Friday, March 14, 2008

Starting A Florist Center Business In Boston

Flowers for every occasion! If this tag line has prompted you to start off a flower business of your own in Boston, then this article could as well be a gateway to your interesting journey into the world of flowers. To fully understand the essence of this combination between the flower center business and the city of Boston, let us divide the topic into two.

Boston?s Requirements: The first part refers to the city?s set of rules and regulations that ought to be followed in order to set up a florist center business there. Like every other law-abiding city or state, the first rule of the game is to obtain requisite licenses, which in this case could include any of the following:

? If the idea is to grow woody plants, the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture is to be contacted for the Agriculture Grower?s certificate.
? Alternatively, if you plan to sell woody plants, the same department issues an Agent?s certificate.
? If you plan to sell flowers on the sidewalk, obtain a Hawkers and Peddlers license from the Massachusetts Division of Standards.

Equipped with required licensing, the next step is to zero in on the location and accordingly seek location approvals and/or building permits from the Building Division of Boston?s Inspectional Services Department.

The next office to be visited is the Boston City Clerk?s office to complete the business certificate formalities. Once through, check with the City of Boston Assessing department for the list of applicable taxes. Be a good citizen and pay them all, otherwise, you know you are being watched.

Business Calls: Finally, you are completely in the legal domain and have the full authorization in kitty to start up the flower center business in Boston. However, before you actually jump into the segment, there are still are few more important steps to take.

Are you ready with the business plan? Have you worked out the scale of activity and corresponding financial structures? Is the marketing pitch planned? These are just few of the vital questions that demand specific answers before you actually get started. The idea is to be prepared and planned.

Define the scope. For instance, if you are a beginner in the field, you can begin by assisting a professional. This training can give you much more information than any book or guide.

Once into your own setup, plan special codes for occasions. Add the personal touch and let your customers feel the warmth in your service. Be a part of as many exhibitions as possible. They improve your credentials. In addition to being artistic, do not ignore the importance of administration. Staffing, accounting, and stocking are important and must not be ignored.

Flowers are an enchanting occupation, and being in Boston helps. So just comply with the basic requirements and let your creativity flourishes.

Alexander Gordon is a writer for http://www.smallbusinessconsulting.com - The Small Business Consulting Community. Sign-up for the free success steps newsletter and get our booklet valued at $24.95 for free as a special bonus. The newsletter provides daily strategies on starting and significantly growing a business.

Business Owners all across the country are joining "The Community of Small Business Owners? to receive and provide strategies, insight, tips, support and more on starting, managing, growing, and selling their businesses. As a member, you will have access to true Millionaire Business Owners who will provide strategies and tips from their real-life experiences.

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Monday, March 10, 2008

Florist Faq: Answers To Basic Florist Questions

* What is an FTD florist?

In the floral business, FTD means Fresh Trusted Delivered. Many florists associated with FTD deliver fresh flower arrangements from the FTD catalog worldwide.


* Can I have flowers sent anywhere in the world?

Yes, you can. There are many flower shops that have a delivery service anywhere in the world. All you have to do is contact a shop or order online to make your loved ones overseas realize that you care.


* What kinds of gifts can I send from a florist?

Florists offer several different kinds of gifts. Most of these are excellent as gifts for any occasion. Some of them are:

- Flowers

- Balloons

- Gift Baskets

- Baby Gifts

- Wedding Gifts

- Collectibles

- Party Supplies


* Do florists have delivery limitations?

Yes, they do. These limitations are listed in their delivery information or policy. Examples of these limitations are:

- If there are orders made after the free delivery period, especially after business hours, the customer will have to pay the standard delivery charges of the florist.

- If the customer requests a rush order or a special delivery, there will be an additional charge.

- There is no cancellation of an order after delivery. However, if cancellation occurs before the delivery date, a fee of 10 percent of cost of the order will still be charged to the customer.

- Delivery on Sundays and holidays depends on the availability of the delivery area. Orders to be delivered to businesses would usually not be feasible on those days.


* What kinds of flowers should you give for an anniversary, Valentines Day, or Mothers Day?

There are lots of flowers for an anniversary that are popular today. Examples of these are roses, daisies, iris, sweet peas, violets and nasturtiums.

The flowers that are great gifts for Mother's Day include pastel roses, tulips, Gerbera daisies, lavender roses, lilies, and "the charm of your magic."

The top flowers given during Valentine's Day are: roses, carnations, tulips, lilies and orchids.


* What is the proper way to pin a corsage?

