The Best Complete Day-Of Wedding Timeline

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[Originally at Complete Wedding-Day Timeline by Kristen O’Gorman Klein]

Photo Credit: Husar Photography

Bride’s hair: One hour. “This gives enough time to get it right and make any tweaks or changes from the trial run,” said hair stylist Kacee Geoffroy.

Bride’s makeup: 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the makeup style the bride selects, according to makeup artist Erica of 10.11 Makeup.

Bridesmaids’ hair: 30 minutes per person.

Bridesmaids’ makeup: 45 minutes per person.

The order: When your hairstylist arrives, have her start on your bridesmaids first. “I prefer to have the bride go last so that when her photographer arrives, they catch those last-minute ‘getting ready’ shots, and the bride looks the freshest,” said Geoffroy.

Instead, the bride should start with makeup. “We like to prep the bride’s face first, let her relax and enjoy the day, and then allow her the last two hours of time for final styling,” said Erica. “But it depends on the bride’s preference as well. Regardless, with proper makeup application, her look will last.”

When should the photographer arrive? One hour before the bride is ready to go. “It’s generally best to arrive during the bride’s hair and makeup. The latter portion of the hair and makeup styling, when the bride is closer to being finished, makes for more flattering photos,” said photographer Suzy Clement. This also gives your photographer plenty of time to capture the details — gown, shoes, jewelry, etc. — in addition to the hustle and bustle of the room and the often emotional interactions between the bride and her bridesmaids and relatives,” said Clement.

If you have more than yourself plus four getting hair done, ask your stylist to bring an assistant to cut down on time. For makeup, add an assistant after yourself plus two.

If you’re traveling to a salon, double the travel time you anticipate — better to have too much time than not enough, advises Geoffroy.

Put on your veil after the dress. Consider asking your stylist to stick around until then to make sure your veil is secure.

Pre-ceremony photos of the bride with her family and attendants/groom with his family and attendants: Two to three minutes per shot; more if the groups are very large, and less if they are very small. “You must also consider how punctual the groups tend to be and possibly cushion the schedule to allow for unexpected delays,” said Clement.

First look: 15–30 minutes.

Photo Credit: Susan Jackson Photography

Groom and groomsmen arrive: An hour and a half before the ceremony.

Bride and bridesmaids arrive: An hour* before the ceremony. “We want to make sure you are hidden before your guests arrive, so they don’t get an early peek at your gown!” said wedding planner Erin McLean of Erin McLean Events.

*If the bride won’t be taking photos at the church prior to the ceremony, then she can arrive moments before walking down the aisle and wait in the limo until it’s time.

Ideal ceremony length: 30 minutes. “It’s enough time to have meaningful readings and music to make your ceremony unique and memorable,” said McLean.

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For more timeline tips, the rest of the list is at https://www.bridalguide.com/planning/wedding-planning-basics/complete-wedding-day-timeline or take a look at Raleigh’s Best DJs

Timeline questions are some of the most common questions I get in this line of work. And this is definitely a solid timeline. You want there to be enough space between ceremony and reception events that there’s some breathing room, but not so much that people are standing around awkwardly. But there also has to be a balance. Rigidly adhering to down-to-the-second timeline is also not great. So there’s a delicate balance that has to be struck, and this a very very good example of that balance. 

What Made This Wedding Truly Memorable

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[Originally at What Made This the Greatest Wedding of My Life by Isaac Huss]

PC: Elissa Voss Photography

My friends Marcellino and Augusta were married in May on a ranch in spotty-cell-phone-coverage country in the north of Texas, and it was like no other wedding I’ve been to. And I’ve been to a few weddings in my day.

I’m not the type, however, to get too caught up in scrutinizing every last detail about a wedding. I’m going to have fun, support the couple, and have more fun, and not necessarily in that order. If the couple wanted judgment from their wedding guests, they’d just invite more family members. Juuuust kidding. Kind of.

That being said, I notice when a wedding is done right. That can mean all sorts of different things of course, very few of which necessarily involve spending all that much money, mind you. And sometimes it’s hard to describe. But you’ll typically know it when you see it.

Lino and Augusta’s wedding? You could tell from a mile away it was going to be legendary.

Their wedding was probably the most unconventional wedding I’ve ever been to, and it was without doubt the greatest wedding I’ve ever been to (with apologies to my brother, sister, and everybody else). Here’s why.

