Every engaged couple aspires to make their wedding the epitome of beauty, uniqueness, and specialness. This event, among the most significant in their lives, naturally calls for meticulous planning. Floral decoration, a deeply rooted wedding tradition, plays an integral role. Flowers enhance the bride’s appearance and transform the venue, infusing it with a delightful fragrance that elevates the celebratory atmosphere. This is where the wedding florist steps in.
Proficient wedding florists are more than just skilled in crafting and adorning bouquets and floral arrangements. They are also a fusion of a designer and a decorator, seamlessly blending these three facets into their work. In this article, Elena Armery, the owner of Vanda Bleu floral design studio, will guide you through the process of selecting a wedding florist, and you’ll be well-equipped to choose a vendor who can transform your wedding dreams into reality.
MEET THE EXPERT
Based in the heart of Paris, France, Vanda Bleu is a floral design studio led by the talented florist Elena Armery.
What appears as pure “magic” on a wedding day for Vanda Bleu clients is actually the meticulously planned and thoughtfully prepared culmination of months of work.
At Vanda Bleu, they firmly believe that each wedding, every couple, and every bride is utterly unique. Their mission is to employ the art of floral design to accentuate the essence of the celebration, the beauty of the loving couple, and the depth of emotions. Every floral project allows them to share their boundless creativity and unwavering professionalism.
All bouquets and floral arrangements below are carefully made by Vanda Bleu.
Begin Early
Start your search for a wedding florist as early as possible. Ideally, reach out to a specialist whose work resonates with you at least 6-8 months before your wedding date. This timeframe allows ample room to discuss the intricate details of your floral vision without rushing and secures their services for your chosen date. Talented florists often get booked quickly, so ensure you have enough time to find the right fit.
Photo: Charlotte Wise, Planner: Un Jardin de Lumières
Ask for Recommendations
Seek recommendations from friends, family, or colleagues who have tied the knot in the same area. If you’ve already chosen your wedding venue, inquire about their list of preferred vendors. If you’ve enlisted the services of a wedding planner, rely on their recommendations. Personal referrals can lead you to talented florists who have proven their expertise.
Photo: Burcu Erkmen
Research Portfolio to Align It with Your Styled
Every reputable professional maintains a high-quality portfolio featuring their best work, which includes styled photo shoots, weddings, and other events. Visit the florists’ websites and social media profiles to explore their portfolios. To understand a vendor more comprehensively, check out their “tagged” photos for an unfiltered look at their work. It often signifies a high skill level if you come across intricate and complex arrangements. Please pay attention to their work’s diversity and ability to adapt to different styles. However, your top priority should be finding a florist whose style aligns with your own aesthetic, as beauty is subjective and unique to each individual.
Photo: Charlotte Wise, Planner: Un Jardin de Lumières
Pro Tip: A professional in the creative field should have a well-designed, mobile-friendly website. Your initial encounter with a florist often happens through their website, so it should leave you with a positive impression. The website should feature unique content, straightforward and intuitive navigation, meaningful and well-written text, and high-quality, aesthetically pleasing photos.
Photo: Charlotte Wise, Planner: Un Jardin de Lumières
Check Online Reviews
While an abundance of positive reviews is certainly a good sign, be cautious if a vendor has predominantly negative feedback. However, what should you do when encountering one or two dissatisfied clients among a sea of happy reviews? Remember that reviews may not always provide a complete picture of a vendor’s work. It’s a good idea to inquire directly with the vendor about any negative feedback and ask for their perspective on those situations.
Photo: Nordlicht Fotografie
Inquire About Experience
A traditional florist with a physical shop can suffice if you only need a few small elements that can be prepared in advance, such as bouquets and boutonnieres. However, if you’re looking for someone to curate a comprehensive design and collaborate effectively with a vendor team, you’ll want a floral designer experienced in weddings. Wedding floral design involves more than just delivering bouquets and arrangements on the wedding day; it’s a multifaceted design project with intricate preparation and logistical aspects. Trusting this to professionals is crucial.