A corsage is the flower worn by women to a prom or special event. The proper place to pin on a corsage is just above the collar bone, usually on the left side, by gently curving it around the pin. The corsage should not be pinned in the area near the breast. Girls also sometimes choose to wear corsages on their wrists to avoid crushing them while dancing.

A man's corsage worn at a wedding or other formal occasion is often called a boutonniere, which means "buttonhole." It should be placed in the buttonhole on the lapel of a suit jacket or pinned near the place where such a buttonhole would be, usually on the left side.

Eric Famulary is editor of ez-Florist, the online Florist guide. He also writes Florist FAQ's for PrettyGreatAnswers.com.

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Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Melbourne Florist Advises On Care Of Fresh Flowers

Melbourne Florists chief florist Francine Rizza says that it is important to purchase your fresh flowers from a florist who stores their flowers within their store and not on the street. Fresh flowers will last a lot longer when not exposed to the elements, as flowers are sensitive to ethylene gases produced by passing traffic.

Most good florists purchase only premium quality flowers. You will not find this quality by purchasing cheap flowers from service stations, supermarkets or fruit shops. It is false economy to purchase flowers from such suppliers. At Melbourne Florist our flowers are purchased on demand from our high quality supplier, "Tesselaar Flowers", specialist wholesale florist Melbourne. You can be assured of our flower quality.

With proper care fresh flowers should attain a vase life of 10-14 days, depending upon the cultivar. Lillium, chrysanthemum, gerbera and Australian native flowers are among the longest lasting flowers and can last in excess of three weeks. Firstly choose your flowers skillfully. Avoid buying flowers with yellowing or transparent leave. Examine stems looking for small brown blotches. These are signs that the flowers may be affected by botrytis. Botrytis blight or gray mold is a fungus disease that can affect a wide variety of flowers and plants.

Care and Handling. Remove all packaging materials such as cellophane. Trim stems under water. Strip leaves from lower stems, taking care no foliage will clutter the vase water. Place flowers in a clean container containing a properly prepared solution of fresh flower food. Melbourne Florist advises that you clean your vases using hydrogen peroxide. Domestic cleaner, "white King" is a good choice. Do not overcrowd your vase as flowers need breathing space to survive just as you do! Avoid using water with high fluoride levels, if possible, flowers such as alstroemeria which are susceptible to fluoride damage. By repeating this process of flower care every 2-3 days you can greatly extend the life of your cut flower arrangement. Flowers arranged by the florist in florists foam known as oasis floral foam should by kept topped with fresh water containing a good quality flower food such as "CHRYSAL" Which is supplied by reputable florists. Do not place your fresh flowers in "hot spots" such as near windows or on top of heaters as the life of your flowers will be severely effected.

It is important you do not use flower food for any bulb flowers such as daffodils, hyacinths and tulips as the flower food will cause the stems to grow too much and become weak. Bulb flowers are unique as their food is stored in their bulb

The Melbourne flower shop offers a diverse range of stunning fresh flowers to the Melbourne area including interflora

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Tuesday, February 5, 2008

How To Choose The Right Wedding Bouquet Style

Basically, there are three wedding bouquet styles. The cascade, round or posy, and hand-tied.

The cascade, as the name suggests, is shaped like a waterfall, more flowers on the top with some flowers flowing downwards. It is mixed with some greeneries to get the natural look.

The round bouquet, of course is round in shape and have less greeneries but more flowers.The flowers can be of one kind or multiple kinds as long as the colour balance is there.

The hand-tied wedding bouquet, which is gaining popularity these days, is more casual. It is made from a bunch of flowers tied together with a ribbon and the stems are revealed.

How do you know which one is suitable for you?

Your selection will depend on three things:

  • your body size
  • your wedding gown style
  • the look that you want to carry

If you are self-conscious about your appearance on your wedding day, choosing the right wedding bouquet style can enhance the way you look and probably hide some imperfections around your body.

Let's say you want to look slimmer on the big day, you would probably choose a cascade bouquet because of the bouquet shape itself. A cascade bouquet is roundish at the top and the pointy at the bottom.This slimming effect is best when you want to look slimmer.

If you are a tall person in nature, consider a cascade bouquet or a hand-tied bouquet. Never choose a round bouquet. A round bouquet will make you look taller. Added with the height of your heels, you will look extra tall.

A bride-to-be with big hips should go for other bouquets, except a round hand bouquet. A round bouquet will enhance your hips. To hide it, you should choose a cascade or hand-tied bouquet instead.

