Hints and Tips 2013

Choosing flowers is one of the most creative elements of planning your wedding. 

  As a general rule of thumb, you should aim to allocate around 10% of your total wedding budget to your flowers, but decide where they rank on your list of priorities. If a designer dress or quality Champagne and fancy canapes are more important to you, adjust your flower budget accordingly.

Many flowers are seasonal and, at certain times of the year, can be difficult to get hold of. For example, if you have your heart set on peonies, you'll need to get married in May or June, while lily of the valley has a shorter season still, and is only available in May. Flowers may be imported from overseas at other times of the year, but expect to pay inflated prices.

Your florist will charge for labour as well as the actual flowers used, so complicated, time-consuming arrangements will cost more money. For example, elaborate trailing or shower bouquets, which require fiddly wiring, will make more of a dent in your budget than simple hand-tied bouquet.

 It's likely someone in your bridal party will be sensitive to pollen. Lilies top the list of highly allergic flowers, but if you really want to include them in your bridal bouquet, simply ask your florist to remove the stamens. This will not only avoid sniffles and sneezes at the altar, but will also help to avoid any unsightly yellow pollen staining your gorgeous gown.

It's becoming more popular to share the cost of decorating the church with other couples getting married on the same day. Don't be embarrassed to suggest doubling up - you'll be doing them just as much of a favour.

Florists will charge extra at their busiest times of the years - namely Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Easter and Christmas. Avoid booking your wedding around these dates if you want to keep costs down and be guaranteed of your florist's undivided attention - you want to ensure your wedding is your florist's top priority.

 In order to get a good sense of your vision for the day, your florist will want to see lots of your ideas. Show them as many pictures as possible, including pages torn from magazines that illustrate the look you're after, along with fabric swatches and sketches of your dress and the bridesmaids' outfits. Ask your florist to talk you through the different options for your bouquet, tablecentres and ceremony flowers, so you have a good idea of what they can offer you within your budget.

Beware of hidden costs, as consultations and samples of any bouquets made ahead of your big day may be charged for. There can also be significant charges for delivery and collection, so ask for a fully itemised quote.

Don't put your bouquet in the fridge. While it's important not to let your flowers wilt in the heat, refrigerating them can easily damage the fragile petals. Instead, leave your bouquet in the box it's delivered in, place it somewhere cool and avoid handling it until the last moment.

Your florist may charge you for the hire of any vases, and bill you extra for any that get broken or mislaid. If your guests want to take home your tablecentres, let them know they need to remove the flowers first.

Think seasonal when choosing roses. In the UK, our rose season runs from May through to September, so you’ll pay less for them during the summer months than you would out of season, when they need to be imported, usually all the way from Kenya.

 All flowers are graded by quality, with A being the best. However, unlike most flower varieties, roses are graded by the length and straightness of their stem, rather than the bloom. So if you just need the bud or a short stem for the arrangement, make sure you request a lower grade and you’ll get an equally good result for a lot less cash!

Hope you enjoyed these tips and is helpful if you are in need of a florist in South Yorkshire click on this link to book a appointment with myself
 Wedding Appointment

Look forward to hearing from you.