Things to consider when hiring florists and event stylists in the Philippines

Confirm these with each florist/event stylist so you can compare apples-to-apples and avoid surprises specific to Philippine venues, climate, and logistics. Local church and venue policies can limit décor options or suppliers; check them early.

Availability, Team & Fit

• Are you available on our date and where will you and your team be coming from?
• How many weddings do you take per day/week, and will you handle our event personally?
• Who will be our main contact from booking to pack-out?
• Have you styled at our ceremony and reception venues before (which ones, when)?
• Can we see a portfolio of weddings similar to our size, season, and vibe?
• Do you carry public liability insurance and do you have a safety plan for installs?

Design Vision & Collaboration

• How do you translate a moodboard into an actual styling plan?
• What’s your signature style—and what don’t you do?
• How do you ensure our flowers and styling complement our attire, venue architecture, and lighting?
• What design elements are likely to create the biggest visual impact within our budget?

Flowers, Seasonality & Climate (PH)

• Which flowers are in season around our date and location?
• What hardy alternatives do you recommend if our first-choice blooms aren’t available?
• For outdoor/beach or no-AC venues, what varieties/mechanics help flowers last?
• How do you hydrate, cool, and transport arrangements in tropical weather?

Scope, Deliverables & Styling Inclusions

• What exactly is included in your “Florals & Event Styling” service (e.g., bouquets, boutonnières, aisle/altar décor, centerpieces, backdrop, ceiling treatment, table setting, candles/props, signage, linens, charger plates, chairs)?
• Do you provide mockups or sketches? When?
• Which items are fresh vs. silk/dried/preserved? Where will each be used?

Packages, Pricing & Value

• Do you have a minimum spend? How are fees structured (per item, package, hybrid)?
• What’s included/excluded in each package? Any venue-related charges we should expect (e.g., corkage, custodial, security)?
• What are your payment terms, deposit, and balance schedule?
• What is your reschedule/cancellation/refund policy?

Venues, Churches & Accreditation (PH rules vary)

• Are you accredited at our church/venue? If not, can you secure approval? Any corkage for external suppliers?
• Does our church/venue limit décor (petals, confetti, carpet, pew décor, adhesives)?
• Who coordinates with the sacristan/venue manager for delivery windows, staging areas, lifts, and cleanup?

Logistics, Timeline & Manpower

• What is your production timeline from design sign-off to installation?
• How many stylists/crew will be onsite, and what time will you load in and out?
• How long do you need for ceiling/backdrop installs and for teardown?
• Can you handle a ceremony-to-reception “flip” within our venue’s window?
• What’s your transport plan (inter-island, provincial, traffic contingencies)?

Installations, Rigging & Safety

• What structures/mechanics will you use for arches, ceilings, and hanging florals?
• Do these require venue rigging points, scissor lifts, or additional power?
• Who provides and signs off on safety compliance?

Candles, Open-Flame & Venue Policies

• Does our venue allow real candles? If yes, what type (enclosed, dripless) and where?
• If open flames aren’t allowed, what alternatives (LED candles, uplights) will you style in?

Contingencies, Substitutions & Weather

• How do you handle last-minute flower shortages or shipping delays?
• What’s the plan for high winds/rain (outdoor ceremonies), extreme heat, or brownouts?
• Who approves substitutions, and how do you keep the palette consistent?

Sustainability, Reuse & After-Event Plan

• Do you design foam-free? What mechanics will you use instead?
• Which ceremony pieces can be repurposed for the reception (and who moves them)?
• Can you arrange post-event donation, guest take-home, or bouquet preservation?

Legal, Permits & Imports (PH)

• Are any blooms imported? If so, will any permits or clearances be required and who handles them?
• Can you guarantee no restricted species are used?

Sourcing & Local Market Logistics

• Where do you source flowers (local farms, Dangwa, imported suppliers)?
• How do you ensure stem quality/grade and freshness during peak demand (e.g., Valentine’s, All Saints’ week)?

Rentals, Damages & Turnover

• Which props/rentals are yours vs. third-party? Who’s liable for damages or loss?
• What’s the replacement cost schedule? How do you track items after the program?
• When must we retrieve personal items (frames, candles, giveaways) placed on your tables?

Coordination With Other Suppliers

• How will you coordinate with our planner, caterer (table layouts), lights & sounds (power, haze), photo/video (aisle space), and venue?
• What layout file formats do you need (e.g., CAD/PDF) and when?

Documentation & Approvals

• What do we receive to approve (moodboard, color palette, stem list, sketches, 3D renders)?
• When is the final design freeze and what changes are still allowed after?

Post-Event & Care

• Do you provide bouquet vases/boxes and care instructions after the wedding?
• Can you recommend preservation (pressing/resin) or drying services?

Budget Stretchers & Trade-offs

• If we need to cut 10–20% from the styling budget, what would you remove first with least visual impact?
• What are your favorite high-impact/low-cost styling tricks for our venue?

Red Flags to Clarify Before Booking

• Vague inclusions or no itemized quote
• No plan for venue restrictions (church rules, load-in windows, open flames)
• Unclear substitution policy for flowers
• No insurance or safety procedure for hanging installs
• No written timeline for setup/teardown

Final Checks Before Signing

• Can you walk us through the contract, inclusions/exclusions, add-ons, fees, payment schedule, and cancellation terms in detail?
• Will you list the exact deliverables and setup/teardown times on the contract and floor plan?