Surprisingly, many brides take florists for their word when ordering flowers for a wedding, and, never sign a contract. Instead, the idea of non-delivery or the delivery of the wrong flowers for your wedding never enters the mind of some brides, and, this is a huge risk to take. Your receipt from your florist is just that a receipt. It doesn't describe what is to be made and delivered for your special day. So to answer the question do you need a contract with your florist for you wedding: YES!
What should your contact with your florist contain? At the very minimum your contract should have the following information and it should be signed by both you and the owner or at least the manager of the florist shop:
- Your name, address and contact information
- The name of the florist shop, physical location, name of the owner or manager and contact information for the shop
- Date and time of delivery of the flowers. (Be sure to include all locations from bouquets being delivered to your home to flowers for the church to your reception center pieces. Make sure they are all in the contract.)
- Make sure each flower that you want is included describing color, type and even quantity. For example, if you want two dozen sterling roses per center piece do yourself a favor and count at least one or two centerpieces to make sure you received what you paid for when you ordered. Less than honest florists may think it is ok to give you 18 or 20 roses per centerpiece when you paid for 24. Don't think it happens? Think again. So be very, very specific with the flowers to be included, and, if you do not want any substitutions be sure "no substitutions" is included in the contract.
- The name of the florist who will be on duty during the day of your wedding. In the event of a problem, you'll want to know with whom to speak to correct the problem.
- Costs including taxes, delivery fees, set up fees, break down fees need to be in writing so both you and the florist know where you each stand.
- Cancellation and refunds are another important element to cover in your contract with your florist. If the unthinkable happens, and, the wedding is postponed or even cancelled, you don't want to pay for items you may never use.
- Both your signature along with the signature of the florist (be sure it is the owner or manager.)
Keep in mind that verbal agreements are extremely hard to prove and enforce, and, if you have to go to court, you may be out of luck without a written contract. And, remember that the florist is providing you a service, and, a written contract is to protect them as well as you.
What to do if you do have a problem with your florist.
The first thing to do is contact the florist. More than likely they will want to satisfy you to the best of their ability. However, your argument must be a sound one. For example, a florist cannot guarantee flower color will match bridesmaid dresses exactly, so, that is something you really couldn't argue. However, if you ordered pink roses, and, instead your florist delivers pink carnations then this is a situation where they florist should make some type of restitution (refund) to you.
If you have a legitimate argument and the florist refuses any type of restitution then your next step is the BBB (Better Business Bureau.) The BBB will ask you to file a formal complaint and they will present it to the business (in this case the florist) and ask that the problem be resolved. The BBB in Manhattan is located at 257 Park Avenue South and their phone number is (212) 533-6200.
If the BBB fails to help settle the dispute then your next would be taking the problem to court. If you have a written contract, it is as simple as filing under breach of contract and then supplying both the original contract along with photos and/or video of proof of what was really delivered to your wedding.
These steps are rarely needed, but, unfortunately every once in a while a bride does get burned by a florist, and, these are the steps to follow if you find yourself in that unfortunate situation. If you need to take the matter to court, it is highly recommended you hire an attorney to argue the case for you.
