Where to start?

[noraknickers]

I'm a florist and currently thinking about working for myself doing wedding and event flowers.

Much as I want to do it, I'm quite shy and a bit daunted at the prospect of finally doing my own thing. Ideally, I'd like to get a couple of weddings under my belt then maybe do a wedding fair. The first couple of weddings I would probably do for cost.

Sadly, I don't know anyone getting married I could help so i would need to advertise this offer somewhere. Other than Gumtree, I'm a bit stumped. Can anyone suggest anything?

PLEASE NOTE: This is not an advert. I am not offering my services here. Just looking for advice.

Many thanks!

[bulletwithbutterflywings]

You say you aren't looking for business but if you were and are anywhere near Cambridge I am getting married in November and don't have a florist yet.... I have some funky ideas I want somebody to bring into being for me :)

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

Wedding fairs, take photos of your work and some displays.

Find out all your local wedding venues, go and see them with samples and see if you can get on to their books. Some places will only have recommended people in their establishments.

Cards and a small photo album in local wedding dress shops, that is how I found my cake maker.

HTH

[noraknickers]

Oh, I'd love to help but I'm near Windsor which is probably just a bit too far.

[Leeds2]

And make sure that you take lots of photos of your work, which are displayed in an album for potential customers to see.

I would also go to a couple of wedding fairs just as an ordinary punter, and have a look what other florists have on display there. Then you can do the same!

[bulletwithbutterflywings]

Oh that's a shame! Good luck with your business :)

[fatnfrumpy]

I was like you to! I was cooking at Weddings for big catering companies and with some tripadation set up on my own.
The best thing I did to get brides was to get a website on google and put my business on wedding sites, some were free for the first year.
AND network with other wedding suppliers.
I can put a link on my website if you put my Wedding Catering business on your website etc!!!
It also gets your rating up on google the more times your website in linked to another business.
If you want to link up let me know, we cover London, Kent,Surrey and Sussex
Do it, you won't regret working for yourself!