Choosing your flowers is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. But it is advised by many bridal experts not to pick them too far in advance. There’s a specific list of things to consider and to memorize before you sit down with any florist.

• Find a Florist
• Consider Your Budget
• Establish a Vision
• Consider Your site Specifics
• Create a Colorful Concept
• Make the flowers work
• Map out your wedding style
• Get everything in writing

If you follow these simple steps before you ever step through the doors of any florist you will be much more prepared than if you had just walked into a florist with virtually no idea what you were looking for or could afford. Let’s just say from personal experience, flowers to me, weren’t as immediate as they should have been. I knew what type of flowers I wanted so I didn’t have to do as much research as I would have had I not known.

Lock in your floral designer early in the wedding-planning process. You’ll want a designer who is gifted, knowledgeable, and agreeable. Most importantly, your florist should delight in providing you with the most beautiful flowers your budget can handle. Be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau before hiring. Here are some questions to ask potential florists.

• What is the florist’s design philosophy? Minimal? Elegant? Edgy and modern? Do the florist’s views fit with your own ideas?
• Can you see photographs or live examples of live work?
• Which flowers are least likely to wilt in hot weather?
• Does the florist offer rental items, vases, potted plants, arches, candelabras, etc?
• Has the florist done weddings at your ceremony and/or reception sites before?

These are just a few questions to keep in mind when meeting with different florists. Just remember to have fun and that flowers are a beautiful way to accent a beautiful day. If you want to save money you can always order your flowers from a wholesaler and create the bouquets yourself. We did that at my sister’s wedding and we are going to do it for our ceremony flowers.

Special thanks to Frank Jolie’s Wedding Flowers and Video for donating the flowers for our reception. Frank Jolie’s Wedding Flowers and Video (757) 491-6281.