A brilliant bride goes to consultations prepared and open minded. The problem so many people run into is that they don't know what being prepared means. So here's a few simple things that will help you out.
- Know who you need flowers for: all the ladies, gents and kids.
- Know as much as possible about the venues you'll be using. By this I mean, what times your florist will have available to deliver, install and strike, the number and sizes of tables you'll be using, and what sites you'll be using for which parts of your wedding day. Also provide the florist with the on site coordinators contact information if you aren't using an independent wedding planner.
- Bring a picture of your wedding dress.
- Know and give your comfortable and bottom line budget.
- Let your florist know if you would like them to give you a creative proposal or if you prefer to have something quite similar to what you're showing them.
- Know the kinds of flowers you like and the ones you hate. Best bet is to bring pictures. Be as descriptive as possible. Blogs and wedding books are great for this. Here are a few good ones:
- Beautiful Wedding Flowers: More than 300 Corsages, Bouquets, and Centerpieces
- The Knot Book of Wedding Flowers
- Signature Sasha: Magnificent Weddings by Design
- Weddings by Tara Guérard
- Colin Cowie Wedding Chic: 1,001 Ideas for Every Moment of Your Celebration
- Signature Weddings: Creating a Day Uniquely Your Own