I was pumped to go for all sorts of different reasons. One of which was I knew there’d be a ton of cool contemporaries of mine — and most of whom I’d never met before. That’s a bit intimidating of course, but this group is a fascinating combination of talented artists, entrepreneurs, and generally fun, smart, and interesting people. Or, in the case of Marcellino and Augusta, all of the above.

It was exciting to know I’d be meeting all these different people — and I was sure to meet them. You see, I’m not sure Marcellino and Augusta have any acquaintances. They have relationships. So I was pretty sure there wouldn’t be much small talk going on. I was right — as soon as I stepped on campus at the Lone Oak Retreat Center, I made friends.

And by “retreat center,” they mean ranch. Yes, the entirety of the wedding festivities — save for the ceremony held at a local country church — was held on a sprawling ranch. I had a bunk house waiting for me somewhere in the dark when I arrived on Friday around 9 p.m. But before I was to retire for the night, I (what else?) made some friends, and passed around some craft beer and bourbon.

But before bed, there was a surprise (to me, at least) on the agenda.

We were summoned for — wait for it — night prayer. I was exhausted after an early-morning flight, an extended layover in Denver, some pesky work in between, and the two-hour drive in Friday night Dallas traffic out to the ranch. And I wasn’t the only one feeling tired.

But there we all were, gathered in prayer as Marcellino and his twin brother Anthony played guitars and sang praise songs while the rest of us sang and prayed along. I didn’t know most of the words, but it didn’t matter. I just sat in the back and took in the opportunity for peace, clarity, and focus on God. Not insignificantly, I also gained insight into this engaged couple’s love for each other, and where that love came from.

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If you want to read more, the original article is at https://grottonetwork.com/navigate-life/relationships/best-wedding-ever/, or you can see more cool wedding write-ups on our blog.

No matter what background, tradition, or cultural heritage a couple hails from, it’s awesome to see them passionate about it. It’s always awesome too when a couples put a lot of themselves into both the ceremony and reception. When a wedding is personalized with beliefs and traditions that a couple hugely respects, it shows. And this is a cool write-up of a wedding that embodied their closely held beliefs. And it definitely showed. 

Neil Diamond and a Charlotte Mansion

Read the original post: Neil Diamond and a Charlotte Mansion from Dow Oak Events DJs or read it below.

A Mansion in Gastonia

We’ve been to a lot of venues in Gastonia. We’ve even been to a lot of venues in North Carolina. But after we went to Separk Mansion we knew we had to write our next blog about it. And due to all our traveling, you can believe us when we say: this one was worth writing about. Gastonia is just outside Charlotte, which is one of our favorite cities in NC. That Piedmont aesthetic really can’t be beat. And, truth be told, we have kind of a soft spot for Gastonia in general.

When we first showed up at Separk Mansion, we knew immediately it was gonna be a good night. The way everything came together was absolutely a sight to see.

Just 20 minutes outside of Charlotte, in Gastonia, is a Progressive Era mansion built by a textile mogul. That statement by itself doesn't turn many heads. But this renovated mansion has since become one of Charlotte's best wedding venues.

This wedding was our second trip to the Separk Mansion, and every time we go, we're always blown away. Charlotte, NC has many, many great wedding and reception venues. It's only a quick trip down the highway from our home base in Greensboro, so we're there a good bit. But visiting the Separk Mansion is always a treat.

It’s hard to overstate just how many different venues and receptions we’ve seen and hosted. As traveling wedding DJs, it’s our job to create custom celebrations all over the Carolinas. There was something unique about this one though.

Right when you walk in, you're received in an opening ballroom, original hardwoods, and crystal chandeliers. It definitely makes for one of the classiest indoor reception spaces we've seen. But one of the cooler things about the mansion is its ability to be both indoor and outdoor. Few wedding venues we've seen offer the option for an entirely indoor or an entirely outdoor wedding.

Every person at Dow Oak we spoke with was so helpful and kind (Erik, Henry, Kam) ... the questionnaires before the wedding day are so specific and guided it helped make sure we weren't missing anything or hadn't completely forgotten about something we wanted. Kam was our DJ at the wedding and I cannot say enough wonderful things. She made things go so smoothly and her communication was excellent. (Plus she saves me from a hair disaster when removing my veil! LOL)

Neil Diamond and Cali Swag

There are many factors that go into creating a unique wedding. And in our travels through North Carolina, we’ve seen too many great weddings to count. But what really makes any Gastonia wedding great is the vibe.