If you like a garden look or a casual look, the only wedding bouquet that can give you that is the hand-tied wedding bouquet. The flowers on the hand-tied bouquet will look like they have been hand picked by you from the garden. You will look natural carrying a hand-tied wedding bouquet.

If you have a petite body, choose a round bouquet. The size of the round bouquet and your body is balanced and you will look your best on your wedding day.

Liztiany Zakaria is a flower arrangement hobbyist who does wedding bouquets for friends and family members.For more information on wedding flowers, visit her website, http://www.flower-arrangement-advisor.com

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Friday, February 1, 2008

Six Alternative Bridal Bouquet Toss Ideas

Is the traditional bridal bouquet toss not for you? Many modern gals are ditching this traditional altogether, and looking for new variations and interpretations. Many women see the bouquet toss as pressure, and hate the implication that single women are chomping at the bit to be married.

Here are six alternatives to the traditional bridal bouquet toss that will make everyone happy:
 

  • Wish Come True Bouquet Toss -- Invite all the women onto the dance floor, married and single. Ask them all to make a wish right as the bouquet is tossed and whoever catches it will get their wish.
     
  • Fortune Bouquet Toss -- Invite everyone onto the dance floor and have a bouquet that consists of several small bunches of flowers are simply held together in your hand. On each bunch, have a handwritten “fortune” attached to it that you made up. When you throw the flower bunches in the air, they break apart so several people will get a “fortune” bouquet. Before throwing a break apart bouquet make sure they are easily separated and not entwined together so they really do break apart in the air.
     
  • Longest Married Bouquet Toss -- Invite all married couples onto the dance floor and have the DJ announce that everyone married less than 5 years to leave, then less than 10 years to leave and so on until the couple married the longest is left dancing and they are awarded with the bouquet. Keep in mind that this may not be the right bouquet toss for you, especially if you have a recently deceased grandparent that would have been married the longest if they were still living. This also focuses on married people and leaves out the single folks.
     
  • Special Honors Bouquet Toss -- Split up the bouquet into halves and give one half to your mother and one to your mother-in-law. The bridal bouquet could also be presented to grandparents, split apart for all the women in the bridal party, presented to your maid of honor, your sisters, a friend who is engaged, etc. Think of someone you’d like to honor and give it to them as a “good luck” bouquet.
     
  • Favors Toss -- Instead of tossing flowers, toss the wedding favors! Much like candy being tossed in a parade you can toss small or soft favors to the guests. Children can help in the fun, and everybody has a chance to get something. Candy, small stuffed animals, silly toys and gift cards are good choices.
     
  • Gift Cards & Money Bouquet Toss -- Rather than have fortunes attached to a break away bouquet, why not attach gift cards (from coffee shops, record stores, etc) to your bridal bouquet! Rolled up $1-$20 bills is also fun for everyone. You can invite everyone onto the dance floor, men and women alike.
    So rather than skip the bridal bouquet toss entirely, why not start your own tradition? Unusual tosses can be explained by your DJ, an appointed person or written in your program. Choose a bridal bouquet toss that is meaningful to you and don’t be afraid to simply present it to someone you care about.

    Amber Dusick is the editor of The Do It Yourself Weddings Guide at http://www.do-it-yourself-weddings.com/ where you can get instructions for wedding crafts, do it yourself favors, centerpieces, make your own invites and programs and more! Learn to do most everything to do with weddings...yourself!

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Friday, January 18, 2008

How To Make A Seashell Bridal Bouquet

Would you like to make a seashell bridal bouquet for yourself or for the bride? Follow these simple instructions.

Materials Needed:
Wood Dowel cut to the desired length
Foam ball 3" to 4" in diameter
White seashells (bubble shells, caycay shells, nassa shells or any other shells you desire
Hot glue (high temperature)
Hot glue gun
BOND 527 Multi-Purpose Cement Glue
Pearls or Swarovski Crystals for accent
Satin ribbon
Organza ribbon

Cut your dowel to the desired length and insert it into the center of the foam ball. The dowel can easily be pushed into the foam. Remove dowel, fill hole with hot glue and re-insert dowel into the foam ball. Let dry.

Apply seashells with hot glue as pictured or create your own design. Photos can be found by refering to Resource Box.

Once you have all the shells attached, apply the pearl or swarovski crystals for accent throughout the shells. This helps to hide any foam that is showing through. Use the BOND 527 Multi-Purpose Cement Glue for the accents.

Let the bouquet sit overnight.

