Florist Contract?

jennylove810 · April 2010

Is it standard to receive a contract from your florist?

I've had one meeting with my florist and she asked for a small deposit to hold the date. I'll have follow-up meetings over the next 6 months but I have no contract, nothing written. I'd like to have something outlining her initial quote, and what the quote includes (# and approx size of bouquets, centerpieces, etc).

Did you all receive a contract from your florist? Is this something I should insist upon?

akulaji · April 2010

Yes, you should insist upon it. It really is common business practice, and not an unreasonable request. I had to do the same with my florist... it's not that she didn't want to, but she's kind of laid back and overly honest. lol. I have heard of people getting screwed though when suddenly the wedding comes and the florist wants to charge them a lot more for things. There's no reason why they can't give you something in writing with the amounts on it. If for some reason they have a problem with giving you something in writing, then you should wonder why they're being evasive. Better to know now rather than later!

Vanessa630 · April 2010

Agree with PP. Our contract is no where near as detailed or formal as some of the other contracts but it has the basics in it- everything you mentioned as far as the initial quote, etc.

GL!

christikao · April 2010

You should always insist on a contract for any sort of business transaction. The contract should be very detailed with pricing/type of flowers/qty/delivery fee and etc.. I'm surprised that you didn't even get an initial quote.

jennylove810 · April 2010

Oh I got an initial quote via phone.. see it gets a little sticky because my mom is taking care of flowers for us (she loves flowers and insisted, and of course I'm really grateful). She asked the florist about a contract, but was told they don't normally do contracts and all they need is a deposit to book the date. if *I* was taking care of this I would have been a little more assertive.

It IS a reputable florist so I'm not worried about them taking the deposit and vanishing or anything like that, but I appreciate all your input and will insist upon some sort of written agreement.

Thanks ladies!

kls114 · April 2010

Definitely!!!! As soon as we booked & met with our florist she sent out our contract!!

beach11 · April 2010

My contract included a detail description of each bouquet (# of flowers, type of flowers, how the steams are wrapped, etc.), details of the bout, moms & gramdma's corsages, centerpiece descriptions & # of centerpieces, delivery charges (and where it is being delivered). I can change anything up to 2 weeks before the wedding if I wanted. We also put a small deposit down to hold the date. My quote and contract are one in the same, which is good because it lists everything that we are paying for and how much it costs. We were also told (because we chose our flowers about 1 year in advance) that the prices could change +/- 5%, which we were OK with. I would try to push for some type of contract, or at least a detailed quote with prices for each item, that way of something doesn't come out as you thought you have a detailed list of what you ordered. HTH

jennylove810 · April 2010

That is definitely helpful. Thanks!

I only started to wonder about it because I was reading some 'wedding regrets' thread and one Knottie was talking about how when she walked into her reception venue her centerpieces were about 1/3 the size they were supposed to be, and I guess she was in the process of demanding some money back from her florist (this was in CA). But it got me to thinking about how I don't have a contract and how I'd be so angry if that happened to me.

And not that I think it will, because I know I'm dealing with a great florist with a great reputation. It's just needing to cover the bases, ya know?

ZoeTheDog · April 2010

Yeah, I don't consider anything to be "checked" until the deposit is given and the money is sign. Your mom needs to insist upon a contract that at least outlines what you will be getting. What happens if the florist writes down, "Bridesmaid bouquets" and you are missing one the day of the wedding...the florist will just chaulk it up to the contract not listing the number of bouquets. You have to protect yourself, you are spending a lot of money on this day.

SuMmErKuTiE · April 2010

Yes we have a contract with our florist, she sent us two copies in the mail after we decided to book her (Whoo hoo Jane!) and we counter signed and sent back one copy with our deposit and kept the other copy for our records.

jennylove810 · April 2010

Looks like I'm getting on the phone this afternoon! Ugh, I'm such a non-demanding, borderline-pushover person... this type of thing is not my strong suit. Blah!

akulaji · April 2010

I totally understand how you feel. If it makes you feel uncomfortable 'demanding' something, maybe go at it from the standpoint that you want a full breakdown of the flowers with the pricing so that you fully understand what you will be receiving. Also, that you want to make sure that whoever is overseeing things when the flowers are delivered (coordinator, family member, venue, etc.) knows exactly what should be delivered. It's also not unreasonable to ask for a contract so that they understand that you're expecting a specific service and should receive that. My florist gave me the quote w/ the prices and we both signed that and it stands as our contract. It can be as simple as that.

Just remember that you are employing them... they are being paid to provide a service. It's not unreasonable to hold them accountable for that. No worries! It'll all be fine. I'm 100% positive that you are not the first person to ask them for this.

Tink8331 · April 2010

I found that what was said on the phone was not the same price as when I met the florist in person. Get a contract. Also, if you have a nice ring, take it off before meeting the florist in person.

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