And as professional wedding DJs, cultivating the vibe is our specialty.

Something we've said a couple of times before is that when it's right it's right. People often ask if they've picked the right songs. And that's a tricky question. What's right for one couple may not be right for another. But when you know the music you want, we always tell couples to go with that. When it's right, it's right!

Mollie and Jason definitely had some awesome tastes.

We had a dance party featuring everything from Neil Diamond to Journey and Neil Diamond and Cali Swag. And as DJs, that’s always something we appreciate.

Our skillset is in music in general. Occasionally folks ask us if we can do a particular kind of music or genre, and our answer is always a resounding yes. If it’s the music our couple wants, then it’s the music they’ll get.

And it’s always the best when that translates onto the dance floor. What makes for the best reception throw-downs is a wide variety of music. That’s also what keeps the dancing crowd on their toes.

We could go on and on about Mollie and Jason and their celebration at Separk Mansion in Gastonia, NC. But for now we’ll just stick to saying that we had an amazing time. We’re always grateful to be able to be a part of anyone’s big day. That’s why we got into this business. Being able to craft custom Charlotte celebrations is something we’ll never get tired of. We can’t wait to come back to Gastonia!

Final Thoughts

And as a final note, we just need to say… We absolutely love what we do. Being a part of the unique and personal ways couples celebrate is why we do it. And we loved being a part of this celebration. It’s always awesome to see how couples choose to celebrate.

In conclusion, we’ve learned that being a wedding DJ isn’t just about playing the music. So we take our role seriously. Facilitating such a big day is a serious job! That’s why we always give every wedding or event our all.

Live Jazz and Cool Vibes in Cleveland, NC

Read the original post: Live Jazz and Cool Vibes in Cleveland, NC from Raleigh’s Favorite DJ or read it below.

Great Places and Green Spaces

We’ve been to a lot of venues in Cleveland. We’ve even been to a lot of venues in North Carolina. But after we went to The Arbors Events we knew we had to write our next blog about it. And due to all our traveling, you can believe us when we say: this one was worth writing about. Cleveland is just outside Charlotte, which is one of our favorite cities in NC. That Piedmont aesthetic really can’t be beat. And, truth be told, we have kind of a soft spot for Cleveland in general.

When we first showed up at The Arbors Events, we knew immediately it was gonna be a good night. The way everything came together was absolutely a sight to see.

We've been to the Arbors a few times. Though Cleveland, NC is a small town, it's definitely in an awesome central location. Only 40ish minutes from Charlotte and a little more than an hour from Greensboro, it definitely isn't too far out of the way. And having a lot of open spaces makes for great rustic wedding venues.

The Arbors absolutely has that rustic aesthetic down to a tee. We learned the whole estate is a 100+ acre tree farm. Meaning it really captures that country-wedding aesthetic. But the pavilion space itself feels more like a classy cabin in the woods than just a barn.

It’s hard to overstate just how many different venues and receptions we’ve seen and hosted. As traveling wedding DJs, it’s our job to create custom celebrations all over the Carolinas. There was something unique about this one though.

The dark wood and stone complement the setting perfectly. And with the pavilion and the main venue situated on a lake and surrounded by trees and green spaces, it's hard to find a better vibe.

We had Graham as our wedding DJ! He did a fabulous job! Awesome personality and did everything we had asked! Would definitely recommend!!

Live Jazz, Anyone?

There are many factors that go into creating a unique wedding. And in our travels through North Carolina, we’ve seen too many great weddings to count. But what really makes any Cleveland wedding great is the vibe.

And as professional wedding DJs, cultivating the vibe is our specialty.

Our scheduled start time was after cocktail hour. Which we were initially a little confused about. But then we learned that cocktail hour would actually be covered by a live jazz band. We were stoked. And after hearing them play, we were sure it was the right call. Though we are able to play jazz, there's nothing like a live jazz band.

Sarah and Davis definitely had some awesome tastes.

We had a dance party featuring everything from AC/DC to Righteous Brothers and Live Jazz, Anyone?. And as DJs, that’s always something we appreciate.

