Florist

Have a look online at what you want and take photos with you to the florist.

I guess it depends on the florist, we had a vague idea, knew we wanted a mix of pastelly countryside flowers and herbs, nothing too formal, i knew the names of some flowers i loved and and our florist then showed us various other flowers too and put certain things together, she came up with some ideas for us such as having a garland to hang off the top table rather than having flowers on there, and generally was very helpful. Pinterest is your friend here I think, i searched wedding flowers/bouquets etc and then showed her the pictures of the stuff we liked and what we definitely didnt like, so I think as long as you know what style youre after they'll be able to guide you. One florist we went to, whose flowers are stunning, we just didnt get the right feel for, in that when i said we wanted wild flowers or something similar for buttonholes, just came back with an 'oh but we do rose ones' and although i do get iwhy, they also werent really interested in talking to us until we'd paid a deposit to book a date, so also just make sure you gel with them and share the same vision!

As for questions to ask, maybe ask about them setting up the venue (do they do it all), do they deliver the buttonholes/bouquets to the relevant addresses, do they make you up a mock bouquet so you know the kind of thing to expect on the day, what deposits etc they need, do they hire or loan free of charge vases/jars/jugs etc

From my poor memory ours quoted about £500-550 for my bouquet, two gyp bridesmaid bouquets, about 40 jam jars, some jugs, a garland for top table, 6 mens button holes and 2 moms corsages, and some hanging gyp bundles to hang off church pews (including free loan of enamel jugs)...i was really impressed cus i thought it'd come in at about £1000!!

I think we've been quoted over 500 pounds for 10 table centre pieces, a vintage tea pot and 2 tea cups filled with flowers, my bouquet, bridesmaids corsages, mothers corsages and 5 button holes. Im having a rustic style of flowers and not a lot of greenery.

The florist is setting up and providing vintage glassware for this xx

Oh and I'm having a flower crown too!!

I didn't know what to ask either :s. I just took my laptop with some pininterst pics on

We were pretty clueless when it came to flowers. We knew we wanted it to be flower heavy, but no idea of what type of flowers or anything like that.

We had a good chat with our florist and in the end we basically said- this is our theme and the kind of look we'd like, we hate these colours, but aside from that do your thing and use whatever flowers you think best fits the job.

I have zero idea what our flowers will be like, but I have every confidence she'll do a fantastic job ?

Greenery will bulk out any bouquets / table decs. It can still look pretty and will lower the cost of your flowers, as they're usually priced per stem.

I've been quoted £55 bridal bouquet, £30 bridesmaid bouquet, £4 button hole, £7 corsage, £1.50 per jam jar (i'm having 50 with flowers and 50 with candles to mix it up a bit)

I would of had some greenery - however my other half was adamant. "if I have to wear a flower then thats what i want. No Grass" Exact words right there haha

Whilst greenery will bulk out bouquets, most wedding foliage is also charged by the stem and some greenery can actually be more expensive than flowers. The less expensive foliage is ivy, some types of eucalyptus and french ruscus although some varieties of eucalyptus and french ruscus can be very expensive so it depends on the season really. The best way to keep costs down is to use seasonal flowers and give your florist a free reign with the types of flowers she can use. This way she can pick out the best varieties and colours that will go with your scheme and produce them within your budget.

Thanks ladies, I have got tons of pictures I love. So will take that along with me. I just hope we have enough in our budget as the flowers I like are a bit pricey and want them everywhere lol. Hopefully she would have alternatives.

Hi sweetie. Florists are great, you give them a vague idea and they give you exactly what you were after! They're very clever. If you're not happy with your quotes etc or want a second option, I know you're near Brighton so check out blooms for business. She was brilliant for me

Take your pictures, talk about your ideas for the day and if they're the florist for you they'll get your vision and be as enthusiastic as you about it!

(I'm a florist and ruddy love weddings! Our wedding is gonna be flowertastic! Lol! Been trying to figure out how many flowers I can squeeze into our venue!)

I always advise finding a florist that you get on with and that you trust, you won't see your flowers until the day so you need to trust him/her! Ask to see pictures of their work, anyone can show you pictures on Pinterest or from a magazine but any florist worth their weight will have their own images to show you

And if you have a budget in mind, be honest, most people don't know what to expect when it comes to flower prices and some florists will quote you top side of prices but if you have a budget they should be able to tell you what they can do to fit with your day for that price!

And if you don't know what's what, see more than one (but not too many, you'll just confuse yourself further!) this way you'll get a realistic idea of costing and what is/isn't possible!

Hope that's a bit helpful for you happy flower shopping!