Flowers are such an important part of a wedding. They add beauty, romance, and can create mood. Tropical flowers for a modern wedding, all white flowers for an elegant wedding, mismatched vases full of favorites for an informal event. That’s why it is so important to choose the right florist. Having the flowers arrive on the big day and be damaged, droopy, or even in the wrong color, can ruin everything. Below are some tips on how to shop for one.

Ask your friends. A good referral is the best way to go. But remember to get one from someone you know, not from a source that may get perks or money for referrals. If you have recently attended a wedding where you loved the floral arrangements, contact the bride and ask who she hired. At the very least she might be able to tell you which businesses to stay away from and save you some time.

Check out their portfolio. In the absence of a referral, your next best strategy is to look at their portfolio. See if they have any experience with wedding flowers. See how many of the arrangements you like versus ones you do not like. If they had to toss together your wedding flowers from what they had in the shop, would they make something amazing? If you are not absolutely confident in what they produce, move on.

Think of the distance. Flowers are delicate. They do not hold up well in excessive heat, and they are easily bruised or broken if handled badly. Flowers must be kept cool and delivered immediately. The longer it takes your flowers to get to the venue, the more chance there is that they will not be at their freshest.

Prepare for disaster. What is something terrible happened the day of your wedding, such as the delivery truck breaking down or vases breaking during set-up? How would they handle it? These are important questions, and you should make sure any prospective florist has answers. Make a list of all the possible things that could go wrong and then ask what kind of back-up plan they have in place for such eventualities.

Consider a wedding specialist. Some floral designers do weddings exclusively. If you have any complicated logistics, like taking the flowers from the ceremony to the reception hall, look for someone who is accustomed to organizing those situations. A specialized wedding expert will have the knowledge and likely the right number of staff members to make everything go smoothly.

Get quotes in writing. This is a simple little step, but very valuable when comparison shopping. Not only can you look at all the prices side-by-side, but you can hold them to it if they try to raise a price on something they quoted.

Looking for the right florist can take bit of extra effort, but it is well worth it. Do not rush through it and hire one of the first ones you meet with. With just a little extra preparation, you can make certain you get the wedding flowers you always wanted.

Your closest florist can be on the corner or on a web page. A flower shop offering the widest possible selection always provides you with a fresh and beautiful floral arrangement.