Legal things to discuss with your wedding florist
When my mother got married, she made a ‘controversial’ decision to have a bouquet of yellow roses. It was a last minute change in plan that had my usually placid grandmother seething. Gran is pink-befok and had planned a very, very pink bouquet for Mom to match her very pink mother-of-the-bride outfit. I love that Mom’s streak of rebellion played out in her flower choice.
For many people, the florals at a wedding are a huge deal. Whether or not they’re as big a deal for you as they were for my gran, it’s a good idea to have a formal agreement between you and your florist.
Wedding flowers can end up being a substantial cost item and it’s important that you and your florist are on the same page.
Here are a list of things to discuss with your florist and make sure are covered in their service agreement:
MONEY
What is the cost of the floral service?
What are the payment terms i.e. 70% deposit to secure the florist and buy the flowers, 30% balance of payment within 7 days of the wedding?
What does a deposit secure?
What is the refund policy if the florist cancels?
What is the refund policy if you cancel?
What happens to the balance of payment if the florist doesn’t deliver on their obligation?
Will there be an invoice issued by the florist?
Has each floral piece been reflected and described properly in your quote?
What equipment is included in the quote i.e. vases, jars, candles, tools?
CREATIVE PROCESS
Does the service include consultations?
If so, what do they cost and how many are needed?
What exactly is the florist doing for you? Centre pieces? Church flowers? Bouquets?
What is the process followed to ensure that you and your florist are on the same page in terms of what the florals will look like?
What are your responsibilities in terms of communicating your vision for your wedding flowers?
What are the consequences if the florist does something different to what you’ve agreed on?
Is there something to sign off on - a Pinterest moodpboard or proposal, for example - to ensure you’re both on the same page?
Will you see physical examples of the flowers being used?
Will you see physical mockups of the bouquets, centre pieces etc?
What is the plan in case the flowers and colours you’ve chosen are not available at the time of your wedding?
TIMELINE
How far in advance should you be formalising a booking with your florist?
What is the timeline of the florist’s cancellation terms?
How long will the florals take on the day?
LOGISTICS
Are my wedding florals the only ones you’ll be doing on the day?
What is the date of your wedding?
What time will the florist be arriving for set up?
What if they are late or don’t pitch up?
What is the contingency plan if the florist can’t make it on your wedding day?
What is the location the florist will be coming to?
Who will cover the cost of the florist travelling to your venue?
Who will cover accommodation for the florist, if it’s necessary?
Who will cover the cost of eating ‘on the job’ of the florist?
Will the florist be bringing a support team?
What is the scope of work for the support team?
Who will cover the cost of travel, accommodation and eating ‘on the job’ for the support team?
What are the delivery / collection policies for bouquets and who is responsible for cost?
Who will ‘break down’ the flower arrangements at the end of the celebration?
Will any flowers need to be transported between venues i.e. a Church and a reception hall?
Who will be handling the transportation?
QUALITY
What happens if the flowers are damaged / wilted / inferior to what you signed off on?
How does the florist guarantee freshness and quality of the blooms?
How are the flowers kept refrigerated?
If your wedding florist don’t present you with a contract, then you should be asking for one. And if they don’t have one, send them our way.