Hire a florist before meeting in person?

Hmm. Our Florist insisted on an in face consultation, and we went to her shop to meet with her in person before we even received a quote. This doesn't necessarily mean he's wrong, but I would review the contract to see your freedom to change things before signing on the dotted line. I changed my mind on centerpieces in between the quote and signing our contract - she was happy to oblige me and offered her expertise. That's the thing with your arrangment: we spent an hour with her before the quote designing exactly what we wanted with her expertise. He sounds like what he's doing is fine, but he certainly isn't advising you from the sound of it. Just make sure you have the ability to change your mind in the contract.

I met with my florist before I booked her. I regret booking her because she didn't do anything like I wanted, but I should have known because she was rather new and inexpensive. She was the florist for my brother's wedding and they had an amazing experience with her, but I didn't. However, I also booked other vendors without meeting them first. I live 4 hours from where my wedding was so it wasn't possible for me to meet all of them first. I talked with each one in great length and read a ton of reviews before I booked them. For my photographer, I used someone my friend used for her wedding and she was very happy. For my DJ, I booked someone the venue recommended. I also read all of his venues and talked to him a lot before. There were other DJs my venue recommended as well, but I liked ours the best.

I booked our florist after seeing her work on her website and speaking with her on the phone. Our wedding is not local so I kind of had to trust in what she had already done and our 2 hour phone call, but I totally loved her from the first minute!! My mom and I went to our venue last month to do a walk through and let her see places for welcome reception/venue walk through as she had not seen it yet. We met with our florist in person at this point and fell even more in love with her and her ideas!! I think a phone call and examples of their work will help ease your mind. It also helps if you have an idea of what you want out of your florist for that day and also you both understand your budget and what that will get you floral wise. Good luck!!

The contract from daughter's florist literally listed every specific type/color of flower to be used in each arrangement, and included things like a specific description of the vase (for centerpieces) or the color of ribbon to be used (for bouquets, corsages, etc.), along with the exact price of each item. For each item, there were also photographs of what the arrangement would look like -- most were drawn from the florist's online portfolio -- so it was clear exactly what the expectations were. In total, we probably met with her face-to-face four times in the 14 months -- and definitely before daughter booked her. She also made a sample centerpiece for daughter at our final meeting about a month before the wedding and daughter got to take it home, with no additional charge. Personally, I'd expect more specific information before signing a contract. Does the florist have a website that includes a gallery of photos?

For example, this is what was in the contract for BMs bouquets

I met with one florist in person, just to get an idea of what I needed to be going over with them (I’m not a huge flower person). Then the rest that I emailed for quotes and sent inspiration photos to actually sent me back detailed contract with each flower and color listed - it was really helpful and nice to know what I’d be getting. Maybe ask if they can provide you with this

View Quoted Comment Yes, I live far away too. I was a bit worried I wouldnt make it down there before a reasonable amount of time to book with him. I imagine I can go visit later once I lock him in. I just didnt want him to be busy if I wait until March when the wedding is in May.

View Quoted Comment He does have an online presence. So I've seen it before i just want to make sure his quotes dont include like hydrangeas. I will reach back out! Thanks!

I had a phone consultation with the florist after sending her some of my wedding details and a pinterest page. I honestly have no clear idea what I wanted for florals and I'm not super particular and liked a lot of ideas. She had a lot of photos on Instagram plus lots of good reviews, so I felt completely comfortable letting her run with it. Wedding is next year, so we will see how that works out for me!

The best thing is to send lots of pictures of what you want with specific names of flowers. And also have a contract to say if specific flowers are not available and if what substitutes will be allowed

I am also having floral is done by a florist in another state for our DW. The florist I chose says about 80% of her clients are DWs So she has lots of experience with doing things long-distance. I would definitely ask your florist if they have worked with clients long-distance before. The process my floors had was to email her a description of exactly what I wanted, and send her reference pictures of flowers, colors, and arrangement shapes I like/wanted. She then reviewed everything and sent me back an email detailing exactly what she would do and included photos of the exact flowers she would use, along with the price quote. I have up until I want The process my florist had was to email her a description of exactly what I wanted, and send her reference pictures of flowers, colors, and arrangement shapes I like/wanted. She then reviewed everything and sent me back an email detailing exactly what she would do and included photos of the exact flowers she would use, along with the price quote. I have up until I want to say 1 week (it may be 2, I can’t remember) before the wedding to make any changes. I would most definitely request your florist send images and amounts of exactly what types of flowers he intends to use. He couldn’t possibly expect you to just blindly agree to something without seeing it!

Oh wow, I don’t no what on earth the voice text on my phone just did.. sorry! Lol

Never hire anyone before you meet them in person. You need to windowshop and get price quotes, ask to see their past work, see if you click with them. Once you sign the contract to hire them, you're stuck.