Our skillset is in music in general. Occasionally folks ask us if we can do a particular kind of music or genre, and our answer is always a resounding yes. If it’s the music our couple wants, then it’s the music they’ll get.

And it’s always the best when that translates onto the dance floor. What makes for the best reception throw-downs is a wide variety of music. That’s also what keeps the dancing crowd on their toes.

We could go on and on about Sarah and Davis and their celebration at The Arbors Events in Cleveland, NC. But for now we’ll just stick to saying that we had an amazing time. We’re always grateful to be able to be a part of anyone’s big day. That’s why we got into this business. Being able to craft custom Charlotte celebrations is something we’ll never get tired of. We can’t wait to come back to Cleveland!

Final Thoughts

And as a final note, we just need to say… We absolutely love what we do. Being a part of the unique and personal ways couples celebrate is why we do it. And we loved being a part of this celebration. It’s always awesome to see how couples choose to celebrate.

In conclusion, we’ve learned that being a wedding DJ isn’t just about playing the music. So we take our role seriously. Facilitating such a big day is a serious job! That’s why we always give every wedding or event our all.

20 Tips to Have the Absolute Best Wedding Ever

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[Originally at 20 Ways to Throw the Best Wedding Ever by Gabriella Rello]

Ultimately, your wedding day is about celebrating the love between you and the person you’re about to marry. But there’s another goal at hand: Throwing one seriously epic party that your guests will talk about for years to come. But how do you make your big day stand out among the throngs of weddings your family and friends have attended in the past? 

Ahead, 20 sure-fire tips that will leave your guests impressed. Including even just a handful of these standout ideas will turn your wedding day into an event to remember.

1. Keep Your Ceremony Brief

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LEAH

Don’t get us wrong, your friends and family are there to see you get married — but no one wants to watch a drawn-out ceremony. Keep the actual proceedings (not including entrances and exits) around 20 minutes so you won’t lose anyone’s attention.

2. Choose a Personalized Program

COCO TRAN PHOTOGRAPHY

While we’re on the topic of the ceremony, don’t forget about creating a wedding program. By personalizing this piece of stationery with interesting details about you and your partner, a breakdown of the ceremony’s proceedings, and any important information they should know (like a translation of traditional vows or a note to let guests know not to take photos), you’ll capture their attention and get all of those key details across. Plus, it will keep them busy if the event runs a little late.

3. Use a Wedding App or Hashtag

SESSION NINE PHOTOGRAPHERS

There are many great wedding apps to choose from. Some interactive ones allow guests to upload wedding photos to one curated place, while others keep your friends and family up to date on any wedding-related news. Want something even easier? Create a clever hashtag and ask guests to tag all of their photos using it.

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The rest of these awesome and very practical tips are at https://www.brides.com/gallery/tips-for-planning-the-best-wedding, or you can read more cool wedding stuff at https://www.dowoakevents.com

There’s so much that goes into planning and carrying out weddings it’s crazy. And it’s so easy for it all just to go by in a blur. One of the most common things I hear from couples it that “it went by so fast.” Sooo with that in mind, it’s typically helpful to go into your reception with a game plan. Or even just a small list of “to do’s.” This is an example of a very helpful to do list (many actually aren’t super practical in reality). 

Stepping Back in Time

Read the original post: Stepping Back in Time from Greensboro’s Best DJ Services or read it below.

Historic Wedding Venues

We’ve been to a lot of venues in Wake Forest. We’ve even been to a lot of venues in North Carolina. But after we went to The Sutherland we knew we had to write our next blog about it. And due to all our traveling, you can believe us when we say: this one was worth writing about. Wake Forest is just outside Raleigh, which is one of our favorite cities in NC. That Piedmont aesthetic really can’t be beat. And, truth be told, we have kind of a soft spot for Wake Forest in general.

When we first showed up at The Sutherland, we knew immediately it was gonna be a good night. The way everything came together was absolutely a sight to see.

The Sutherland has a lot of history. Just north of Wake Forest is a house originally built in the 1700s. Surrounded my magnolias and pines, the estate can currently be found on the National Registry of Historic Places.

From our other blogs, it's obvious we're always pleased when a venue has history. Newer venues are also great, but there's something to be said about a wedding in a building that's hundreds of years old. If we were more poetic, we'd say it functions as a nice analogy for marriages withstanding the test of time. But, we're DJs.

