Finding the Florist

When choosing our florist, I tried not to be super specific about every type of flower we use. I know it can help to be a little flexible, especially when you are on a budget. I did my research and I learned that Hydrangeas are in season in October, which is perfect because they are one of my favorite flowers. I also like the classic feel of roses, which happen to be in season, too. Other than the two main flowers, I didn't want to be too picky with the types of flowers. Instead, I took the advice of Nancy Liu Chin of Nancy Liu Chin Designs. She recommends describing characteristics of what you want the flowers to look like. I told the final two florists we were deciding between that I like white, soft, romantic, and classic flowers.

I then created a checklist of the flowers we need. We aren't doing floral centerpieces, so this trimmed the list a bit.

Personal Flowers
- Bridal Bouquet
- 7 Bridesmaid Bouquets
- Groom's Bouttenierre
- 7 Groomsmen and Father's of the Bride and Groom Bouttenierres
- Flower Girl Item
- Corsages or Pins for the Readers
- Items for the Mother's of the Bride and Groom

Ceremony Flowers
- 2 Altar Pieces

Reception Flowers
- Transferring the Ceremony Flowers to the Reception Site
We originally told the florists we weren't doing anything for the ceremony, since we are on a budget, we think the church is beatiful on it's own and they have strict decoration requirements. But Newport Mom loves flowers and felt we needed something. We decided to do statement pieces that will work for the alter and the reception's cocktail area.

Other than giving the florists the two flower types, description words, a list of needs and showing them a few photos, their wasn't much else I conveyed. I didn't show them exact bouquets to make, but I did show inspiration pictures. I feel like it's a creative industry and since you don't tell an artist to copy someone else's painting, I didn't want to tell the florist to copy another's.

The two final florists were given the same information, but one definitely was above the other. I actually really enjoyed the meeting with our first florist. She was extremey nice and was willing to work with all of our ideas. She was little out of our budget, but because we really liked her enthusiasm, I kept her in the running.All photos from The Knot

At our second meeting, we again gave the same information, but the florist explained things I wouldn't have know about my inspiration pictures. He explained why some things may not work, and gave suggesstions of alternatives. I may not have agreed with everything he said (Sister Newport and Newport Mom did...it was things they already told me), but I did respect his honesty and proffessionalism. He did say he would do whatever I like, as I am the client, but wanted to give me a better understanding of things. He also wanted to include florals with our centerpieces. We are doing hurricane vases with candles, sand and starfish, with votives all around. He said he would throw in rose petals to surround our centerpieces to add to the look. So this was an extra perk and we a still are coming in at our budget.

We obviously chose the florist who was more creative , honest and willing to work in our budget!

Did you go to your floral appointments with a specific look in mind? Were you open to suggestions?

Delivery Time

Has anyone else used Costco.com for flowers? They are pretty awesome. I had considered a couple other sites, but ultimately felt comfortable using Costco since I've used them for all my other bulk purchasing needs in life (anyone else Scrapbook? If you use lots of glue sticks, Costco's bulk packs are amazing!). I have also purchased flowers in the Costco stores before and I've always been happy with the purchases. The only draw back is you have to be a member.

Yesterday the flowers came in and not quite how I expected. Newport Mom and Mr. Newport were both home on Friday, which we planned so they could work together and take care of the 100 roses we ordered. We thought it would be a huge ordeal.
Here's Newport dog a.k.a. Sky, or Sky pup, Luke Skywalker, Skyler, Sky sky Cutie pie, you( get the picture) guarding the flowers.

And here is how the flowers arrived, I bet you weren't expecting this box when I said we were getting a 100 flower delivery, yup, I wasn't either. Apparently Mr. Newport and Newport mom weren't either because they took a ton of photos so I would be able to see it and share it all with you.

Looks like they were handled with care.

The quality was good. They recommend having the flowers delivered two days before the event, to allow the flowers time to open up. So a Friday delivery was perfect timing.
Here they are after lots of unwrapping and triming. If you order flowers in bulk, Newport mom recommends having scissors and plenty of buckets filled with water ready. We also picked up 10 Hydrangea bunches from the Boston Flower Exchange.

I can't wait to share what we did with them! stay tuned!

Have you ordered flowers online before? Was it a positive experience? Which website did you go to?

My Floral Favorite

Other than Daffodils there aren't too many specific flowers I really love, other than hydrangeas. I love flowers in general, I think they are all pretty much beautiful, but the only two I tend to really love and favor are daffodils and hydrangeas. I know excalty where my love has come for both.

Daffodils were always planted in my front yard. I grew up picking them and bringing them in for my mom. Then when I went to college and was homesick, I was so comforted the next Spring when daffodils were in bloom all over down town Newport.
Hydrangeas have long been a favorite starting with summers spent on the Cape. Every summer my aunt and my neighbors would rent houses on the Cape. My family always headed north to Maine and New Hampshire, but somehow I'd sneak in to their family vacations on the Cape, too.
We stayed in Dennisport most years and I had never seen hydrangeas in Boston. I only saw them on the Cape. I started to associate hydrangeas with Cape Cod. It happened to be my favorite place growing up. Cape Cod meant friends and fun, every summer. Whenever I see hydrangeas, I have fond memories of our summer trips to Cape Cod.

Cape Cod is some what of an inspiration in our wedding planning. Newport is the main inspiration, but the Jersey Shore and Cape Cod tend to sneak into our inspiration and ideas once in awhile. It is hard not too, when I see certain nautical elements, it brings back memories of our other favorite beach towns.
Picking our focal flower was easy. I had it narrowed down to two options- daffodils or hydrangeas. We went with hydrangeas because they truly match our color scheme and the feel we want for the day. Hydrangeas remind me of Cape Cod, New England, the beach and many other things I love.
All photos from Flowers by Semia's website. Who I am hoping to set up an appointment with! I have seen her work in different publications and she has been recommended by many vendors.

Did you pick your flowers for sentimental reasons or do you just think they are pretty?