Some villas, hotels and castles work with an exclusive supplier: when you choose the venue, you also choose the florist. Others have a list of approved suppliers, and others leave you free to choose, sometimes with a fee for outside suppliers. It works in the same way as exclusive catering, which many couples already know about.
It changes the style you can have, the budget and the amount of work left to you. An in-house florist knows the spaces and the rules, but their style is not always yours. Ask about the rule on your first visit, before you sign with the venue. The guide to venues with an exclusive or free choice of florist explains the three cases; the one on Lake Como describes an area where it happens often; the one on flowers, catering and venue shows how to coordinate.
What to ask the venue: can I choose my own florist? Is there a fee for outside suppliers? What does the contract say?
