TOTW: Florist Contract

New post idea, I am going to try to do a tip of the day.  Notice the emphasis on the word tip.  Today's tip focuses on flowers.  If you are hiring a florist for an event, it goes without saying, you must have a contract. Beyond that, make sure the contract spells our exactly what services you are getting, AND the penalty if any part of the contract is broken.

Is the vendor responsible for delivery? Put it in the contract. Is the vendor responsible for delivery on a certain day? Put it in the contract. Is the vendor responsible for a delivery on a certain day at a certain time? Put it in the contract. Picking up on the pattern here? Put everything in the contract; be as specific as possible. Don't worry about being annoying, or feeling silly taking all these precautions. It's your event, it's your money. You should be getting exactly what you want.

But what about the intangible? How do you put an idea into a contract? Pictures, measurements, dimensions, colors, sketches, number of flowers to be used, types of flowers to be used, color of flowers, ribbons, vases, etc... A picture is worth a thousand words, so why not include it in your contract. It is very hard to misinterpret a picture! 

Finally, save your correspondences between you and the florist. ALL OF THEM!

If you take the time and put in the effort, you will get the results you want. It is work, but it is worth it in the end when your event is exactly how you envisioned it. And in the off chance a mistake is made, you will have a solid foundation to back up your case and get your money back. 

Photo Courtesy of Bridal Buds