It’s hard to overstate just how many different venues and receptions we’ve seen and hosted. As traveling wedding DJs, it’s our job to create custom celebrations all over the Carolinas. There was something unique about this one though.

The way The Sutherland has been restored is honestly amazing. You can tell that it still has the feel of a much older house, but all the polish of a new venue. And out back you can see an old cabin with an (original?) brick chimney. It really does combine the old and the new in a unique way.

We are so happy we decided to go with Dow Oak Event Djs. Not only are they affordable, but they are professional, easy to work with, personable, and very friendly. Our DJ was talented and kept the party going until the very end of the night! We had a great experience and they made our wedding so special.

Traditions Abound

There are many factors that go into creating a unique wedding. And in our travels through North Carolina, we’ve seen too many great weddings to count. But what really makes any Wake Forest wedding great is the vibe.

And as professional wedding DJs, cultivating the vibe is our specialty.

This was the perfect venue for Megan and Jimmy. Their ceremony itself was also steeped in tradition, which went with the venue awesomely.

The ceremony started with our boy Pachelbel, ended with a string rendition of Ode to Joy. And midway through the ceremony, a groomsman sang "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." We knew it would all come together well, but were still blown away by just how well.

Megan and Jimmy definitely had some awesome tastes.

We had a dance party featuring everything from Elvis to James Taylor and Traditions Abound. And as DJs, that’s always something we appreciate.

Our skillset is in music in general. Occasionally folks ask us if we can do a particular kind of music or genre, and our answer is always a resounding yes. If it’s the music our couple wants, then it’s the music they’ll get.

And it’s always the best when that translates onto the dance floor. What makes for the best reception throw-downs is a wide variety of music. That’s also what keeps the dancing crowd on their toes.

We could go on and on about Megan and Jimmy and their celebration at The Sutherland in Wake Forest, NC. But for now we’ll just stick to saying that we had an amazing time. We’re always grateful to be able to be a part of anyone’s big day. That’s why we got into this business. Being able to craft custom Raleigh celebrations is something we’ll never get tired of. We can’t wait to come back to Wake Forest!

Final Thoughts

And as a final note, we just need to say… We absolutely love what we do. Being a part of the unique and personal ways couples celebrate is why we do it. And we loved being a part of this celebration. It’s always awesome to see how couples choose to celebrate.

In conclusion, we’ve learned that being a wedding DJ isn’t just about playing the music. So we take our role seriously. Facilitating such a big day is a serious job! That’s why we always give every wedding or event our all.

A Great Garner Venue

Read the original post: A Great Garner Venue from North Carolina’s Favorite DJs or read it below.

Very Specific Musical Moments

We’ve been to a lot of venues in Garner. We’ve even been to a lot of venues in North Carolina. But after we went to The Rand-Bryan House we knew we had to write our next blog about it. And due to all our traveling, you can believe us when we say: this one was worth writing about. Garner is just outside Raleigh, which is one of our favorite cities in NC. That Piedmont aesthetic really can’t be beat. And, truth be told, we have kind of a soft spot for Garner in general.

When we first showed up at The Rand-Bryan House, we knew immediately it was gonna be a good night. The way everything came together was absolutely a sight to see.

Just off of Lake Benson sits the Rand-Bryan House. Built on acres of farmland, a couple could spend the whole day walking through all the grounds. Unfortunately, we didn't have all day, so we just had to settle for taking it all in.

We also noticed that the Rand-Bryan House is clearly a venue with versatility. And that's something we respect in a venue. Whether it's an indoor or outdoor reception, it seems like they'd be able to accommodate most any preference. But when that tent goes up outside, and guests are dancing under the string-lights, it's hard to say that outside receptions here aren't the way to go.

It’s hard to overstate just how many different venues and receptions we’ve seen and hosted. As traveling wedding DJs, it’s our job to create custom celebrations all over the Carolinas. There was something unique about this one though.

The Rand-Bryan House rapidly became a venue we can't wait to come back to. You can trust us when we say it's a winner... we've seen a lot of venues. But in terms of weddings in Garner or the Raleigh area, this isn't a venue to overlook.

