budget

How to hire your wedding florist

Hi I’m Jeremy and I do a lot of the sales at Bride Candy. I love doing it, I love talking to people and hearing about their love stories, some of them are really amazing. I also love being able to put together a perfect package for someone.

People come to me with all kinds of different approaches: some couples know exactly what they want, others are just starting out. No matter where you’re at in your process, I know I can help you.  I also know that you’re probably getting quotes from other florists too, and that’s totally understandable. But how can you be sure you’re getting the most out of your sales process while you’re reaching out for floral quotes?

Do your Homework

Before you reach out, make sure you’re at the right stage of the wedding planning process to get floral quotes. The means you should have a firm wedding date and venue. Right now our calendar for this year is pretty busy so we need to know your date to tell you if we are available or not. And your venue is important because it influences what flower designs you might select. For example, if you’re having a beach wedding you might have to consider wind. Or if you’re having a wedding at a venue with a fountain for example you might want us to decorate it. Knowing your venue allows us to create a design that’s practical, affordable, and beautiful and that fits your venue.

Find what you Like

A lot of people go on Pinterest for this, its easy to create a board of things you like and Pinterest will recommend even more inspiration as it learns from you. Or maybe you’re the kind of person that you don’t really know what you want, or you feel like your style is all over the place. That’s no problem, its still helpful for you to create a Pinterest board of what you like and send it over. We’re good at reading between the lines to help you find your wedding style and help you pin point it. Once you have a Pinterest  board or some inspiration photos saved, you’re almost ready to get floral quotes.

Think about your budget

A lot of times I’ll get sent celebrity wedding inspiration, and I get it - they’re beautiful weddings. Who wouldn’t want a wedding like Kim Kardashian? But can you imagine how much they spent on their wedding flowers? If you’re sending these photos to me and telling me that you want this, I’m always going to ask “what’s your comfortable investment?” Because when you’re looking at big celebrity weddings, the sky is the limit. But for most people money is a concern. I can help get you there, I can give you suggestions for something that is very beautiful that’s in a comfortable investment while staying true to the spirit of your vision.

If you’ve already started reaching out to florists for quotes, you already know that wedding flowers can be more expensive than you think. It’s not like going into a supermarket and getting all of these basic flowers, we don’t source from the same places. When I order something for your wedding, I’m placing a special order just in your color scheme. And you might be asking me for flowers that may or may not be in season, which of course affects the cost. We also use premium flowers that are typically not available to the pubic. All of these factors are things I consider when I’m quoting things out for you.

If budget is the most most important thing to you, make sure to tell me that when we speak. If you tell me what you’re comfortable with, I’ll prioritize that when I’m putting together a proposal for you. I can make suggestions on how you can get the most for your money while still having something very beautiful. Or if you have wiggle room, tell me that too! That way I can lean a little more into your vision and give you upgrade options that I think you’ll love.

make your decision

When we create your proposal, we’re mostly focused on making sure that we get close to your vision and that you’ll understand where pricing will be. Your vision will likely continue to evolve as your wedding date approaches, and that’s okay! We can make changes to the design even after booking and can do it in a way that won’t affect pricing too much. So when you’re reading quotes, remember that they’re just that: estimates focused on pricing, and not your final design. If you choose to work with us, we’ll have a Final Design Call one month before your wedding where we will talk about your design in detail and make final selections. So please don’t feel pressure to have all of the design finalized when you’re getting quotes.

At the end of the day, we are not a perfect fit for everyone. Maybe it comes down to budget, or perhaps you feel like our styles don’t match up. And that’s totally okay! If that happens, please let us know, I promise we’ll be cool about it. It’s even better if you tell us a little bit about why you made your decision. I am always trying to figure out how to be a better person and salesperson and learn how I can better support you. Telling me a little about your choice can help me improve our process for future clients.

If you haven’t already inquired with us, don’t wait too long! Our dates are filling up. We love making wedding dreams come true, and we’d love to talk with you.

Micro weddings: Why we are choosing one and how to stick to it

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I’ve been in the industry for a very long time and for a while I thought I wanted a big wedding. That is until I started to change as a person. I started liking intimate dinners and gatherings. I also noticed the bigger the wedding, the more expensive it gets. For someone like me that’s bad news since I have expensive taste. When Jeremy and I got engaged we were bombarded with the “I better be invited” sayings from loved ones, distant relatives and friends, and even strangers. So let’s talk about the positives of the micro-wedding! Why are they on-trend and how we can stick to our guns if we choose to have one. 

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Why small?

For my thirtieth birthday I had a party. It was wonderful but one thing I regretted was I was too busy playing host. I had to watch my best friends party without me. I was called to all directions. I see that happen way too often at weddings. I had a bride tell me she felt like a ghost at her wedding. With so many photos, traditions, and toasts it can become very overwhelming but most of all it takes so much of your time. You just feel obligated to spend time with everyone. With small weddings you can take your time, have fun and enjoy your wedding. 

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The pros of micro weddings

I think the biggest take away is budget. If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll be able to afford a lot more and if you have a decent budget it will go way further. Talk about being able to afford a mini over-the-top wedding! Let’s not forget more money for the honeymoon and maybe a house! Millennials are now focusing on buying houses rather than hosting the old school big weddings of the past. Which is why micro weddings are becoming more trendy! Not to mention after these crazy pandemic times it’s also safer to have a micro wedding.

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How do I stick to my guns?

This is a decision you have to make with your partner and stick with it. If it weren’t for my fiancé and I holding each other accountable, we would have caved in a long time ago. It’s hard and it can be sad at times. It also becomes complicated when you have a close friend that your partner isn’t close to. You both must decide together what number of guests and who fits into that number. People will try to make you feel guilty, but the truth is if someone loves you, they’d understand. Remember a wedding is for you and your love, and no one else.

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Weddings aren’t just weddings but the beginning of a marriage. It’s about your partner and you. So if a micro wedding is something you desire, go for it with no shame! I’m not! I take solace in the decision my partner and I made together. Our relationship and all relationships should not revolve around one day, while a marriage and true friendships are forever. So go ahead put your love and goals first. Take some financial and planning stress off the wedding checklist. Save some money or use your budget to get a Pinterest-perfect wedding you can afford. Always remember at the end of the day we are here to love and that’s all that matters.