flowers, I am pretty clueless!  I have a general idea of what I want for boquets and have pictures, but unsure of anything as far as decorations and centerpieces. 

Anyways... anyone have suggestions on things I should remember to discuss with the florist/ questions/concerns I should for sure address in an initial consultation?

TIA for your help

tklund

Ooh, looking at flowers is fun!  Here's what I focused on at my consultations:

Check on deposit amount/date, and delivery charge.  Jeni at Simply Stated Elegance is giving me free delivery since I mentioned I found her through the ladies on this board!  Also check if they rent vases for centerpieces, which can be a whole lot cheaper than having to buy them!  I'm renting all my vases (about 25) for $1 each, instead of buying them and them being stuck with a ton of vases after the wedding. 

Ask to see pics of their ideas/creations--that helps a ton to see what they've done, especially if you're not sure what to do for centerpieces!  Try to give them your budget too, so they're not throwing a ton of expensive options at you! 

Hope this helps--flowers was a huge decision for me, and I found all the places I had consultations at through our MSP board.  Good luck!  :-)

Mrs TK

Tell them your price point right up front and have them suggest flowers to fit in that price point and make them stick to it.  I met with a florist who I told my price point to and she was giving all the lavish suggestions and I kept saying will that be in my price range and she said yes and then came back with a quote $4k OVER our flower budget.

SuperRNluvsChef

Here are the questions I asked.

Do you deliver? Is there a charge?
Is there a set-up fee?
Are the flowers I want in season?
Are there charges for any vase rental?
Is it possible to change my mind? (obviously the florist will charge you for flowers they have already ordered, so just be aware of deadlines for last minute changes)
How much is needed for the deposit (the florist we're booking requires 35%)
Any additional costs?


BTW-who are you meeting with?
FI and I just got quote from Lacey with Intuitive Blooms, she's awesome and very reasonably priced!

kaylas16

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_minnesota-minneapolis-st-paul_florist-consultationsquestions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:81Discussion:fa43a01c-007c-4a48-8155-12895d74e39aPost:d8501dff-aa84-4085-8a38-202de2442fd0">Re: Florist consultations/questions</a>:
[QUOTE] BTW-who are you meeting with? FI and I just got quote from Lacey with Intuitive Blooms, she's awesome and very reasonably priced!
Posted by SuperRNluvsChef[/QUOTE]

<strong><font color="#800080">Thanks for the tips :) Tomorrow I am just meeting with a floral shop in Mankato (FI is in school there and family lives in a small town near there) I am basically just going there to get a general idea of what I want...and who know's maybe they will be very well priced. 

I actually am in the process of setting up a meeting with Lacey and I have a couple other consultations lined up in the next few weeks!  Glad to hear you liked her!</font></strong>

bellaxanthe

Some minor other things I have learned. Can they transfer anything from ceremony to reception. Do they charge for that? I learned mine had a tone of vases,bowls that I could rent for her for the candy buffet which would save a ton of money from buying them. 
I had a limited budget and in talking with Florabella (Lisa is a friend of a friend), We decided that being flexible is the biggest help to my budget. Having a fall wedding changes what flowers will be available. So I have a few, must have,really want flowers to be included in my bouquet and the grooms bouteniere, but beyond that I have given her pretty free reign. I will give  a list of nos and have walked thru my preferences and will give her some paint swatches for color range. That alone is saving me I think.