I have personally worked with Dow Oak Events and I knew I had to have them at my own wedding. The ceremony and reception were flawless. Everything transitioned nicely. Erik even went out of his way to make sure I had the exact (cover) song for us to walk down the aisle. They were on time and played all the right songs. Wonderful job and good company.

A Night To Remember

There are many factors that go into creating a unique wedding. And in our travels through North Carolina, we’ve seen too many great weddings to count. But what really makes any Garner wedding great is the vibe.

And as professional wedding DJs, cultivating the vibe is our specialty.

Sometimes couples choose songs. Sometimes couples design playlists. But every once in a while, we encounter couples who want to create whole musical moments. And this was one of those times.

From a ceremony that ended with Marvin Gaye to a bridal party introduction to Michael Jackson, you could tell that Lee and Sarah had put thought into their selections. And the songs fit perfectly with the events of the night and created truly musical moments.

Sarah and Lee definitely had some awesome tastes.

We had a dance party featuring everything from Missy Elliott to Outkast and A Night To Remember. And as DJs, that’s always something we appreciate.

Our skillset is in music in general. Occasionally folks ask us if we can do a particular kind of music or genre, and our answer is always a resounding yes. If it’s the music our couple wants, then it’s the music they’ll get.

And it’s always the best when that translates onto the dance floor. What makes for the best reception throw-downs is a wide variety of music. That’s also what keeps the dancing crowd on their toes.

We could go on and on about Sarah and Lee and their celebration at The Rand-Bryan House in Garner, NC. But for now we’ll just stick to saying that we had an amazing time. We’re always grateful to be able to be a part of anyone’s big day. That’s why we got into this business. Being able to craft custom Raleigh celebrations is something we’ll never get tired of. We can’t wait to come back to Garner!

Final Thoughts

And as a final note, we just need to say… We absolutely love what we do. Being a part of the unique and personal ways couples celebrate is why we do it. And we loved being a part of this celebration. It’s always awesome to see how couples choose to celebrate.

In conclusion, we’ve learned that being a wedding DJ isn’t just about playing the music. So we take our role seriously. Facilitating such a big day is a serious job! That’s why we always give every wedding or event our all.

Five Things to Know Before Hiring a Wedding Florist

Read the original post: Five Things to Know Before Hiring a Wedding Florist from Charlotte’s Favorite DJ or read it below.

[caption id="attachment_6919" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Credit: Becci Ames Photography[/caption]

 

Imagining Your Dream Wedding

When you imagine your dream wedding, what comes to mind? Standing in front of family and friends saying “I do,” your first dance as a married couple, or maybe even dashing joyfully through a tunnel of sparklers at the end of the night into your getaway car! 

You’ll think back on those special moments for the rest of your life, and you’ll proudly display your fave wedding photos throughout your home. And guess what’s right there, sitting in the background of ALL those photos? Yep. Your flowers! From the blooms at your ceremony to each table arrangement at your reception, your flowers need to withstand the test of time.

As you start planning your wedding, choosing and working with a floral designer should be at the top of your to-do list. Flowers capture you and your partner's personality while setting the overall aesthetic of your big day. This can seem like a daunting task, but if you work with the right florist, your wedding day - and the photos - will turn out better than you could have imagined.

As farmer-florists who specialize in wedding design, we know exactly what you need to look for when hiring a wedding florist. Keep reading for our top five ways to find the perfect design team who will turn all your beautiful inspo pictures into stunning bespoke centerpieces and exquisite floral installations.

 

[caption id="attachment_6920" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Credit: Morgan Caddell Photography[/caption]

 

1. Find a Floral Designer Who *Gets You*

To find a  floral designer who can bring all your dreams to life, start by asking for recommendations from the vendors you’ve already hired.  

Your venue or wedding planner will know which florists are the best of the best in your area, and they can also make recommendations based on who they’ve enjoyed working with in the past. Having a lineup of vendors who work harmoniously together is truly the secret sauce to making the planning experience fun and smooth. When your team is excited to work together, magic happens.

[caption id="attachment_6921" align="alignright" width="300"] Credit: Samantha Floyd Photography[/caption]

And of course, whether you’re aiming for a bohemian glam bash or a sophisticated southern affair, your vendors (as well as any recently married family and friends) can help direct you to florists who understand your overall style! Not sure of your wedding style? No problem! Take our quiz to find out!

