Our Design Process

Photo: Andrew Neel, Unsplash

Working together

At Little Lace Flower Company we provide a really different way of working and a range of service options (view our Service Options page). This means that, together, we can create a personalised support package that suits you, your way of working and your budget.

It also lets you stay in control of the design process and budget. You get all the tools, resources and support you need so that you can make great decisions, overcome obstacles and avoid the dreaded 'Planning Overwhelm'.

The aim is for the design process to be as fun, joyous and full of heartfelt moments as your actual big day.

Photo: Lauren Mancke, Unsplash

Collaborative Design

I believe in collaborative design - in fact, I have a Ph.D. in it! This means you and I bringing together our unique skills, experiences and interests to create something better and more unique than either of us could achieve on our own. Through collaborative design we can help you...

brainstorm and explore ideas

organise and edit your ideas into a vision

create a clear and cohesive plan for realising your vision

design, source and install your vision, bringing it to life

Collaboration requires an open and flexible Design Process. The following describes in detail the steps we follow to achieve this at Little Lace Flower Company. No matter what design service options you select with us, the design process follows this path.:

Photo: Carolyn V Swiynn, Unsplash

Step 1: Initial Chat

You get in contact
I will send you FAQ sheets that explain in more detail our services and pricing.
If you like what you read about us, we can then arrange to have a chat about your celebration. This can either be in-person, online, e.g. via Zoom.
During this chat, I'll get a good idea of your celebration and the services that would best serve you. I can then explain these to you.
Another important part of this chat is to establish whether we are a good 'fit'. It's vital that we build a positive and trusting relationship, so I'll never push anyone to work with me during this chat. You need to go away and have a think about whether LLFC and our services are right for you.
If, after our chat, you are keen to work with us, then YAY!!! We will send an interim payment invoice (usually 50% of the service cost). This secures our services and locks in your event date. After this invoice is paid, we'll book in a consultation (Step 2).

THIS INITIAL CHAT IS ALWAYS COMPLIMENTARY. IN FACT, LET ME SHOUT YOU A CUPPA!

Photos: See @littlelaceflowercompany for all credits

Step 2: Concept Development

We have a detailed consultation about your event. This usually takes at least an hour.
We create a shared image library to capture your vision (usually via Pinterest)
If necessary, I will travel to your venue to take measurements and photos. The first site visit is included in the Design Fee (unless it is an extraordinarily long distance away). Travel costs for subsequent site visits may be charged, depending on circumstances.
I will then create a Mood Board that brings together your ideas to create a cohesive vision. The Mood Board is a photo collage and a colour palette. At this stage, there is no detailed design work involved.
Accompanying the Mood Board will be design notes describing the overall look and feel of your celebration. I can also include a very rough price estimate.
Once I have sent the Mood Board, there is usually a flurry of follow-up emails, messages and calls to tweak things until it is 100% right.

Photo: Cowomen, Unsplash

Photo: John Jennings, Unsplash

Photo: Green Chameleon, Unsplash

Step 3: Design Proposal

Once you are happy with the Mood Board then...
We will have a meeting where we nail down the details for your design. This usually involves working through a questionnaire to make sure every element is covered. Before this meeting, you'll have received a checklist of possible design features for your event so you can identify priorities in preparation for this meeting.
I will then draw up your Design Proposal. In this, each element of your design is described in detail (e.g. ceremony back drop, seating, aisle decoration, etc.). This includes:

Refined Mood Board & Design Brief
Sketches/photographs/layout plans/written descriptions for these options.
What materials could be used and where they could be sourced.
Estimated costs.

I create one design page per design element to make it easier for you to understand each part of the design. You can then shuffle and sort your pages to help you prioritise the design elements according to budget.
We will be in touch throughout this step, messaging and emailing as necessary.
After you've read the proposal, we'll have a review meeting (up to an hour) to go through it and make any adjustments. Usually, there will be follow-up emails too.

