When you schedule your first appointments and meetings with vendors, it’s tough to know what to expect and what to come prepared with. We spoke with two fabulous Pittsburgh florists to give you the scoop on how to best be prepared for your initial floral meeting.

Rachel Check of Hepatica:

“Please come prepared with photos (and color swatches, if available) of the Bridal and Attendant dresses. It’s also helpful to bring any photos that may convey the style, color palette, or types of flowers that you are interested in having at your wedding. It’s fine to have these images on a cell phone or tablet, as they can be e-mailed upon request.

Typically, the florist will ask many questions at the initial appointment to get the required information and some will put it into a floral pos system. Brides should ask what to expect following the first appointment regarding contracts, deposits, and any payment structures to be aware of. A bride should also discuss pricing and share any thoughts she may have in regard to her budget.”

Allison McGeary of Allison McGeary Florist:

“When a Bride schedules an initial consultation with Allison McGeary Florist, we recommend they complete our floral information form, which outlines the quantities and color preferences for the personal flowers (ie bouquets, boutonnières, corsages, etc), ceremony flowers and reception decor.

We also recommend bringing pictures of the Bridal and bridesmaids gowns, reception centerpieces that she finds appealing, and any other images or swatches that may give visual cues as to the desired style and overall look for the event. As designers, we love the visual and verbal descriptions because they help us design an event that pulls together the many unique elements that make a wedding such a personal celebration.”

So there you have it! Thank you, Rachel and Allison, for the great advice. We always love the stunning floral creations that they come up with for our clients.