Our expert flower tips and advice by Curtsy and Bow

I wanted my clients to leave their wedding feeling like it had truly been the best day ever - full of family, friends, great food and beauty all around!

Please introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi! I'm Robin Wilson, owner of Curtsy and Bow Events, an event planning and floral design company. C&B was birthed five years ago out of a deep love for well-executed events that were meaningful, emotional, and creative. I wanted my clients to leave their wedding feeling like it had truly been the best day ever - full of family, friends, great food and beauty all around! I strive to tailor each wedding specifically to the couple so that we create something super unique; from beautiful bouquets and wearable flowers for moms and grandmas, to stunning hanging installations adorning your reception, I love transforming a space into a wedding wonderland.

Show me something you want me to create, and I'll figure out how to make it come to life.

How did you become a wedding florist?

I started down the road of floral design out of my own interest! I was only offering wedding planning services, but had a lot of DIY brides who were asking me to help them make their own flowers. I have always had a love and natural talent at design in general, and I found a solid love of all things floral right away. I am a proudly self-taught florist who's not afraid to take risks! Show me something you want me to create, and I'll figure out how to make it come to life. I love that I get to think and work outside the "box".

If you could ask one thing of the grooms and brides that would make your job at their wedding easier, what would it be?

Be realistic about your floral budget!! While I love Pinterest and all of its wedding inspo glory... a lot of what you're seeing there has a hefty price tag attached, or isn't actually from a real wedding at all (hello styled shoots!). Being flexible on the types of flowers we choose is the easiest way to get every last drop of your floral budget put to use - and keep in mind, we are completely at the mercy of Mother Nature. Sometimes the product just doesn't come in the right shade, or the blooms just don't open enough, so trust your wedding professional's judgment and ability to deliver a stellar product that still fits your wants!

When is the right time, in the wedding planning process, to start shopping for wedding flowers?

I find its best to wait until you've got an idea of a floor plan and color palette before starting to shop for florists. We're going to ask a ton of questions so we can best design something for you - how many tables, what size, how many in the bridal party, etc, so start looking for a florist once you've gotten those basic items decided. I typically book out 9-12 months in advance - and there's always tweaks along the way! Floral design is often fluid - your needs on day one of planning might look a little different a month before your wedding - so make sure to find a professional who is flexible and willing to go with the flow!

I will take your inspirations and turn them into one cohesive bouquet that is hitting all the style notes we want.

If a bride gives you a photo of the wedding bouquet or arrangement she likes, can you recreate it?

Here's the deal with inspirational pictures...you're hiring me because (hopefully!) you like my work and my style, and while I absolutely need you to have inspirational photos to base my design off of, designing flowers is a creative process that is unique to each individual. I will take your inspirations and turn them into one cohesive bouquet that is hitting all the style notes we want.

Estimating cost is somewhat possible based on a photo alone, but remember, we are using fresh grown flowers - sometimes the pricing varies based on the growing season and availability, so we do need to take that into account. The same rose isn't always the same price depending on the season!

Why should the couples get a pro floral designer for their wedding (vs. DIY bouquets, for example)?

I am totally a fan of DIY, if that's something you love to do. However, I think a lot of couples don't realize the amount of labor that goes into creating floral. You have to find the product, and many wholesale vendors do not allow members of the public to buy from them. Farmers Markets are a great option, but again, not always a consistent bet on types and amounts of floral. Then you have to process the flowers once you've gotten them, which is an art form in itself! If you aren't knowledgeable about what each flower needs to stay healthy and beautiful, you may end up with a bunch of wilted blooms that you can't even use. You have to transport the items, set them up, and tear them down...and most times you end up stressing over the flowers instead of actually enjoying your day! Every DIY bride I've ever spoken to who created their own flowers has said they now understand why floral costs money - its A LOT of work!

• You have to find the product
• Then you have to process the flowers
• You have to transport the items
• You have to set them up
• You have to tear them down

What flowers are best for making floral crowns?

I love teaching classes on flower crowns and other fun wearables! We host workshops all the time to show ladies how to make gorgeous crowns at home. You really can't go wrong with flowers - if you're wearing the crown right away, most blooms will survive at least a half day out of water! Sometimes drying your flower crown makes it wearable more than once - and gives it a whole new look too!

I love to vary the types of flowers I use so that I don't get stuck in a creative rut.

What is your favorite flower for bridal bouquet and why?

This changes almost daily for me!! I love to vary the types of flowers I use so that I don't get stuck in a creative rut. Lately I've been really digging Euphorbia - its so whimsical and dainty and works beautifully in almost any bouquet. Other favorites are Hellebores, Blushing Bride Protea, and always peonies! (There's a reason they're the most in-demand wedding flower, people. They're just kind of perfect!)

How much do wedding flowers usually cost?

This is kind of an impossible question to answer because the cost of your wedding flowers depends ENTIRELY on how much and what you want. Part of the cost of flowers is just the sheer volume of product we need - if you have 10 tables to dress vs 30 tables, the cost will be a lot different. I have clients who have a $2000 floral budget, and I have clients who have a $15000 floral budget! I always tell my brides who utilize my planning services that they should allocate around 10% of their budget to floral decor. And if you've found a florist worth booking, they'll be upfront and honest about the cost and do their best to work within your budget if that fits their pricing structure!

Can people see a portfolio of your previous work?

Absolutely! The best way to see my work is through my website, or on my social media. I love to create lush, organic and free-form arrangements. I want my flowers to look natural - nothing too tight or contrived. I always love a good hanging installation - getting up on a ladder and covering your reception venue ceiling with beautiful greenery is like food for my soul!