It can be super overwhelming planning a wedding (trust me, I've been there! I know the feeling!). From picking the perfect venue to deciding on the dreamiest florals, there’s a lot to think about. And while it’s absolutely okay to shop around for the best suppliers, it’s important to remember that these relationships are a two-way street: being open and honest with your wedding suppliers is key to building a trusting relationship, and in return, they’ll go the extra mile to make your big day absolutely stunning.
But—and here’s the juicy part—are you unknowingly doing things that florists consider red flags? Let’s talk about 8 things that might make a florist think twice before taking on a client…
1. You Don't Have a Firm Date Set
I totally get it—you’ve just got engaged, and you’re buzzing to start wedding planning! But here’s the thing: without a firm wedding date, it's impossible for your suppliers won’t know if they’re even available to work at your wedding. As much as we love to chat all things weddings, from a suppliers perspective, there’s no point in spending hours creating your dream wedding, only to find we are already fully booked on your chosen date.
INSTEAD: Book your venue first. Once you have a set date, then start approaching other suppliers. They will be able to check their diaries to see if they are available.
If you’ve fallen head over heels for a particular florist and simply must have them, you might want to check their availability before securing a venue. That way, you can choose a date that works for both you and your dream florist!
Photography by Freya Raby
2. Sending the Same Email to Multiple Florists (Without Even Changing the Name!)
You might think we don’t notice, but trust me… we do! It’s totally fine to reach out to multiple florists, but a copy-and-paste email that starts with “Dear [insert wrong name here]” just feels a little impersonal. It gives us the impression that you’re price shopping rather rather than actually being interested in how we can help create your dream wedding day.
Working with luxury wedding flowers, we already know we're not going to be the cheapest, and we don't try to be! We create dream weddings for couples who love flowers, using the best blooms from the best growers alongside our years of wedding expertise. If you're looking for dreamy flowers, incredible service, ongoing support and guidance and a florist who will truly go above and beyond to make your day magical... we might be the florists for you!
INSTEAD: Research your florist before you enquire, ensure their work fits with your vision and find a florist whose style you love. A little effort goes a long way!
I've spoken to couples in the past who have booked the cheapest florist available only to later find them incapable of making the designs they were coveting for their big day. Do you research; do they have examples of their work? Does it align to your vision? Are they experienced in creating wedding designs? A great wedding florist has more than the ability to create gorgeous arrangements (although, obviously, it is a big part of it!). Book someone who you enjoy talking to, who is organised and professional and who you trust to create your wedding day vision.
Photography by Nesta Lloyd Photography
3. Telling Us You Don't Really Like Flowers
Okay… this one always makes us pause. If you’re not into flowers, why are you hiring a florist?
As florists, we love what we do, and we love working with couples who are just as excited about their gorgeous wedding flowers as we are. If you tell a florist that you don't really value flowers, it might make them feel like they’re not the right fit for you.
INSTEAD: Be open about your vision. Even if you know nothing about flowers, a good florist will help you find something beautiful that fits your style. And at the end of the day, if you really don't like flowers - don't have them! It's your wedding day, if something doesn't feel right for you, don't feel pressured by "tradition" to have it.
Photo by Kate Richards Photography
4. "Sharing" proposals or quotes from other florists
This is a big no-no.
Forwarding a quote from one florist to another and asking them to match or beat the price can come across as a little… well, disrespectful. Every florist has their own pricing based on their personal design style with costings being slightly different from florist to florist depending on the materials they are using, the size of their designs and the volume of flowers within those designs etc etc. Comparing prices directly is comparing apples with oranges. You wouldn't expect a meal at a Michelin stared restaurant to cost the same as McDonald's would you?
INSTEAD: Be open about your budget. If a florist’s quote is a little more than you were hoping, be upfront and ask if there’s a way to adjust the design to better suit your price range. Most florists are happy to recommend areas to cut back and will work within a budget if you’re flexible and realistic.
Photo by Emma Shaw Photography
5. Contacting on Behalf of Someone Else
Okay, so I know there are exceptions to this rule but generally, if you’re the bride or groom, florists want to hear from you! It’s fine if a planner or a parent is involved in communication, but if all emails are coming from a third party, it can make it tricky to get a clear vision of what you really want.
INSTEAD: Try to be present for at least one meeting with your florist. It makes the process so much smoother!
At Emma Jane Floral Design we like to have at least one meeting with the couple themselves during wedding planning, it allows us get to know each other better and helps us get a feel for your personality and wedding style, your likes and dislikes and the overall vibe we are aiming to create. We also share a design proposal, to make sure we are all on the same page so if you are unable to be fully present for the planning process you will still know we understand your vision and have the expertise to create it.
Photo by Wyldbee Photography
6. Ghosting
Look, we know life is busy, throw wedding planning on top of that and sometimes emails slip through the cracks. But if you enquire about flowers, get a quote, and then disappear into the abyss, it can be frustrating for wedding suppliers who’ve taken time to create a custom proposal for you.
INSTEAD: Just let us know! If you’ve changed your mind or decided to go with another florist, a quick “Thanks so much, but we’ve gone in a different direction” is totally fine! It keeps things professional and respectful, and allows us to offer the date to other couples.
Photo by Emma Shaw Photography
7. Not looking at our portfolio of work before enquiring.
Wedding florists pour so much love into their work, and each has their own signature style. If you enquire without even glancing at a florists past weddings, you might end up requesting something that’s completely different from what they specialise in. Although a good florist is able to make designs in a number of different styles, it just makes sense to go to an expert.
INSTEAD: Spend a little time looking through a florist’s website or Instagram before reaching out. If you love their work, let them know! It makes for a much better starting point when designing your wedding florals if you love their work.
Photo by Nicole Amy Visuals
Being Unrealistic About What Can Be Achieved Within Your Budget
We know weddings are expensive and, of course, you want to make the most of your budget. But expecting a Pinterest-perfect celebrity-inspired flora extravaganza of a wedding for a fraction of the cost will leave you disappointed. Quality flowers, knowledge, expertise, and labour all come with a price and no supplier will be willing to work for free.
INSTEAD: Be realistic about what can be created within in your budget. Be transparent about what you can afford and ask your florist for recommendations on what can be achieved within your budget.
Google average prices to get a ballpark idea of costings. Many florists are happy to work with couples with a smaller budget for florals, but the key is to be realistic and prioritise where to spend your money. You may not be able to flower up every aspect of your wedding, so concentrate on the designs you need (such as bouquets and buttonholes) or focus you budget on creating one stand out piece, for example, stunning table arrangements.
Photography by Freya Raby
Wedding suppliers passionate about bringing your wedding dreams to life, and a little thoughtfulness goes a long way in building a great working relationship. By keeping these red flags in mind, you’ll not only make the booking process smoother but also set yourself up for an amazing wedding planning experience.
If there's one thing about the wedding industry I have learnt; choosing the right people to create your wedding is key! If you think we'd be a good fit for your wedding day, fill out our contact form and Emma will be in touch soon.
So, tell me - which red flag surprised you the most? Let’s chat in the comments!
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