Wedding flowers are one of the most important elements of your big day.

Not only do they provide colour and scent, but they symbolise life, growth, and rebirth.

Good wedding flowers are also a conversation starter and after the food and dress, one of things guests will remember most.

So how do you find the right florist to provide your wedding flowers, what questions should you ask them, and when should you sign a contract with a florist? Here are those answers and more.

Finding a florist for your wedding flowers

If you don't already have a favourite floral designer, talk to your friends and family about who they've used in the past. You can also go to bridal shows, or simply look in the phone book. Make appointments to visit at least three different florists.

Some questions to ask yourself are: do you like the arrangements that are in the store's windows? Are the flowers fresh and luscious? Is the shop clean and organised?

When you go along, ask to see photographs of previous work.

Ideally, your wedding florist will have vast previous experience as a wedding florist, and will have many photographs of previous wedding flower arrangements and bridal bouquets. Make sure that the pictures are recent, and comprehensive - not just one bouquet, but that they show all the bridal bouquets and centrepieces from a particular wedding.

Talk to them about your ideas for wedding flowers

Bring swatches of bridesmaid dresses, pages from magazines with bouquets and floral arrangements that you like, the type of container you'd like to use, and any ideas you may have. Make sure that the florist is receptive to your ideas, and that they are willing to listen to your vision. You'll want to feel comfortable with this person - make sure that they are the one who will be personally responsible for your arrangements. You'll also want to make sure that they think your budget is realistic.

When to book your florist

This depends on how long you have to plan your wedding, but a general guideline is to start talking to your florist about six to eight months before your wedding, and sign a contract with them about four to six months before the big day.

What you'll need to know before you can book a florist for your wedding flowers

You'll need to have booked your ceremony venue, and know how many arrangements you'll need to decorate it.

You'll need to have booked your reception venue, and know the prominent colours of the venue so the flowers don't clash.

If you are doing floral centrepieces, you'll need to know:

Approximately how many guests you are having, and thus how many centrepieces you'll need.

Most round catering tables seat eight, 10 or 12 guests; rectangular tables generally seat eight people.

How many bridesmaids you are having, and the colour of their dresses.

The number of corsages (for mothers, grandmothers, and sometimes readers or other special guests) and buttonholes (for the bridegroom, groomsmen, ushers, and sometimes readers or other special guests).

If you'll need separate arrangements for the rehearsal dinner, wedding breakfast, entryways, bathrooms, gift or cake tables or buffet tables.

Questions to ask the florist

What is your design philosophy? Do you prefer modern arrangements or more traditional ones?

Can I see examples of past work by the same person who will arrange my wedding flowers?

How many other weddings and events will you do the same weekend as my event? This gives you an idea of how much time and attention they'll spend on your wedding flowers.

What flowers will be in season and less expensive for my wedding?

What ideas do you have for my wedding? What are the most successful ideas you've had for past weddings?

Is it possible to see a sample of my centrepiece and/or bouquet?

Will you deliver and/or set up my flowers? How long do you generally spend at a site setting up? Is there an extra delivery or set up charge?

Is it possible to re-use the ceremony flowers as reception decorations? Will you transport them, or will we need to? Is there a transport fee?

Are there any other additional or hidden costs I should know about?

Do you have rental supplies (such as vases, urns, candelabras and potted plants) or do I need to use a separate rental company?

If I need to add, subtract, or change arrangements or bridal bouquets, how long do I have to do so? Will you write up an itemised quote of what we've discussed?

How soon do I need to put down a deposit to reserve your services?