This pretty much goes with saying, but be sure to thoroughly check out the Instagram profiles of any recommended floral designers. Does your aesthetic blend with what they’re showcasing? Can you see your dream wedding fitting in? Always be mindful of looking specifically for images of ‘real’ weddings (and not just styled shoots). Designing an entire wedding is much more involved than a styled shoot, and will give you a better idea of the designer’s overall style.

AND shameless plug alert---while you're scrolling through insta, be sure to hop on over to our feed to see if we might be what you’re searching for 😉

 

2. Curate Inspiration (but don’t let it become overwhelming!)

[caption id="attachment_6922" align="alignleft" width="300"] Credit: Blissmore Photography[/caption]

Pinterest and Instagram are GREAT resources for finding examples of what you love. 

But always remember that your wedding is a unique expression of your love, and a good floral designer will create one-of-a-kind florals just for you! So, don’t get too overwhelmed by what’s  online - try to limit yourself to five-ten inspiration photos. While these photos can be a good starting point, your florist should be asking questions about the overall vibe you want to capture on your wedding day.

He or she will want to know about the style of the bridesmaids dresses, ceremony start time, the color of the table linens, etc. We create floral designs based on your story - flowers are truly a reflection of your love and life together! 

 

[caption id="attachment_6925" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Credit: Danell Beede Photography[/caption]

 

3. Know Which Flowers are in Season

[caption id="attachment_6927" align="alignleft" width="200"] Credit: Boonetown Story[/caption]

Set your expectations for seasonality. If you live in the South and have your heart set on a bouquet filled with peonies in August, chances are you’ll be paying a premium to fly them in from Alaska, since peonies are out of season in August in the south. And even if paying a premium for August peonies is in your budget there could be a crop failure the month before your wedding, or the specific color you want might not be available. Florist’s well-versed in seasonality will help you find beautiful, local, and seasonal flowers that will match your style and expectations

At Wild Flora Farm, we grow flowers and design florals specifically for weddings and events. If you’re having a May wedding, you can bet on bouquets full of our peonies. Planning your vows for October? Get ready for the dahlias of your dreams! No matter where you live, make sure you choose a florist who works with local flower farms. That way, you’ll have the freshest, most stunning blooms, and are supporting local agriculture!

 

4. Set a $$$ Expectation

[caption id="attachment_6929" align="alignright" width="200"] Credit: Jenna Goetze of A.J. Dunlap Photography[/caption]

Floral costs depend on a lot of factors, but a good rule of thumb is to set aside 10-20% of your overall wedding budget for florals. Why do flowers cost so much? Because you aren’t just paying for a single stem from your local supermarket. Some factors that add to the cost are:

• Countless hours curating a proposal, growing and ordering top quality flowers, and designing each arrangement
• Premium blooms from top wholesalers that are grown to last 
• A fair wage for all the hard work of flower farmers
• The price per stem depending on what type of flower it is and where it is grown
• Hard-goods such as candles, vases, and various supplies needed for installations and picture-perfect ceremony backdrops
• Labor needed for delivery, set-up, installation, and clean up (yes, we will be there at 1am clearing out the venue so you don’t have to!)

All of these add to a seamless overall experience for you and ensure a flawless and beautiful wedding!

 

[caption id="attachment_6932" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Credit: Jenna Goetze of A.J. Dunlap Photography[/caption]

 

5. Find a Florist Who Specializes in Wedding Design 

[caption id="attachment_6930" align="alignleft" width="200"] Credit: Bow Tie Collaborative[/caption]

We’re wedding florists for a reason! We LOVE what we do. Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, and the floral design should be professionally and flawlessly executed. 

Remember that the wedding planning and floral design process should be an exciting and fun way to express yourself creatively through blooms. Doing your research and setting expectations before hiring a wedding florist is the best way to make sure your wedding is the beautiful, flower-filled event of your dreams! 

 

 

 

 

[caption id="attachment_6933" align="alignright" width="300"] Credit: Morgan Caddell Photography[/caption]

About the Author

This post was written by The Barn of Chapel Hill at Wild Flora Farm. The Barn is a twenty-two acre family flower farm and floral design studio located 12 miles from downtown Chapel Hill, North Carolina. We specialize in cut flowers and honey, floral workshops, and garden-inspired weddings and special events. Learn more on our website and contact us for a tour!