Interview With April Haywood, Professional Florist; Candlelight & Roses

April Haywood of Candlelight & Roses is a successful professional florist based in the Reno-Tahoe area.
Her creativity, unique design, and budget-friendly prices make her a top choice
when selecting a wedding florist.

Q.What tips would you give to brides and grooms to make their wedding day run more smoothly?

"The first step to a less stressful wedding is to relax. There will be hick ups in every event but things will go much smoother if the emphasis is on the love and commitment and not on what "could" go wrong."

Q. How should a bride plan her time line in regards to the flowers that will be delivered?

"We usually deliver 2 hours prior to the ceremony to allow for some pre-wedding pictures. The key is to have the flowers arrive early enough to get all the guys flowers pinned on prior to the photographer being ready for pictures."

Q. How can a bride and groom maximize their time spent with a florist?

"When I meet with couples to pick out their flowers, I find that it is easier for them to just let the professional lead them through the meeting. There is always a beginning, middle and end but a newly engaged couple would not know in which order this should go. They should trust their professional florist to help guide them through the process because we have been helping couples for years and know what will be easier on them."

Q. How long have you been in the floral business?

"I have been doing flowers since I was in high school over 15 years ago. I have been specializing in wedding flowers for over 12 of those years."

Q. What options are available for wedding day and dress rehearsal floral selections?

"We don't commonly provide flowers for dress rehearsals due to the additional costs. It simply isn't something that is usually requested."

Q. How should couples choose a florist?

"Most people choose their florist by price but this is a mistake. There should be an interview process. Couples should pay special attention to the way the florist presents themselves. How much floral knowledge they have, advice offered, professionalism. They always want to make sure they are choosing a florist that specializes in weddings. It takes special skills and knowledge to be successful in the wedding floral industry. Ask other wedding vendors if they have worked with this particular florist and what their opinion is. A referred florist is being referred for a reason."

Q. What sets you apart from other florists?

"I feel that we have a reputation to be proud of. We work very hard for our clients and our business ethics are surpassed by none. We have a unique style, high quality product and we strive to be on top of the latest trends and colors. Weddings are our business and we love what we do. It is a business but it is also a passion."