Some questions ask about Wedding Flowers.

Question?
OB: Do trends in Wedding Floral Designs change from year to year?
Answer:
MS: Yes. As the Floral industry continues to develop new Hybrid flowers and design equipment for creative use, wedding designs continue to change. Discerning Brides want individuality in their floral designs thus continually changing the styles, accessories and trends each year.

Question?
OB: What is the difference between Modern floral arrangements and Traditional ones?
Answer:
MS: Modern arrangements tend to be rounded and compact. This Pomador style has little to no greenery in the design. It can be designed as a hand-tied bouquet, glass bowl or container. Modern styling also includes unique designs such as crescent or freeform bouquets. These are offset styles consisting of uncentered points of interest. Traditional refers to arm-style, teardrop or cascade bouquets. These tend have draping and inset greenery incorporated into them. These designs are considered classic, elegant and timeless. They are wonderful choices for gown styles that have little to no accessory work on them such as; beading, rhinestones, pearls or intricate embroidery work.

Question?
OB: What are some of the things you need to know from a Bride in order to help create the perfect floral arrangement?
Answer:
MS: The individuality of each Bride and the vision for her wedding becomes a visual moment with the delivery of the flowers. In order to create the perfect arrangements, I have many questions I like to ask, but these are just a few. What colors and styles are the gowns you´ve selected? What flowers, if any, would you like to incorporate? Do you have particular flowers you dislike? Is there a theme for your wedding? What is the location of the ceremony and reception? What type of look do you wish to convey? i.e. Simple elegance, casual, garden like, contemporary or perhaps theme oriented.

Question?
OB: How important is it for the Bride to know where the Wedding and Reception will be held before she talks with you and why.
Answer:
MS: Locations are key issues for the florist. Each location has a variety of people and rules that need to be accommodated during the design process. These include Wedding Coordinators, Banquet facility managers, Caterers, Cake designers, Delivery schedules and a listing of the rules for each facility. Knowing the location assists your florist in making suggestions toward the type and style of bouquets you might need as well as areas that can be or should be decorated. Having a Florist that is familiar with your Wedding and Reception locations is a definite benefit to the Bride. It means your florist has already connected with operations management and knows the regulations. The Bride can then have confidence that the designs will be appropriate for the location and that delivery and set-up will run smoothly.

Question?
OB: What is meant by Floral Preservation?
Answer:
MS: Floral Preservation is a process by which the blooms are dehydrated but the color and styling is maintained. There are 2 professional ways of preserving bouquets or blooms. The first is by Freeze Drying. This process takes pictures of the bouquet from several different angles, it´s dismantled, the blooms are dehydrated in a machine and then the bouquet is reassembled. The piece can then be displayed in an array of glass cases along with other memorabilia from your wedding or enjoyed as a floral display in a container. The second form of Preservation is by submerging the blooms or whole bouquet in silica gel crystals. This is a time consuming process, as the crystals need to be turned over at intervals. The Bride or a family member however, can do this process at home, which can save a substantial amount of money.

Question?
OB: What are the most popular items the Brides will want to preserve?
Answer:
MS: The most popular items preserved are the Bride´s bouquet and the Groom´s boutonniare. These are usually encased together along with the Couple´s invitation.

Question?
OB: How do you keep the arrangements looking fresh up until the Ceremony and Reception?
Answer:
MS: Freshness and proper handling of the flowers is the key to all beautiful bouquets. I bring all of the Bridal flowers in fresh the week of the wedding. They are for that particular Bride and not used for other retail use. They are stored at the proper temperatures required by each type of flower. On Wedding Day, the flowers are kept in water until needed for pictures. Staying with my Brides for the day, allows me to maintain the bouquets, thus keeping them beautiful the entire day. The reception pieces remain in a cooler until delivery time. They are set-up a shortly before start time which provides the freshest bouquets possible.

Question?
OB: Are flowers usually coordinated with the Wedding Colors?
Answer:
MS: Before you have a consultation with your Florist, make sure you know what your colors are. Color is one of the most important facets of Wedding design! Complimenting the Brides´ colors with the flowers completes the entire feel of the Wedding. Having a sample of the Bridesmaids´ gowns is always useful during the Bridal consult, especially if it is an unusual shade. It provides visual value when comparing tints, tones and shades of flower colors and can also be used by the Florist to purchase accent pieces such as gems and ribbon.

