I have worked with Marie many, many times over the years, and we have really become friends. We know we can fully rely on each other – and so I have never before asked her how she even approaches and does her work (it always came out fantastic… so why ask?). But with so much experience she has to share, I now did ask her – also for you, my readers!
“What is your specific strength as a florist?”
I am good at ‘thinking on my feet.’ There are so many unforeseen circumstances that come up on wedding days, and I have been able to accommodate my couples’ “wedding day emergencies” with some quick ‘flower thinking.’
“What is your style? Your approach to your work?”
My signature style is ‘garden with a touch of wild whimsy.’ My approach is to stay very organized on the back-end. I plan exactly how many stems of each variety will be going into each design months before the wedding. This allows for efficient, elegant, and confident designing.
“What does it take to deliver stunning wedding flowers?”
Understanding each variety and its unique needs is key. Some roses need just one day outside of the cooler to open to perfection. Others need four. Some varieties shouldn’t be in the cooler at all. Knowing how to time the care and handling of each flower makes for stunning wedding flowers.
“What is the difference between low-quality and high-quality floral decor?”
Low quality florals aren’t given “love.” They aren’t trimmed, misted with water, or kept at the correct temperature and therefore may not hold up on a wedding day. They’re also poorly designed by someone who was most likely rushing or simply didn’t have the knowledge of basic design principles that would enable them to give the “wow factor.”
“Why are wedding flowers so expensive?”
Flowers in general are considered a luxury. But most couples want more than just “everyday” flowers. They want special varieties such as garden roses, Icelandic poppies, and butterfly ranunculus. These more “special” varieties usually cost more than flowers you find in a typical grocery store.
Most couples are also looking for well-designed flowers. This means that they’re hiring a florist for their time and expertise beyond just the physical blooms. And if the wedding day includes a lot of large flower installations, the florist needs to bring a team to help them set it up. That labor gets expensive, especially if your florist (hopefully) is paying a fair wage to their employees.
“What else do you want to add?”
If couples are wanting to get the most “bang for their buck,” I recommend focusing on putting larger and more impressive floral designs where guests will be looking and spending time the most. Think: altar design, bar flowers, sweetheart table, etc. Put the bulk of your budget in these places, and then you can cut back in other areas if needed.