Wrap the satin ribbon around the dowel to the top of the boquet and then tie on your organza ribbon.

This is a time-consuming project but the results are well worth the effort.

Article by Sandra Canfield, owner of SMC Connection. Bouquet Photos

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Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Catch that Bouquet!

Throwing the bride’s bouquet, as well as catching the bride’s bouquet, has its moments.

Erratic brides have been known to underestimate their throwing capabilities and throwing the bouquet so far that no self-respecting person would bother to run for it. Or, as in playing squash, in the nervousness of the moment, bouquets have been known to be thrown at walls, windows, ceilings, and most disastrously, into overhead ceiling fans.

On the side of the catchers, there have been moments where catching the bouquet became so violent, that a referee had to be called in to separate the combatants. As embarrassing as that might have been, there have also been those weddings where self-assertive women refused to play this silly old-fashioned game where women were thought to be dying to catch the bouquet so that they would be the next in line to get married.

Ha! They weren’t that desperate!

So, perhaps, before the bride decides to enliven the wedding by tossing the bouquet among the unwed females, she should count up just how many unwed single females she’s inviting, and just how many are actively looking for life-long partners. And, of course, and most importantly, she should get in some throwing practice to ensure the accuracy of the landing.

Having said that, why do brides bother with this bit of tom foolery? And is there any truth that whoever catches the bouquet will be the next to wed?

As far as throwing the bouquet is concerned it’s all about the lucky wedding couple sharing their good fortune, the flowers being yet one more symbol of it. In this spirit, some brides compose a bouquet which consists of dozens of minuscule bouquets. When she is about to throw it, the bride unties the ribbon which holds it in place, and literally showers guests with minute bouquets and good fortune.

As for weddings, have you noticed how when one of your friends gets married, not long after another follows suit?

Could it be that by catching a bouquet you will become the next bride? Actually, that’s a bit psychology in the making. In this part of the wedding, the female who is actively searching for a partner, has the opportunity to make herself visible to a prospective husband. If she is truly serious, she should make that opportunity count. Like the thrower, she should practice graceful and nimble leaps to make herself memorable to all those young bucks watching. If she can continue to hold their interest after the catch, so much the better.

Never forget, would be brides, weddings are catching!

Vlady Peters is an Australian Civil Marriage Celebrant authorised to perform marriages in Australia. She also perform general ceremonies such as Baby Naming, Renewal of Vows and Commitment Ceremonies. To learn more about her as a celebrant and an author visit vlady at http://www.weddings-celebrant.com

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Sunday, December 30, 2007

Memorabilia Bouquet

Have you ever had a really good friend that was about to leave on a trip somewhere?

And thought to yourself how do I say goodbye without saying goodbye?

Have you ever lost a loved one? Would you like to have something really special to remember them by?

Well why not try making a memorabilia bouquet?

A memorabilia bouquet is like a normal bouquet, but it has photographs throughout it.

They really make excellent gifts... just imagine being at the airport to see off you friend, and you hand them a memorabilia bouquet, containing pictures of you together. They will love you forever!

What a perfect way for them to be able to see you everyday, and remember all the fun you have had over the years.

But they don't just have to be a gift for people travelling... a memorabilia bouquet can also be given in memory of someone special that has passed on.

They are easy to make- just get small photo frames in the shape of flowers or hearts, and place the photographs in them and then add them to a normal posy bouquet.

It's similar to scrapbooking, but instead of having the photographs in an ordinary book- instead you have them in a stunning and dramatic bouquet!

Depending on the purpose of the memorabilia bouquet, you could add over items as well. For example, if you are making a bouquet to celebrate someone who has just become a parent (or a grandparent), you might add some chocolates and candies as well. Not only will they have something to look at, but they'll also have something tasty to eat as well!

Memorabilia bouquets make particularly great anniversary presents.

Just imagine... you show up at your parents wedding anniversary, and instead of the same old boring presents everyone else is giving them, you hand them a memorabilia bouquet, containing memories from their marriage!

The possibilities are endless- from birthdays, to weddings, to fancy dress parties, a memorabilia bouquet will always catch the eye, and impress!

They are easy and fun to make, and are always appreciated. Why not try making one today?

