What is the process for booking The Surrey Florist?
The best place to start is to fill out my contact form. You can tell me the date of your wedding/event and a little bit about your requirements. I can then get in touch to have arrange a chat, usually 30 minutes via Zoom, about your ideas and hopes for what you're wedding day will be like. I can advise on how to maximise your budget and make sure your florals complement the venue perfectly. Once I know what you need, I can prepare a personalised quote. If you're happy with the quote, you will pay a non-refundable deposit (20%) to secure the date. This will be taken off your final total when you pay the balance (six weeks prior to the event date). I'll also schedule a follow-up consultation with you a couple of months ahead of the wedding, to discuss the finer details.
How much do wedding flowers cost?
In all honesty, you can spend as little or as much as you like! But, the more you're able to spend on flowers, the more impact they will have. A guide is to allow 10-20% of your overall wedding budget for flowers but it all depends on what flowers you would like, how big your venue and guestlist is, and how many different arrangements you're after. I have a minimum charge of £1200 for flowers to be delivered and set up. If you have less than £1200, we can discuss options for collection, especially if it's just bouquets and buttonholes you're after. My best advice for making the most of your budget is to trust your florist to use the best, seasonal, flowers for your wedding and to try and reuse pieces where possible - if you're having an arch or statement pieces for your ceremony, we can think about how to use these again later in the day!
What if I have no idea what flowers I'd like?
This is no problem - feel free to just give me a theme of the event/wedding and the colours you would like. I can then show you some options of flowers I love working with and you can choose which you like the look of. If you want to secure the date in my diary and make your decisions about specific flowers later on, I'm happy to do this too! Changes can be made up to six weeks before the big day. Why not have a look at my blog for some handy tips and inspiration?
How does it work with delivery and set up on the wedding day? And clearing up afterwards?
In our final consultation, around two months ahead of the big day, we will discuss all of the logistics, including the timing and location for delivery and set up. I will work directly with your venue's event management team to ensure that they are aware of the need to move arrangements during the day. I will, where possible, set everything in place myself. I will come to collect any of my equipment the next day, as per the venue's collection policy. The flowers themselves are yours to keep so please take what you can. Any remaining will be donated to Confetti Club, a not-for-profit company who recycles used flowers into confetti and donate the proceeds to charity. If you have provided your own vases or any other equipment, these will be your responsibility.
I charge between £75 and £200 for delivery, set up, and 'take down' for weddings. The cost increases if there are multiple drops off and pick ups, if there are large pieces to install, and/or if the venue is a significant distance from my base.
Do you only do weddings in Surrey?
Definitely not! I'm keen to work across the South East and would happily meet with couples to discuss weddings in London, Kent, East and West Sussex and even further afield. I used to live and work in Oxfordshire and I had my own wedding in Gloucestershire. As above, my delivery and set up costs may vary based on distance.
How do you work sustainably or in an eco-friendly way?
I am committed to providing a sustainable service. I will source wedding flowers from a local grower where possible (this depends on seasons and required flowers). If I need to use imported flowers, I buy these from a wholesaler which is only a few miles from my base, and again I will use in-season flowers wherever possible. I only use floral foam (I will choose the biodegradable version) if this is a stipulation of a venue. Otherwise, I will use foam-free mechanics which can be reused time and time again. When conditioning flowers and cutting stems etc., I collect this and put it in my garden waste bin for composting. In terms of the leftover flowers, where possible, I donate these to Confetti Club London, a not-for-profit company who turn used flowers (coloured flowers only) into confetti and donate their proceeds to cancer charities.