Top 10 Florist Consumer Tips

• Confirm your order nearer the time
If you’ve ordered flowers a long time in advance for an event such as a wedding, it’s advisable to ring your florist and check that everything is still okay a few days beforehand.
• Ask about seasonal flowers
You may be able to save yourself money by choosing seasonal flowers rather than more exotic ones that have to be ordered in from a far away country at a premium.
• Has the florist delivered to your venue before?
If you’re ordering flowers for a funeral, wedding or corporate event it’s wise to ask your local florist if they’ve delivered there before in order to avoid any potential problems on the day.
• Always ask to see a portfolio or examples
This tip is particularly important for special occasions when your flowers have to be just right. The florist should have a portfolio of previous wedding bouquets they’ve done and may even have some arrangements in the shop they can show you as an example.
• Ask if your florist is a member of a professional association
The British Florist Association (BFA) is the trade body for retails florists in the UK and they have their own code of practice and complaints procedure. There are almost 6,500 member florists in the association so finding one near you shouldn’t be difficult.
• See the flowers you’re ordering close up
Whether you’re buying flowers as a gift for a loved one or for decorative purposes for an event, the visual appeal is crucial. Wherever possible you should try to visit your florists to see the flowers you want to order close up rather than relying on pictures on a website.
• Ordering flowers securely online
It’s not always possible to visit a local florist personally before you order flowers, so if you do have to order online, make sure your details are safe. Look out for any trust marks on the website that says it is secure and always make sure the web page you’re putting your card details into is a secure one – starting with https rather than just http.
• Don’t neglect the small print
If you’re ordering wedding flowers you need to ask about the terms and conditions such as what will happen if the florist can’t deliver the exact flowers you’ve ordered or they fail to deliver them at all.
• Consider artificial flowers
Artificial flowers are a cost-effective and longer lasting alternative to fresh flowers and can look as good as the real thing. These can also be good for allergy sufferers who can’t have fresh flowers because of the pollen.
• Use the florist’s expertise
If you’re unsure about the best flowers to choose for a particular occasion or what will work best in line with your budget, make sure you use the expertise of your florist and ask them to make suggestions based on their experience.