Wedding florist: frequently asked questions

Hiring a florist for your wedding raises plenty of questions — especially if it's your first time. When should you get in touch? What happens at the first meeting? Who handles the installation on the big day? Can you get peonies in December? At Blush Floral Designer, your wedding florist in Nice, we answer these questions every day. Here is a comprehensive article gathering the most frequently asked questions from our couples, with clear and detailed answers to help you plan your French Riviera wedding flowers with confidence.

When to contact your wedding florist

Timing is one of the very first questions couples ask. The answer varies depending on the season of your wedding and the popularity of your florist, but here are the essential benchmarks.

Ideally, 12 to 18 months before the wedding. For peak- season weddings (May to October) on the Côte d'Azur, the best specialist florists are booked very early. By contacting us 12 to 18 months in advance, you guarantee that you can choose your vendor rather than being left with whoever still has availability.

Minimum 6 months before the wedding. If you are starting later, don't panic. Six months' lead time is still enough to organise quality floral décor. Some florists have cancellations or open dates, even in the middle of high season.

For an off-season wedding (November to March), timelines are more relaxed. Florists have fewer weddings and can give you more time and flexibility. It is also a period when you may be able to negotiate favourable terms.

The first point of contact can be a simple email or a form on the florist's website. Include your wedding date, the reception venue, an approximate guest count and a rough idea of your floral budget. This information allows the florist to check availability and suggest a first meeting.

The first meeting: what to expect and how to prepare

The first meeting with your florist is both exciting and important. It is where your dreams meet the professional's expertise. Here is how to prepare and what to expect.

At Blush Floral Designer, the first meeting is free and without obligation. It usually lasts between 45 minutes and one hour. It can take place at our studio in Nice, via video call for couples who live far away, or directly at the reception venue if you prefer.

Prepare a mood board. Gather your inspirations on Pinterest, Instagram or in a photo folder. Images speak louder than words and help your florist understand your aesthetic universe. Don't hesitate to include images of what you do NOT like — that is just as informative.

Bring the key information. The wedding date, the venue or venues (ceremony and reception), the guest count, a theme or colour palette if you have one, photos of the bride's dress and the groom's suit, and of course your budget. The more precise you are, the more relevant the florist's proposals will be.

During the meeting, your florist will present their work, ask about your wishes and advise on flower varieties suited to your season and style. It is a genuine creative exchange. At Blush Floral Designer, we follow up with a personalised proposal including bespoke mood boards and a detailed, item-by-item quote.

Delivery and installation on the wedding day

On the wedding day, the florist manages every aspect of the floral logistics. Here is how it works in practice.

The day before or the morning of the wedding, the arrangements are finalised at the studio. Every element is carefully prepared: bouquets are hydrated, arches are pre-assembled as much as possible, and centrepieces are arranged and packaged for transport.

Transport is carried out in suitable vehicles, climate- controlled in summer, with securing systems to prevent any damage. This is a critical step — an arrangement toppled on a winding hinterland road can mean hours of lost work.

Installation at the venue generally takes between 2 and 4 hours depending on the scope of the décor. For a standard wedding with an arch, centrepieces and a few decorative elements, allow 2 to 3 hours. For a full floral scenography (ceremony + cocktail + dinner + ancillary spaces), plan for half a day.

The bridal bouquet is delivered separately, often to the bride's getting-ready location. It arrives in a special box that keeps it hydrated and protected. Boutonnières are also delivered separately, accompanied by pins and instructions for fastening.

At the end of the evening or the next day, the florist returns to collect any rented equipment (vases, structures, stands). This is a point to check in your contract: some florists include dismantling, others charge it as an extra.

Vases and equipment: rental or purchase

The question of equipment — vases, arch structures, candlesticks, arrangement stands — comes up very often. Here are the different options available to you.

Renting from the florist is the most common and practical solution. At Blush Floral Designer, we hold a large stock of vases, compotes, candlesticks and structures in various styles and materials. Rental is included in the floral quote; only a refundable deposit is required, returned once the equipment is collected in good condition.

Purchasing your own can make sense if you want very specific containers or wish to keep them as a memento. It is also an option for smaller budgets: buying simple vases from a wholesaler can sometimes work out cheaper than renting more elaborate pieces.

Renting from specialist event-décor companies is a third option, particularly useful for furniture (tables, chairs, linens) and large items (metal arches, candelabras). Your florist can coordinate with these suppliers to ensure a cohesive look.

Whatever you choose, discuss equipment at the very first meeting with your florist. The type of container directly influences the style and cost of your arrangements. For a deeper dive, see our guide to wedding table centrepieces, which covers container options in detail.

Out-of-season flowers: is it possible?

"I absolutely want peonies for my November wedding." It is a request we hear regularly. The honest answer: it is possible, but with caveats.

Out-of-season flowers do exist, because the international flower market allows varieties to be imported from the other side of the world. Peonies can come from New Zealand in winter, dahlias from Kenya, ranunculus from Israel. But there is a cost: the price of an out-of-season peony can be 3 to 5 times higher than an in-season one.

Quality may vary. Flowers that have travelled a long way are more fragile, less fragrant and have a shorter vase life. They are also more likely to arrive in poor condition, which creates a risk for the wedding day. A professional florist will always make you aware of these uncertainties.

Our advice: trust the season. Every time of year offers beautiful flowers. Anemones and ranunculus shine in winter weddings. Peonies and garden roses light up spring. Dahlias and zinnias burst forth in summer. Chrysanthemums and berries enrich autumn. For the full picture, see our complete guide to wedding flowers by season.

Cancellation and postponement: what happens?

Nobody likes to think about it, but it is important to understand the terms in case of cancellation or postponement of your wedding.

In case of postponement, the majority of wedding florists — including Blush Floral Designer — show flexibility. If the new date is available, the deposit paid is transferred at no extra charge. The quote may be adjusted if the new date falls in a different season (and therefore involves different flower varieties). This is a situation we have handled many times and treat with full understanding.

In case of outright cancellation, conditions vary by florist and the timing of the cancellation. As a general rule, the 50% deposit is non-refundable if the cancellation occurs less than 3 months before the planned date, because the florist has already incurred costs (equipment orders, staff reservations) and turned down other weddings for that date.

For early cancellations (more than 6 months out), some florists refund part of the deposit or convert it into credit usable for another event. The exact conditions are always detailed in the contract you sign with your florist.

Our advice: read the terms and conditions carefully before signing. Do not hesitate to ask questions about cancellation and postponement clauses. A transparent and professional florist will explain their terms clearly and justify them. At Blush Floral Designer, we include a flexible postponement clause in every contract because we know that life can be unpredictable. For more on the financial side, see our wedding flower budget guide.