Frequently asked questions
Wedding flowers - where to start
You have questions? It’s only natural that you have lots of questions when planning your wedding flowers.
I remember when I started organising my own wedding, speaking to all the different suppliers was a little daunting and I didn’t really know where to begin. 19+ years later I consider myself a bit of a wedding expert!
I have designed this page to help you navigate your wedding flower planning. I answer the recurring questions I find my couples often ask me.
Now, there is a lot of information on this page. I suggest making yourself a cuppa, grab a pen and paper and make a note of the bits that you find relevant.
If you have any further questions I do not answer here, then please do not hesitate to email me petalpowerwales@yahoo.co.uk
How do I choose my florist?
This is obviously very personal. First of all, I would recommend working with a wedding designer whose flowers you love, someone whose style will suit your vision. You also want a florist who mirrors your own enthusiasm when talking about your wedding flowers, somebody that makes you feel at ease and special! And of course, you are also looking for great communication, a person who will answer your concerns and queries. My couples choose me because they want to work with someone who is a talented floral designer AND emotionally invested in their wedding.
I have written a whole blog covering this delicate topic that I think you will find really helpful. TAKE A LOOK HERE.
Tayler & Kier
Canada Lodge, Cardiff
“Anne-Marie is amazing! Can not recommend her enough she took so much time with us to make sure our vision could come to life..
We were so happy with how beautiful everything was on the day and I’ve sent my bouquet away to be preserved so we will always have it!
Thank you so much for all your help”
I have written a blog that you might find helpful when preparing to chat to a potential florist, five questions you should ask. HAVE A LOOK
How much do I need to spend on my flowers?
This is a difficult question to answer. In my experience you should allocate around 10% of your entire wedding budget on your wedding flowers. Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The cost of your wedding flowers will depend on your overall budget. If flowers are important to you then you should budget to spend more. If you have your heart set on specific blooms or want to go all out with an elaborate floral display, your budget will need to reflect that. The cost of your wedding flowers will depend on a number of factors, including the type of flowers and arrangements you choose, the number of bridesmaids, the size of your wedding, and the time of year you get married. I know it’s really difficult to budget for your flowers but if it helps, my average couple will spend between £1500 and £3000. If you aren’t sure what you need or the flowers that are right for you just ask. I’m happy to chat through your plans and advise on the best option.
You can read my thoughts on the cost wedding flowers. FIND IT HERE
What flowers do I need?
This is a big consideration when asking: wedding flowers - where to start. But this completely depends on you and how you envisage your wedding day to look. In all honesty, if you don’t really like flowers then the answer is none! After all it’s your wedding day, you don’t need to do/have anything that you don’t want.
But generally, consider the look you going for, what your venue looks like already, how much money you want to spend and so on. I would look online for inspiration pictures and go from there. If you can get pictures of past weddings at your venue, that is a great way to see the possibilities. Flowers that most people have are bridal bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, corsages, boutonnières, ceremony backdrop/aisle flowers, reception table centres and cake flowers. Of course there are a lot more designs I make but these would be the most common.
If you would like to discuss your wedding flowers
How do I choose my flowers?
I would suggest doing some research beforehand to help you narrow down the design style and different types of flowers you like - you don’t need to know the flower names etc, I am here to help guide and advise you in the world of flowers. Deciding on the colour theme for your wedding day is the first step to choosing your flowers. I have written a blog which is useful, you can read that HERE.
With an established colour theme and design style I can advise you on the choice of flowers, the best blooms for your day; and, more importantly, the best bang for your buck. Of course if you have favourite or sentimental blooms then I will ensure these flowers are included in your designs wherever possible. If you know you want me to play a part of your your wedding but are not sure of the details just yet, I advise booking me for your day as we can sort through the final details at a later date.
When do I need to book you to be my florist?
As soon as your date is set, we can start discussing your flowers. I only book one wedding a day, I know that not all florists work in the same way. This means that key summer dates fill up fast, sometimes 18 months before the date. My advice would be to reach out to me after you have booked your venue and chosen your dress. If you love what I do and would like me to be a part of your day, why wait? Book with me as soon as you can. You can get in touch HERE.
