Bridal Guide - Planning Timeline + FAQs
Congratulations on your engagement!
Our Bridal Guide is written with the purpose of giving clients a quick reference guide into the process + answering some of our most frequently asked questions.
The Planning Process
{Inquiry}: Check Availability
This is the very first step! You’ve visited our site + submitted information on the contact form! We will contact you with our date availability using our system called, Honeybook. If the date is available or we need more information, we will send you a brochure/questionnaire to fill out. (Didn’t complete the contact form?—CLICK the Contact Form Here)
{Questionnaire Process}: Give us the info!
When you receive our brochure/questionnaire, select everything you might need for your event + submit. Be as descriptive in the notes + selections as possible so we can create the most accurate quick quote pricing. Once you submit your brochure, our team will create a quick quote proposal within 3-6 days of brochure submission.
{Quick Quote Proposal}: Pricing
The quick quote is based on all of your selected in the brochure. If you have reviewed the quick quote + are ready to move forward with a customized proposal, please let us know. If we do not hear back from you, we will assume that you have made other arrangements. To reserve your date, you may book our services based on the quick quote or wait until a customized proposal is made.
{Consultations + Booking}: Secure your Date!
Phone or in-person consultations may occur prior to or after booking our services. During the consultation, we will discuss every detail from start to finish. We recommend having an initial consultation call to start+ an in-person or additional phone consultation within 4-6 months prior to your event so your vision is more accurate. At your consultation, we will also discuss + style available rentals including structures, vases, candles, cake stands + signage.
To book our services, we require the client to digitally sign the contract + pay a 25% non refundable deposit.
PLEASE NOTE: Consultations are available for Custom Wedding + Events Services ONLY + will be held at our Prairieville location. Consultations exceeding 2 hours will be billed @ $50/hour for all overage. If you have not booked our services + would like a consultation, there with be a $50 consultation fee. If our services are booked, the $50 consultation fee will be applied as a payment to your order.
We do not offer consultations for clients purchasing from our Wedding + Event Collections, but are available for phone calls to answer your questions during our business hours.
Site visits are only available to clients with custom weddings + events who have booked our services.
{Finalizations}: Almost Wedding Time
Approximately six weeks prior to your wedding/event, you will be notified to review your proposal to let us know if any changes need to be made to colors, quantity, style, etc. At this time, you will be given the option to schedule a finalization call + be sent a delivery questionnaire to complete. If you need a consultation, it’s best to schedule it prior to the finalization stage to allow enough time to reserve a consultation date and/or site visit.
{Delivery | Wedding Day}: It’s finally here!
Delivery timelines for your wedding are sent out within 5-7 days prior to your event with all floral + rental details for your event day. All delivery information will be discussed + planned during the finalization stage. Time to enjoy your pretty flowers created just for you!
FAQS
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Sign the contract digitally + submit the 25% non refundable deposit. If these are not received, we cannot reserve your date.
Deposits are non-refundable but are applied to your balance owed.
To see if your date is available fill out our contact form (Here)
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For us to give you the most accurate quote, we need all of the details, but we realize that it the wedding planning process if a work in progress. If you don’t know exactly what you’d like, mention all ideas in the notes section or select it on the brochure.
As the floral planning process continues, we will help guide you into the wedding florals of your dreams! However, we still need basic details to get started.
Check out our wedding galleries for inspiration:
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We recommend booking our services for your event 10-12 months in advance. Popular times of the year such as fall + spring book quickly. We take multiple events per weekend. Our availability completely depends on the size + location of the events.
Fill out our contact form to see if we are available for your event:
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Yes! If you are paying by check please make checks payable to The Floral Cottage Florist & mail it to:
The Floral Cottage Florist
38480 LA-42
Prairieville, LA 70769
In the memo line please include the bride’s name + wedding date.
Checks are processed on Monday + Tuesday so you may not receive receipts or updates until then.
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Yes, we can set up monthly payment drafts from your credit/debit card. If this is a better payment option for you, please let us know during the booking process.
The 25% deposit is still required. This will help spread the cost over time instead of large amounts at once.
The regular payment schedule is:
25% - Non-refundable deposit due upon receipt
25%- Non-refundable 2nd deposit due midway from your event
50%- Final payment due 30 days prior to your event.
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Yes, we offer a 3% discount off the subtotal if you pay with a check or cash + 1.5% for bank transfers.
Discounts are not given for credit/debit card payments.
If you’d like receive the discount, please request it before booking our services.
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Phone or in-person consultations may occur prior to or after booking our services. During the consultation, we will discuss every detail from start to finish. We recommend having an initial consultation call to start+ an in-person or additional phone consultation within 4-6 months prior to your event so your vision is more accurate. At your consultation, we will also discuss + style available rentals including structures, vases, candles, cake stands + signage
PLEASE NOTE: Consultations are available for Custom Wedding + Events Services ONLY + will be held at our Prairieville location. Consultations exceeding 2 hours will be billed @ $50/hour for all overage. If you have not booked our services + would like a consultation, there with be a $50 consultation fee. If our services are booked, the $50 consultation fee will be applied as a payment to your order.
We do not offer consultations for clients purchasing from our Wedding + Event Collections, but are available for phone calls to answer your questions during our business hours.
