Frequently Asked Questions
What is the investment with Rowan & Larch?
This is such a tricky question. Each florist charges differently for different reasons. Some of us have more experience. Some of us have more training. Most of us just want to make ends meet, get paid for a job well-done, and create something beautiful.
THE FACTORS: Season, flower types, delivery and installation fees, and what is required.
Season: If we’re in Bozeman’s growing season, I can get a lovely variety of local flowers for a wedding. We are limited to what we grow in the valley, though, particularly with greenery. This cuts down on shipping costs, but limits your elements to the local options. This option typically starts at about $500. Bouquets in off-season require shipping. You can usually expect to start around $750 for a small elopement in off-season.
Flower Varieties: Flowers per stem can vary quite a bit. I can make a bouquet and boutonniere for $500. I could also make them for $2000. This is because there is a huge discrepancy in the pricing of certain types of flowers and the sizes of bunches they have to come in (sometimes 25 stems). Beautiful taste requires flowers with a higher sticker.
Delivery and Install: My threshold for a wedding budget that requires delivery and installation is $4500. If you’re under this number, we will need to get creative with things for you to be able to pick up.
What is required for your wedding? This issue comes up quite a bit. Boutonnieres and corsages are not cheap—they take a lot of time and effort and extra processing, refrigeration, and materials (like packaging them to transport). If you have a ton of line items, (read lots of bridesmaids, boutonnieres, or tons of centerpieces for your massive guest list) this will definitely affect your budget.
BRASS TACKS: An elopement starts at $500. Full wedding party of reasonable size starts at $2000. Delivery and install threshold STARTS AT $4500. Most weddings should have a budget of at least $3000 or more. I price per wedding, not by line item. If your centerpieces have 8 roses in each one and you remove one centerpiece, I still have to order 25 roses, I can’t just take 8 stems out from the bunch. So removing line items is not a straight across exchange.
FAQ #2
Do I need to know what flowers I want before our consultation?
No! I love to design. I’m an expert, and prefer helping you discover flowers, and make suggestions. I love when my brides give a general guideline like a color palette or a shape, and then let me do what I’m best at: DESIGN! The main thing that’s REALLY helpful is if you know any flowers you really really love or are meaningful to you, or if there’s anything you really do NOT like.
FAQ #3
FAQ #4
What does it look like to book with Rowan & Larch?
Step 1) Send me an inquiry! Please be as thorough as possible on my form.
Step 2) If I’m available for your date, we schedule a consultation and I send you a detailed worksheet so you’re ready for our conversation and we don’t waste precious planning time. During our consultation, I get to hear your story! I prefer to have the initial conversation with one of the members of the couple and I’m happy to include the planner as well. Ensuing conversations and meetings can be with the planner, but hearing the couple’s story is extremely important to me. At that time, we decide if we’re a good fit. If I feel I’m not able to 100% get behind your dream floral design, I will refer you to someone else.
Step 3) I build a stem-by-stem estimate of your curated wedding floral design and then send you an estimate of the cost and proposal of the design of all requested arrangements.
Step 4) Once we are happy with the estimate, I send the contract to review and sign. The day is not booked until a contract is signed by both members of the couple and a 50% down payment is on file. The second half is due 3 weeks before the wedding. Changes can be made to the contract until 1 month prior.
FAQ #1
How are you pursuing sustainability?
1) Locally Grown Flowers: At Rowan & Larch, we’ve been dedicated to sustainably grown, locally sourced flowers from the beginning. When I first started, this was challenging because I didn’t know how to build recipes that could be seasonal enough to depend on our flowers grown here in the Gallatin valley or near Missoula or Billings. With time and experience, I knew I could slowly build the knowledge to create recipes that are focused almost entirely on our local economy. Now my experience has grown and I’m able to create larger recipes mostly dependent on our local product. Anything not grown here, I try my best to source from American farmers. When that fails, I purchase wholesale and choose options that create the least amount of waste via fossil fuels as much as possible.
2) Sustainable Mechanics: We work tirelessly to create mechanics that will not leave microplastics in the landfills. We use chicken wire floral cages which are reusable, but if throw away, eventually break down with water and time. I prioritize reusable kenzans (frog pins), and oshun pouches a fantastic compostable foam alternative for hydrating arches and other types of installations. Unfortunately almost all florists do generate some waste from flower packaging, tape and trimmed stems, but I work hard to compost all the organic matter possible, and recycle as much of the cardboard as possible.
3) I offer each of my clients the option of my team returning to the wedding site to pick up the flowers so I can compost them and if possible, reuse dried materials.