The wedding flowers and decorations are a major part of the ceremony and reception planning. Flowers have the power to transform the ambience of your wedding ceremony and reception, making them more memorable and glamorous. Remember, your florist will be handling your bouquets, centerpieces, flower girl baskets, groomsmen boutonnières and your ceremony and reception decorations – which are a lot.

So special effort should be taken when choosing one. This guide will assist in highlighting all the important points you need to take into consideration when choosing a florist/décor professional. After going through the article, go to our vendor section to obtain a list of florist/décor professional in your locality. With a good list of possible vendors in your hands and our guide, your more that half through in choosing the right professional perfect for you.

1. Educate yourself. Before visiting a florist/décor professional, take a look at all the bridal and floral magazines and books you can lay your hands on.

Print or cut out pictures where possible of bouquets, boutonnières, arches and centerpieces you love and stick them into your planning notebook. You’ll need these when discussing your ideas with your florist. Note down the possible combination of colours you like, arrangement shapes that blow your mind and others. Read our article on choosing a colour scheme. We guarantee you that the research will save you time.

2. Know your style. What colour scheme do you have in mind? How is your wedding dress like? Give the florist/décor professional an idea of how you might want to incorporate your colours in the overall floral/decoration scheme. Show him pictures of floral designs you like that you’ve stuck to your planning notebook and others. Let him have an appreciation of what you want and your style.

3. Stick to your Budget. No matter how tempted you may be by a particular reception decorations, or that bouquets design that is simply heavenly, if the price is above your budget substantially, let it pass. Tell the florist about your budget limit, and be equally determined to stick to it.

4. Know his quality. Can he strike a balance between taste, style and budget? Do you like his portfolio? Does his work look good? Does his work reflect different styles, or each wedding look the same?

5. Be sure of the vendor. Ask questions. Does he have references? How many weddings has she handled the floral and decoration aspects for? How long has the professional been in business?

6. Logistics and Arrangements. Will your florist personally do the arrangements and be on site the day of your wedding to make sure all goes well? Will she bring extra hands; there might be no one available to assist her. Will she make her own transport arrangements? They should be available to arrange the make emergency decoration repairs if need be.

7. Payment Schedule. Do you have to pay a deposit to the décor professional? How much does he or she require for a deposit? When will the other installment be due? Make sure you collect a receipt for all payments

8. Confirm details. Does he know how to get to the different locations? Is he sure of the dates and times? Give your florist a complete list of all the flower arrangements you want. This should include the bridal bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, boutonnières, flower girl baskets, headpiece & hair flowers, cake stands and others.

9. Delegate a supervisor. If you don't have a wedding planner, get a good friend or relation to take charge of florist or décor professional. While the decoration of the venue is going on, you’ll probably still be at the ceremony location. Someone has to be there to ensure all is right. If possible invite her to the final meetings with the florist to involve her in the whole process.