booking a floral designer
How to book 101
Secure your venue and date
Having these two major items will inform your vendors if they can service your event based on date availability and location. After your venue is officially booked, you can go ahead and start booking your other major vendors like photographer, DJ, floral designer, caterer etc.
Reach out via website
Look at floral designer’s portfolios in your area and pick 2-3 to reach out to directly. When you’re looking at their portfolio, notice what types of flowers they’re using and the overall style of their work. Are they using more large, focal blooms or lots of tiny textures? Are the designs full of greenery or filled with blooms? Is the aesthetic classic, modern, or garden-style? Inquire with designers whose style you really resonate with.
It’s best to reach out directly via the business’ website. Contacting designers via wedding directory websites can mean lost messages and often puts the inquiries behind a pay wall for the vendor. If you really want to work with a vendor—it’s best to inquire directly for the most efficient communication.
Book 6-12 months prior
There are always exceptions to this rule depending on your planning timeline. However, this is when most of our couples start chatting with us. This gives us plenty of time to prepare for your wedding and no one has to feel rushed in the process.
Pick 2-3 designers
Look at floral designer’s portfolios in your area and pick 2-3 to reach out to directly. When you’re looking at their portfolio, notice what types of flowers they’re using and the overall style of their work. Are they using more large, focal blooms or lots of tiny textures? Are the designs full of greenery or filled with blooms? Is the aesthetic classic, modern, or garden-style? Inquire with designers whose style you really resonate with.
Check to see if they have a minimum investment listed on their website. Make sure it’s something you’re comfortable with. It’s likely in place because the minimum needs to be met in order to produce the caliber of work that you’re seeing in their portfolio.
Choose a good combo of style and price point
Don’t default to the lowest quote. Make sure you love the designer’s style AND the estimate they gave you is something that you’re comfortable with. Hire someone that you trust and are comfortable communicating with. Check to see what their policy is about officially locking in the date—most vendors will require both a signed contract and retainer payment.
Cross it off the list!
Another item off your planning list. After you’ve completed the items to book your vendor, take a breather. Assuming you have several months before the event, check with your vendor to see what next steps are and how the rest of the process will work. We usually check in with booked clients around 6-8 weeks prior to the event to finalize details.
Let’s bring your vision to life!