A Pre-Consultation Checklist: How to Communicate Your Vision to Your Florist
Planning your wedding florals can feel overwhelming. But clear communication with your florist is the single most important step to achieving a design you’ll love. This pre-consultation checklist will help you prepare efficiently, cover the essentials, and think through details you might not expect.
1. Gather Visual Inspiration
Collect images from Pinterest, Instagram, or wedding blogs…but don’t get lost in the scroll.
Look beyond just flowers: notice textures, color palettes, furniture, and overall aesthetics you are drawn to
Instead of dozens of images, focus on quality over quantity and curate 5–10 that truly capture your essence.
Pro Tip: Putting together a clear moodboard and sharing it with your florist will help easily guide flower choices, colors, and scale.
2. Define Your Overall Wedding Style & Mood
Describe your wedding’s ideal atmosphere in 3-5 words: modern, romantic, editorial, organic, or something else?
Describe how you want guests to feel: cozy, energized, impressed, grounded, surprised, playful?
Tell your florist what your guest attire will be: black-tie, cocktail, themed?
Work with a wedding planner who can help translate your ideas into tangible design language.
Pro Tip: Consider past weddings you’ve attended. What would you not want at your own? Identifying these “deal breakers” helps your florist steer clear of designs that don’t feel right for you.
3. Identify Key Floral Priorities
Highlight must-have moments: statement ceremony arch, dramatic tablescapes, or suspended floral over the dance floor for instance.
Share any unique aspects of your day with your florist (e.g. cultural traditions, surprise moments, or standout experiences).
Note any “deal breakers” (e.g. flowers or colors you dislike, aversions to scents, and allergies to consider).
Pro Tip: Rank your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves. This allows your florist to allocate budget where it counts, while keeping optional elements flexible.
4. Trust Your Florist’s Expertise
Be flexible with flower choices; seasonality and availability affect cost and quality.
Lean on your florist for composition, color harmony, and structural guidance.
Provide creative freedom within your framework; the best florals happen when collaboration leads, not strict rules.
Pro Tip: Ask about seasonal alternatives for any flowers you love. Your florist can suggest similar varieties that are fresher, more sustainable, or more cost-effective.
5. Be Clear About Logistics
Share venue details, layout, event flow, load-in windows, and any restrictions (e.g., open flame restrictions, limited table space).
Discuss budget range openly; this allows your florist to design within constraints without compromising creativity. Read more about transparent flower pricing here!
Consider any other weekend events (welcome party, rehearsal dinner, or morning-after brunch) that you might like to include florals for, so your florist can plan accordingly
Pro Tip: Some florists may be open to reusing or repurposing key pieces throughout the day, which can maximize impact and minimize waste.
Final Thoughts
Clear communication and trust are the foundation of beautiful wedding florals. Preparing thoughtfully for your consultation gives your florist the tools to bring your vision to life (often exceeding your expectations)!
A professional florist won’t just execute a checklist. They’ll refine, elevate, and surprise you. Come to your consultation prepared, stay open to ideas, and let collaboration lead the way. I promise the result will be a cohesive, memorable floral design that reflects your personal style and enhances every moment of your celebration.
Ready to see how your ideas can transform into a stunning floral experience? Schedule a consultation with us today.