People often ask why we specialize exclusively in full-service wedding floristry. What does that really mean? Why do wedding flowers cost what they do—after all, you can pick up flowers at places like Trader Joe’s or Costco, and DIY weddings have become increasingly popular.
But full-service wedding and event floristry is about far more than just arranging flowers. It’s a comprehensive experience that covers every detail, from the very first consultation to the final breakdown after the event. It’s not just about buying flowers; it’s about curating an experience, ensuring quality, and executing a seamless design that fits the couple’s vision perfectly.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at all the steps and dedication involved in creating the stunning floral designs that make a wedding day unforgettable.
1. Initial Client Meeting and Design Consultation
Our process typically starts with an intake form to gather key details about your wedding or event. This helps us understand your color scheme, style (whether it's romantic, rustic, modern, etc.), and learn about the venue and other vendors involved.
Once we’ve shared initial pricing and have a sense of your vision, we schedule a meeting to dive deeper into the details. This is where we talk through your preferences, explore any special requests, and refine the design to ensure everything aligns with your perfect day.
2. Design Planning and Concept Creation
After our initial design meeting, we send over a detailed proposal that outlines the floral arrangements, along with labor and delivery costs. We’re always open to refining and adjusting the proposal to ensure it aligns perfectly with your vision, making sure you're 100% happy with the proposal.
Once your wedding date is secured, we dive into the creative process, sketching ideas and crafting a mood board that captures your style and vision. This stage is all about curating a seamless, beautiful floral experience, where every detail is thoughtfully considered and meticulously planned.
During this time, we also evaluate the best flowers, greenery, and hardgoods (such as vases, candles, etc.) that will complement your aesthetic. It’s a balance of creativity and practicality—taking into account seasonal availability, color schemes, and how different flowers will perform in various environments (like outdoor venues or warmer temperatures).
3. Sourcing Flowers and Hardgoods
A key part of being a full-service florist is sourcing the highest quality flowers and materials. We work closely with trusted wholesalers and local growers to hand-select each bloom, ensuring everything—from the main flowers in the bridal bouquet to the accent pieces in smaller arrangements—is perfect. This process also extends to specialty items like floral garlands, trees, and plants (when needed) for custom installations, where quality and freshness are paramount.
In addition to sourcing flowers, we work closely with our wholesalers to manage the resources and hardgoods needed for large events. We maintain a well-stocked inventory of supplies, vessels, and other essentials, ensuring we have everything on hand in case additional items are needed for the wedding or event. This proactive approach allows us to be flexible and responsive, ensuring that no detail is overlooked.
4. Planning Large Floral Installations
Many weddings include large-scale floral installations, like hanging florals, floral arches, or statement centerpieces. Planning these installations involves a lot of behind-the-scenes work, from measuring the space and determining how to secure large structures to calculating the volume of flowers needed. For example, a hanging floral chandelier may need a custom rigging solution or specific support to stay safe during the event.
We must also consider logistics—like how to transport and set up such large pieces on-site, how long installation will take, and whether additional hands are needed. Timing is critical, as these installations need to be done before the ceremony starts but without interfering with other vendors or guests.
5. Vendor Coordination and Collaboration
We are in constant communication with other vendors—event planners, designers, coordinators, caterers, photographers, and the venue itself. This coordination ensures the flowers will arrive on time, fit the overall vision, and complement the other elements of the wedding.
For example, we may work with the planner to ensure the flowers don’t clash with table settings, or meet with lighting and rental companies to ensure a smooth day-of install. We always communicating with the venue’s staff to figure out the logistics of delivery and installation, so you don't have to.
6. Processing and Hand-Picking the Best Blooms
Once the flowers arrive, our team takes great care in sorting through each bloom, inspecting them closely to ensure they meet our high standards. This process is critical to ensuring that only the freshest, most vibrant flowers make it into the arrangements. We carefully examine each stem for quality—checking for any signs of damage, wilting, or imperfections—and discard any blooms that don't meet our standards.
Hand-selecting flowers is a meticulous process. For example, when crafting a bridal bouquet, we make sure each petal is in perfect condition, as the bouquet will be held and photographed throughout the day. We also pay close attention to the color palettes, ensuring that each bloom aligns with the couple's vision—whether it's the exact shade of blush they envisioned or a subtle gradation of color for a more organic look.
