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Original poster

Missing Florist

68 replies

MintDuck · 06/08/2025 14:33

Hi fellow Brides! Just hoping someone can re-assure me that this is normal....I booked my florist in March of last year, I told her it was unlikely to be a big order (she was one of very few that didn't want over a certain spend in the thousands). I paid her a deposit of £100 last march.

She sent an email in the new year to say that she'd be in touch with six months to go and contact would get more frequent as we got closer. Six months came and went and I heard nothing, so with four and a half months to go I was emailing and calling and didn't hear back from her until about a week later, saying she was mega busy (understandable) but not to worry, our contact would be increasing from then on.

Fast forward, and we're now 8 weeks out and I can't get a response from her again. Is this normal and she's just busy? I am concerned though as we've not discussed what we want in any details, types of flowers etc.

Our order won't be massive, but I would have thought she'd at least want to talk through the colours and the choice of flowers, and how much of everything we will need and the final cost (previously she just gave me a list of rates). Fiancé thinks she's taken a bigger order for the same day and is just going to ignore us or contact us at the last minute as anything will do as its not a massive order (but then, she doesn't even know that yet!).

I had a friend email her yesterday enquiring about a wedding and she responded almost immediately, but mine go unanswered, so she is around.

Any advice?

OP posts:
SendTheNextOneIn · 06/08/2025 14:35

Sorry if this is a stupid question but do you have a phone number for her, rather than trying to get a response by email?

PrettyYellow30 · 06/08/2025 14:37

Well if she has responded to someone you know via email, then it does sound like she's just ignoring yours. I would get a phone number for her asap!

Original poster
MintDuck · 06/08/2025 14:38

Hi, yes sorry, I should have added that I've called as well, they don't get answered so I've just left voicemails.

OP posts:
Icecreamhelps · 06/08/2025 14:44

Can you try calling her from a number she doesn't recognise? I would say that wedding flower arrangements would normally be planned a few months in advance to make sure any special order flowers are placed with wholesalers.

WhatDidIComeInThisRoomFor · 06/08/2025 14:44

Get your friend to specify your actual wedding date to the florist and see if she’s available then for her potential “new client”.

But it sounds like you need a Plan B - even if you make contact with her now would you feel confident she’s going to fulfil what you need on your wedding day?

Original poster
MintDuck · 06/08/2025 14:48

WhatDidIComeInThisRoomFor · 06/08/2025 14:44

Get your friend to specify your actual wedding date to the florist and see if she’s available then for her potential “new client”.

But it sounds like you need a Plan B - even if you make contact with her now would you feel confident she’s going to fulfil what you need on your wedding day?

Edited

Thanks, that's a great idea actually to see if she is 'available' or booked...I'll ask her to reply with our date. I don't have a lot of faith now if I'm honest that she'll fulfil what we want on the day, even if she does contact me in the next few weeks. Its just annoying that she'll have £100 of our money for doing nothing (not a big budget wedding, so that would have been well spent elsewhere!)

OP posts:
cinnamonda · 06/08/2025 15:00

go to the flowershop and demand a refund.
if you paid cash she could dispute the deposit, but if you sent by bank there is proof.

sorry to hear you are going through this, it is terrible how some people can treat customers.
good luck and congratulations

Icecreamhelps · 06/08/2025 15:01

What would your order be? Is it just a bouquet? Or are you having the church and function room flowers too?

Campingisnexttogodliness · 06/08/2025 15:03

Why haven't you been round? She owes you £100 if she can't deliver her goods...

beetr00 · 06/08/2025 15:05

MintDuck · 06/08/2025 14:48

Thanks, that's a great idea actually to see if she is 'available' or booked...I'll ask her to reply with our date. I don't have a lot of faith now if I'm honest that she'll fulfil what we want on the day, even if she does contact me in the next few weeks. Its just annoying that she'll have £100 of our money for doing nothing (not a big budget wedding, so that would have been well spent elsewhere!)

