When you book your initial consultation with your florist you may feel a little overwhelmed or possibly worry you're under prepared; you're not sure what to expect.  Over the next few blogs I'll give you a head start, decipher the jargon and relax any worries.  

The first meeting will be a mix of fact finding as well as getting a feel for your personalities and the atmosphere you want to create for the day.  Don't worry, you don't need to know all the answers.  It's the 'get to know you stage' of the journey with your florist.

Information that is a need to know:

• Date of the Wedding
• Wedding Venue

Hartwell House, Hartwell

These are important for the florist to check their availability, if they travel that far and can accomodate the logistics. The wedding venue will have a big impact on the style of the florals.  The time of year will have an equal influence on the flowers and foliage suggested too.  

Information that is good to know:

• A colour scheme - this could be as simple as the choice of Bridesmaids' outfits to knowing you want pastel shades, bright and vibrant or colours to complement the time of year.  This is enough to start a conversation and create a few initial ideas to build on.

Priya's bouquet - the colours were her starting point for her florals

• Style of outfits - you may not have made final choices, but a few ideas of the styles you are looking at is definately useful.  If you are planning patterned dresses for the bridesmaid's or the Groom to be wearing a Tux, this will have an impact on what the florist may suggest for bouquets and buttonholes.  Don't worry, if plans change, the designs can be adjusted too.

Retro style wedding where the outfits were crucial for the feel for the day!

• Inspiration images - it is worth having a look for ideas before your first meeting if you get a chance.  Pinterest is a great place to start and you can create a board specifically for your Wedding flowers.  Note the styles you're not keen on too - also really useful to know!

Selection of cut flowers from local flower farm

• You don't need to know specific flower varieties.  This is where the florist can guide you.  Following the first consultation with my couples, I always put together a page of images of suggested flowers and foliage as a starting point which can be edited and built on until the best scheme is created.

• You don't need a list of all the flower arrangements and know exactly where you want flowers.  Again, the florist can guide you through the flower displays you might want to consider, for who and where.  Wedding trends and expectations have changed massively over the years.  There is less expectation to follow 'the norm'; it's more about a personal approach.

In summary, you don't need to know too much to start your first conversation about wedding flowers!  As long as you've got a date and venue booked, hopefully some rough plans for the vibe and colours you like, that's enough. 

The process should be fun and exciting.  The personality and confidence of your florist will have a big impact on your experience.  It's important that you feel that connection, so factor this in before making a choice and securing your booking.

I hope you've found this useful. Please look out for the next blog, there's plenty more tips and pointers to share with you!