I totally understand the position many florists take on being the exclusive florist at a wedding. I agree with their desire to protect their image/reputation, and to be able to create an overall look and feel that flows beautifully together for the couple. As the florist, we are a part of something that is magical and all the hard work we pour into your designs can really shine in your professional photographers images they capture. By trusting one florist to do all the floral designs you have a very cohesive look that flows from ceremony through reception. It’s always an honor to be trusted with a couples vision for their flowers for their wedding day and be that solo floral designer for their event.
On another side, I also find great joy in producing only portion of the floral designs for a couple’s wedding. I don’t hold a steadfast rule for being the exclusive florist for several reasons. I believe that each couple has their own floral vision and reasons for wanting me to do it all or to play a smaller part in their wedding floral designs. Both ways are okay by me. Here’s my personal position on it.
I love it when I get to do all the flowers. I really enjoy creating an overall look that is well synced together. I also delight in handing a bride her bouquet and a bucket of flowers that her people will then happily create centerpieces with or decorate a cake with. At smaller weddings, often times there is a combo of my bouquets and wearables and their table/reception decor. I personally want your wedding to be the way you want it to be. If your aunt Sally loves to make mason jar centerpieces and that is the look you desire, then I am okay with you doing so. It’s your day, and I feel you have the right to choose how and who does what for your special day. Everyone is uniquely different and has a different vision of what the ideal floral look should be. I’m here to design beautiful flowers, to pour my love and passion into each piece I create but if you have someone who just loves to work with flowers and wants to be a part of your special day and knowing their style most likely will not match mine but by having them be a part of your day creates loving memories and feels right to you, then I’ll support you in that choice. My position when you choose to work with me, is to understand your vision as best I can and to see how I can support that floral dream coming true for you. When your vision and budget aren’t lining up well together, I will offer you suggestions and ideas on how you might be able to bridge that gap.
If your plan is to have others do part of your decorating and floral designs I will ask you to please acknowledge everyone who has a hand in it. I ask that you not tag me in your social media posts as the florist who did all of the flowers. Give Aunt Sally the credit for the part she played in your special day.
Here’s a recent smaller wedding I enjoyed being a part of. Zachary and Courtney had their wedding ceremony at Manito’s Japanese Garden and their reception was to be held at their home in the back yard. It was a small, close gathering of family and friends. They asked me to create bouquets, boutonnieres, a couple larger arrangements to take to the park to use in the ceremony that they’d bring back and use to decorate in their reception area. They wanted to brighten up the inside of the tent where they would gather for the reception with garlands on three sides and flowers in the upper corners facing in, because everyone would be inside and they wanted them to enjoy them. They did all the decorating of the tables using pretty dusty pink runners on black tablecloths and gold chargers with pink napkins rolled up like roses on each plate. Candles for the tables and twinkle lights hanging down inside the tent. It was truly a cute, cozy little space that was going to be filled with those close and dear to their hearts. Their friends who were there setting up when we were hanging garlands were the sweetest folks and it really was fun to work along side people who were having so much fun putting together a space to honor their friends. I believe smaller weddings like this where you trust your friends/family to help with your vision can make for some truly treasured memories for all.
I understand and respect the florists that have contracts that state they are providing all the flowers. You as a couple don’t have to worry about how it’s going to turn out. It will be a masterpiece of floral art for you. I am not one of those florists. I allow couples to have their wedding planner, family or friends help to execute their vision if they so desire. I know that by doing so there is a possibility that someone may mistake Aunt Sally’s work for mine, but I’m okay with that. There are enough posts and pictures out there of my work that I’m not going to fret about it. I trust that all the hands that are working together to create this beautiful space to celebrate the love being shared, will do a beautiful job and those attending will feel their love and support. If you are a couple looking for a florist to design your bouquet but you want to DYI other parts of your wedding, there are some florists out there that will work with you. So if your florist says no, don’t be discouraged you might even ask those floral shops who won’t do so, if they might have a recommendation to someone who will. Most of us know each others style and are happy to give you suggestions to help you.
