Publish date: August 19, 2011 3:40 am | Tags: Fast, getting, good, true....florist, worried
I’m a destination bride. We have till October till our wedding but I want to be done ASAP so I don’t have to worry. I found the most amazing florist. She worked with me via email & phone calls. We have set about 25 emails back & forth. To make sure everything is perfect. She has gone out of her way several times to look up more photos to show me ideas. Very willing to get me prices along the way to make sure I stay in budget!
I had a budget of $250. (my bouquet,groom, groomsman, bridesmaids & parents flowers all small) We were a little over but that was fine. I talked to 2 other florist they told me they wouldn’t touch my order for under $450+. (I’m using mostly roses & small orchids)
I asked for everything written out & the contracted plus info on the deposit so we could get this ball rolling.
She sent me an email back saying they don’t really do deposits or contracts. She just wants things paid 4 weeks before the wedding. NO CONTRACT?? Scares the hell out of me! Beings that I’m coming from so far away I don’t want to show up & either the price be $500 more. OR us not have flowers!
Is it wrong to ask for a written signed contract? How do I go about that nicely?
All of the reviews online seems great about the shop. The 1s there were bad were over 2 years old (there was about 25 reviews between about 4 websites)
I don’t have a “coordinator” or “wedding planner”
I went threw an independent hotel. Found my own pastor, photos, florist etc. (I did contract the chamber of congress for reviews & to ask questions about up standing businesses)
I’m using Boutonnieres for everyone but my flowers & my bridesmaids are wearing corsages. So that helps a lot in price. & parents will be carnations.
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August 19th, 2011 at 4:09 am
It would scare me as well. But I still might go with her. I’d make sure we were on the “same page” by writing out a detailed email and listing EVERYTHING involved. Exact flowers you’ve agreed on, prices, delivery times, etc.
Ask her to review it to make sure it’s what the two of you have agreed on. When she responds to the email, you have your “contract.” Maybe not formal, but you have it. Print that, put it in your notebook and carry it with you in case of questions.
August 19th, 2011 at 4:19 am
I can certainly understand your concern. But since you’ll be paying her in full 4 weeks prior to the wedding, then you shouldn’t be worried about owing her more afterward…especially in the absence of a contract. And there is the fact that she has gotten good reviews from others. That is important. The very worst that could happen is that you’d be married without flowers. Would that really be the end of the world. If you feel good about her, then go for it. And chillax.
August 19th, 2011 at 4:23 am
Have you contacted your destination wedding coordinator and asked them about your florist? This what I would do….anyone can write a online review of something…..say it wonderful or terrible and never seen/used what ever they are reviewing. That is why most destination wedding places have a list of florists, photographers etc that they use and know the quality of their work.
August 19th, 2011 at 4:41 am
too long of a question, i dont wanna read it
August 19th, 2011 at 5:30 am
It would drive me crazy, sorry, contract, fees, everything upfront and open, sounds fishy, she could comply with no problemo–why not. Flowers do vary in cost depending on what is in season and if you are using roses and orchids for $250, that sounds too good to be true. Ask nicely, that’s all, if she still doesn’t want to, then sorry, but I would go with someone else. You get what you pay for. And more than likely, if the other florists are in the same area, they use the same one or two wholesalers. Just a sample, perhaps, your bouquet $100 with the roses and orchids, BM $25 but prob more. How many bridesmaids?? Bouts for groom, your father and how many groomsmen?? Using a rose or orchid, min. $10 and corsages for MOB and MOG, bare min $20, So that’s say your bouquet, two bm, groom,2gm, 2 fathers and 2 mothers. $100,$50,$50,$40=$240 and that’s way below what they would cost. Sorry, but I would shop around. This just doesn’t sound right to me, not trying to burst your bubble, but I would pay the $450 plus, you only get married once in your life, hopefully and you want to do it right. I know that flowers are cheaper in more tropical areas, but I am sorry, this still does not get it for me. Just me.
August 19th, 2011 at 6:12 am
Honestly, I would tell her that while she may work without contracts you do not. You don’t need a formalized contract notarized by an attorney or anything, but there should be a written agreement as to what you talked about signed by both of you. Just attach it to an email and have her sign it and fax it back. Any reputable business owner won’t take offense to that. If push comes to shove you’ll have your emails as written proof, but it makes more sense to me to have something in writing with both of your signatures on it. It protects you as well as her. Just make it really simple – it’s really easy to do something like that in even the most basic word processing program.
Just don’t make a big deal about it. Heck, you can even lie and say that you have a few other more casual vendors and because you’re coming in from out of town you’re just covering all your bases putting everything in writing. If she gets offended, walk away. Not having contracts and deposits doesn’t make me nervous in and of itself – it’s actually not that uncommon for smaller more casual shops, but if she balks at your request than I wouldn’t do business with her. I doubt she’s out to rip you off, but better safe than sorry, you know?
August 19th, 2011 at 6:55 am
If you are concerned about the florists’ reputation, call local funeral homes in that area. Whaaa????? Yes. They know who they get floral deliveries from and their reputation.