Day of wedding problems with florist what to do next?

peanutkls

           The florist I used on my Wedding which was five days ago showed up an hour and 45 minutes late. I had a feeling a few time this might happen because she had gotten our meeting times and days mixed up a few times but I did not have the time or money to be able to switch florisits because of it.
           Because she was late I was unable to do pictures during that time with my flowers. When I did receive my flowers they were not what I had asked for, my bouquet was supposed to be all pink roses with pearls and I got gerbera daisies, tulips, hydrangeas and some flowers that were purple also ended up being way smaller than what I had expected. The Bridesmaids flowers were also way smaller than I expected, thrown together quickly and were droopy and wilting. I had two maid of honors and their bouquets were supposed to be bigger and they were smaller than the bridesmaids.
                   I was completely unsatisfied, and stressed out, not to mention when I did see the florist later when she was putting the "centerpieces" on the table she said to me "sorry for the minimal flowers I had another wedding." I played that off pretty well but inside I was furious. She had also left during set up and did not do a lot of the work in which she was supposed to do such as putting linenes down and setting up the tables, my family and friends ended up doing it.
                  I did not have a contract with here which I am glad, I had already given her a $2,000 deposit and I do not think she is going to get much more after that. Any thoughts?  I would always suggest a contract after this, however I had a beautiful wedding and hopefully this will just help me save a little money.

Cynthia1207

Actually if you had a contract with her and she did not honor it, you would be able to do something about it.  Since nothing is signed, she cannot claim you any more money nor do you have to pay her anything.  If however you wrote something in an email confirming paying her a certain amount, you need to honor that because it can count as a contract.

There isn't much you can do about it.  This is why contracts are important; they state in writing what is to be expected and delivered.

I'm sorry you were disappointed but very glad you had a beautiful day nonetheless. Great attitude!

peanutkls

She never even gave me a final amount on things, and we never talked about money in emails. She gave me quotes in person but the quotes and what I recieved did not coorespond with eachother. My boquet was quoted at $130 and it was prob only worth $30 if that.

Maggie0829

I seriously cannot believe you did business with a person who would not give you exact figures!  Contracts are a must especially when you are spending large amounts of money.  Since there is no contract there is nothing you can really do.  I wouldn't pay her another cent but there is no way you can get any of your $2000 back.  Also having another wedding does not mean you get the crap flowers left over.  She seems to be a poor business woman and planner.  Guess you should just count your losses and move on.

peanutkls

Yea I wasn't expecting to get any money back considering she did our food as well and that was well paid for. Comes to show even nice people you can not trust because she was a very nice lady. At least I am saving money by not having to give her anymore which i was expecting to have to pay $2,000 more.

flower_diva

this person did the food AND the flowers?  not good. I don't know any florist that "does" food as another business. First talk to her and tell her how disatisfied you were.....she will think it was all fine with you if you don't tell her. Do that with a follow up letter and document all correspondance between you. A legit florist will make it right.......and If she won't ,I'd still talk to a lawyer.

Cynthia1207

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_flowers_day-of-wedding-problems-florist-next?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:28Discussion:51c19de5-2bb2-4f32-a4c7-88eeb6b3b0eaPost:0c9aa2d1-7754-4ba2-89cd-f87bae6070c3">Re: Day of wedding problems with florist what to do next?</a>:
[QUOTE]this person did the food AND the flowers?  not good. I don't know any florist that "does" food as another business. First talk to her and tell her how disatisfied you were.....she will think it was all fine with you if you don't tell her. Do that with a follow up letter and document all correspondance between you. A legit florist will make it right.......and If she won't ,I'd still talk to a lawyer.
Posted by flower_diva[/QUOTE]

Even if you ask a lawyer, there's no documentation showing written prices or agreements where both parties consent.  There's no proof of anything and it's going to look as if it was a "friend favor".

Looks like you'll just have to move on.  I would write a review about it though and also write her a letter.  You never know maybe she'll give you some of the money back.  I hope you have a receipt for that 2000$ you gave her in the first place?  If you don't then you have no proof that you actually did pay her any money whatsoever.

peanutkls

I'm totally fine moving on and only have given her $2,000 it was all in checks so there is proof that I had paid her. I am not going to spend more money on it and get a lawyer I just wanted to make sure that I would be okay not having to pay her more than what I already have and if that would be the right thing to do.

iluvmy0341

Yeah you got screwed on not having a contract. I would definitely make a complaint with the BBB. They may be able to help you as far as getting deposits back, but again, you don't have a contract stating what your flowers should have been.

Cynthia1207

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_flowers_day-of-wedding-problems-florist-next?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:28Discussion:51c19de5-2bb2-4f32-a4c7-88eeb6b3b0eaPost:d86bafd9-f341-4a31-a499-68225788fe39">Re: Day of wedding problems with florist what to do next?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm totally fine moving on and only have given her $2,000 it was all in checks so there is proof that I had paid her. I am not going to spend more money on it and get a lawyer I just wanted to make sure that I would be okay not having to pay her more than what I already have and if that would be the right thing to do.
Posted by peanutkls[/QUOTE]

Thank god!  Yeah you're fine just walking away without paying a penny more.  She doesn't have prrof that you owe her anything moer anyway so it wouldn't be justified on her part.

Congrats on being a newlywed!

peanutkls

Thanks! I appreciate the good advice I have done other post's and some girls are not as nice. I don't understand the point of being rude to other girls on here when they are only here for advice and/or to vent that is went these fourms are for. So thank you!

NOLAbridealmost

Not having a written contract goes two ways: in reality you're totally out the deposit that you paid, but she also has no way of proving that she's entitled to the additional 2,000.  

Just cut your losses and consider this a very expensive life lesson.

Also, if she sues you for the remaining balance, she has an argument that you breached the contract by not paying even though it wasn't in writing (good luck to her proving it though), but YOU have an argument that she breached the contract by providing such crappy flowers (good luck to YOU proving that the flowers were wrong).  

If she sues you, get a lawyer. Otherwise I just wouldn't pay. 

peanutkls

Well so far I haven't heard from her, because the wedding she had said she was going to send me the final count and I haven't heard from her and its been almost a week. We are waiting to hear from her and see what she has to say.

peanutkls

I got an Email Invoice today from the florist today, She has got to be kidding me. Ask acted as if nothing was wrong and then wanted to charge me another $1,200 Heck no is she getting that. We are renagotiating with her and possibly only doing $600. Not paying for my boquet  because it was nothing that we wanted.