Choose a florist
$bouquet is a thoughtful gift for a housewarming, wedding, corporate dinner or birthday party. A beautiful arrangement creates a happy and celebratory atmosphere and brightens up a room. Getting just the right flower arrangement is the key to your success. A professional florist will know how to make the colors, types of flowers and even scent work for your occasion. If you are purchasing a floral arrangement for an event, ask members of the venue staff for recommendations. They are often familiar with the best florists in the area. Popular florists are usually quite busy year-round, so begin the process right away. In the case of weddings, it’s good to choose a florist early in the process and begin planning your purchase. “It’s really never too early, but we recommend six months before your wedding or event to contact your florist,” said Tom Bynum, co-owner of Flowers & Home, which has locations in Benton and Hot Springs. Family and friends may also have suggestions. Be sure to ask them for their experiences, as well as how much they paid for services. Call each florist to check the business’s availability. If a florist is unavailable, scratch the shop off your list. Also, look for floral arrangements in magazines. Clip out photos of arrangements you like, and put them in a notebook. Note why you like these flowers. “It’s very important to have an idea of what you are wanting,” said Monroe Cranford, co-owner of Flowers & Home. “If you give the florist a good idea of what you are wanting, they will have a better idea of how to design exactly what you would like to have.” Once you have a list of florists who are available, visit their shops and interview them. During the interview, ask if the florist has previously worked at your venue. Each facility has unique rules about what they will allow in the location. If the florist has worked at the venue, that is a big advantage. She will know and can adhere to the rules. “Most florists offer wedding consultations, and some offer rental items for your event, along with setup and delivery,” Bynum said. “Most leave the coordinating and direction of an event to an event planner but work very closely with the event planner.” The majority of florists have a scrapbook of their previous work. Each professional brings a sense of personal style to her arrangements. Be sure to show the florist your notebook. Discuss the arrangements you prefer. Perhaps the florist could produce similar arrangements. If you are holding a large event, the florist might have recommendations about other event professionals. It takes a team to work a large event. A friendly, well-established relationship between your caterer and florist is especially important.