When I started planning my wedding, centerpieces and bouquets were the first things I pinned. Flowers make a big impact on the vibe of your wedding. Make sure you interview your potential florist to see if they mesh with your wedding and your vision!
What should I ask a wedding florist?
When meeting with a florist, the most important questions to ask are what flowers or bouquets are included in the contract, how the flower arrangements will look, and how to handle the logistics of setting up the flowers.
I broke down the more important questions into three categories – the contract, the arrangements, and the logistics. Follow along with this check list in order to book the best florist for your wedding.
What to ask about the florist’s contract
Can you create arrangements within my wedding budget?
Talk to your florist upfront about what you are looking to spend. Your florist may be able to help stretch costs by making arrangements with lots of greenery, fruits, or pinecones. Also consider using arrangements from your ceremony site in your reception site. Finally, you can also cut costs by skipping the boutonnieres and bouquets for the bridal party. (Sorry guys!)
You can also go with wood or silk flowers to save money on your wedding but a florist is typically not involved in arranging or delivering those.
Not sure how much you can afford for florals?
You can check out my free budget guide if you sign up for my newsletter. It automatically calculates what you should spend where based on your budget and guest count and helps you stay on track. It’s like the fairy godmother of numbers.
Can I speak to some past clients?
It’s always good to talk to satisfied past customers before signing a contract. Any florist will be able to provide you with referrals or direct you to publicly available reviews. Make sure to also research your florist on third-party review sites like the Knot and WeddingWire for good and bad reviews.
Are you available on my wedding day?
This is an obvious, but important question. Interview wedding florists at least 6-9 months before your wedding to ensure you can find someone available for your day.
How many events do you book per day?
Reputable florists will limit how many events they book in order to provide each customer a quality experience. Ask how many events they take on and how they handle competing priorities. A larger flower shop might have multiple people who can deliver arrangements who are competent in sprucing things up and making sure everything is set up properly.
How much is the wedding florist deposit?
The deposit will either be a flat fee (about $150-300) or a percentage of the total cost (about 10-30%). Expect to pay the deposit at the same time you sign the contract and the remainder of the cost before the wedding day.
When is the total amount due to the wedding florist?
The total amount will likely be due a few weeks before the wedding. Be sure to ask so you know when you need to pay and can coordinate it around all of your other vendor payments.
What is the cancellation policy?
Most florists have a strict cancellation policy. This makes sense, considering they have already spent money on wholesale flowers and time arranging the flowers. Read the fine print of your contract and ask for clarification before you sign. If you do end up needing to cancel or postpone, give them a call and see if they will work with you for a re-book or partial refund.
Have you worked with my wedding venue before?
It’s a huge plus if your florist has worked with your venue before. That means that they are familiar with the logistics of your venue and will know how to best complement the space. If they haven’t worked with your venue before, ask if they would be willing to do a walkthrough before the wedding on their own time.
How much do you charge for delivery?
Delivery costs vary. Depending on what you need, the florist may be delivering to your ceremony venue and your reception venue. If you’re trying to save money, ask if you can skip delivery and pick up the flowers beforehand. Don’t plan on doing it yourself though, delegate that task to a trusted family member or friend with a pick up truck or van.
What to ask about flower arrangements
Can you provide a sample of your work before the wedding?
Ask if you are able to see a sample of the flower arrangements before the wedding. This will allow you to see the florist’s vision and request changes if needed. Some florists charge extra for providing samples, while others include it in their contract.
It’s not a bad idea to use the florist in a paid trial for your wedding shower or other event months prior to your wedding.
Are you able to show me your flower arrangement portfolio?
Take a look at the portfolio and see if you like the florist’s style. Do the arrangements look balanced and graceful? Are the flowers fresh and perky? If you see an arrangement you love, ask if they can recreate it for your wedding.
Of course you can bring pinterest photos and many florists will be able to replicate almost anything but it’s good to see what kind of work they have direct experience with before you commit.
Can you describe your style?
Some popular floral styles are traditional, modern, rustic, and natural. If you have a specific theme or style you want for your wedding, ask if they have made that style before!
If I show you a bouquet, can you recreate it?
Maybe you already have something in mind for your wedding flowers (thanks insta!). Show it to your florist and see if they can provide a quote for that specific arrangement.
Can you make an extra bouquet for the bouquet toss?
If you want to keep your bouquet after the wedding, ask your florist to make a smaller (read: cheaper!) bouquet just for the bouquet toss.
What flowers do you recommend based on my wedding location, colors, and season?
Lean on your florist to recommend specific blooms for your wedding. If you have your heart set on a flower that is out of season or out of your budget (see orchids), ask if your florist can incorporate a couple of faux flowers mixed in with real stems or an alternate similar flower.
Under what circumstances do you substitute flowers?
Sometimes it’s necessary to substitute flowers, based on supply and demand. It’s better to have a bouquet of fresh roses than wilted peonies. Ask your florist how they handle substitutions and what flowers may be used instead. If there are flowers you absolutely don’t like and don’t want in your bouquet make sure that’s spelled out in your contract.
What to ask about logistics
Do you set up the flower arrangements or just deliver them to the venue?
Some florists will travel onsite to set up the floral decor, while others just offer delivery to the venue. Ask what their plan is and how much it costs. If they do not offer set up, make sure you delegate that task to a day-of-coordinator, venue employee, or a trusted friend or family member.
How much time do you need to set up the venue?
Your venue limit on how much time they offer for set up. This is especially true if your venue is hosting multiple events. Make sure to coordinate arrival time, so your florist can set up the decor before your guests arrive.
Are the vases and other centerpiece items rentals? How do I return them to you?
If you are required to return vases or other centerpiece items, make sure you communicate this to the venue staff or day of coordinator so they don’t throw them out or give them away. The florist may pick up these items at the end of night or ask that you bring them in the next day. (If your honeymoon is the next day, bribe your maid of honor to return the vases for you.)
How do I keep the flowers fresh until the wedding?
If you have decided to pick up the flowers yourself, make sure you know how to keep them fresh. Your florist may recommend keeping bouquets refrigerated or in water until you need them. Be sure to dry the stems before walking the down aisle.
Can you provide floral arrangements that we can bring from the ceremony site to the reception site?
One way to save money is to reuse the flowers from the ceremony at the reception. Ask if they can design arrangements that are multi-use, for instance your and your bridesmaids bouquets become the centerpiece at the head table.
Are there any extra details that I haven’t asked about?
I can’t put everything on a list. (Try as I might!) Your florist is the pro, ask them if there is anything else you should be considering when making your decision.
More checklists
Looking for other checklists like this one? Take a look at our lists for every other vendor you’re interviewing.
