Here in Chicago, you can throw a stone in any direction and hit ten wedding florists, many of whom will describe themselves as a luxury event florist. It’s certianly a unique industry with a relatively low “barrier to entry”. There is no license required. No official certification. So in a way, I get it. But also, what a frustrating experience it must be for a newly engaged couple, searching for a qualified event florist among a sea of options all claiming to service the “luxury market”.
Fortunately, qualified wedding planners should be educated enough to steer their clients in the right direction based on the couple’s budget and style. But as more and more couples are investing larger amounts of money into their wedding celebrations, it begs the question, what should you expect from a Luxury Wedding Florist?
If you are truly looking for a luxury experience, I would expect the following:
- Timely Communication and Attention – If your point of contact is not super responsive when you are asking them for a proposal, you can only imagine how unresponsive they are going to be once you have given them your money. One of the Life In Bloom values is “exceptional customer service”. Nothing turns us off more than dealing with a big company where you feel like a number getting passed through multiple channels and layers just to get a simple answer or make a quick update to your design.
- Listening – There is nothing luxurious about a designer who confused YOUR vision for THEIR vision. It is, of course, our job as event designers to listen and understand your vision and to educate you and present you with options but it is our job to follow your lead. Never the other way around. This is your day. Not ours. We hear you.
- Horticultural Expertise – As mentioned before, it amazes me how many “florists” have no degree in horticulture or floristry and lack a basic understanding of proper treatment of flowers. You can see it in the final product. All of the great design in the world won’t do you any good if you deliver dead flowers on the day of the event. If the owner doesn’t have a degree in horticulture or a related field, your lead designer or studio manager sure better. With a horticulture degree from The University of Illinois, our owner lives and breathes flowers and our knowledge in best practices and floral seasonal availability is rivaled by none.
- Keep it FRESH – If your “florist” wants to suggest faux floral product out of the gate. Run the other way. There is, of course, a time and a place for preserved or faux product, for instance, when you are designing a ceiling installation that needs to be designed/raised hours, or days before your event. But a luxury florist should NEVER propose faux floral on your tablescape or really in any piece that a guest can touch or feel. Afterall, there is nothing rare, scarce, or LUXURIOUS about throwing faux florals everywhere.
- An Exceptional Transformation – If you don’t walk into the room or venue on your wedding day, and gasp, we don’t feel we’ve done our job. We aim to transform and that is why you have come to us in the first place vs. going to a retail florist. See below some of the beautiful creations our team has created for others. And just imagine what we could create for you…
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