Flowers are the perfect way to express almost any emotion from congratulations to sympathy. However, not all flowers are created equally. Additionally, most people want to know that they are sending the right message. There are a lot of factors to take into consideration and there is not always just one right answer. We have listed 10 frequently asked questions about flowers and flower shops. If you want to be one step closer to being a flower buying ninja, keep reading…grasshopper.
Will my flower arrangement look like the picture?
This is a BIG question and for good reason. The flowers that are delivered should look very similar to the picture, every time. Unfortunately, this is not something that can be taken for granted. All you have to do is Google "Flower Fail" and you will get an eye full of disastrous gifts. Why does this happen? There are several reasons, but in most examples, you notice that big box flower companies were used to send flowers. If you are using a giant flower company instead of your local florist, you are paying for more than you get. We go into quite a bit of detail in Flower Industry Secret: Better Flowers, Better Value. Basically, you want to use a floral shop that has a physical location that is local to the recipient's home/workplace. When you order directly from the florist, you will have a much better chance of getting what you expect because they have a reputation to maintain in their hometown. In fact, some florists will send you a picture of the arrangement before it goes out for delivery.
What is the best way to send flowers?
If you are using a flower shop close to you, we would suggest stopping by the shop and getting some inspiration. This will do two things for you. First, you know what is readily available. Fresh flowers have a shelf life and they are not always available (depending on that year's crop and demand). Secondly, you can ask questions and more easily have a hand in designing a customized array of flowers. It can be difficult to recall the name of every flower we can visualize, not to mention describe the specific color we are hoping to have included.
Can I pick up flowers at a physical shop?
Yes! If this is not an option, eliminate that florist from your list of considerations. The biggest reason for this is that you may not be working with a florist at all. You may be on a website for a big box company that just takes. If that is the case, the best scenario is that the big company has partnered with a local florist that likely cannot attract enough business on its own. The quality will likely suffer.
Should I be able to expect same-day rose delivery?
There is no one right answer to this question. The most accurate answer is that it depends upon several variables. Here are a few things to keep in mind, whether you are looking for Valentine's Day or Anniversary roses, or any flower for that matter.
- Time of Day – Keep the store hours in mind. If you are calling at the end of the day, the florist will not likely deliver that arrangement or bouquet that same day. If you need same-day delivery, try to call toward the beginning of the day. Also, make sure to leave time between the call and delivery. It is not realistic to call in the morning but ask for delivery within the hour.
- Time Year – Same-day orders in the middle of August are probably pretty safe (given the guideline above). However, when we are talking about Valentine's Day or Mother's day, same-day delivery will not likely happen.
- Arrangement Choice – If the flower shop has all the flowers needed for the arrangement on hand, you may be in luck. If you are ordering a very popular arrangement that may have sold out, the florist will likely be at the mercy of their supplier(s).
If you need same-day service/delivery, calling the shop directly will be the best way to ensure they can fulfill that request.
Which local flower shop should I use?
Tandem Studio Floral…that was easy. Just kidding! If you are ordering flowers for a friend, colleague, or relative who is out of town you will want to start by doing a Google search. Find the flower shops that are close to where the recipient lives. This will help ensure the freshest flowers. Then narrow your search down to 2-3 shops that you want to investigate further. Typically, it is easy to filter shops down by their Google Reviews and the pictures on the Google Business Profile. For your 2-3 finalists, look through their websites to get an idea of the shop's style. Additionally, make sure that they offer local flower delivery; most reputable shops do. Lastly, if you want some clarification on anything, give them a call. You can tell quite a bit about a person or business based on a phone conversation.
If you are using a flower shop in your hometown, stop by a couple of shops to get an idea of their quality and style. If you don't have time to make a few stops, just ask some friends. They will give you their honest opinion. If you want a bunch of opinions, put your question out on Facebook. Again, people are not afraid to give it to you straight.
Is there a difference between flower shops and flower companies?
Absolutely! The difference can be felt in the terms just a bit. A shop is a place where you can look at what is currently on hand, and shop. More established shops will have a great selection of gifts as well. You should be able to stop by and strike a genuine conversation and express what you hope to express with your arrangement.
A company is corporate; just like it sounds. When you order from "Big Flower Inc" you are working with suites that know how to build a massive revenue generator, but often know nothing about flowers. That is not to say that no one within the corporation knows about flowers; of course, they do. But, you are not working directly with someone who cares about your experiences beyond the dollar. Big Flower will never look you in the eye and ask how your family is doing, or how your mother liked her bouquet.
How do I know which flowers to send?
The answer to this question depends heavily on what the occasion is for the flowers and what message you are hoping to convey. For example, it is not entirely appropriate for everyone to send flowers directly to a funeral home. And even when it is appropriate, some funeral flower guidelines should be followed to make sure your gift is well received.
Likewise, an arrangement for graduation or an anniversary is vastly different from what you would see at a wedding. Some of the same flowers may be used, but they would probably be arranged differently. Different colors are also used for different occasions and/or relationships. Those colors may also mean different things from flower to flower. A white carnation sends a different message than a white rose.
You can always do a Google search for flower meanings, but the last thing to point out is that combinations of various flowers can also communicate different emotions. The safest bet when deciding which flower/flower combination to send is to have a conversation with your local florist. Let them know what type of event or relationship the arrangement is meant to celebrate or commemorate.
Which flowers are poisonous to cats/dogs?
The list of which flowers and plants are safe and which ones are toxic to cats and dogs is vast. In fact, there are some plants that many folks think are healthy for their pets, that are actually harmful to the pet. There are many articles on the subject, but this article about common plants that are poisonous to cats includes some resources that you can use to look up a specific plant if you choose. The sister article for dogs is also a good read. Both articles also include a list of plants that are safe for cats and dogs.
Obviously, our pets should eat high-quality food designed specifically for their digestive systems. But our furry family members are curious, and we commend those who make an effort to cultivate a safe environment for their pets.
Does my florist provide flowers for a funeral?
This information can typically be found on your flower shop's website. When a loved one passes, you want to make sure you work with a local florist that knows what they are doing. Funeral homes can host multiple visitation services at the same time. The correct information/communication can keep your flowers from being displayed at the wrong service. Additionally, by using a local florist, you can rest assured that the flowers that show up at the funeral home are in excellent condition. The temperature and humidity within a funeral home can change drastically based on the season, how many people are there, how large the space is, and how far away it is from an exterior door.
Funeral flowers need to be in the best possible condition when they arrive. Don't trust FedEx or UPS with the delivery of your flower when it matters most.
We hope that you have found this information to be helpful. We have no doubt that you already knew some of this info. We also know that you probably have questions that were not covered here. Tandem Studio Floral is honored to be a trusted resource for you. If you have any questions about flower etiquette or what your best options are, please give us a call at (616) 888-0219. We are proud to serve the greater Grand Rapids, MI area.