Show quote history

will you find another florist at this stage?

if yes, just do a chargeback for the original (you can easily prove how often you've tried to contact)

Original poster
MintDuck · 06/08/2025 15:11

Icecreamhelps · 06/08/2025 15:01

What would your order be? Is it just a bouquet? Or are you having the church and function room flowers too?

So we've not really even discussed what we're having with her. All she's done is given a list of prices and would be in touch at 6 months to discuss details and at 3 months to refine them and nail down the final order. We'd wanted a bridal bouquet, one for the MoH, buttonholes, 2 arrangements for the church (to then be reused at the reception venue) and some confetti. Given the list of rates, we'd budgeted around £800.

I was thinking that I might be over reacting and its perfectly normal to be leaving things this late for a florist, especially if she's busy, but beginning to think its really not from the responses! I'm not close enough to go around and chase her up in person, I'm just concerned that strictly speaking she hasn't said she can't supply, it she's just not responding and if and when I do get hold of her or she bothers to contact me, it'll be another load of garbage about how busy she's been. Surely me asking for my deposit back would indicate I'm the party not holding up my end of the contract (it was paid by bank transfer).

OP posts:
Icecreamhelps · 06/08/2025 15:18

I was a florist a long time ago now your order should have been arranged by now in all honesty. If you can charge back then do that. Good luck finding another florist, it really annoys me that people do this to someone arranging a day that should be filled with happiness.

Original poster
MintDuck · 06/08/2025 15:30

Icecreamhelps · 06/08/2025 15:18

I was a florist a long time ago now your order should have been arranged by now in all honesty. If you can charge back then do that. Good luck finding another florist, it really annoys me that people do this to someone arranging a day that should be filled with happiness.

That was really my thinking, but I was then also aware that I might be seen as a bit of a Bridezilla and the lady is incredibly busy with weddings and will be in touch in the right timeframe. Wouldn't be so bad but she's had the deposit since March 2024.

OP posts:
Icecreamhelps · 06/08/2025 15:33

You should never be that busy that you can't answer customers queries in a timely fashion. She has responded to your friend, and they don't have a deposit off them. Like I said try calling from a unknown number see if they answer.

Houseofpainjumparound · 06/08/2025 20:45

If she has not kept up her end of the agreement or you have lost faith in the service delivery you should be able to get your deposit back.

I would carefully draft a formal email detailing what she told you would happen, what has actually happened and what action you require (she speaks to you within 24hours or you need your deposit back) and include a timeline, when you paid the deposit, what was agreed and how often and how you have tried to communicate including voicemails etc.

In the meantime I would be looking for other options including a premade silk flower bouquet and button holes etc. Etsy is very good for that.

Poopeepoopee · 06/08/2025 20:54

I would definately go to the shop even If I didn't live close by. Why did you choose a florist that wasn't close to you? How will you pick the flowers up?

She won't be able to ignore you in the shop and you can tell her that you've come a long way and spent a lot of time travelling to speak to her about something that she could have done on the phone.

Silverd83 · 06/08/2025 20:58

I had several consultations with my florist in the months leading up to our wedding. I would be looking elsewhere at this stage and leaving a a ppor review. This is the most important day of your life regardless of spend.

Justthethingsthatyoudointhisgarden · 06/08/2025 21:01

Tell her you want your money back and ho to a local florist. Cheeky mare

FreyaW · 06/08/2025 21:11

MintDuck · 06/08/2025 14:33

Hi fellow Brides! Just hoping someone can re-assure me that this is normal....I booked my florist in March of last year, I told her it was unlikely to be a big order (she was one of very few that didn't want over a certain spend in the thousands). I paid her a deposit of £100 last march.

She sent an email in the new year to say that she'd be in touch with six months to go and contact would get more frequent as we got closer. Six months came and went and I heard nothing, so with four and a half months to go I was emailing and calling and didn't hear back from her until about a week later, saying she was mega busy (understandable) but not to worry, our contact would be increasing from then on.

