Ideas Ideas Ideas
Before even meeting with a florist, look through bridal magazines and websites for ideas that you like. Bear in mind the colour scheme for your wedding, the time of year and of course your personal taste. Do you picture simple or elaborate arrangements? Minimalist? Tightly arranged? Are you thinking bright colours, contrasting colours or something more traditional like whites and pastels? Do you picture traditional roses and lilies or modern berries, grasses, succulents and greens?

View Online Portfolios
Find Wedding Flowers and Florists online - view their portfolio of past weddings before scheduling a meeting. You may find that their style isn't quite what you expected and then at least you haven't wasted your time.

Meet with the florist.
Show your ideas to the florsit and ask whether they would be able to do something like that. If you are confused about what type of flowers to use, then ask for their advice and ask to see pictures of weddings that they have done in the past. It is important that you like their style and you will be able to see this after seeing a couple of photos.

Important Questions
Ask your florist whether they have experience doing wedding flowers at your venue - you might know what will work and what won't in that venue. Also ask what time they plan to set up your wedding and how many people they will have to help them. Don't assume your florist will have access to your ceremony and reception site early on in the big day. Make necessary arrangements so that they have access to the venue to set up in time.

Peak Flower Days
Be careful of planning your wedding around Valentines Day, Mothers Day and Christmas because florists are extremely busy around these times and may not give you and your flowers the time and attention they need.

Simplify
Remember that just like wedding cakes, the more complicated the flower arrrangement, the higher the cost. Stylish doesn't always mean complicated - you can have simple, modern and elegant flowers without breaking the bank. Single stems in small vases lined in a row down a rectangular table can look beautiful. The simpler and easier it is for the arrangements to be set up, the less expensive your wedding flowers should be.

Seasons
Consider the season in which you are marrying and ask the florist for ther recommendations on the seasons best. If you are planning to get married in summer try select hardy flowers that won't wilt, such as sunflowers, proteas, antheriums and hydrangeas.

Bouquet Size
Remember that you have to carry your bouquet around on your wedidng day, so make sure your bouquet isn't too heavy or awkward to carry.

Centrepiece Size
There is nothing worse than a centrepiece that is too large and doesn't allow guests to see each other across the table. Think about your seating arrangement and bear this in mind when deciding on the shape and structure of your flower arrangements.

Photo Opportunities
Be sure to coordinate the delivery time of your bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres with your photographer's arrival - you'll want them to be worn or held in pictures taken before the ceremony.

Take care of your Flowers
You'll want your flowers to look fresh during the ceremony and reception so make sure that they are not left in the sun or set-up too early if its an outside wedding. Keep the flowers in the shade or an air-conditioned room for as long as possible before they need to be set-up.

Keep Bouquets in Water
If you're keeping bouquets in vases of water to maintain freshness before the ceremony, don't forget to dry the stems thoroughly before handing them out to the bridesmaids. You don't want big water stains on the front of all the dresses moments before the ceremony.

Tossing Tradition
You don't have to toss the actual bridal bouquet -- many brides have their florists create a smaller tossing bouquet for the traditional ritual. It is an extra fee so be sure to pick a low-maintenance arrangement. There's no need to break your budget on this bouquet.

Consider Complementary Flowers
Once you have decided on your bridal bouquet composition, start thinking of your bridesmaid's bouquets and the groomsmen's boutonnieres, which should complement the bridal bouquet in style, flowers, and color.

Sign the Contract
By your second meeting, your florist should have written up your exact quote, detailing the number of arrangements, the kinds of flowers to be used and any set-up or clean-up fees. If he/she is creating something totally new for you, ask to see a sample arrangement before signing the contract.

Wedding Flowers on a Budget
Remember that local, in-season flowers will cost less than flowers that need to be sourced from another area or country.

Sometimes less is more, so save money by carrying one or two large, stunning blooms, such as orchids, tulips or sunflowers tied with a gorgeous ribbon.


Look for ideas here:
KZN | Durban Wedding Flowers
Western Cape | Cape Town Wedding Flowers
Gauteng | Johannesburg and Pretoria Wedding Flowers