Faqs

We recommend contacting us at least 6 months prior to your wedding date, and busy wedding months book up quickly! You don’t have to know exactly what you want at that point, but we would like to get the date set and gather some minor information. We will schedule a consultation to review further details in the near future.

First of all, make a list of your favorite flowers and colors. Browse your wedding magazines and mark anything that you like, this is a great way to find what style you like. Remember that this is one of the most important days of your life; the flowers that you choose to carry down the aisle should be a reflection of you. Your bouquet will be in many pictures so it should be exactly what you always dreamed of. It may also help to make a list of what flowers you will need for your special day; start with your bridal party and families and then make a list of what you might want for the ceremony and reception sites. This list will help you to stay on track during your first consultation with your florist.

It is a good idea to let us know what kind of budget you have in mind, so we can offer better suggestions regarding flower choice and how to most wisely allot your budget. Many brides have a difficult time defining a budget before the first meeting, as this is their first major flower purchase. We will gladly help you define a budget during our consultation.

During this first meeting, we look forward to getting to know you and your ideas for your perfect wedding day! We recommend bringing your mother or a bridesmaid; they are always reliable for an honest opinion! Please bring a list of your flower needs, a swatch or picture of your gown and the bridesmaids’ dresses, and pictures of the ceremony and reception sites if you have them. We will be browsing wedding books and our portfolio to help you gather some ideas to help you find the perfect flowers to fit your perfect day.

Many brides look to the season for wedding inspiration. It is also less expensive to use flowers that are in season. Spring wedding flowers include tulips, hyacinths, lilies, lilacs, peonies, delphinium and sweet peas. Summer flowers showcase hydrangea, sunflowers, zinnia and gerber daisies. Fall flowers offer asters, mums, dahlias and hypericum berries. Winter flowers include star of Bethlehem, narcissus, tulips and berries. Many flowers are available year round such as calla lilies, roses, orchids, stephanotis and gardenias.

First, think of the blooms, as well as the colors, you already love. There are so many varieties of flowers and shades of colors to choose from. Colors similar in tone, as well as contrasting colors, are two elegant ways to plan your flowers. Also, research wedding flowers! Look in magazines, Look in Books, Look online! The Internet is a great place for getting ideas.

Next, pick your theme! You can go simple, using one particular bloom throughout the wedding, such as Gardenias. Or you can use pink ‘Hot Princess’ roses, with feathers, or crystals to give a glamorous feel to your reception flowers. You can also base your bouquets and arrangements around your venue, especially if it’s a historic place! More FAQ’s below.

After viewing our website, you may always make an appointment for a consultation. A consultation is a meeting to discuss your budget, ideas, and expectations. The more information you give a florist, the better.  We want to have a good understanding of your style or the ‘look’ you want to achieve. If you are unsure of what you want for your Bridal bouquet or for your reception flowers, do not worry. We will do our best to inspire you with ideas.

Please, first and foremost, bring me a picture of that special wedding gown of yours! If you haven’t chosen your dress yet, just be sure to bring a few pictures of what you think you would like your dress to look like. If you want your elegant rhinestone decoration on your dress to be shown, carry a small posy of a single type of flower, as to not take away from your dress. Cascading bouquets look great with straight dresses. Fuller dresses are always complemented with a formal bouquet. As well, bring me a color swatch or your bridesmaids’ too, so we can match the perfect colors for their posies.

A proposal is an estimate; it lists what we discussed when you came in for your consultation. Your first proposal will list each item used for your wedding party, ceremony, and reception. The prices of each arrangement is included, as well as the total cost of your wedding flowers. Changes or additions may be made to this proposal. Once you decide that you want A Floral Affair as your wedding florist, a deposit is made and full descriptions are added to the proposal and the fine tuning begins!

Remember the old adage, “You get what you pay for.” Going with the lowest price is not always the best way. If one of your quotes seems abnormally high, there is probably a good reason. The ‘lower price’ may not have exactly what you and the ‘higher price’ florist discussed.

After you have found you are happy with your proposal, we will make a permanent booking. A deposit will reserve your special day on our wedding calendar. After you make a deposit you will get all the details and cost confirmed in writing. This will also be the opportunity to sign the Wedding Contract.

Etiquette #1

Who gets what:

• For the Bride… Anything from a clutch bouquet, to a single bloom of your choice.
• For the Bridesmaids…A smaller version of the bridal bouquet, or a small clutch of some of the flowers used in the bridal bouquet.
• For the Groom, Groomsmen, Best Man, Fathers, and Ushers… a boutonniere.

Etiquette #2

Who gets what:

• Mothers: A corsage to match their outfits, or to match your bridal bouquet Immediate Family… a Corsage or Boutonniere.
• Ceremony: Two pedestal Arrangements for the bride and groom to stand between or in front of.
• Reception: Similar flowers (whether in style or color) of the wedding party, placed in vases on each table or nicely contrasting flowers (in style or color) not already used in the wedding party.

Etiquette #3

Who pays for what, in terms of flowers?

Times are different now, and many brides, themselves, are paying for their wedding. Sometimes, the bride and groom split the price, or family helps pay for flowers. Here is a more traditional take on wedding flowers etiquette:

• The Bride: Flowers for the Ceremony, Reception, and bridesmaids
• The Groom: Bridal Bouquet, Flowers for Mothers and grandmothers, boutonnieres for Best Man, Ushers, and Fathers.