Tuesday 1 November 2011

How to work with us as your florist

Flowers are the first thing you think of when planning how to make your reception photo-fabulous. But where do you start? Are you after dramatic, heavenly blooms or do you want to keep it simple? Or maybe something quirky. Get your pressing questions answered here...

When should I start shopping for flowers before the wedding?

Preparation time depends on the size of your wedding, as a rule of thumb,  at least six months before the big day should do the trick. Unlike with fresh flowers our brides can rest assured that our prices will remain the same throughout all seasons, we will not put our prices up because its mothers day or valentines day, also at Christmas most fresh florist get their flowers before Christmas Eve so if you are getting married the week afterwards your flowers will already be a week old. No dying brown bits with us, your flowers will look perfect throughout the whole day!

How much of my budget should I allocate for flowers?

Unlike fresh florists who say that estimates vary expect to spend about 5 – 10% of your total budget on bouquets for you and your maids, corsages, buttonholes, ceremony arrangements and table centres

Our hired bouquets for brides are from £35, Bridesmaids £20.

It’s important to have a rough budget in mind so that we can get your expectations in line with what you can afford,” “When couples don’t have an inkling of what they want to spend, it’s very hard to start creating an idea”.


When I’m comparing prices, what sort of additional fees should I think about?

We dont charge extras like VAT. We do charge delivery outside 10 miles of Plymouth at 0.40p per mile. Our hire charge includes setup and pickup.

Some florist do charge VAT, they dont delivery and dont clean up, unless you pay extra, so be mindful when going to other florists.


I suffer from hay fever – which flowers would you suggest?

With Flourish flowers you dont have to work, as all of our flowers are silk, they will not cause hay fever, they will not attract insects, so not sneezes or stings!!


How do I look at a venue and decide how to decorate it with flowers?

”Ask yourself: ‘Where are my guests going to be; what’s the schedule for the day; where are we going to start off; and how long are we going to stay in each place?’” That will help when deciding where the flowers should go. Utilise special features at the venue – think vintage fireplaces, doors and lovely corners – and decorate them first.

How can I find a bouquet shape to compliment my dress?

A good florist will take into account your height and body shape as well as dress shape when crafting the perfect bouquet, so be sure to bring photos of your gown and accessories to your consultation. We also consider the amount of detailing on the dress and its style, whether it’s modern or vintage. A dress with simple, straight lines will look better with a dramatic, cascading bouquet, while a heavily detailed gown looks great with a simple bunch of roses.

Are there any colours that I should avoid?

”The key is mixing in the right complementary blooms and foliage. Avoid pairing super-saturated hues like indigo or scarlet with pale flowers, as the contrast often makes the darker blooms appear black in pictures. Keep an all-white bouquet from looking washed out against a marquee by mixing in gorgeous greenery and contrasting coloured flowers to add depth to the arrangement.

Are some flowers more practical than others for outdoor weddings?

Again with the silk thing... it doesn't matter you can have what ever you want outside, come rain or shine, our flowers will look the same. We do offer a outdoor wedding package which consist of:


What about the centrepiece, as candelabra to big?

We hire a numerous amount of different style centrepieces, from goblets to candelabra. We have made sure that all of our candelabra will compliment tables, meaning they are all at a height where they will not block you guests view, or stop the conversation flowing. Our candelabra are 1m tall, out of sitting eye-level, but tall enough to create an impact on the room and create height and interest.



At Flourish all of our arrangements are bespoke, they are made up individually for each wedding, based on the bride and grooms style, theme and personality.