Today, we have a guest blog post from Megan at Field Sustainable Floristry in Portland, Maine! Megan’s business creates absolutely stunning floral arrangements for all occasions, especially for weddings! I am so happy I was able to get a peek at her at work in her workshop, and to ask her some questions that will be helpful to any bride who is going through the process of working with a florist! Enjoy!
1. How to go about choosing a wedding florist:
A personal recommendation is the best place to start, either from one of your other vendors or a friend or family member in the area. It’s also good to look through the reviews displayed on sites like Wedding Wire and The Knot. When you’ve narrowed your pool, spend some time looking through the candidates’ portfolios and social media to see how their design style synchs up with your wedding vision.
Finally, after you’ve reached out to your top choices about their availability, choose someone who is super responsive and excited about your wedding. I can attest that there are so many dreamy, dedicated, and enthusiastic wedding professionals in Maine; these are the kinds of folks you want on your team.
2. What are some reasonable expectations that a couple should have of their florist?
I like to think of the couple/florist relationship as a collaboration. The couple brings the bigger picture/vibe and other decorative elements of the day to the table, and a good florist fills in with the right florals to match. Definitely expect your florist to understand your wedding vision and create florals to take it over the edge, to be responsive to your plans as they evolve, and to provide you with perfectly fresh, open, seasonal flowers.
It’s unreasonable to expect the florist to help you make styling decisions other than the florals (linens, dishes, table decorations, lighting, room layout, guest gift ideas, etc.), unless you have hired them to also be your stylist. Florists are absolutely qualified to guide these decisions, and many do offer full-service event styling and coordination in addition to floral design, but expect to compensate them for their time, style, and expertise in this regard.
3. What should a couple be prepared to talk about when interviewing a florist/picking out their designs?
It’s best to find a florist who’s floral style and overall aesthetic you really dig, and then let them make most of the design decisions within the confines of your vision and palette. It’s great to have some pictures of arrangements you love to share with your florist, or ask to see photographs of your florist’s work, or styles they emulate.
You’ll want to ask your florist where they buy their flowers from, and what local seasonal flowers are available the date of your wedding. Local seasonal flowers have a palpable vibrancy and should be the signature of your wedding date. I don’t recommend using flowers imported from all over the world for a summer wedding in Maine; you’ll just miss all the delicate, novel, fresh, appropriate, breathtaking materials available locally.
4. Can you give a little bit of information about how you work with brides when creating their floral arrangements?
Sure. So most brides find me through a personal recommendation, or they like the work they’ve seen of mine. I start by asking brides to give me some information about their day, and then I put together a general draft of a proposal based on what they’ve told me. If the client likes the proposal and agrees to hire me for the job, we go on to refine the proposal using photographs and flower availability lists. I make recommendations about matching flowers and vessels to the venue/season/theme, and how to tweak things to work within their budget. We are left with a comprehensive floral plan with descriptions for each item needed and a timeline for delivery and installation.
I am so fortunate to be able to work with really amazing people on their weddings. The majority choose me because they love my work and business model, and are content (and relieved!) to let me make the flower magic. I often get the feedback that flowers ended up being one of the funnest parts of the wedding to plan, and that their florals exceeded their expectations.
5. How to determine if the florist is the right fit for you:
Flowers are so essential to the tradition, feel, and beauty of weddings. I can’t underestimate the importance of finding the right person for this job. Often a wedding is one of a very few days in one’s life in which they get to put together a totally epic floral plan, and surround themselves in the ephemeral beauty of flowers- seize this opportunity!
Pictures of prospective florists’ work should make you swoon, their suggestions should make you feel excited, their communication and attitude should be top-notch, and their enthusiasm for your day should be palpable.
Thanks again, Megan! To see more of Field Sustainable Floristry, check them out on their social media outlets:
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