Flowers - Don't be lazy

There was an article in the Daily Mail today to say that Marks and Spencer will be doing wedding bouquets and others for a saving of £200. My flowers didn't cost £200 in total. I went to a local supplier who was recommended to me by the company I booked my wedding car with.

Simply Flower were wonderful. Maria did a fantastic job, she took my initial ideas, looked at my scrap book and ran with it. I knew I wanted gerberas and for them to be surrounded by large leaves. Maria suggested bright colours because of the colour of my bridesmaid dresses vibrant blue) and that it would be a joy to work with colour for a change ivory does look classic but it is a bit dull to work with over and over again. She sat silent for a few minutes worked out in her mind what she would like to do based on my brief. SHe came back to life and showed me a sketch. I was blown away by her imagination and creativity and added some touches I didnt know was possible. Then we moved on to the button holes for the men. These were on the same theme as my bouquet so these were very simple. Then we came to the mothers coursages. My mum wanted something different entirely. Maria was able to fine something perfect as well as advised on how to fit it to her jacket without pins.

Maria arrived exactly when she said she would on the day. She gave my mum some instructions on how to deal with the flowers and left us in peace to work on the table arrangements at the hotel. I came downstairs in full dress and got my first glimps of the beautiful flowers. I was astonished, they were more beautiful than I thought they would be and smelled wonderful. They were a statement.

When we got to the hotel I looked around the room and she had done a lovely job in setting the table decorations. Again they were exactly as I had pictured. When we had the bridesmaids dresses taken up I gave the leftovers to Maria and she used them to mind the flowers together, keeping everything all together. Maria even went the extra mile and set out our wedding favours on the tables. She didn't have to do this, she said it was all part of the service.

Maria was initially a one woman business but now she has a contract for at least 3 local hotels and does many large table displays as well as many weddings through out the year.

I doubt Marks and Spencer will offer a personal service like that. You will get the same flowers anyone else will get like their cakes, yes they are cheaper than some cake shops, but do some research and look for local people. Keep the local businesses alive. You might find they are cheaper and can offer so much more of a service.