I have sat down with many different brides (and grooms!) to do consultations for wedding flowers. Some come in with pictures they want replicated, some have no idea what they want, and some just know they 'want roses', or 'want blue'. No matter who comes in, what their budget is, or their vision for their big day, I take them step-by-step through the process. Consultations take typically anywhere between 30 minutes to 90 minutes. One couple had everything chosen in 10 minutes, another couple took well over two hours. The time depends on the size of wedding party, whether church decorations are needed and table centerpieces.
The first thing to consider is your budget. There is no right or wrong answer to the question "What is your budget?". You may or may not have one, and that's okay. I have worked with budgets as low as $125, and as high as $5000. If you have a budget below $300, you should not expect to get peonies, hydrangeas or garden roses. But there is a good chance you can get roses, gerbera dasies, carnations, or lilies. While I do work successfully with brides on a budget, be mindful that you will get the colours you want, but maybe not the flowers.
The second most important thing is the season. Some flowers are only in season during certain times of the year, but can potentially be imported from another country at a higher price. While some couples come for a consultation before choosing a wedding date, most have chosen the date and know if something they want is out of season. Seasonal flowers include, but are not limited to : dahlias, tulips, sunflowers, peonies, freesia, and some types of hydrangea.
Think about who you want to have flowers, and what arrangements you might like to have. (This can help determine potential cost.) You will most likely have a bridal bouquet and a boutonniere - maybe that is all you are going to have. If you have bridesmaids, are they all having bouquets? TIP: keep costs down by giving your bridesmaids corsages instead! How many groomsmen are there? It is customary for groomsmen to each have a boutonniere, usually to match the groom's boutonniere. I would say for about half the weddings I have done, family members (father, mother, grandfather, grandmother & siblings) get boutonnieres and corsages. I have also seen the officiant of the ceremony get a boutonniere or corsage. Are you having centerpieces? If so, think about if you want these to be floral arrangements. (Other common floral options include cake flowers, pew or aisle markers, flower girl and ring bearer flowers, large statement arrangements, or a centerpiece for the head table.)
One thing many brides do not consider is silk flowers. Many brides want to dry their bouquets so they can keep them after the wedding. Sometimes this does not go well, or the weather is not great on the wedding day. You may have accidentally dropped your bouquet and destroyed some delicate flowers. Think silk looks too fake? Talk to a florist before you rule out silk flowers! (One of the photos below is silk flowers!) While silk flowers do tend to be more expensive than fresh flowers, there are certain ones that do cost the same as fresh. These options can include, but may not be limited to: roses, hydrangeas, carnations and gerbera dasies.
Are there any questions you have about wedding flowers that have not been answered above? Did I mention something you want to learn more about? Call 780-244-1834, or send an e-mail to bloomsbymay@shaw.ca
We serve the Edmonton area, including Sherwood Park, St. Albert, Leduc, Spruce Grove & Stony Plain. Wondering if we are willing to travel somewhere further? We have delivered as far as Banff for a wedding. You can also pick up your flowers from us! Brides have shopped here in Edmonton, and picked up flowers for weddings in Saskatchewan! Ask us how to keep the flowers for your special day, as fresh as when you pick them up.