Arm: A slightly curved bouquet of long-stem flowers, often roses or calla lilies, that are held delicately in the crook of one arm.

Biedermeier: A bouquet consisting of concentric circles of different types of flowers often held together with a ribbon.

Cascading: As the name implies, a cascading bouquet is like a waterfall of flowers. Most cascades begin in a round cluster and descend to a point. Cascades are voluptuous and are used in formal or traditional weddings. Because they are so big, however, they can overwhelm a petite bride.

Hand-tied: Often thought of as the classic hand-held bouquet. The stems of the flowers are cut to the same length, and are often wrapped together with a thick ribbon for easy handling.

Nosegay: A smaller version of the ribbon-tied bouquet, often given to bridesmaids. The classic nosegay consists of many different types of flowers loosely assembled as if “just picked” from the garden.

Round: This style is created by making sure the tops of the flowers, often all the same type or color, are placed evenly in a dome shape.

1. Specific Flower Names. Make sure your florist includes the specific names of the flowers he or she will use. Flower breeding is an ancient tradition and there are hundreds of varieties of common types of flowers like roses. Because they can look so different it is important to be as specific as possible.

2. Color Preferences. If you have strong color preferences, these should be included in the contract as well. However, be aware that being natural often means taking what Nature provides! When I was planning my wedding, my friend Shoshi sent me story from CNN[footnote: Bride sues over flower color, October 16, 2007], about a bride who sued her florist for $400,000 when the florist “substituted pastel pink and green hydrangeas for the dark rust and green ones she had specified.” Hello Bridezilla.
If you have a very particular color scheme, make sure to give your florist pictures or fabric swatches along with acceptable substitutes should your desired flowers not be readily available on your wedding day. Some flowers, like hydrangeas, are very susceptible to changes in temperature and rainfall and their color can vary wildly as a result. If the bride above had wanted guaranteed burgundy, she should have opted for dahlias or nicotiana instead.

3. Ratios of flowers. Make sure the florist has a good understanding of your vision. It is wise to attach pictures of what you have in mind to the contract if you can. My sister-in-law wanted hydrangeas and roses in her bouquet and was extremely disappointed when the florist handed her a bouquet made up of 90% of hydrangea with a few roses tucked in —she had imagined a very different look but by then it was too late. Creating sample bouquets and taking pictures is another way to help your florist understand your taste and preferences.

4. List of Rentals. Most florists can provide vases, lights, candles and candleholders, and linens. Be sure you know exactly what is included in the price and what is not.

5. Labor Fees. The contract should break down the total cost by type of fee. This will allow you negotiate price more accurately if you make substitutions, or provide your own labor or materials.

6. Breakdown Duties. A list of duties should also be included. You want to make sure the florist will set up and clean up the arrangements, or he or she should give you a break on the price.

7. Date, Place, and Time of Delivery. This seems like a no-brainer but you would be amazed. A friend’s florist announced that she would drop off the large and heavy arrangements at a delivery area in the back of the reception hall for someone else (who exactly?) to place on the tables and bar area. As you can imagine my friend was not at all happy with this plan. Make sure your contract includes set up if you do not want to have to do it yourself.

8. Rain Plan. If your plans are going to be different depending on the weather, make sure the florist knows and signs off well in advance. Also think about how the florist will find out which location is going to be used, and know where the flowers go at each venue.

9. Cancellation Policy. If the wedding gets cancelled for any reason, or if the florist goes out of business, what happens? You do not want to get stuck trying to put the flowers together for your wedding at the last moment.

10. Payment Schedule. Because the florist will need to buy or rent at least some of the materials ahead of time, it is appropriate to pay 75-85% of the money owed before the wedding. My father, an experienced businessman, recommends never paying anything in full until the goods are actually delivered. It is important to have leverage/incentive for contractors to finish the job – and to do it well. This does not mean you should withhold payment, but you can and should negotiate a contract that saves a percentage for a final “day-of” payment