Beyond aesthetics, we consider how each bloom will perform throughout the day. Some flowers, like peonies, are more delicate and need special care to ensure they hold up well in the warm weather, while others, like roses or orchids, are more durable. Each stem is hydrated and treated with the right care to make sure the florals last as long as possible, maintaining their beauty from the ceremony through to the reception. This attention to detail is crucial for creating the flawless, fresh look our clients expect.
7. Creating the Arrangements
When the flowers arrive, we begin the delicate process of constructing each floral arrangement. This is when the designs we’ve carefully planned come to life. Our team crafts each piece not only reflect the couple's vision but also to ensure it lasts throughout the event and looks stunning in photos.
Creating these arrangements requires a deep understanding of both artistry and flower care. We use a combination of technical skill and creative intuition to bring each design to life. For example, when constructing bridal bouquets, we often start by hand-selecting the best blooms, arranging them in a balanced and organic way, and then wiring and taping the stems to ensure stability. Wiring delicate blooms like garden roses or orchids ensures that each flower stays in place, while taping allows us to form a cohesive structure that holds the bouquet together without compromising its aesthetic.
The same attention to detail is applied to corsages, boutonnières, and centerpieces, where precision is key. We might use specialty florals or greenery to highlight the overall design, ensuring each piece complements the others seamlessly. For larger installations like altar arrangements or grand centerpieces, we often work with a more structural approach, using floral foam, wiring, and custom supports to create large-scale pieces that remain stable throughout the event.
To ensure everything stays as fresh and vibrant as possible, we invest in commercial floral coolers. These top-of-the-line coolers maintain the ideal temperature and humidity for each type of flower, keeping them hydrated and in peak condition.
This combination of expertise, artistry, and investment in high-quality floral storage ensures that the florals we create not only look incredible but also stay fresh and beautiful throughout the entire event. From the first email to the final installation, we take every step to ensure your wedding florals exceed expectations.
8. Loading and Transporting the Flowers
Once the florals are ready, our team meticulously packs and loads everything into the van for transportation. If there are large installations or fragile designs, extra care is taken to ensure everything is securely packed to prevent damage during transit. We may take several trips to the venue, depending on the size and scope of the event. Our attention to detail and careful planning at every step of the process ensure that your florals will be breathtaking, from the moment they’re packed into the van to the moment they’re displayed at the venue.
9. On-Site Setup and Installation
On the day of the wedding, our team always arrives early to begin set up. Our team may need to set up certain pieces immediately, while other arrangements might be placed closer to the start of the event to keep them fresh.
In some cases, multiple day installations are necessary. This timing is carefully planned, especially for flowers that need to stay hydrated or be positioned in areas that will be frequently used, like guest tables or dance floors. Always ensuring that the flowers are positioned in the right lighting, are safe for guests, and look perfect for photos.
10. Event Coordination and Final Touches
Depending on the scope of the event, we may stay on-site to move florals from the ceremony to the reception, for a additional fee, especially for large installations. Some large receptions require a room flip or additional reasons why their florist may need to stay through a ceremony into a reception.
11. Breakdown and Cleanup
Once the event has ended, our team members return to the venue to break down the floral displays. This includes uninstalling large installations, collecting rented items, and carefully removing flowers that can be reused for our clients (like centerpieces or bouquets). Always being sure that everything is cleaned up without damaging the venue or leaving behind any debris.
12. Post-Event Tasks: Studio Cleaning and Restocking
After the wedding is over, the work doesn’t end. Designated team members clean the studio, refresh supplies, and restock rental items. This can include washing vases and containers, organizing floral supplies, and ensuring everything is ready for the next wedding/week. Turn around time is always tight, with new clients coming in for meetings often at the beginning of the next week.
Being a full-service wedding florist goes far beyond just arranging flowers. It's about crafting a creative vision, perfecting the details, and seamlessly coordinating all the moving parts of a wedding.
At the heart of what we do is a commitment to customer service and providing an experience that’s truly unique—something no one else can replicate.
Our goal is to give our clients the gift of a stress-free, beautiful day spent relaxing with family and friends. The work is hands-on, demanding, and often involves long hours, but for us, the joy of turning a couple’s vision into reality makes it all worth it.
We are so glad you are here!
Jennifer + Jessica
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