by Neal Acito
As a former florist, I want to pass on to you some
tips on dealing with florists.
1) They’re Busy
From Thanksgiving to Mother’s Day can be a
tough time. Florists jump from holiday to holiday
and things are intense during those periods. They
don’t see their families. Some of them forget
to bathe. Now, you may have to meet with a florist
during that period. If you do, be gentle with them.
One more suggestion; Don’t call on February
13th to talk about your bouquet.
2) Supply a Picture of the Gown
Having pictures of the wedding gown can be extremely
helpful. Florists are visual people. They need to
SEE what it is that you’re talking about. Think
about it, if they were good with words, they’d
be teaching Junior High School English. Pictures
of the gown, as well as of any flowers you like,
will help.
3) Flowers are Seasonal
You can’t always get what you want. Hydrangea
is plentiful in late summer but, if you want hydrangea
in January, it’s going to cost you.
4) Swatches!
Plum isn’t lavender. Pink can be hot pink
or pastel pink. Even white can be eggshell, Navajo,
or slate. Having swatches from the dresses is going
to save you a lot of heartache. I don’t mean
just the bridesmaids either. People always forget
about the moms and grandmothers.
5) A Question of Expertise
Tulips are beautiful. But, in July, they are going
to blow open from the heat and look terrible. If
you touch a gardenia, the oil from your skin is going
to turn the flower brown. You need to trust that
the florist is going to know these things. They’re
not trying to spoil your fun. They simply know what
works and what doesn’t.
6) Where to Save
Years from now, nobody is going to remember the
centerpieces. However, everyone is going to have
pictures of you and the bridal bouquet. If you’re
on a tight budget, cut down the centerpieces.
7) Have Everything Ready Beforehand
Where is the wedding? Where is the reception? Who
is attending? What is the date? These are very simple
questions and it would amaze you to know how many
people don’t know the answers. Florists are
always happy to help you with ideas. However, when
it comes time to book the florist, you should have
all your ducks in a row.
8) Review the Order
You should get a copy of the wedding order. Review
it. Make sure it’s correct. You may have TALKED
about rose
petals for the flower girl, but if it’s not
on the ORDER, you aren’t getting it. Follow
up a few weeks before the wedding as well.
9) Test Drive
If you’re not familiar with the area, order
something small. Pretend to be an average customer
and order an arrangement. It’ll give you a
good idea of what it’s like to deal with the
florist. You wouldn’t buy a car without a test
drive, would you?
And finally,
10) Your Attitude Snobby customers get nothing. Nice customers get
everything. Money has nothing to do with it. Flashing
a lot of cash will not be impressive. Florists love
people who appreciate their work. Being nice will
go a long way, and acting snobby will not. If you
want to bring floral magic into your most important
day, be nice.
That’s about it. Just remember that you can
get most of what you want by being organized, flexible,
and nice. For the most part, florists aren’t
out to get your money. They can probably make a lot
more money doing something else. They do it because
they love it. Find a florist who loves their work
and you’ve struck gold.
by Neal Acito
Go back to Articles |
