Most couples have never hired a florist before, which makes the first conversation awkward on both sides. You do not know what to ask, and I do not know what you actually care about. Here are the questions I think are worth asking anyone you are considering, including me.
Have You Worked at My Venue Before?
This matters more than people expect. A florist who has worked in your space knows the ceiling heights, the load in access, whether anything can be fixed to the walls, and where the light falls during the ceremony. Someone working there for the first time is solving those problems on the day.
It is not a dealbreaker if the answer is no, but a good florist will tell you they plan to visit the venue beforehand.
What Happens If My Flowers Are Not Available?
Flowers are agricultural. A hot week, a bad crop, or a market shortage can mean the exact variety you planned on is not there. Any florist who guarantees specific stems months out is either overpromising or building in a very expensive buffer.
What you want to hear is how they handle substitutions. Will they call you? Will they substitute on tone and shape and keep the overall look intact? That answer tells you a lot about how the day will go.
Is Delivery, Setup, and Pack Down Included?
These are separate line items for some florists and included for others. It is a common source of surprise costs, particularly pack down, which often happens late at night and sometimes carries a premium.
Ask specifically about both venues if your ceremony and reception are in different places.
What Does the Quote Actually Cover?
Ask for the quote broken down by piece rather than as a single figure. It is much easier to make decisions when you can see that the arch is a third of the budget, and it makes it obvious where you can trim if you need to.
It also protects you from misunderstandings later about what was and was not included.
How Many Weddings Do You Take in a Weekend?
There is no single right answer here, and plenty of excellent florists run multiple weddings well. But it is fair to know, because it affects how much attention your wedding gets and how much flexibility there is if something runs late.
Can I See Work That Is Not Your Best Photo?
Every florist has a portfolio of their strongest images. More useful is asking to see a full wedding, start to finish, including the parts that were not styled for a shoot. It gives you a much more honest picture of consistency.
What Do You Need From Me, and When?
A good florist should be able to tell you exactly what they need and by when, whether that is a final table count, a venue floor plan, or confirmation of your bridal party size. If nobody can tell you that, the planning is likely to become your job by default.
The Question I Wish More People Asked
What would you do if this were your budget? Most couples ask for a quote against a fixed list. Very few ask the florist what they would actually prioritise with that money. It is usually the most useful five minutes of the whole conversation, and it often produces a better result than the original list.
If you'd like to see how this actually works with Ripple Studio, the wedding flowers page has more detail.
