Intentional, ethereal & abundant floral design servicing Brisbane & beyond. Weddings, events & editorials.

Wedding & Event Florist Brisbane
Sustainability Tips for Florists and Flower Lovers

Sustainability Tips for Florists and Flower Lovers

Sustainability Tips for Florists and Flower Lovers.

Here at Esme Fleur Florist in Brisbane, we’re mindful about our role in lessening our impact on our beautiful planet. 

We certainly aren’t perfect in our environmental practices, however, we believe every little choice counts.

It’s not about perfection, it’s about each of us contributing.

Sometimes it’s all too convenient to let wasteful day to day behaviour slide and so here are some ideas to encourage you to make small choices for the better whenever possible. This blog will provide you with some sustainability tips for Florists and Flower Lovers. 

 

1. Opt for Locally Grown Over Imported Flowers

You’ve likely heard of “food miles”, well this is being aware of the same concept but with flowers. The distance travelled for those flowers to get to you from international locations adds to your business’ impact on the earth, or your impact as a customer.  

Another thing to consider is generally imported flowers need to be sprayed with extremely toxic chemicals to be allowed into Australia (and many other countries with strict biosecurity).  Not only is this another step that’s not great for the planet, it’s pretty poor for your health too!

If you’re a florist, consider setting yourself a ratio goal of Australia:International to stick by when ordering and purchasing wholesale.  And if you’re a consumer, ask your florist where their flowers are grown.

Regardless of location, always remember to wash your hands well after handling flowers grown with chemicals.

2. Choose Paper or Unwrapped Flowers

Support your growers, suppliers and florists that wrap their blooms in recycled, standard paper or unwrapped rather than in single use plastic sleeves.

When making your order with suppliers, request if possible, for no or minimal plastic wrapping.

If you’re a floral customer, ask your florist for paper or recyclable wrapping and request that no floral foam is used for wet packing.

We use thick white kraft paper that can be recycled and have a unique gift option for pretty seeded cards you can plant to grow daisies!

3. Recycle Soft Plastics

This is a controversial one. We understand, and I also question myself what actually happens to the soft plastics we recycle?

However, I still feel even if it’s just a little bit that ends up being reused it’s far better than none! I take my plastics to Coles or Woolworths supermarkets.

To find your local soft plastics recycling station, simply Google in your area.

4. Use Your Green Bin for Flower & Foliage Waste

In many areas of the world, green waste is collected and turned into mulch and compost. 

Be sure to take out any plastic scraps, tape or rubber bands.  It’s a small change you can make for bigger, long-term impacts.

5. Reuse Water Vials, Rubber Bands & Ribbons

At Esme Fleur, we only occasionally purchase water vials and never purchase new rubber bands.  Saving even some of these that come bundling your wholesale flowers is not only consuming less as a business, but almost more cost effective for you.

If you receive a bunch of flowers, you can reuse the ribbons, keep the rubber bands and recycle the papers!

The Secrets of Wedding Flower Pricing

The Secrets of Wedding Flower Pricing

We know wedding flower pricing can be super confusing and overwhelming. Let’s make it simple.

We offer our services to a range of brides including elopements and micro weddings to full package weddings.

They range from $850 – $15,000.

What alters the price?

♥ the items chosen
♥ location and travel
♥ abundance of the design
♥ tools and equipment needed
♥ freelancers needed to execute the design
♥ the time it takes to organise, prep and create the designs

How do I know what my specific budget will get me?

Ask us! There are so many variables that come into play, there’s no one size fits all when it comes to wedding flower pricing.

Why do you pay wedding florists labour?

♥ Designing
Consultations, emails, quotes, contracts, invoices, mood boards, research, final run-through, ordering, spreadsheets, stem counts, ordering flowers from suppliers.

♥ Markets
Drive to flower markets at 4am, choose the best blooms, pick-up orders, pack car, drive home.

♥ Processing
Unpack the car, unwrap all plastic and cardboard, undo rubber bands and twine, strip, peel, trim, scold, bash. Place in fresh buckets of water in the flower fridge.

♥ Creating
Creating the actual arrangements. Keeping them alive, ensuring the product looks fresh and is visually appealing as well as meeting the brief. Storing safely. Keeping cool.

♥ Wedding Day
Pack the car, deliver personals, drive to venue, unpack car, on-site setup and creating the features, staff & freelancers, keeping area clean and tidy, sticking to schedule.

♥ Bump Out
Midnight or early Sunday morning, drive to venue, pack down all flowers and hire items, ensure space is clean and tidy, drive home, unpack car.

Why do quotes differ between wedding florists?

We work towards ‘Industry Standard Pricing’. Some florists either choose to quote lower or higher or simply pluck numbers from thin air. We use this formula to stay consistent between clients as well as ensuring we’re not damaging the industry.

How to spend your budget wisely?

Focus on what creates the most impact! Include the statement feature items which make people gasp. We love to include the following (everything else is a bonus):

Ceremony: bouquets, ceremony features, welcome sign piece

Reception: bridal table feature, guest table arrangements, fireplace/bar feature.

Spots are filling up quickly – fill out our quick consultation form to enquire. We can’t wait to create a dreamy space for you to say your vows and dance all night.

Table Styling and Reception Florals

It’s so important to share your ideas with your florist about your table styling and reception florals.

Having a great understanding of the vibe & mood, along with a table styling blueprint will help us do our job so much better!

But why?

We want your table florals to flow & match the rest of your wedding as much as possible! To feel & create a seamless, aesthetic space…it all must be connected. Which is why you should let us know the little table details such as the:

  • candle shapes/colours
  • fabric table runner colours
  • decor used
  • food or fruit displayed
  • style of table and whether your guests are sitting or standing at a cocktail reception
  • any additional styling details

Pinterest is a great tool to gather inspiration for table styling and reception florals.

Using your inspiration & our signature Esme Fleur style, we can create floral table designs that are truly incredible.

Your Florist + Trust = Magic

The perfect equation – Your Florist + Trust = Magic!

The most important thing above all else is trust.

Both in your relationship with your significant other and with your vendors.

  • peace of mind for both of us.
  • creativity! trust = freedom to do what we do best! To create & push the design boundaries (in the best way).
  • incredible designs – it’s crazy how tense our arrangements become when working with a client who doesn’t trust us. Our bodies know.
  • less stress – we both have a lot to think about when it comes to your wedding. Feel comfortable and relax into it by trusting our creativity and abilities.

THIS is why it’s so important to choose your florist based on who you ADORE (and not just the cheapest) is so important!!

TRUST your florist – it will create magic💫

Call Us