Photo: The Ivory Roses, Concept: Alyssa Belkaci, Design & Planning: Jordane Ashley, Agence Aurea
A contemporary floral designer pays meticulous attention to color, aesthetics, and details. They consider factors like seasonality, flower durability, and the art of combining various elements, even the aroma of flowers. As a florist, a designer, and a decorator, they aim to craft a unique visual ambiance using flowers and decor, much like an artist paints a picture with brushes and colors. By incorporating fabrics, candles, candlesticks, and various decorative elements, they transform the space, infusing it with beauty, harmony, a festive atmosphere, and positive emotions.
It’s also essential to address logistical matters. Inquire whether they will personally oversee the installation at your event or delegate it to a team member. Ask about their cleanup procedures. Experienced wedding florists are equipped to handle any challenges that may arise on your special day.
Photo: The Ivory Roses, Concept: Alyssa Belkaci, Design & Planning: Jordane Ashley, Agence Aurea
Request a Detailed Proposal
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices to one or more potential florists, reach out to them through your preferred means of communication. Share all your ideas and wishes regarding the style, color scheme, and other visual aspects of your upcoming wedding. A skilled specialist should be quick to prepare a proposal for you. This proposal should encompass several potential design concepts and be accompanied by sketches, mood boards, and examples of color palettes. An experienced florist is versatile and capable of creating designs in various styles, as working with flowers involves creativity and adapting knowledge and skills to meet the client’s specific requests.
Furthermore, a reputable florist will present a comprehensive proposal that includes a breakdown of costs for each floral element. This level of transparency ensures you clearly understand the expenses and helps you stay within your budget.
Photo: Aude Lucas
Photo: Aude Lucas
Discuss Your Budget
Discussing your budget openly with your floral vendor is crucial to the selection process. Don’t hesitate to share your budget for flower decoration with the specialist. At Vanda Bleu, they firmly believe that planning a dream wedding doesn’t have to break the bank. An experienced florist can guide you on where to focus and how to make the most of even a modest budget.
Floral service costs can vary significantly and soar based on several factors, including the number of guests, flower preferences, seasonal availability, and design choices. A florist who has your financial well-being in mind will draw your attention to seasonal blooms. Each type of flower has its prime season when it’s more affordable. At other times, the prices may significantly increase.
Photo: Kristina Bastien
When you’ve set the date for your celebration, ask the florist to provide you with a list of flowers that are in season during that period. Choose the ones that resonate with you and let them form the foundation of your wedding decor. For instance, spring is the perfect time for tulips, daffodils, mimosa, lilac, ranunculus, and anemones, as they are abundant and cost-effective at the flower market. Spring flower arrangements exude delicacy and airiness, especially when combined with blossoming branches, capturing the season’s essence. Peonies steal the show in June and July with many varieties and shades, making them indispensable in wedding floristry. When autumn arrives, dahlias, chrysanthemums, cosmos, and gladioli take center stage. Consider incorporating fruits like viburnum or rose hips, bunches of grapes, and miniature pumpkins to enhance your autumn wedding decor. Maple leaves, field grasses, spikelets, and branches can add a rustic touch to your arrangements.
Photo: Kristina Bastien
Embrace Minimalism
Chances are, you’ve come across the concept of minimalism in design, a trend that has greatly influenced the fashion world. Unsurprisingly, this minimalist approach has found its way into the wedding industry. Today, many brides are redefining beauty, understanding that it doesn’t always equate to extravagance and excess.
Opting for a minimalist wedding can save you money compared to a traditional ceremony and create a stunning and ultra-fashionable celebration. Its simplicity and understated elegance characterize minimalism. The key is approaching every detail thoughtfully and sensibly, prioritizing quality over quantity. By doing so, your wedding day will be etched in the memories of your loved ones as an extraordinary and tasteful affair.
