To have a successful first meeting with your florist, you need to prepare ahead of time. Have your budget in hand so you are ready to discuss flowers and design, knowing what you can afford. Bring with your your inspiration pictures and Pinterest boards so you can refer to them during your appointment. Visuals help everyone! Make sure to bring your floral Wish List with you to your first appointment. You can add to it at any time, but it's a good place to start. This list should include all the areas you envision flowers for, including the ceremony, reception, boutonnieres, and more. Know your estimated max guest count, as this directly affects your budget and possibly dictates the number of tables at your reception. Also, think about your aisle length as this will also depends on your guest count to an extent.
While you're at the appointment meeting with your florist, remember to keep an open mind. You may have dreamed of lilies, but they're either out of season or out of your budget. Don't fret; florists are experts in their fields and will be able to present equally stunning alternatives.
And don't forget to report back to your wedding planner how your appointment went. Depending if you've hired a wedding coordinator, planner or designer, their involvement differs in meetings with vendors, but they should always be kept in the loop regarding your decisions, especially since they will be running point with logistics on the day of your wedding and this is vital information to them.
