Ballast is the weight that keeps a structure stable: sandbags, metal or concrete bases, heavy planters, stakes driven into the lawn. You need it for floral arches, columns, a flower wall, the easel for the welcome sign and tall arrangements outdoors.
Wind is the most underestimated factor at weddings in Puglia, Sardinia, Capri and on the lakes, where a breeze often picks up in the afternoon. A structure that is not secured is a risk to guests, not just to the flowers. The guides to Puglia, Lake Garda and Capri explain how florists work with the wind; the one on the flower wall covers bases.
What to ask: how each structure will be secured, whether the venue allows stakes in the ground, who checks during the day.
