We recently had the opportunity to interview Laura Little, the genius behind Floramor and she shared some great insight about working with a florist, what to look for, coming color trends and budgeting for flowers and decor. We’ve worked with Floramor for years on some of our biggest weddings, and they do an amazing job. Read below for some really great advice!
Tell us a little bit about you and your business
My husband Stephen and I started Floramor in 1984. We wanted the freedom to love what we do and to hopefully make a living from it. I had come from 7 years of working in a chemical lab environment and I just could not imagine doing that forever. We both had art related background so we took to the floral and event design easily. That was 25 years ago! We are now the florists for both Ritz-Carlton San Francisco and Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay as well as The Four Seasons San Francisco and Millennium Towers. In designing events, we can do as little or as much as our clients need. We can do flowers alone or orchestrate the entire production. I think our clients come back over and over because we really take the time to get to know what they are hoping for and use only the finest materials. Each year we create new designs so that everything we turn out is fresh and new.
What are some upcoming trends that you have seen?
Each year there are a few design elements that really stand out. I think that this year candle light is popular as it always is. Nothing is more romantic than a room filled with candles. This year we have had quite a few brides ask us to decorate the ceiling of their venues with fabric and light while minimizing the table centerpieces. This is a great way to bring the price down while creating a very strong visual image.
Color is popular of course. I am seeing many brides ask for strong and contrasting colored flowers displayed in a simple style. Minimalism with a punch.
Adding touches such as unique seating card displays or favor tables has become even more popular over the last couple of years. It seems that when the economy takes a dip, couples start to think of wonderful touches that they can add to the wedding without adding that expense to the overall budget. We have had couples design and create their own invitations, menus and seating cards.
As far as color trends…black and white with a splash of color is very popular. Orange and green really stands out this summer…a fresh summer look without the fall look that orange normally connotes.
How can brides make the most of their floral budget?
Try to design the ceremony decor to serve as reception decor in some way. Using things twice is a great way to save money.
Donate your flowers following the event using a company such as www.thespeaciale.com. This is a great way to write off some of the expense and really does lift the spirits of the many organizations that get to enjoy the flowers for the week following the wedding.
Do low centerpieces on all of the tables with the exception of the bridal and family tables where you can do the over the top tall ones…..adding the drama at focal points.
What advice do you have for brides just starting to look for florists?
First and foremost do not make the mistake of NOT telling them your budget. When I have a bride say “oh I don’t really know what to spend” I have no guideline as to what to suggest. We do weddings where brides spend $2,000 on flowers and others that spend $100,000 and without guidelines it is hard to guess. If you do not know what your specific floral and decor budget is, figure that about 15% of your overall wedding budget will go to decor. Let your potential florists know the basic number at the start…you can always revise when you get the proposal and modify the design.
Ask your friends and colleagues who is good. Personal recommendations are always trustworthy. Trust your instincts when you meet your potential florists. Make sure they listen to you what you want…and that they do not tell you what you want. Bring lots of color swatches and photos. The names of colors are very subjective….”melon” to one person may be cantaloupe and to another honeydew. “Peacock” can be dark or light. Color swatches are your best guard against misinterpreted colors.
Always ask to see a sample centerpiece the month prior to your wedding so that you are totally sure that the design you picked is perfect.
