Choosing the right florist can make or break your wedding vision. From knowing your style and budget to finding vetted local talent, every step you take on the journey matters. There are plenty of florists available in Rhode Island. Narrow down your search with REEL Vendor Network, then set up a consultation. Find out who you connect with and who gets your vibe. After all, you want nothing but joyful blooms on your big day.
It is easy to scroll through Pinterest and Instagram, looking at all the wedding flower ideas. Bringing your vision to life? Not so much. Let’s be real—there is a lot that goes into creating these arrangements for a wedding, and making the wrong choice can totally kill your vibe.
It all comes down to choosing the right professional to make it all happen. But, how do you do that? There are hundreds of florists throughout the New England area, and selecting the ideal option for your wedding can be challenging—and downright overwhelming.
Because we understand the importance of wedding flowers, here is a bit of insider info on how you can choose the right florist for your wedding vision.
Know Your Style
Alright, this is where all of that online scrolling can come in handy. You have looked through wedding websites, social media pages, and even the personal websites of local florists. What has jumped out at you? Any ideas?
Some couples prefer crisp, elegant orchids, while others prefer more whimsical wildflowers. Maybe you have a favorite flower or color that you want your floral design to be based around. As the couple getting married, you know what you want your wedding day to look like. Or, at the very least, you know the feeling and message you want to relay with your decor. Being able to share this info is helpful to the florist when coming up with ideas. Also, knowing your wedding colors can help ensure cohesiveness.
You aren’t a floral professional, but gathering up these thoughts before you begin your search can increase your chance of finding someone who will know just what you will love.
Set Your Budget
We know that planning a wedding can be costly, and sticking to your budget is important. If you haven’t declared your florist budget already, now is the time to do so. And remember, floral arrangements can be quite expensive, often taking 8-12% of the total wedding cost. Be up front about your budget, and your florist will be able to show you your options.
Centerpieces, arches, bouquets, boutonnieres, and accent pieces all play their part in the celebration, and they each have a cost. What is part of your vision?
Pro tip: Opt for seasonal blooms as they will be more affordable and accessible.
Uncover Trusted Local Florists
Finding local talent can be tricky when there are so many to choose from throughout Rhode Island and the New England area. It may seem impossible to narrow down your best options—or even know where to start. Go ahead and sigh in relief because we’ve got a few easy ways to help you get the ball rolling.
Social Media
If you are already scrolling social media, try searching hashtags. For instance, #NewEnglandWeddingFlorists, #RhodeIslandWeddingFlowers, #ProvidenceWeddingFlorist, and #NewportWeddingFlowers can all yield some results to sort through. Who knows? You may find something that catches your eye.
Word of Mouth
Asking around is a tried-and-true way of finding a local florist. If you live in the area or know someone who has been married here, seeking recommendations from family and friends is an option. Of course, your local wedding planner or venue may be a good resource for information, too.
The downside? Your vision is unique. So what one couple may have truly loved for their own wedding may send chills down your spine—and not in a good way. So, keep this in mind when asking around.
REEL Vendor Network
Want to make your search short and simple? The REEL Vendor Network is a platform of wedding vendors, including local, vetted florists. Everything you need to know about them is easily accessible online, so you can quickly create a list of possible matches.
Do a Deep Dive of Your List of Florists
Alright, so you have made your list of potential florists—now what? It is time to do a deep dive into who they are and what they do. We are checking to see if they match your style, if they have done something similar to what you are envisioning, and if they can adapt.
As with any type of artist, florists have their own creative voice and specialties. Some love to create waterfalls of blooms and highly romantic settings, while others may have an interest in modern bouquets and the latest trends. The key is to find someone who naturally matches what you picture for your wedding. It won’t be identical, but rather stylistically in sync.
Just because a florist has incredible skill does not mean they will match your vision.
Meeting and Vibing
What if you like a florist’s work only to find out they are a terrible communicator or won’t listen to your ideas? This vendor is going to play a significant role in your wedding day, so you want to ensure you are on the same wavelength, at the very least.
Show up to the meeting with your style ideas, your budget, and any details that you think will help relay your vision. Having a list of questions prepared can help to ensure you stay focused and gather the information you need. Here are a few ideas to help you get started:
- Are they available on your wedding date?
- What is their level of experience?
- Have they worked at your venue before?
- What flowers are in peak season when you are getting married?
- Will they deliver, set up, and tear down?
- Can they create something incredible with your budget?
Getting together with potential florists gives you a chance to see if you feel comfortable, heard, and understood. You should leave your meeting feeling good and confident. If you don’t, then take it as a sign to keep on looking.
Is your Rhode Island wedding a destination wedding? No problem—online video calls can work just as well.
Review Your Floral Proposal
If all goes as you hope, your future florist will send you a proposal after your meeting. This should be a very detailed outline that includes everything you discussed, including the types of flowers, quantity, and price.
Read through this carefully—don’t overlook the small print. This is a vendor that will make a big difference in what your venue will look like on your wedding day, so you want to make sure you don’t miss anything that could get in the way of that.
Ask yourself… is everything we discussed in the proposal? Does it fall in line with my allotted budget? Is there a breakdown of costs so that there is transparency? If you aren’t sure or something isn’t clear, ask. This is about your wedding and your wedding flowers.
Trusting Your Florist
Once you have chosen your expert vendor, it is time to let go of the reins. Feel confident knowing that you have done your due diligence and have found someone who can offer what it is you are looking for.
Now you must trust that you made the right decision. Trust that they will create the bouquets and centerpieces, for example, as planned. Trust that they know where to go and when to be there. And trust that they know how to store them so that the blooms do not wilt.
When you choose the right florist for your wedding, you can relax and be fully present in the moment. Then, as you walk into your venue, you will see that your vision has come to life. And that’s a feel-good moment.
Let’s Bloom Your Rhode Island Wedding Together
Your florist is so much more than flowers. They create the entire atmosphere for one of the biggest days of your life. So, in other words, it matters who you choose.
You know what you are looking for—and your florist can help create it. From the moment your guests enter the venue, they should be transformed by floral decor that sets the tone. Is it elegance? Romance? Dramatic? Natural and earthy? The show is all yours—though, created by your chosen expert.
When you take the time to find the right person who understands your wishes and your budget while being able to bring it all together, you know you have made the right choice. The thing is, you can do it the long, drawn-out way, or you can make the most of your time and seek out your florist on REEL Vendor Network.
Get all of the information you need about experienced, vetted, and trusted florists in one place. Spend less time stressing and more time enjoying all the precious moments.
Come on—let’s find your florist!