17 things I've learned...

... about being a wedding florist...

1. The bride will have some theme or color scheme in mind before the process starts. Learn what this is. If possible, get a fabric swatch (or photo, or internet link) of the dresses and/or suits.
2. Set seasonal guidelines. Peonies don't bloom in the fall, and Dahlias do not bloom in spring.
3. Help the bride remember details. Will there be flowers at the venue? Where? Do the parents need flowers? Does the officiant? Is there a flower girl or ring bearer? How old are they? Will the bride or her attendants use a flower/flowers in her hair? What about the reception?
4. Discuss budget ahead of time, and stick to it. Even if this is a labor of love, nobody likes expensive surprises.
5. Make detailed lists. How many bouquets? boutonnieres? How many pieces to each?
6. Take the bride to the flower market a couple of weeks before the wedding. It helps if she brings a friend or her mom, to keep her grounded a little - the flower market can be a bit overwhelming!
7. Use this excursion to really learn about the bride. What flowers does she love? Or hate? Is there a must-have quirky detail that she likes? A color that she absolutely does not want? Pro or con on baby's breath?
   
8. Order any must-have, important flowers 2 weeks ahead of time. Use a reliable vendor, and strike a good deal.
9. Do the non-floral work ahead of time: buy ribbon, gather supplies, clean and disinfect buckets, set up a work station.
10. Make sure your clippers and scissors are sharp.
    
11. Get some help. Even if help is mostly there for moral support, that's going to be priceless to you. Plus: it's really hard to wrap a bouquet by yourself. Also, delivery is easier with some help!
12. Learn in advance the couple's wishes for delivery. Where will they be, and at what time? Pin them down on this detail.
13. Get some good rest during the week before the wedding. (You may be working very long hours on the wedding day and the day before!) Eat right, and drink lots of water.
14. Use a silverware caddy to transport the bouquets in small glasses of water.
15. Be early.
16. Bring supplies to the venue: extra ribbon, clippers, towels, flowers, floral wire and glue... be ready for anything to break or fall apart.
17. Relax! They asked you to do the flowers because they like your work. Plus: this is really fun.
    

I've only done two weddings; I am far (very, very far) from an expert, and I have a lot to learn! Still, some lessons are more hard-won than others. No point in squandering these, so it's good to make notes!

vacation!

Day One of eleven days in which I do not have to appear at my workplace. Hallelujia!

It's not that I hate my occupation. I don't. I actually love it a lot. I love connecting with the patients. I love my (gifts) abilities to put them at ease, educate, and empathize with them. I love the opportunity to observe a vast spectrum of our society. I love being told that I am good at what I do, and the positive feedback I receive, from my patients and my doctors.

*this is how I want to take care of my patients - and I do, when "they" let me.

An affirming moment yesterday:
It was a busy morning. I called Patient B in, and noticed Patient A, who had been elsewhere in the clinic. "Are you done with Dr. ___?" "Yes." "Okay, we'll be with you soon." It was a typical exchange, nothing remarkable. When I brought Patient A into the exam room, he was very cheerful - not unusual for him. He began our conversation, thanking me for replying to his phone message a few days ago. He was effusive with his praise. He never expects to reach someone on the phone when he calls, much less receive a call back when he leaves a message. He went on to say, "I would like to tell you that you were the subject of conversation in the waiting room. People were talking about how nice you are." Wow. How lovely!

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(Tangent: !!! I am always fairly appalled at the low expectations for service in this particular, enormous, HMO under which I am currently employed. I am even more appalled at the low respect my fellow employees [and managers] have for the time, feelings and dignity of the patients. Based on my limited experience here, if I had to quantify the corporate attitude toward ethics, it would be that the sole motivation is avoidance of litigation. If it's not illegal, screw patient dignity.)

*if this woman was a patient where I work - and this image is certainly representative of
the patients I meet - she would likely: expect to be acknowledged only after offering her
HMO number (and not her name),never be asked if her assigned appointment is convenient for her,
never expect to have her medical tests explained to her, never expect to reach a warm human
being if she calls the doctor (not expect an answer to a message),
never expect the support staff to be pleasant or knowledgeable.
Anything outside of those expectations is considered extraordinary.

Anyway.

Vacation! More later (no, I really mean it this time!) Wedding flowers to show, and other stories to tell: perhaps some baking projects, gardening, a baseball game... I'm free! I'm free!

*none of the above images originated with me; they are compliments of Google images.