Fast forward, and we're now 8 weeks out and I can't get a response from her again. Is this normal and she's just busy? I am concerned though as we've not discussed what we want in any details, types of flowers etc.

Our order won't be massive, but I would have thought she'd at least want to talk through the colours and the choice of flowers, and how much of everything we will need and the final cost (previously she just gave me a list of rates). Fiancé thinks she's taken a bigger order for the same day and is just going to ignore us or contact us at the last minute as anything will do as its not a massive order (but then, she doesn't even know that yet!).

I had a friend email her yesterday enquiring about a wedding and she responded almost immediately, but mine go unanswered, so she is around.

Any advice?

Does she have a shop you can go to?
Have you considered just emailing her a list of the items and fowers/colours you'll be wanting and asking her to respond explaining that you're a bit concerned now..

Also...regrettably I have experience of this...have you checked recent reviews etc online.. see if anyone else has had probems/let downs/no shows? Don't just check Google reviews..there are numerous other sites that have reviews..even social media sites.

Good luck x

Playgo · 06/08/2025 21:13

Did your friend give her your date… and get a reply?!

QuizzlyBears · 06/08/2025 21:17

I’d be interested to know where you are located, she sounds very like someone we had an experience with! Does she also have an Instagram account where she posts frequently about how busy she is?! My advice would to be relentless in your attempts to communicate, try her from different numbers, explain you are confused/concerned/worried about her lack of communication and pin her to actual dates for next step conversations and planning when you do get hold of her.

Carodebalo · 06/08/2025 21:17

Yes I have advice. Stop emailing. Call her from another number, ask her what’s the story. Will she help you with the flowers for your wedding day, or not? If yes: make clear arrangements and follow this up with an email to confirm. If not: follow this up with an email to confirm including the date by which she has promised you will get your deposit back (you ask her the date during the phone call). If she does not pay the deposit back, come back on mumsnet and ask some legal advice on how to deal with that! After your call, you’ll know if you need to find a new florist asap, or not. Make it a priority, I would do this tomorrow OP, get it over and done with. Best of luck!

niadainud · 06/08/2025 21:21

SendTheNextOneIn · 06/08/2025 14:35

Sorry if this is a stupid question but do you have a phone number for her, rather than trying to get a response by email?

It is a slightly stupid question because the OP does say "I was emailing and calling..."

Lillers · 06/08/2025 21:27

Where did you find her originally? Was it a website that has reviews? I’m not suggesting leaving a review badmouthing her, but perhaps a public comment along the lines of: “As it’s nearly my wedding date and I have not been able to get hold of X from X Flowers, I’d suggest any potential new customers proceed with caution as I’m concerned that none of her numbers or email addresses appear to be working now that she has our deposit money.”

DreamTheMoors · 06/08/2025 21:28

Icecreamhelps · 06/08/2025 15:18

I was a florist a long time ago now your order should have been arranged by now in all honesty. If you can charge back then do that. Good luck finding another florist, it really annoys me that people do this to someone arranging a day that should be filled with happiness.

And no stress - or very, very little stress.

I found an after-school job that blossomed into an endearing and lifelong friendship working for a florist.
When I married, there was no question that they would do our flowers, even though they were a little old-fashioned.
I remember on the day-of when they were delivering them, my old boss laughed and asked, “are you ready for the national debt?” because we told him price was no object.
It wasn’t even £500 - I was expecting £5000!
And the flowers were glorious.

My advise to you @MintDuckwould be to find another florist ASAP - you might have to eat that deposit, but I hope not. I hope it wasn’t cash.
Ask around for recommendations - small florists can be just as brilliant as as the big ones and sometimes the less-in-demand ones try harder than the ones that are busy every weekend.

Congratulations on your betrothal. ❤️