How to Find a Napa Wedding Florist that Gets Your Vision (Just 7 Steps)
Manali Anne Photo
Choosing the right Napa wedding florist is crucial to creating the perfect ambiance for your special day. Flowers play a significant role in setting the tone, complementing your design, and adding a touch of natural beauty to your wedding. Whether you envision a garden party or an elegant, modern affair, finding the right Napa wedding florist will bring your floral vision to life (even if you don’t know what your vision is yet). Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you find the perfect wedding florist.
If we haven’t met yet, hi! I’m Lindsey Nickel and I’m a local Sonoma and Napa wedding planner and the owner of Lovely Day Events. Since 2010, I have helped stylish, fun-loving couples (and their dogs) plan destination weddings. Our clients want the ceremony to be outside, the food to be outstanding, and the dance parties to be epic. If this sounds like you, you’re in the right place, so you might want to learn more about our wedding planning services.
Arrowood Photography with EV Floral Design
The 7 Tips for Choosing the Best Napa Wedding Florist for Your Big Day
1. Start with a Vision for Your Wedding Flowers
Before you begin your search, have a clear idea of what you want. Consider the following:
Color Scheme: What are your primary and accent colors?
Style: Do you prefer classic, romantic arrangements, or something more modern and edgy?
Flower Preferences: Are there specific flowers you love or dislike? It’s a good idea to allow your floral designer some creative freedom as well since they are professionals with years of experience.
Budget: How much are you willing to spend on your wedding floral needs?
Creating a vision board with pictures from magazines, Pinterest, or Instagram can help organize your ideas for potential florists.
PRO TIP: Pinterest is an excellent place for collecting your wedding flower ideas and inspiration. Many florists and planners will ask for your Pinterst board so they can get an idea of your style and vision.
Suzanne Karp Photography, flowers by Flower Girl Em
2. Do Your Research
Begin your search by gathering recommendations from various sources:
Ask your wedding planner: Your wedding planner has worked with tons of florists and knows who is low-stress to work with and whose flowers will hold up to the hot summer days of Napa weddings
Preferred vendors list from your venue: Since each venue has it’s own nuances (dining area is in full sun, cocktail hour is very windy, real flames in candles not allowed, florist can only load-in through a specific entrance, etc.), their preferred vendor list is a good place to start because these florists are very familiar with the spaces and nuances of your wedding venue
Social Media: Instagram and Pinterest are great platforms to discover florists and see their work. Instagram is a really good place to see current weddings and behind the scenes on Instagram stories.
Suzanne Karp Photography with EV Floral Design
3. Check Portfolios and Style
Once you have a list of potential florists, review their portfolios. Look for:
Consistency in Quality: Are the arrangements consistently high quality?
Style Match: Does their style align with your vision? Some florists specialize in specific styles (e.g., bohemian, classic, avant-garde).
Experience: If one of your must-haves is an extensive floral display then make sure they have experience in doing something similar to your vision.
Versatility: Can they create a variety of looks and themes?
Suzanne Karp Photography, flowers by Wine Country Flowers
4. Schedule Consultations with Napa Wedding Florists
Narrow down your list to 2-3 florists and schedule consultations. During these meetings:
Things To Have In Mind: It is important to have the following things in mind before you get on a call with any floral designer.
Wedding Date
Wedding Venue
Estimated Guest Count
Other Confirmed Wedding Vendors
Discuss Your Vision: Share your vision board and discuss your ideas for your wedding in detail.
Ask Questions: Inquire about their experience, availability, and how they handle logistics like delivery and setup.
Budget: Be clear about your budget and ask for a rough estimate based on your discussion.
PRO TIP: Ask if the florist has a minimum florist budget that they require
Natura Collective with Gorgeous and Green
5. Review Proposals From Wedding Florists
After consultations, wedding florists will provide proposals outlining their ideas, pricing, and services. Compare these based on:
Design: Which proposal best matches your vision?
Price: Are the costs within your budget? Be mindful of additional fees for delivery, setup, and breakdown.
Professionalism: Consider their responsiveness, organization, and how comfortable you feel working with them.
Who did you click with the most? Working with a florist is a very personal decision because they are helping you bring your design to life. If you don’t have a design vision yet for flowers, they will help you hone in on it.
Note: This is the time to make any changes, or updates, or even schedule a second call to answer any questions before you sign anything.
6. Consider Logistics for Your Sonoma or Napa Wedding Day
Ensure the wedding florist can handle the logistical aspects of your wedding:
Venue Requirements: Check if your venue has any restrictions or requirements regarding florals.
Setup and Breakdown: Confirm who will handle the setup and breakdown of arrangements.
Backup Plan: Ask about their contingency plans in case of unforeseen issues, such as flower availability or delivery delays.
Suzanne Karp Photography - Flowers by EV Floral Design
7. Make a final decision
Review your wedding florist proposals together with your fiance to find the perfect match. Once you're happy with the proposal, it’s time to sign the contract. Before signing, be sure to read every detail carefully—yes, everything. Pay special attention to the payment schedule, delivery terms, weather policy, and cancellation clause. Also, double-check that every arrangement, boutonniere, bridesmaid bouquet and centerpiece you've ordered is clearly listed in the contract.
Conclusion on Finding the Perfect Napa Wedding Florist
Finding the perfect Napa wedding florist takes time and effort, but it’s worth it to ensure your big day looks just as you’ve imagined. By starting with a clear vision, conducting thorough research, and carefully evaluating your options, you’ll find a florist who can bring your wedding floral dreams to life. Remember, the right florist will not only provide beautiful arrangements but also enhance the overall atmosphere of your wedding, making it a day to remember. Happy planning!