Peta Fletcher has been making bouquets for over 14 years. Her website has lots of free information on bouquets, including how to make a wedding bouquet, and general articles on wedding bouquets

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Thursday, December 27, 2007

Online Florists & Flower Delivery - Surprise Someone You Love With A Gift From An Online Florist

"I can't believe my parent's forgot my birthday," pouted a teenaged Molly Ringwald. "They live for this stuff." Ringwald's Sam may have had a better Sixteen Candles if her parents and grandparents had lived in 2005 instead of 1984. What to get for the sixteen year old that has everything? How about a birthday tin of assorted popcorn to share with that handsome senior? Or maybe a Lenox watch? Maybe your sixteen year old likes to luxuriate with bath balls and massage scrubbers in a hot after dinner bath. You can get any or all of the above delivered straight to her door through an online florist.

Perhaps you haven't forgotten a birthday, but you have received the shock that every man dreads: that sharpie ink in the shape of a heart on your desktop calendar. That's right, it's your anniversary, and you've forgotten to pick up a gift for your wife. Roses might do the trick, but toss in some chocolates or a back massager and you're golden. You'd be surprised how much variety can be found in last minute online gift shopping at a virtual florist’s shop.

Don't let the morning's discovery burden your secretary's day with running from shop to shop or frantic phone book flipping for the perfect gift. The virtual directory of your local online florist has everything from steak knives to Waterford crystal, and yes, even flowers. A lunchtime delivery gives the added bonus of coming home to a happily surprised wife. Today's online florists are like five shops in one. The convenience of being able to shop online for so many things in one place and pay for them all together could have you months ahead of your gift giving calendar. That way you never forget, and the gift doesn't sit in your trunk two weeks past the birthday it was intended for.

We don't always think of every occasion. Maybe your pre-schooler's graduation slipped your mind, but a friendly phone call from your spouse has you re-thinking the ice cream cake. A point and click will have a cap and gown clad teddy bear waiting for your toddler after his afternoon nap. National Secretary's Day wasn't on your calendar, but suddenly every assistant in the office has a new pencil sharpener. What do you do when the gift-getter needs a gift? A quick online search could have your trusted organizer up to their ears in chocolate or flowers by the afternoon rundown. Never let someone forget how much you truly appreciate them, when in the time it takes to worry about it, you can send a thoughtful, personal gift from an online florist. Now you have no excuse. With the built in ease of checking your email and automatic withdrawal from your checking via debit, it's like going to the mall without ever leaving your chair.

To view our list of our most recommended online florists, visit: Recommended Online Florists

Carrie Reeder is the owner of eZerk, an informational website with articles and the latest news about various topics.

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Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Internet Florists Canada – How to Choose the Right Florist When You Buy Your Flowers Online

Internet florists Canada - the online Internet flower shop is steadily replacing the brick and mortar counterpart in Canada. When it comes to buying flowers online at work or from the comfort of your home over the Internet, there is no shortage of websites or florists offering products and delivery services to Canadians or to those wanting to send flowers to Canada.

While each of these florists proudly displays their wares and services, it's very important for you, the buyer, to find an online Internet florist that serves your needs and gifting requirements. This article will offer a few tips to guide you towards choosing between the right florists when you order your flowers on the Internet.

It's in Canada. It's pretty. But does it work for you? When shopping online for gifts on the Internet, roses, or anything else you're considering sending off as a special message to someone else in Canada, it's worth your while to evaluate the florists' systems you'll be using to make a purchase. Sure, on the Internet a website is a website, but it's what goes on behind the scenes that will make your buying experience a joy or a painful memory!

Florists in Canada with good Internet websites share four things in common - a smooth system of navigation to view products, a streamlined checkout system, buying convenience in the form of credit card and debit card usage, and lastly, free value added services such as emailed occasion reminders or informational areas to help you with your buying decision.

Always keep in mind that good florists on the Internet in Canada will operate no differently than if you walked into the door of the brick and mortar shop it belongs to - think of it as a virtual representation of real life.

Using a good online florist as Canada's example... You and a friend want to send flowers to Toronto, and you've decided upon online flower delivery for its convenience and ease of use. You've inputted your desires into your favourite Internet search engine and arrived at Floral Site X, while your friend had decided to use what we'll call Floral Site Y. Both of you will be sending bouquets, perhaps as birthday wishes or a message of congratulations.

You easily skim Floral Site X's pages of flowers and gifts categorized by budget, occasion or message preference. You add your flower selection to your shopping cart and proceed to the check out, where you decide to take advantage of the add-on feature and build upon your gift with balloons and a postcard. Perfect!

Except you forget your credit card in your other pair of pants and only have your banking card with you - but it's not a problem, since Floral Site X is one of the only florists in Canada to support Interac Online which makes buying with your debit card a breeze. A few delivery details inputted and you're done!

