Florist News

I think honesty is the best policy - if there's no way for you to get fresh flowers then tell the bride. Personally I wouldn't overprice the wedding in the hope she won't go for it - if she decides she does want to go for it because you're the only florist that's available then it turns out you have issues getting the flowers it's not going to reflect well on you.

I have taken weddings in between Xmas and New Year, but only when I know I can definitely get the flowers from our dutchman or local wholesalers and I've never had a problem - but I am always totally straight with the bride upfront.

What concerns me is that you do have reservations about it and that for the next 9 months you will be constantly worrying about it. You'll have so many other things to get on with that you don't really want something like that on your brain every day. It's just not worth it. If you can overcome the issues and have confidence that everything will be fine, you can just forget about it for a while.

In some ways it is a challenge that you should readily accept. After all, it's not an impossible task, the flowers should be available, they should keep for a week at that time of year if you look after them. Other florists do it. If you can sort it out you will feel so much better about taking other things on. It's all a question of whether you feel it's just too much hassle for you.

I'm in a similar position as I have a wedding on New Years Eve. Because of the way Christmas falls this year Covent Garden won't open until the 28th. I've told my bride that choice is limited and expensive and she's fine with that.
If you did decide to go ahead with this job, just be honest and explain the situation, if she plays up then the job isn't worth the hassle.
I've been asked to quote for a job in Chile next March!!!!!! We did a wedding in Seville last September which took 9 months to plan and as my business partner hates flying involved quite a few tears (and alchohol) but it gave us such a buzz to know that we beat off a very grand London florist who, when asked if he would go to spain, said "I'll need to send 4 people for 4 days". The bride said "I'm not paying for them to have a holiday!!"

Have had weddings last 3 years at xmas and got our flowers in fresh from holland day before xmas eve we are always up front and tell brides when we are getting flowers in and tell them it is an estimated price so far all have been understanding and happy flowers were fine all weddings were roses and orchid handties roses were handtied loosely late xmas eve and stood in water then on eve of wedding wired orchids fed through all church arrangements would have been completed a couple of days before xmas weddings went well and all brides very happy no problems at all with the flowers if you can just have a little confidence in yourself it can drum up more business as very few florists want to do weddings at peak times. 3 years ago we had a wedding on valentines day very large gypsy wedding it was hectic 12 bridesmaids all large bouquets 12 large pedestals and pew ends it was hectic expensive and stressful but we got there and have done 2 sisters weddings since so must have pleased

Personally what I would do (and what I have done) is to sit her down and explain the problem. There are a number of REALLY good silk flowers out there now and you may be able to get round her rose problem this way - I personally scent mine and everyone I have done this for has been well pleased - so far. I have been doing weddings for 18 years so can speak with a little authority. You may have to really sell the idea of silk - perhaps prepare a bouquet in silk to show her how effective if can be. If not - do you have access to a cooler that you can use as this will slow down the deterioration, although I am with you and would not be particularly happy with using anything less than the best - and I am lucky I can speak to my suppliers if I am not happy with what they send and get a replacement in hours, not days. But the bottom line is - your reputation is at stake and honesty is always the best policy. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I'll let you know what i do, as its tomorrow, but i still havent decided.

I reckon it will be a spur of the moment thing when she starts to tell me what she wants.

Let's just clarify a little here. i agree with you all on the 'honesty' thing. You just can't tell lies and get away with it. So that means ..don't be 'dishonest'. Being honest doesn't mean you have to bare your soul and tell everything. If you are asked a question, you answer it truthfully. You don't need to offer information that may sound negative in the customer's eyes. In the words of the Godfather.."Never tell anyone outside the family what you are thinking".
If you think there may be problems but you know you can overcome them, keep it to yourself. You will only put her into panic mode if you suggest that something may go wrong. If you need to, suggest a backup plan. e.g. we will do our best to supply xxxx roses, but if for some reason they are unavailable, would you be happy with xxx roses, which will look just as nice. Don't leave this till the last minute. If you get her agreement up front, you can relax. You must sound confident and professional. Failure is not an option. She just wants to know that everything will be ok on the day. The logistics are your problem, not hers.

Yes we tell our brides last delivery will be xmas eve and assure them that everything will be ok ask them to trust us always got the booking and haven't had a problem so far and we never had a cooler mind you we have always bought in extra just in case been lucky have never lost any there was always another looking for something and we would have been able to sell even though we were only open for wedding

Guess what, her appointment was at 12.00, and she has just rang and cancelled.

All that kerfuffle, (or however you spell it) for nothing.

Oh well, i can have that week off now,

Ellie,
Was the 12.00 time your suggestion or hers?