Calling all Brides #2-ordering fresh bouquets from the Internet?

Question

Okay, so most of you would not want to take the risk of ordering your flowers online due to the fear of damage in shipping. BUT! What if they arrived with a spill proof water supply attached and contained in a temp. regulated container? And to furthermore rest your worries, what if the business offered to replace the bouquet, if damaged in shipping, through another florist in your local area?

Of course shipping time would have to coordinate with your wedding time. If you get married at 8am on Saturday morning, your bouquet would be scheduled to arrive on Friday afternoon. Since some flowers are just to delicate to ship at all, the bouquete styles to choose from would containe very hardy flowers that have a longer shelf life and have year round availability. This would increase the chances that other florist in your local area would be able to fill the order quickly and easily if something did go wrong and the flowers were damaged.

I really appreciate your input!

Answer 1

Sounds just ok. I mean great if they are damaged they are replaced but thats almost like a "yeah they better be"--I mean if my dress was damaged when I ordered it, they would replace that too. If it happens in shipping that is your responsibility to fix, not some amazing new thing you are doing for customers.

And it actually doesn't address the original problem--most wouldn't order flowers online b/c it might be damanged in shipping. Flowers can be in a temp reguated container and still damaged. If there is a problem, the other florist fixes it. Well why didn't I order from that florist to begin with? and what if we have different definitions of "damaged". I say 40% of my flowers are wilted and you say The blooms are still on aren't they?

But me personally--I wouldn't order flowers from a florist online b/c I have a theme I am going for. I show the florist pictures of my idea, either from a magazine or whatever. For my wedding, I carried pictures of my dress and my bridesmaid's dress. I had a few ideas but needed some suggestions on how to make that work. I needed that moment of clarity where the florist shares my vision and knows what I want to complete my theme. I like to make eye contact but most importantly I want to have someone to talk to where I know we are on the same pg.

An online florist I have to know exactly what I want so I can order it, how I want it arranged, and pick from the choices. I have no ability to be unique and add something that is particular (my bouquet I added some crystals and pearls that my mother had made into flowers). What if I want it a lil smaller? And lets say this bouquet is a tad too expensive for my tight budget, I can't subsitute in a cheaper flower?

Online florist just seem like a bad idea all around if you actually care about your flowers. Now if you are just roses to snip and use as boutineers--then sure. Or if all you want is a giant sunflower for each table b/c you are going to float it in a bowl of water, sure. But not for my bouquet or my major arrangements.

I want a florist I can bond with--the same way I wanted to make sure my cake baker and my photographer were all on board with exactly what I want. Not a computer form or someone in India who couldn't care less if I was happy or not.

Answer 2

If this is something you are considering, I've got some input. #1, some brides will never order from you. #2, brides who have ordered their flowers online probably would order from you. It's ok if it costs a little more, but it should be a lot less than ordering from a florist. It would be kind of like the cream of the crop for online ordering and perhaps even set a new standard. #3, the type of brides who would order from you are probably planning their wedding in a hurry or at the end of the year because that is when most florists are closed (at least around here they are). You might consider some sort of referral links to other reputable online wedding services. You may even be able to help fund the site with reciprocating agreements. But definitely check out the partners before you post. The better their references, the more referrals you may get from their site. #4, set up a booth at every bridal fair you can find. Have them shipped on the same time-schedule you would ship for a wedding and have a laptop so brides could register their email addresses for sales notices.

Well, that's what I got for you now. Good Luck!

Answer 3

I still would not risk it.

Getting damaged all & that is possible, that's why they have that safety net. But do you really want to, on your wedding day, worry about getting ahold of a company & having them contact a florist to remake your flowers? What if you order flowers that their local florist doesn't keep in stock in the numbers you need or the colors you need or are out of due to another event?

I just find it way too risky. I'm not sure why you like this idea so much (not trying to be rude), but if it has something to do cost check with a local florist first. My florist was fabulous, she's making more expensive items for less for me due to ordering to much. I think you should look into other options before jumping into ordering online.

Answer 4

Lots of Bride's have ordered their flowers from on line sites and have had no problems. Make sure that the site you choose is reputable and has positive reviews from other Bride's. All sites have contact numbers so you can call and talk to them. Don't be afraid to ask them the same questions and concerns you asked here on Yahoo.

Answer 5

i would not risk online orders for my wedding flowers. It just too stressful for me, and flower is my #1priority to be on time for picture taking on my wedding day morning.

Answer 6

I would only buy from you if I had other people who have used your service. It would be hard to rely on someone for your wedding who you do not know or have never used. I would also wnat a great price.