Student florist - Good or bad?

Hadley1

Hi

I have found an article about a local college/university which does flowers for weddings. They have recently one some major prize at a horticultural show and look quite impressive. I am yet to contact them - they don't have much info on the university web site so was going to email them. Not really sure what to ask though, as really want to see some examples of their work, perhaps some testimonials, so I can get a feel for them. would that be cheeky do you think?

They have a florist shop on site and I believe that is where you go to discuss weddings.

i would love to use them (if they are good), as not only hopefully it will be cheaper than a florist but also so I can support some new talent.

So has anyone used a student florist and would you recommend it? Also any ideas on prices etc gratefully received. Apologises for the length of this post.:o

trying_2_b_good

I would definitely go and speak to them - get a quote and compare to florists. Ask how much help they get from tutors - will they oversee the project, or is it just students doing it on their own to earn a bit of extra cash? have they done any real weddings before, and can you see the pictures? So the examples you see are not just coursework (which is a different experience as different type of pressure and time etc).

I had asked a student but she bottled it in the end - so make sure you speak to the actual person who's doing it and check that assistance can be got if needed. Worth pointing out that the person I asked was a family friend and hadn't done any weddings, just her coursework.

Hadley1

Thanks so much for the reply...

Think I will email at lunch time and see what they come back with.

I was hoping that it would be something that is supported by tutors rather than as you say a student just doing it off their own back.

eleanora_

Sounds interesting... Which uni is it?

Hadley1

Canterbury Christ Church university... which reminds me to email them now.

Hadley1

I have just emailed them....and asked a couple of questions. Hopefully I will hear back from them soon.

Scotsbride

you could ask for a mock up of you boquet and go from there

jenhug

what you need to bear in mind is that you don't need a qualification to open and call yourself a florist, but at the college the students will be over seen by a qualified professional.

I'm a florist, and i've seen some shocking flowers by people that think they can "do" flowers. we have had brides on the phone in tears an hour before the wedding because their flowers were dead/damaged not what they asked for by these people that "do" flowers.

Research several florists, be clear about what you want and expect. Ask to see photos of their work rather than pictures from a magazine.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Hadley1

Thanks for that Jenhug.

very useful advice.

I love the idea of using students. I'll (hopefully) save some money, they get experience and I am hoping that I may get some unsual/different ideas instead of the same old same old.

I'll let everyone know when they come back to me.

Kittendreich

Slightly different by I got my wedding flowers from the local council! Again they ran an in-house florist and it was much cheaper than a commercial florist. My cousin has just booked them for her wedding and this will be the 4th family wedding that has used them - always fantastic and lasted really well (Glasgow council if it is of any use to anyone)

Using a student on their own is very different to using a florist supported by the college as they will have support of tutors, contacts in the industry, suppliers etc - not someone trying to muddle through on their own for the first time!

AutumnBride85

Why not? My sisters doing my flowers and shes only doing an evening class in floristry at the mo. She made a bridal bouquet in one class and it looked lovely, so she got the job!