*Photo by Erin rae photography - https://www.erinraephotography.com/*

We truly enjoy working with the talented vendors in our industry. Whether they are designing a part of the decor, helping organize a part of the day, or plating delicious food for everyone to enjoy, a wedding day wouldn’t be possible without vendors come together to help bring it to life.

We connected with one of our florist friends, Taylor with Hosted Hospitality (who is a regular at The Charleston and on our recommended list - https://www.hostedhospitalityevents.com/), to gather helpful tips, trends, and ideas as you interact with your florist during the planning process. Read what she has to say about navigating your floral plans!

Visit Hosted hospitality Here

*Photos by Laci Jane Photography - https://lacijanephotography.com/*

Preparing for a Floral Consultation

Here are three things Taylor recommends a couple can do to prepare for their floral consultation:

1. Gather & Send Inspiration

Collect photos of floral and decor that you're drawn to. Include items like invitation suites, napkin and table cloth selections, wedding party attire, and a picture of your dress (make sure your florist keeps this in your file and not in your wedding design proposal. NO SPOILERS!). This will help give your floral designer a better understanding of your aesthetic preferences to help guide choices for a cohesive design.

2. Determine the Budget

Having a clear idea of their floral budget will allow your florist to provide options that fit your needs and expectations. This upfront transparency sets the stage for a productive meeting and a realistic design vision.

3. Prioritize Elements

Think about which floral elements are most important to you, such as the bridal bouquet, ceremony arch, or reception centerpieces. This helps your florist allocate your budget effectively.

*Photo by rachel Lahlum photography - https://rachellahlum.com/*

Exciting Floral Trends for 2024

One floral trend Taylor is particularly excited about for 2024 is sustainable and locally-sourced blooms. Couples are increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of their wedding flowers and are seeking out eco-friendly options. This could include using in-season flowers, repurposing ceremony decor for the reception, and highlighting locally-grown varieties. She loves picking from our home gardens and foraging, too!

*Photo by Bellagala - https://www.bellagala.com/*

Advice for Choosing Floral and Decor

Taylor’s top piece of advice for couples choosing their wedding flowers and decor is to hire a floral designer you click with and trust! There is nothing more exciting than working with couples that trust the florist to bring their vision to life - it's a process with a lot of emotion. Pick someone who is fun to work with, cool under pressure, and is giving you a clear picture of their process - all great signs you're in good hands!

*Photo by captured glory - https://capturedgloryphotography.com/*

We are so grateful for all of the amazing vendors we work with and hope to bring you many more tips and tricks right from the vendors to help make your wedding planning as seamless as possible.