Photo: Little Lace Flower Company

Step 4: Final Design

Once all the design options have been chosen, I will draw up the Final Design.
This is presented as a beautiful online Look Book that you can print and keep as a memento. As applicable, your Final Design might include:
- Final Mood Board, Design Brief, Theme and Inspiration.
- Sketches/ Photo Collages/ Layout Plans/ Written Descriptions.
- Timelines.
- Lists of what materials that will be used and where they will be sourced.
- A breakdown of who is doing what and when each job needs to be completed by (for those of you who want to get stuck into DIY).
- Costing - Hireage, Consumables, Preparation/Construction. The costing will be very detailed, so that you can see where every cent will be spent. It is, however, an estimate. As we usually prepare designs months before an event, prices may change. This is especially true for fresh florals. You might also want to make changes. We aim to keep everything as flexible as possible.
Depending on the service options chosen, you will also find inside your Final Design, a free gift to say thank you for working with us. This will be personalised to you and your event.
We'll then have a celebration/review meeting to make any final tweaks.

Photo: Little Lace Flower Company

Step 5: Mock-Ups

The next step is to start ordering in products and materials for your event and preparing each design element. This is called the Production Phase. Before we begin this phase, we will send you an invoice for a deposit towards production costs. This will vary according to event size, but is usually about 50% of the overall cost. Your final production invoice will be sent after we have completed production. This gives us flexibility to make little changes right up to the last minute as needed.
Once you have paid your deposit, I will create mock-ups of the main styling elements of your design. Once the mock-ups are prepared, we will meet so that you can see, touch and generally experience them. This is usually a REALLY exciting stage - everything starts to feel real! At this meeting we can make any fine adjustments you want.
Once you are happy with your mock-ups, it's full-steam-ahead preparing everything for your event. I will also use the mock-ups to write detailed set-up notes for my team. This is extra insurance for you - in the event of me being unable to personally supervise the set-up for your event, one of my styling assistants can use my notes and photos to create the look perfectly.
If we've agreed to work together on a DIY project, we'll book in some working sessions at this stage. And if you're taking on some DIY work, I'll touch base to check you're not getting overwhelmed.
If you've asked for a workshop with friends/family, I'll put together a sample and teaching notes. Once you're happy with these, we'll book a time for the workshop.
During this period, I'll keep you updated with production progress so that you can be assured that things are moving ahead. You are welcome to contact me also during this stage - it's nice to have someone to share your excitement with; someone whom also understands and cares about all those little details.

Photo: Jo Moore Photographer

Step 6: Set-Up/Pack-Down

WE PREFER TO SET UP ANY EVENT WE HAVE STYLED. THIS ENSURES YOU GET EXACTLY THE LOOK YOU WANT. FOR THIS, WE:

Deliver all styling items to venue (not including separate hire vendor items).
Set-up.
Remain at the venue if needed to convert the ceremony space into reception.
Pack-down after event (not including separate vendor hire items, unless specified).
We can remain/return to site to coordinate pickup of separate vendor hire items. This will be costed accordingly.
The cost of set-up/pack-down will depend on complexity of the styling, access to venue, time available to set-up, etc. We usually work as a team of 4 and typically charge on an hourly rate.
Travel and mileage costs will be also be charged depending on travel time and distance.

Photo: Little Lace Flower Company

Step 7: Afterwards

WE HATE WASTE! AS PART OF OUR COMMITMENT TO ETHICAL AND SUSTAINABLE CELEBRATIONS, WE CAN:

Bundle up your flowers and send them to a charity of your choice. This would be done on your behalf (Complimentary).
Alter and recycle purchased linens to create items that you can use in your home, e.g. cushions, throws. (We would charge an hourly rate + materials).
Photograph and sell on or donate decor items on your behalf. (Commission).
Pack mementoes in decorative packaging for storage. (Hourly rate + materials).
Arrange for greenery and suitable paperware to be composted. (Complimentary).

Interested?

Please get in contact. I'd love to chat.

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