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Writer's pictureKate LaPietra

A Beginner's Guide to Wedding Florists

What you need to know to narrow your search and choose the best type for your event


white flowers, wedding flowers, wedding florist, ct florist, connecticut florist
The 4 Types of Wedding Florists and How to Narrow Your Search

"Alexa...what type of florist is best?"


If you've ever wondered what the difference between a florist and a floral designer is, you're in the right place. Every year newly engaged couples embark on the daunting task of choosing a florist that will bring their wedding vision to life. But there could literally be thousands to choose from in your state alone.


We think the best place to start is understanding the 4 main types of wedding flower providers. By understanding what each has to offer, you can quickly narrow your search and spend more time on the fun stuff.

1. Traditional Retail Florists -

Who: Traditional retail florists are going to be independent retail establishments that give customers a brick-and-mortar flower shopping experience. These businesses usually offer a range of flowers for all occasions, including weddings.


Best Perks:

  • knowledgeable, with potentially many years of experience

  • has flowers out to see every day if you need help visualizing in person

  • access to special varieties and colors

  • lots of inventory in stock so great if you like to make last minute changes

What to Watch Out For:

  • limited date availability around peak holidays (Valentines, Mothers Day) and popular wedding weekends

  • ensure you're choosing a florist that works in the style you're looking for. Visit their website and social media pages to see what type of arrangements they produce for weddings.



2. Boutique Floral Design Studio


Who: Studio floral designers operate locations that are not for walk-in traffic and may not offer everyday flower arrangements. Their focus is specifically on special events like weddings. Someone that identifies as a floral designer considers themselves an artist with flowers as their medium. They want to create custom work for every client and consider the flowers as a component of the overall design


Best Perks:

  • focus is solely on wedding and event work so they're able to stay up-to-date on trends and creating new and exciting designs

  • many offer rental add-ons such as candles, arches, and tableware

  • can handle larger jobs and custom design requests

  • excellent client experience; very attentive and accommodating

What to Watch Out For:

  • working with a designer requires a lot of trust, so it's important to create connection and find someone who has a style you like

  • in demand designers book up quickly, sometimes a year or more in advance

  • Many studios have order minimums that might be outside your budget


3. Farmer/Florist


Who: The farmer/florist is a fun way to be truly connected to the flowers in your wedding. Flower growers have incredible knowledge of the varieties they grow and supporting your local community farmer is a way to show your guests what's important to you as a couple.


Best Perks:

  • many farms grow interesting varieties you won't see anywhere else

  • their flowers are super fresh and picked at their peak

  • eliminating the middle man between the grower and the consumer gives you some very affordable flower choices especially for premium blooms like peonies, dahlias, and garden roses

  • Locally grown flowers are better for the environment because they don't require extensive transportation

What to Watch Our For:

  • some varieties and colors of flowers may be out of season when you have your event

  • Many farmer florists only take on events when they have an abundance of flowers so availability can be limited

  • Farmer florists are also harder to find in certain areas so check out https://www.americangrownflowers.org/ to find a farmer/florist near you


4. Grocery Stores


Who: Many people consider the grocery store their "go-to" for flowers and their wedding is no exception. You may have dozens of grocery stores at your disposal, but it's a good idea to visit each one first and survey the quality of the items they stock.


Best Perks:

  • very affordable; grocery chains get deep discounts on flowers by buying in bulk across their stores

  • convenient location and wide availability

  • easy options, can often be selected out of a catalog saving time during the planning process

What to Watch Out For:

  • most chains don't offer flower delivery

  • items are created from a corporate recipe book with little room for changes

  • employees work for the grocery store and may be less invested in getting to know you, checking quality or giving you great customer service



If none of these options meet your needs there are many other niche providers too including garden centers and online-retailers. If you're really feeling adventurous try your hand at DIY! With a better understanding of what's out there you can seek vendors that meet your specific needs and start to narrow your list.


Drop your questions and comments below


Happy planning!


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