As for your friend who chose Floral Site Y, who wasn't able to change his gift once selected, who became confused through the checkout process and then found out his debit card was of no use - well, let's just say you'll be returning to Floral Site X for a sympathy arrangement. With Brant Florist, buying flowers online has never been easier!

It's not difficult to see how important choosing the right website for Internet flower delivery can be when you only have a fifteen minute time window, or your lunch break is nearly over. When buying online on the Internet, convenience counts, so take that into consideration when you choose whom to buy your flowers from. Truthfully, giving a gift should feel just as good as receiving it - research once, purchase easily many times after!

Some final thoughts on buying your flowers online on the Internet in Canada... When you type "Internet florists Canada" into Google, you're going to get a lot of results from a lot of florists in Canada - always spend the time to check out all the websites' features and see how deep the florists' product lines are.

A good online florist has a rich and varied catalogue of flowers and gifts for all instances and occasions - make sure the florist you choose has the same. You shouldn't have to relegate your gift to a second-best choice just because the message you really wanted to send wasn't in stock. Good online florists in Canada will always be prepared - either to serve you or to lead you to those who can!

This bit of careful scrutiny will land you at the website capable of fulfilling all your floral and gifting needs. Once you buy your flowers on the Internet in a stress-free, streamlined environment, you'll wonder if you'll ever enter another real-life flower shop again! And as a bonus, florists in Canada often offer incentives when you buy online - they can pass the savings onto you!

Finally, make sure the site you choose has the FTD logo on their website, but more importantly, make sure they're a real florist! Affiliate Internet "florists" and floral sites in Canada lack the decades of experience and expert craftsmanship that real florists possess. Your receiver in Canada should settle for nothing less, and neither should you!

Matthew Harley is a freelance copywriter currently writing for http://www.BrantFlorist.com

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Monday, December 3, 2007

Choosing a Wedding Florist: A Difficult but Important Decision

As wedding season is fast approaching, many soon-to-be brides are scurrying to make last minute decisions regarding cakes, location, guest lists, and most importantly flowers. Deciding what wedding florist to use often is the most difficult floral decision a bride has to make. Many brides choose to design their own wedding flowers, but this can cause undo stress as the day approaches. A good florist will be able to provide remarkable arrangements that set the mood for the ceremony and reception.

Why choose anyone but the best for your special event? Flowers are a central piece of any wedding. They can provide beautiful focal points and add fragrant aromas in the air. Many times florists will design bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, reception décor, centerpieces, and fresh flower cake decorations. With the abundant use of flowers throughout the ceremony and reception it is crucial to exercise caution to choose a competent, creative, and customer oriented florist.

Before beginning the interview process, brides and grooms need to decide the following:

 

  1. The date and time of your wedding
  2. Ceremony and reception locations
  3. Wedding colors
  4. Will your wedding be formal or casual?
  5. How many bridesmaids/groomsmen will be involved?
  6. What is the overall theme of the wedding?
After these questions have been addressed, interview at least three florists before making any decisions. The process can seem overwhelming and many brides aren’t sure what questions to ask. Listed below are a few simple questions that you can ask each florist to make sure that you choose the perfect person for your special day.
  1. Ask for references from family and friends. If they don’t have any, ask florists to provide names and phone numbers of a few references. If they refuse, keep shopping
  2. Look at pictures of previous work to see if their style matches yours. Ask to make sure it is recent work.
  3. How long have they been in business and do they work full or part-time.
  4. How many weddings would they provide service for on the same day or weekend as your event?
  5. Will the florist deliver and set-up all floral arrangements at the ceremony and reception site? What time will they arrive to set-up?
  6. After the event, do you also provide service to break down all arrangements?
  7. Does the florist offer other rental equipment including candelabras, vases, plants, urns, archways, etc?
  8. Can the florist preserve your bouquet after the wedding? If not, do they have any referrals for that service?
  9. Is there a deposit required? If so, how much and when is the balance due?
  10. What is your refund/cancellation policy?
  11. Before you leave make sure the florist has addressed all concerns and questions you have.
Remember this is YOUR special day and you should not feel rushed or pressured to make a decision. Choosing the right florist is very important. Carefully review all your options before making your final decision. By taking this extra time, you will receive the most beautiful flowers and décor for your wedding day.

Camber Clenney is a technical writer with expertise in several fields. Her topics of interest include weddings, website design and development, fishing, camping, and investment. For more information visit http://www.tiptonhurst.com

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