Contact Information

Terry Simmons, Owner/Designer

• Phone: 843-422-9301
• E-mail: downtheislehhi@gmail.com

1. How much will my flowers cost?

   Each wedding is different when it comes to the cost of flowers. brides should have a budget in mind before scheduling a consultation.

   On average, the flowers should represent approximately 11% of the overall wedding budget.

   Cost will depend on many factors, some of which are...

   • Specific flower selection
   • Number of arrangements
   • Seasonal availability
   • Use of rental props or containers

2. Why can’t my bouquet(s) be smaller and therefore cost less?

   The cost off floral arrangements for weddings are not based on size, but content. The cost of any bouquet depends on the types of flowers used.

   Cost may also depend on the labor intensity of an arrangement. For example, a cascade bouquet costs considerably more than a round nosegay, as the cascade requires more materials and time to construct.

3. Can I bring pictures of bouquets I like to show what I want as far as flowers?

   Yes, we encourage brides to bring pictures of floral arrangements they like to the consultation. This allows the designer to be attuned to the bride’s floral tastes.

4. Does the dress I choose impact the flowers I need to choose?

   Yes, the bridal gown, in most cases sets the look for most of the wedding. A bridal bouquet should be chosen with the style and color, as well as detailing of the gown in mind. The bridal bouquet should look “bridal” and compliment the dress. After all, the bridal gown and the bridal bouquet will be seen in most all of the photos taken.

5. Can I use silk or dried flowers to help with keeping costs to a minimum?

   Down The Isle does not work in the silk or permanent floral medium for weddings. For the most part, silk flowers are three to four times more costly than fresh flowers, and are not entirely realistic, nor appropriate for wedding work.

   Dried flowers, again, are quite costly compared to fresh flowers. However, during the Autumn and Winter seasons, dried or preserved materials may be incorporated at accents to fresh flowers. For example, dried pods and berries in the Fall, and small pine cones in Winter.

6. What is the difference between a “custom” wedding flower package and a “color-based” flower package?

   Basically, a “custom” package means the bride requests specific flowers in varying colors to make up the bouquets and arrangements seen at the wedding. A “custom” package will cost more, as some flowers and colors may be difficult to acquire when out of season. This process also requires more of the designers skills and talents, and the order is priced to consider the time spent designing the floral composition.

   Choosing a “color-based” wedding floral package means that the bride chooses a basic color theme for the floral arrangements, and allows the designer to choose the flowers based on that color. Flowers that are most abundant and more easily attainable are used, thus making the whole process more simplified and less costly as often flower growers offer discounts for bulk orders.

7. Does every member of the wedding party and my family have to carry or wear flowers.

   Considerations should be made for the formality of the ceremony and the wedding attire in this area. Also, budget will determine just which and how many family members will receive flowers to carry or wear. More informal beach weddings may not lend themselves to all ladies to wear corsages since less formal attire may be more appropriate. Also, if the gentlemen in the wedding party are more informally attired (i.e. no jackets) then the wearing of boutonnieres is not appropriate.

8. Can Down The Isle help me with other aspects of my wedding planning?

   While Down The Isle is a wedding floral studio, we prefer to recommend other vendors to help supply your needs for things such as linens, favors, music, lighting, etc.

   Down The Isle can supply props to support floral arrangements, candles, extra vases, votive candle holders, extra ribbon, etc.

9. I want to use an aisle runner for my ceremony, can Down The Isle supply an aisle runner?

   Down The Isle strongly discourages the use of aisle runners. Typically, outdoor venues don’t lend themselves to using the fabric or paper runners. Aisle runners are also considered a safety liability and are prohibited by most all indoor ceremony venues.

10. I am getting married in a church and there are many rules and restrictions for wedding decorations, can Down The Isle help me in this area?

    Yes, Down The Isle will make extra efforts to communicate with the church or other indoor venue to insure that all floral decorations meet their requirements as well as making the arrangements appropriate for the church or temple’s liturgical calendar, i.e. no flowers or bright colors during Advent or Lent.

11. Does Down The Isle make sample arrangements for my approval prior to finalizing the wedding order?

    Cost restrictions prohibit the supplying of prototype or sample arrangements. Every attempt will be made to supply the bride with photographs of comparable arrangements.

12. What are the rules concerning a deposit?

    A basic proposal is the first information you will receive after your consultation. Adjustments can be made to accommodate budget. Once a non-refundable deposit is given, then a detailed description of the arrangements will be made available to the bride.

13. How long do I have to pay for my wedding flowers?

    All wedding flower orders must be paid in full one month prior to the wedding date. In the event of cancellation the initial deposit is forfeited.

14. Can family members and friends help me pay for my wedding flowers?

    Down The Isle gladly offers a wedding flower registry. Your friends and family can help you purchase parts of the wedding flower package as a way of giving the bride and groom a gift much like purchasing china place settings or other registered gift items.

Meet the Designer, Terry Simmons

At a young age I acquired an appreciation of blooming plants and flowers. In the Low Country of South Carolina and Georgia, I learned from my grandparents who painstakingly cultivated their gardens and flowering plants. Their yards contained varieties of beautiful Camellias that bloomed throughout the winter. In the spring vibrant azaleas and dogwoods and a thousand shades of spring green would dress up the landscape. As the spring blooms faded and the new leaves thickened and turned glossy, Jasmine, Magnolias and Hydrangea would bloom in succession. Throughout the long hot summers hardy Roses, Oleanders, Crape Myrtles and daylilies decorated the yards. The places of play during my childhood were abundant with the most magnificent spring and summer floral displays. From there came my love of flowers.

Experience

For nearly 22 years I have been creating floral arrangements for weddings and special events. My years of work have taken me from Boston - Cambridge in my earliest floral days, to a florist's apprenticeship in Washington, D.C. For seven years in San Francisco, CA, I worked as manager and production manager for two of the oldest retail florist establishments on the west coast.

Then finally a return to The Low Country based on beautiful Hilton Head Island. Each step of the way I was able to absorb an abundance of experience in designing floral themes for a variety of weddings, and other high profile events combining self-taught techniques with the invaluable experience obtained from working side by side with some of the most talented floral designers in the industry.

Philosophy

• I believe that if you dream about something, then turning that thing into your life's work brings happiness. I dream about wedding flowers.
• First and foremost, flowers for weddings should reflect the tastes and personalities of the bride and groom.
• Flowers for weddings should compliment the setting, coordinate in with the attire, and a bridal bouquet should be just that, bridal, in its style and composition.

Traditional Methods

When creating floral arrangements, especially for the wedding party, traditional techniques are used to form the most sound and clean arrangements. Bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres are all created so that they can be carried and worn with ease.

Our Surroundings

Our beautiful Low Country surroundings offer many natural elements that can add to a wedding's floral decor theme. Draping moss, dark waxy foliage, and elements from the sea can become delicate touches, that when added, will serve to introduce natural accents to the floral decor.

My Favorite Flowers

There are so many, how can a person choose just one favorite. However, there are some flowers that stand out for me as being favorites. If having to narrow my favorites down, I would say those flowers that are most enjoyable to work with when creating wedding arrangements. First would be roses, generally in any color. Roses are so pleasing to work with; sturdy and reliable as a wedding favorite. Next would be orchids, for their exotic nature, as well as being traditional for weddings.