Missing Florist

[MintDuck]

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?

I own a flower shop and we are constantly doing last minute orders for weddings and funeral when customers have been let down by an online florist that has ghosted them. Try to get your deposit back and order from an actual shop just to be safe

There seem to be some fairly obvious next steps that you seem reluctant to do? Call her yourself off another number, go there (surely its worth the trip?), charge back, email and say if you haven't heard from her in x time you'll be wanting a refund...

Asking your friend to see if she's booked on your date won't achieve anything and time is of.the essence surely?

Go to the shop. Where did you even find her? Was it online? How are her reviews? Personally I wouldn’t leave it so late, go to the shop and sort it out

Does she have a shop? If so turn up and ask to speak to her/manager/owner. You will get a vibe off them there and then and most likely given you the answer whether or not your are looking for a new florist!! I had to find a new hair stylist 6 days before my wedding because she double booked herself and had zero contact with me until then 😳

Does she have a shop, can you call in to see her?

Ugh yes. Do you know I read the OP twice to see if phone calls were mentioned before I asked and I still managed to miss it. Will read it three times next time.

@MintDuck
What happens when you call, I assume she just doesn’t pick up/it goes to voicemail? I’d be so annoyed.

A florist shouldn’t just be doing flowers for one wedding on any given day though. I used to work for a florist and deliver and set up wedding flowers. We could do several weddings in a day, plus all the normal orders for random other things as well. I can’t imagine she has just booked someone else.

I would contact her and say you need a response by x date or you will need your deposit returned. That should light some fire under her.

Hi Florist here.

I don’t book anyone in, or take a deposit, until I have at least an idea to actually base a quote on. Even it it changes significantly, we have basic numbers and themes.
she needs to order the flowers so why you’re even booked in without her having a clue is bizarre.

For it to be 8 week till your big day and for your florist not to be contactable is really shonky.

yes, this time of year were ridiculously busy…but having been in the wedding industry for over 10 years, I know what a stressful time it is and am always available to chat even if it’s just for reassurance.

I would maybe send her an email with a deadline to reply…maybe 7 days, stating the dates of the other messages you’ve sent and which she’s not replied to.
if you still don’t get a reply, you may have to threaten the small claims to get your deposit back.

I really hope you get a reply soon lovely…you deserve better.

I’d go into the shop to speak to her. She had your money and is ignoring your calls.
In the meantime contact local florists ti see what availability they have

I clicked on this thread title in alarm that I had missed something sinister in the news - but relieved to see my mind had run away with me. I am sorry that you have been left with such uncertainty at this late stage - I do hope that you can resolve it soon but would also have a plan B in the running. Huge congratulations for your upcoming wedding and I hope this doesnt take the sparkle off.

I’d send her a text to say you’re very worried she isn’t replying to emails or calls, and you’ll be requesting your deposit back if she doesn’t speak to you on the phone before the end of the week.

Ex florist here. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about, I’m sure she’s just exceptionally busy given it’s prime wedding time at the moment! Flowers don’t get ordered until a few days before they need to be conditioned (usually the day before the event), so you have plenty of time. You could just call and explain your anxious and ask to book Ina time in a few weeks to discuss what you want, but yes, essentially don’t stress!

You could get friend to arrange an initial consult and go along with her but that may well put her back up.

Personally I would be looking for other florists to help at this late hour. You can gather rose petals - ask friends and family and also put posts out on local Facebook groups asking people to help you gather them. Dry them and there’s your confetti (or just buy it online / marketplace etc).

She hasn’t delivered the service she said she would (no or limited contact) so you’ll get your £100 but it may be a battle or it may be easy depending on her motivations to be this flaky

Go visit her!

This.

She said she has been emailing and calling so she must have her number. 👀

you can do without this stress. Sort out a plan B back up florist. When you have someone then go to original florist and ask her to confirm via email / in writing the details of the order and service to be performed and by when (ie colours flowers etc) and give a time limit eg 7 days (nb this should have been done at time of ordering). If this isnt done then ask for your deposit back as she is unable to confirm she can deliver the service arranged. You need to have it all in writing. If you dont hear back go to the new florist. You can seek your deposit back through small claims court as long as you have the paperwork etc.

It is rather rude of her not to get back to you. I am a florist and it is a busy time of year, but I would only need to finalise everything a few of weeks before for an order such as yours. Email her and say you are feeling nervous as you haven’t heard back, and could she just put your mind at rest. It you don’t hear back go with someone else and leave a review on her Google page.

I’m a florist too.

We take on lots of last minute requests but if this florist told you she would be in contact by a certain date to discuss arrangements and hasn’t kept to this then your within your rights to request your deposit back.

Where did you find her? There’s been a real surge in florists over the last five years or so who have done a few workshops then set up on their own. They have perfectly curated Instagram accounts but don’t have a fecking clue. I know. I’ve freelanced for a couple!

Happy for you to DM me if you me to check who she is and potentially recommend a different florist. I follow a lot of florists on Instagram and generally know who is legit.

So you sent £100 but have made no sitting appointment to discuss what you want and she keeps postponing?

Request a refund now. Either you get your money back (hopefully) and have a chance to use it to book someone interested or you know she won’t do it and that give you a chance to book someone interested in the job.

You really don’t anyone to spring on you the flowers no one wanted…

I would go I to he shop and go through what you want with her and get her to confirm the date etc.

If she will take your friend on as a new client on your wedding date then get her to order your flowers.

Sounds as though your order was not really financially profitable enough for her.

She obviously does not want your custom and has no manners.
.
Ger rid and find someonelse. l know it is short notice.

Good luck

Trust you wedding will go well with a lovely day and flowers.

🤞💐👰
X

its a scam.
she just wants the deposits.
that's why she answered your friends fresh enquiry.
contact her from a different email pretending to be a fresh customer abd I bet she replies.
this is fraud and if if proves to be as I described then report her to action fraud
then
go to another florist
a high street one... as otherwise you'll be without flowers. count yourself lucky you've only lost a 100

£800 on flowers is a lot of money in my opinion. Is she that rich that she can turn money down?

see if you can find another florist willing to take you on and then email asking for deposit back as she’s too busy.