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We are familiar with most venues so site visits are not necessary unless a floral installation is needed or potentially for new venues.
We encourage clients to take notes + photos for any specific request for us to go over during consultations.
Site visits are only recommended for Tier 3+ services but are available for all tiers with a fee.
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We do not provide mock-ups. Our work is based on the inspiration photos + ideas that our clients share with us. Nothing is exact due to the nature of fresh flowers, but we try to have it as close as possible.
Bridal Portrait bouquets are an excellent way to see a preview of your bouquet before your wedding.
Past wedding Gallery links:
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We allow events to be postponed without penalty with a 30-day notice of the event date.
Rescheduled dates are subject to availability + can not be guaranteed.
With less than 30 days notice the client is responsible for the full amount of their event.
If your event is canceled prior to 30 days, the 50% deposits will not be refunded.
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Yes, we have a large variety of LED + flame candles + are continuously adding to our inventory. We have cake stands + will be adding custom signs to our rental inventory in addition to our large candle selection, vase + ceremony structures.
View our rental options:
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No, we do not hang any items provided by the client or other vendor unless it is being added to our structure. There is a $100 fee to hang any signage or lighting to our structures which includes providing the materials and staff as well as allowing appropriate time to hang these items to our structures. This includes, but is not limited to signs, lighting, and ribbon/bows.
In addition, we do not put out any candles or décor provide by the clients or other vendor.
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As of September 1, 2022 we have restructured our Tiers of Service for Custom Weddings/Events.
To determine your Tier of Service, refer to the subtotal + deduct the set up/handling/delivery fee.
Events booked prior to September 1, 2022 will need to refer to the subtotal + deduct all rental fees + the set up/handling fee + delivery fees to determine the Tier of Service.
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Yes, changes are allowed up to 30 days prior to the event but are requested ~6 weeks prior to the event so that changes can be made before the payment due date.
If you move between tiers, you will only receive the services within the tier.
Minor changes requested within 30 days are subject to our discretion.
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No, the bridal portrait bouquet is a separate order as it is on a separate date from your wedding.
We offer fresh bouquets made as close to your wedding as possible, but it may vary due to seasonal flower availability. Pricing is the same as listed on your wedding order.
We also offer silk bouquet rentals for your bridal portrait sessions. (View our silk rentals here)
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When choosing between a custom wedding/event or our wedding/event collections, it mostly depends on your budget.
Wedding + Event Collections: $300-3000
Custom Weddings + Events: $3000 minimum
If you want a simpler, easy experience, a wedding + event collection may be best for you.
Find more information our Weddings + Events Services here:
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Collections Vs Custom Weddings
Collections are a series of floral designs created specifically for weddings and events including items like bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, centerpieces, cake toppers and more. Our collections are designed to make the planning process easier. Collection minimum is $300.
Custom Weddings + Events are customized floral designs including client consultations and calls, collaboration with other vendors, site visits if needed and access to our complete rental inventory. Custom weddings + events minimum of $3000.
Wedding Terminology
Tear Down:
A team will come “tear down” or remove any remaining florals + rentals after the event is over.
Transfer:
Transferring florals or rentals from one location to a new location in our delivery vehicles. (Example: From your church ceremony to your venue for your reception.)
Flip:
A team will “flip” or move arrangements + rentals that were used in the ceremony to the reception space. The “flip” occurs when the ceremony + reception are located on the same grounds. (Example: Ceremony under live oaks + our team moves your arrangements to the main house for reception.)
Set up:
The staff at The Floral Cottage will set up all floral designs, candles rentals + all other rentals in your ceremony and reception space. This also includes floral cake decorating upon request, floral installation, loose greenery/floral decorating + candle lighting.
Floral Installation:
Customized floral designs for your event space to be added on site. Prices depend on the style and labor involved. (Example: heavy smilax trailing up the handrail of the staircase, chandeliers, large structures, etc.)
Nosegay:
Mini bouquets are usually intended for the mothers of the bride or groom.
Sign of peace Roses:
Single dressed roses to be given to the mothers during the sign of peace portion of a Catholic ceremony. Single roses will also be needed to give to the Blessed Mother during that portion of the Catholic ceremony.
Boutonniere:
A floral decoration, typically a single flower or bud, worn on the lapel of a person’s jacket.
Corsage:
A small cluster of flowers worn on clothing or around the wrist, traditionally worn by mothers and grandmothers of the bride + groom.
Bridal Portrait Bouquet (aka: BPB)-
A bouquet made specifically for a bride to hold during her bridal portrait session . They are a great way to see a sneak peek of wedding day flowers and can be made true to size in fresh flowers or available in our silk bouquet rental collection.
Kissing ball:
Also known as pomander – A round ball with a ribbon handle that flower girls carry down the aisle.
Bridal Bouquet Styles
Photo Credits-
Banner Photo - Breigh Allen
Tasha Rae Photography - Bohemian Round
Natalie S Miller Photography - Garden Boho
Tasha Rae Photography - Cascade (burgundy)
Breigh Anne Photography - Cascade (colorful)
Alexi Lee Photography - Garden Style Round
Katie Figura- Garden Boho Round