5 Things To Consider When Choosing Your Wedding Florist
How to Pick a Wedding Florist You Love for Your NJ or Jersey Shore Celebration
When wedding planning begins, one of the most anticipated decisions is choosing the florist who will bring your floral vision to life. Flowers have a unique ability to transform a space, create atmosphere, and express emotion in a way few other décor elements can. Whether a couple prefers something wild and free spirited or something minimal and refined, the right florist can make the wedding day feel truly personal. Because of this, many couples start their search online using phrases like wedding florist near me, best wedding florist in Monmouth County, or wedding florals NJ. Although these searches are helpful, understanding the specific factors that make a florist the right fit will make your decision much easier and far more enjoyable.
At Fleur de Mer, weddings throughout Monmouth County, Asbury Park, Red Bank, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, Long Branch, and the Jersey Shore are designed with a focus on natural beauty, expressive color, and thoughtful detail. Our floral work is rooted in a wild and whimsical garden style, although modern and sculptural designs are created as well when a couple desires something more editorial or clean. To support you in choosing a wedding florist who aligns with your needs, this expanded guide outlines five important considerations — all of which can help ensure you feel confident and supported throughout the process.
1. Your Floral Budget and What It Means for Your Overall Vision
To begin the floral planning process, it is helpful to have an estimated budget range in mind. This floral budget does not need to be exact, but having a starting point allows florists to present realistic recommendations while explaining where certain costs come from. Wedding florals can include personal flowers like bouquets and boutonnieres, reception pieces such as centerpieces and bud vases, and larger installations like arches, aisle décor, hanging structures, or statement arrangements. Because every wedding varies in scale and style, the budget will naturally guide what is possible.
When reviewing your options, it is beneficial to work with a florist who offers transparent pricing and a willingness to walk you through the design impact of each floral choice. A clear explanation helps you understand which elements will create the most visual effect and which ones may be optional. Floral design is both an art and a logistical service, so labor, stem count, flower variety, and installation needs all play a role in pricing.
At Fleur de Mer, proposals are created with clarity so couples feel informed and empowered. When a wild and whimsical garden inspired look is requested, additional texture and movement are incorporated. When a more modern, sculptural style is envisioned, the design may focus more on clean lines, negative space, and intentional focal blooms. By understanding your vision early on, the design can be built around your priorities while still honoring your comfort level financially.
2. A La Carte Florals vs. Full Service Floral Design
Another important consideration is whether your wedding will be best supported by an a la carte floral offering or a full service floral design package. These two options function differently, and choosing the right one will help set accurate expectations from the beginning.
A la carte florals are well suited for intimate weddings, courthouse ceremonies, micro weddings, elopements, rehearsal dinners, and events that do not require delivery, setup, or breakdown. Through this option, couples are able to purchase essential floral items such as bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, or small centerpieces. Because the florals are picked up rather than installed on site, labor costs are significantly reduced. This makes a la carte design a popular choice for smaller but meaningful celebrations.
Full service floral design, on the other hand, is recommended for traditional or larger weddings where ceremony structures, aisle décor, floral arches, focal arrangements, or tablescape elements are needed. With full service design, consultations, mood boards, sourcing, delivery, on site setup, and post event breakdown are all included. This level of service allows for a more cohesive and immersive floral experience, ensuring every detail feels intentional.
Fleur de Mer offers both models to provide flexibility based on your event needs. This approach ensures that couples have access to beautiful floral design whether they are planning a quiet elopement or a full scale wedding weekend.
If you’re looking for a florist who is creative, attentive, and genuinely passionate about making your vision come to life, Fleur de Mer is the one.
Ashley H.
Fleur de Mer Bride
4. The Florist’s Style and Whether It Aligns With Yours
Every florist has a unique design identity, even if they are able to work across varied styles. Because floral design is artistic by nature, it is important to choose a florist whose aesthetic resonates with your desired look. Reviewing a florist’s website, Instagram, or portfolio allows you to see patterns — such as whether they tend to create airy bouquets, structured arrangements, colorful palettes, minimalistic designs, or lush organic compositions.
