Do you want to order wedding decorations, decorate the banquet hall with flowers, choose lighting, put up an arch, and at the same time you don’t want it to look like everyone else’s? You need a wedding decorator! A good decorator will make your wedding special. And YesYes will tell you how to choose a designer, whether he replaces a florist and how much it costs to decorate a wedding. You will learn what a wedding decorator does and how to spot a professional.
The decorators themselves say about their work: “For the perfect wedding decor, three things must coincide: the place, the couple and the design project.”
Who is needed: a decorator or a florist?
To answer this question, let’s look at what each of them does. The florist deals exclusively with flower decoration: decorates the wedding arch, makes up the bride’s bouquet, compositions on the tables, etc. And the decorator talks to you and the groom, determines how you differ from other couples. And based on this, he comes up with a wedding concept, chooses a palette, divides the space into zones and decorates them.
That is, if you need a design thought out to the smallest detail, you need a decorator. If the decorator doesn't do flowers, he can recommend a florist he usually works with. This will be a proven and reliable person.
Social networks and website
In fact, having a website is not always the most important condition for quality work. However, if you already have one, then it is extremely important that it is constantly updated and improved. Examples of work, reviews from brides and clients, collaboration with photographers. Instead of a website, there are now quite a lot of professionals selling their work and being active on social networks, thereby showing live work every day, online. It is very important that you notice communication and activity, news and articles, reviews of finished works, and additions to photo albums.
But it is worth understanding that if a contractor has spent effort and budget on creating his own website, he is responsible for his work and does not consider it temporary. Creating a VKontakte group is much simpler and involves a lower level of responsibility.
How does a wedding decorator work?
A decorator's job depends on what his client is looking for. Sometimes couples come for a “turnkey holiday”. This is a ready-made, boring package of scenery. A professional will think through everything down to the smallest detail: from wedding printing to compliments for guests. For each couple, the decorator can perform a unique job.
Creates a concept
During communication, the designer gets to know your history: he finds out your wishes, hobbies, lifestyle and habits. The theme, color scheme and details of the wedding are determined by the characteristics of your couple. The decorator's task is to remove unnecessary things and realize your dreams better than you can imagine.
Visits the venue
A professional decorator will inspect the wedding venue to assess the lighting, capacity, comfort and technical capabilities of the hall. He will take measurements of the space and furniture, select a seating chart for guests and select an area for the wedding ceremony.
Purchases, sews and prints
Decorators draw sketches. The picture can clearly show what the wedding decoration will look like. If you are satisfied with everything, the preparation process begins: selecting and purchasing wood, flowers, sewing textile materials, printing invitations and place cards for guests, assembling designs.
A decorator works like an artist. He draws up individual concepts and goes all the way to their implementation. Don't think of your wedding decorator as a props guy. He can completely change the interior with a few skillful touches.
Doing flowers
Flowers must be ordered in advance. Typically 10-14 days before the ceremony. The decorator monitors the number, shade and type of flowers. Try not to make proposals or changes before the wedding itself. A specialist can adapt to sudden wishes, but it is better to plan everything in advance. Then you will have a guarantee that everything will go without misunderstandings.
A few days before the wedding
Feelings before your wedding are normal. But sometimes this results in situations like this: “Let’s replace the Rustic style with Provence?!” - or - “We decided that we don’t want 5 tables for guests, but at least 7. And there will be a couple dozen more guests.” In most cases, organizers meet the wishes of their clients. But redesigning the entire design project in a few days is a Herculean task that will require additional costs and new materials.
On your wedding day
The decorator's work at the wedding itself is just the tip of the iceberg. A good specialist begins preparation several weeks, or even months, before the planned date. To ensure everything is perfect, give the decorator enough time.
On a wedding day there is only one task: to bring your plans to life. The decorator arrives at the site a few hours before the start of the reception. It regulates the installation of decor. Sometimes he stays for the entire holiday if some ideas need to be implemented during the wedding. In this situation, make sure he is fed.
A wedding decorator is not a service staff, but part of a team of specialists! Treat him with respect and you will get the desired result.
Reviews
Reviews are an integral part of the work of any specialist. Even if the picture in the portfolio is ideal, there can always be a second side to it - an unpleasant atmosphere on site, lateness or a delay in installation. Look for brides whose holidays were designed by a potentially interesting artist and be interested in the nuances of working with him.
You can find a lot of reviews about the work of certain masters on wedding forums, blogs and public pages, in the publication of reports from weddings. If such negative reviews are found, then you can safely write to its authors and clarify the details; perhaps what served as the reason for the negative review is not a very important or fundamental point.
How much do wedding decorator services cost?
A catalog with prices exists for standard decor. For a unique wedding - unique calculations. They won’t immediately tell you anything more specific than the average check amount or approximate calculations. Good decorators select everything individually; they do not have a ready-made price list. A personal holiday is the story of two loving people. She is always different.
If the design estimate turns out to be too high, do not rush to refuse the master. Ask for an alternative design that you can fit within your budget.
Prepayment and contract
The decorator's advance payment may be higher than that of the photographer or presenter. This happens because the decorator purchases materials in advance and hires subcontractors. Subcontractors will manufacture and install the decorations.
The amount may be fixed, or the decorator will ask for a percentage of the estimated decorating costs.
A contract with a decorator is your guarantee of wedding decoration. Don't be afraid to sign the papers, it's in your best interests. The contract protects you and forces the decorator to approach the matter responsibly. Read the contract and make adjustments if necessary. Make sure you understand everything, then sign.
Portfolio
One of the integral and important working conditions for any specialist is the presence of a portfolio. In it you can find samples of certain works, evaluate the quality of these services and the format of the master’s work. It is not necessary for the portfolio to be huge; sometimes even from two weddings you can understand what a person is like. In addition, sometimes beginner decorators have much more affordable prices. It is very important not only to look at individual photographs, but also to imagine the overall picture, so you can safely ask for a link to the entire wedding in the photographer’s album.
In the portfolio you can find not only photographs from real weddings, but also the results of work at workshops and master classes of various photographers, and creative shootings. If your decorator often works on decorations for various events for the wedding industry, this is a good sign. Creative photography adds a huge plus to a decorator’s portfolio, as it shows his capabilities and style. But it is worth distinguishing between work at a wedding and workshops, since there are no limiting factors during filming: the couple’s requests, site features, or a tight budget.
