18 tips for holding successful wedding consultations
Our industry survey showed brides and grooms most often make first contact with their florist about one year ahead of their wedding date. Unfortunately for florists, that means when you’re busy dressing venues and delivering bouquets this wedding season, it's also time to start thinking about next year’s wedding bookings.
Here, we’re sharing 18 top tips to help those consultations run without a hitch a whole year before your new customers get hitched.
might only take minutes to make but it took years of training and experience to learn the skills needed to make it. That also means not only will it look beautiful, but it will be made with the correct mechanics to without wilting before the end of your wedding day.”
“We have to charge a small mark-up for flowers because florists are like good chefs who know their ingredients. They know which vegetables taste best with which meats as well as where those ingredients should come from and what to do differently with each of them. We know which flower varieties work together, where to source each one to find it in best quality and how to treat each one differently to keep them strong and fresh."
11. Plan your response to making a mock-up.
While it can be sensible to mock-up something you've never made before if it’s got mechanics you’re unsure about, most florists prefer not to offer them because they can be costly, time-consuming and worrying if the end-result doesn’t end up exactly the same. Some florists charge fees for mock-ups, otherwise, there are reasons you can use to say no. For instance, if any of their flowers are seasonal it’ll be impossible to make a mock-up earlier in the year.
Or quote the wedding blog that said hiring a florist is like hiring an artist - it’s not about making an exact replica of something that’s already been done but about creating something unique with a florist whose work you like.
12. Tell them what your calendar and commitments are like around their date.
If you have other weddings or commitments in the run-up to or around their wedding date, tell them now to alleviate stress later when they can’t expect instant replies to calls or emails at busy times.
13. Prepare for the growing trend of ethical weddings.
Princess Eugenie requested a 'plastic-free' wedding last year and it's increasingly common for couples to seek out supplies that have less negative impact on people or planet. If it comes up in a consultation, there are more ways to offer ethical options than you’d expect. There's buying British, using biodegradable raffia, paper and cardboard when packaging anything and using the new Bio-foam, but also suggest simply reusing vases, working with reusable artificial foliage or using foliage tiles as a base for blooms.
You could also explain you can use imported flowers that have been grown at sustainably certified farms - this can mean blooms grown with less greenhouse emissions while improving the livelihoods of people in developing countries. Ask your wholesaler for flowers that are certified by the likes of MPS, Rainforest Alliance, Global Gap or Florverde; for instance the latter supports local schools in rural flower growing areas of Colombia.
Planning their designs
1. Avoid Pinterest pain by showing your own style and skills first. As soon as a prospective wedding client gets in touch to book a consultation, send them your portfolio. Whether it’s a predesigned digital pack or a link to your website or Instagram, suggest that they have a look at your previous work. While you’ll never stop brides bringing Pinterest boards, you can at least offer your own examples so they can see whether their perfect look fits with your style. Some florists even say they recommend other local florists if they don’t feel their brand works with a couple’s requirements. 2. Show them this list of the most popular wedding items. These items are listed in order of popularity according to the 200 florists who responded to our survey. Show it to your couples at consultation so that they know what options are available - including the often forgotten ‘thank you’ bouquets. Add that unique ideas are possible too (see next point).- Bridal bouquet
- Buttonholes
- Bridesmaids bouquet
- Corsages
- Gift bouquets for wedding party
- Long and low table arrangement
- Jam jars/ small scatter vases
- Cake decoration
- Low/ small table centrepieces for guest seating
- Wand, pomander, small basket of petals for flower girl/ children
- Flower crowns/ floral hair accessories
- Tall table centrepieces for guest seating
- Aisle ends
- Pedestal arrangement (e.g. for church ceremony)
- Garlands
- Floral archway (e.g. over church doorway)
- Wedding hoop designs
- Hanging designs/ installations
- Large scale work e.g. flower wall, moongate, chuppah
- Chair backs
- Plant decorations