What’s the next step in planning a wedding? Let’s review from my past several blogs….

1. Get organized before you start the planning process
2. Decide on your color and style
3. Choose a venue
4. Look at your catering options (buffet, sit down, food stations, etc.) and decide on the caterer and food style (to get an estimate on cost). You can figure out the specifics later on.
5. Choose a photographer

So, what is next? As I mentioned in a previous blog it is important to list in order the most important items you want to include and spend more money on to the least important (and could even take out to keep within your budget). Many brides have florals and décor at the top of their list. They are so excited to collect pictures for me and the florist to show us all these grand centerpiece & design elements they just LOVE. I always tell the brides to show me their Pinterest boards (usually in the initial consultation) so I get a feeling of what their expectations are before meeting with the florist. I truly get a sense of their style, expectations and budget based on what they show me.

Bridal Styles:

• The classic/traditional bride
• The modern bride
• The country/rustic bride
• The sophisticated/dramatic bride

I’ve worked with all these types so I really understand their vision and I work with the florist, rental companies and venue to ensure every element of the design works with their style.

Tips

Flowers really do make a powerful and beautiful statement. They can also eat up your budget easily too. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• If you choose a venue that has a lot of character, charm, or in-house centerpieces – go with it! This will save you a lot of money if you are on a tight budget because it will mean less flowers you’ll have to purchase. The space is already beautiful, right?
• Have a winter wedding and choose a venue that decorates accordingly. That means less you’ll have to buy.
• Be sure to buy flowers in season. This will trim your expense. Also, maybe go with a less expensive flower in the same color family. go to ww.blissezine.com to learn about different flower types, their colors and what season they are available.

• Depending on the size of your wedding, have 2 or 3 different centerpieces on the guest tables. The design of the room just looks better this way! I always recommend a tall centerpiece (taller than the eye level of a guest so it isn’t in their view), a low centerpiece and maybe another design element like a candlescape, wine bottles, crystal candle holders or a crystal tall centerpieces. The options are endless. I have a couple that is going with a vintage feel at their wedding coming up and they got old books, doillies and vintage gloves. They are using silver teapots for their flower arrangements.

• Use the bridal bouquets for the head table or guest tables. This will save you from having to buy a centerpiece for those tables. I would say that most of my weddings, this is what the bride chooses to do.

• Repurpose the flowers from the ceremony to the reception. If you’re getting married at a church, more than likely you will donate the altar flowers to the church (their policy) but if you are getting married at the same location as the reception many times I will have a couple that will move the altar or aisle flowers to the reception area. They might use an arrangement at the sign in table, on the guest tables or near the sweetheart table.

At the appointment show the florist all your ideas. You will also discuss your bouquet and boutonnieres/corsages at that time too so come prepared with a list of who will need one of those. Don’t forget about the flower girl and ring bearer too.

Questions To Ask

1. Can you work within my budget?
2. Can I see some of your work?
3. Do you do more than 1 wedding a day? (a professional florist will never overbook, he knows what he can handle in one day)
4. What is your deposit?
5. When is payment due?
6. Will I receive a mockup of the centerpiece? There are florists out there that will not charge you for this. One in San Antonio that I use a lot even will get the color of your linen for you so you can see how it will look on your wedding day.
7. What is your delivery and set up fee?
8. How early will you arrive to set up?
9. Do I get to keep the flowers at the end of the night? What about the vase? Most vases are theirs and they will want them back. You can order vases that you can give to the guests too. You’ll need to discuss that with the florist.

The budget for your flowers really can be high or low. It just depends on the extravagance you are wanting. Go to a couple of florist to comparison shop and see what they have to offer. Most florists specialize in a certain style and offer something different. Do your research ahead of time and visit their websites. You’ll get a great sense of who they are from pictures of past weddings they have done.

Be sure to read past blog posts about how to plan your wedding with great tips and questions to ask. If you need help with planning your wedding in San Antonio and the surrounding area, please contact me. I would love to help! Trudy Scott, Royalty Events Planning, 210-595-9263 or Trudy@RoyaltyEventsPlanning.com.