Question?
OB: How can a Bride go about seeing your past work?
Answer:
MS: Some of my work is available for viewing on my website. I also have pictures of my work that I share during the Bridal consultation.

Question?
OB: Do your floral recommendations change depending on the season?
Answer:
MS: To some degree, I do change my recommendations depending on the time of year and flower availability. Most flowers are available year round but there are a few that tend to be seasonal. By using in season flowers, the blooms are usually larger and brighter, the colors are tuned to the time of year and the price is easier on the budget. Using off-season blooms tends to increase your cost exponentially! As a Florist, specializing in weddings, I can definitely direct you toward flowers the meet your budget needs. Always feel free to ask your Florist about the cost per bloom if you´re concerned about cost and perhaps they´ll have other suggestions that will meet your needs and still provide the look you want.

Question?
OB: Is it OK for a Bride to ask for your ideas and suggestions?
Answer: MS: Absolutely! Many Brides have no idea where to begin when planning the flowers for their weddings. That´s what I'm here for. During the consultation, I gain valuable information about what aura the Bride wants her wedding to convey. This allows me to make suggestions and present ideas that will meet her visual and budget requirements.

Question?
OB: Whose job is it to deliver and set up the arrangements?
Answer:
MS: Most Florists, including myself, have separate crews that do set-up and delivery. My crew is equipped with all the things necessary to make them efficient and creative. It is always our goal to make sure the all vendors involved in the wedding have been contacted and we´re all on the same page for the day. As far as the Wedding itself, my assistant or I personally deliver the pieces and stay with the Bride for the day. I pin on corsages and maintain the bouquets so that the Bridal party is free to enjoy the day. This is a unique service and there is no separate cost involved.

Question?
OB: Are their considerations when it comes to outdoors wedding?
Answer:
MS: Yes. Weather is the number one factor for an outdoor wedding. Remember, we live in Nebraska and the weather is unpredictable. Always consider an alternative site when planning an outdoor ceremony. You may not need it but it´s nice to have a backup plan. Flowers are always beautiful outside; after all, it´s their natural setting. Create your designs with the area in mind. Are there already gardens or planters available for your use? Do you have a natural altar area and aisle or do you have to create one? How will you arrive to the ceremony and will it be adorned with flowers? Other considerations, especially in a park setting, might include, lay of the land (slope, terraces), landscaping (shrubs, trees), backdrop for your ceremony (woods, water, fountain, etc.), seating, bathroom facilities, changing areas, parking, shade trees, walking distance for guests,

Question?
OB: How far in advance should a Bride contact a Florist?
Answer:
MS: For a private Florist such as myself, up to a year in advance is necessary to secure your date because I give such a specialized service. For shop Florists, they usually appreciate 6-8 months advance notice. If you are booking a May-June or Sept.-Oct. wedding, you should call 8-10 months early. Always ask how many Weddings the shop has booked for your date. This will give you a fair idea of the quality and service you will receive from your Florist.

Question?
OB: When it comes to flowers, do allergies ever become a concern?
Answer:
MS: Sensitivities to floral aromas can cause some individuals with allergies, severe problems. Always let your Florist know if you or someone in your wedding has allergy issues. Providing them with a nonfragrant flower or perhaps a silk replica of a particular piece is the answer to the problem. If the allergies are severe, especially if it´s the Bride, you can always opt to use silk. The quality of Silks has improved over the years. They present themselves beautifully and are wonderful for such situations.

Question?
OB: Other than the flowers themselves, what other costs can come up when hiring a Florist.
Answer:
MS: Be careful when evaluating a Florist on the initial bid. Always ask what other charges could be incurred before the bill is complete. I give a bid that is complete and there are NO extra charges unless you add something extra to your order or the tax rate changes. Questions you should ask before accepting a bid include the following. Is there a consultation fee? Are all containers, vases, use of pew clips and flower stands included? Do you charge for ceremony or reception delivery? Does it cost extra to make changes to my order? Do you pin on corsages at no charge, if not how much does it cost? Do you charge for retrieval of equipment or do I return it? This costs you time and money. Is this bid firm or do you bill me for market rate changes at the time of my wedding? Make sure your bid is firm and that no add-ons will occur unless you add them yourself. Most Florists are wonderful people and will be happy to answer all of these questions to put you and your budget at ease.