At Fleur de Mer, the most recognized style is wild and whimsical garden inspired florals. These designs often feature soft movement, layered texture, and blooms that appear naturally gathered. However, many couples request modern and sculptural arrangements for venues that call for a cleaner and more architectural look. These designs are also offered and are created thoughtfully based on the couple’s vision.
By choosing a florist who already gravitates toward your preferred aesthetic, the process becomes smoother. Fewer revisions are needed, and the final outcome feels like a natural extension of both your taste and your venue.
5. Communication, Coordination, and Professionalism
While floral design is creative, it is also highly logistical. Because weddings involve many moving parts, communication plays a vital role in your overall experience. Clear, timely, and consistent communication ensures that expectations are aligned, details are confirmed, and last minute changes are handled appropriately.
Strong coordination with planners, photographers, and venue staff is especially important on the wedding day. Setup windows are often limited, and certain installations may require ladders, additional labor, or specific timing in order to be executed properly. When these elements are managed well, couples are able to enjoy their morning with confidence while vendors coordinate behind the scenes.
Fleur de Mer intentionally limits the number of weddings accepted each season so communication can remain personal, organized, and attentive. This allows each couple to feel cared for and supported from the initial inquiry through the final walkthrough.
Looking for a Wedding Florist in Monmouth County?
If you are planning a wedding in Monmouth County, Asbury Park, Red Bank, Sea Girt, Spring Lake, Long Branch, or anywhere along the Jersey Shore, your floral vision can be beautifully brought to life by a team that understands both design and the local wedding landscape. At Fleur de Mer, wedding florals are created with deep attention to detail and a desire to reflect the energy and atmosphere of your celebration.
Our team designs bridal bouquets, bridesmaid bouquets, wedding centerpieces, ceremony installations, arches, bud vases, aisle décor, sweetheart table florals, and a la carte wedding flower options tailored specifically to your venue and aesthetic. Whether a wild and whimsical garden inspired look is preferred or a modern, airy, sculptural design is envisioned, each arrangement is created with intention and care.
Furthermore, many Monmouth County venues are already familiar to our team, allowing logistics and design planning to be handled smoothly and thoughtfully. As your wedding approaches, guidance will be provided to ensure every floral moment feels cohesive and meaningful.
To get started, you can fill out our wedding inquiry form or reach out to schedule a consultation. This allows us to learn more about your vision, your venue, and the atmosphere you hope to create for your guests.
Your flowers should feel intentional, expressive, and unforgettable. It would be our honor to be part of your celebration.
3. Your Venue and the Florist’s Experience in the Area
Choosing a florist familiar with your venue can be a tremendous advantage. Every venue has its own layout, lighting, restrictions, and opportunities. Installations may require specific rigging points. Outdoor ceremonies may require sturdier blooms that can withstand wind or sun. Indoor ballrooms may benefit from tall arrangements to draw the eye upward. These details are often more seamless when a florist understands the intricacies of the space.
We regularly create floral designs for popular venues such as:
• Park Loft in Oceanport
• The Breakers in Spring Lake
• Parker House in Sea Girt
• Shadowbrook at Shrewsbury
• The Asbury Hotel
• The Watermark
• The Mill Lakeside Manor
• Bonnet Island Estate
• Spring Lake Bath and Tennis
When a florist has worked at a venue multiple times, they are able to recommend floral shapes that complement the architecture, identify the best installation points, and coordinate efficiently with venue staff. Transitions between ceremony and reception spaces can also be handled more quickly, which is especially important when timelines are tight. Because Fleur de Mer regularly designs in many Monmouth County and Jersey Shore venues, couples benefit from a smoother planning process and florals that naturally enhance the environment.