Emmie &
Castel Coch
“I could not have been happier with the gorgeous flowers that Anne-Marie created for my wedding. I knew I was in safe hands from the first time we spoke. Anne-Marie really listened to what I wanted and created bouquets, button holes, and flower crowns for my bridesmaids, which were more beautiful than I could have imagined. She checked in with me before the wedding to reassure me that everything was on track, which was really appreciated. I was blown away by the flowers, and added to this Anne-Marie is just the loveliest person and a total delight to work with!
If you want to read what my couples think of me
Do you just do bouquets?
I do IT ALL! Bridal party flowers inc Buttonholes, Centrepieces (including lots of vases, candelabras etc available for hire) and all the Floral venue decor you can imagine for your wonderful wedding;
Staircase Florals? Check
Archway? Check
Fireplace Garlands? Check
Bay trees to line the entrance/aisle? Check
Brass candlesticks? Check
Oh and lanterns to line the aisle... you guessed it! This is not exhaustive by any means, just let me know what you have in mind and we can take it from there.
Do you use any artificial flowers?
No, I don’t work with any plastic flowers at all. I run my business as sustainably as possible. The majority of my flower arrangements are made without the use of floral foam. I use locally grown flowers where possible. I am doing my little bit to help save the environment and plastic flowers are not my vibe. If you would like to read more about the #nofloralfaom movement click here.
If you want to hire silk flowers for your wedding I can recommend a few suppliers, just ask.
How do we check you are available for our wedding day?
The best way is to get in touch with your wedding date and give me as much information as you can. I will drop you an email to arrange a convenient time for a complimentary consultation. If I’m not available, I would be happy to recommend another florist I know and trust.
You can find out more about the process of working with me HERE.
Image by Owen Mathias
If you would to see more examples of my gorgeous wedding flowers
What style bouquet would suit me?
Great question and definitely something to consider carefully. I want you to love your bouquet so much that you never want to put it down. The choice of different styles available for the bridal bouquet can be a little overwhelming, where do you start? Have a look on line and see what style you are drawn to. I have written a blog that you might find helpful. You can read it here.
What venues have you worked at? Does it matter if you haven’t worked at my venue?
Over the many years since I set up Petal Power I have flowered weddings in all sorts of venues; from stately home weddings and country house weddings to marquee weddings and back garden weddings. I love to work at new venues and it is so wonderful to revisit places I have worked at before. It doesn’t matter if I haven’t worked at the venue before, I will contact the site if I have any questions I need answering. Wherever your wedding is taking place I will happily make it more beautiful and add some floral magic.
What is your flower style?
My preferred style I would describe as ‘un-done’, naturally arranged, where I am led by the flowers themselves. No two weddings are the same, each bouquet and arrangement I create is as unique as each of my couples. I specialise in beautiful, natural designs that have a touch of timeless romance. Take a look through my wedding galleries to see some of the recent beautiful flowers I have designed for my couples wedding days.
How far will you travel for my wedding?
I run my business from my home studio in Cardiff but I am more than happy to travel to work with you. I book weddings all over Cardiff and the South Wales area but I also travel across the UK. I will include the delivery and set up fee in your proposal based on my hourly fee and travel expenses, unfortunately fuel doesn’t come for free. I charge a standard HMRC approved rate for mileage so nothing unexpected at all. Just get in touch to have a chat about the options.
Are you insured?
Yes, as a professional florist I have public liability and professional indemnity insurance.
Everything you need is here.
Let’s start planning.
Testimonials
Read what my couples have to say.
I look forward to hearing from you
I hope this page has assisted you with your planning; and helped answer the million dollar question: wedding flowers - where to start? If you have a question I have not covered feel free to email at petalpowerwales@yahoo.co.uk
If you’d like to see more of what I’ve been up to lately, take a look at my blog for my thoughts, upcoming workshops and recent weddings.
You can also find me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest, I would love if you gave me a follow and kept in touch.
I can’t wait to chat to you and listen to all your wedding day ideas. Let’s have a natter.