2009 Vendor Advice and Trends - Jessica Robinson from Jessica's Country Flowers

Jessica from Jessica's Country Flowers gives brides some great advice when choosing the right florist for their big day! Check out some of her work below or visit her website: Jessica's Country Flowers

Tips and Advice for selecting a florist:

If flowers are high on your priority list you may opt for selecting a wedding floral designer vs. a traditional flower shop. Which means a designer in which will be completely dedicated to designing weddings and special events. A normal everyday shop probably won't give you the much needed attention you deserve.

Select about 3-4 floral designers to interview. You'll want to hire someone that can work within your budget and someone that you connect with. It's a long process with planning a wedding and you need to know that the person you hire will create something you will be completely satisfied with, or give you more than you imagined.

Expect to budget approximately 10-20% of your overall budget for flowers.

Be cautious when selecting your date if flowers are important to you. You will get more for your buck if you don't get married on Mother's day weekend or during a busy holiday season. Don't insist on peonies in August. If peonies are something you want, plan to marry in late May to mid-June.

Choose a color scheme with your florist and maybe a few important blooms. But, try and give your floral designer a little creative freedom.

Ask for a sample bridal bouquet as well as a sample table setting. This way you will view your design prior to the wedding and make any necessary changes or additions.

If you have a limited budget, spend more money at your reception. You have to figure, you're only going to be at the ceremony site for about an hour and spending most of your time at the reception.

Jessica also shares with us some trends happening in the floral design space...

Brides are looking for fresh, creative designs. Our signature "tree" centerpieces have been big for us. We are seeing more monochromatic weddings and color is big. People are looking to have events that people walk away saying "wow! I never saw anything like that!".

Colors that have become hot right now are purple flowers and touches of green along with all white/cream flowers with touches of green. We are utilizing more unique containers and coming up with natural organic table settings.