Ordering flowers might seem simple, but there’s an art to getting the most beautiful, personalized arrangement for your occasion. Florists know the secrets to choosing the right blooms, maximizing your budget, and communicating your vision clearly. In this post, we’ll share 10 insider tips to help you order flowers like a pro—whether you’re placing a pre-order for a thoughtful gift, sending condolences to an upcoming funeral of a loved one, or just treating yourself. From picking seasonal stems to understanding design styles, these tips will make your next flower order stress-free and stunning.
1. Start with the major details: timeframe, recipient and occasion
Providing the timeframe in which the flowers are needed will have a major influence on what stems we have available. If you are ordering less than 24 hours prior to pick up/delivery then we will be limited to the flowers that we have on hand. If this is a pre-order then our options are much less limited. Understanding who they are for and the purpose—birthday, sympathy, celebration—is also a major influence for choice of color, size, and style.
“Hello this is __(your name)__. I would like to order my wife birthday flowers to be pick up/delivered on Tuesday, March 16th,” Is a wonderful way to begin a phone or in-person order!
2. Set a Realistic Budget
Florists can work within a range, but sharing your budget upfront helps them create something beautiful without surprises. If the price is not a limiting factor then share that & elaborate on elements that are more important like the design features you want to see in your order.
3. If they have a favorite flower – absolutely share that!
Even if we don’t have it on hand, aren’t able to get it or it is out of season, sharing the detail of their favorite flower will help us know a lot about their taste.
4. Provide a Color Palette, Not a Strict Flower List.
Colors give flexibility for design while ensuring the arrangement fits your vision. Ask for seasonal flowers in that color pallet because they are what we will already have on hand at any given time. And when better to order them than when they are in peak season!
5. Vased Arrangement or Wrapped Bouquet?
An arrangement will come artfully arranged in a vase or basket. Wrapped bouquets are simply stems tied together presentation style, but will not have a water-souce, so only choose this option when the recipient will be able to place in water within an hour or two.
6. Forward-facing or 360°?
Forward-facing arrangements will have all blooms facing one direction and be best viewed from a single direction. These are ideal for funerals or events where guests only view them from a seat and arrangements that will be placed up against a wall. These also photograph the best as you are seeing the value from a single perspective. 360° arrangements have blooms equally spaced all the way around the vase and can be viewed from all angles. These are ideal for a kitchen island or as a centerpiece on a table. These are best represented when viewing in person since their values is not all visible from a single viewpoint.
7. Provide Delivery Details Upfront
Include accurate addresses and any special instructions for a smooth experience. It can also be helpful to provide a phone number of the recipient in case they don’t answer the door or if you’re not sure when they will be home.
8. Add a Personal Touch
Include a heartfelt card message. Although the flowers can say a lot for you, it’s just as important and meaningful as the flowers themselves. Every order includes the option to add a short message, and if you’d like to share more, we also offer greeting cards with extra space for your note.
9. Trust Your Florist
We do this all day, everyday – we’re the professionals. Trust our expertise to make your arrangement shine. Requesting a “Florist Choice” arrangement is the simplest way to order and provides creative freedom – you cannot go wrong with this!
10. Order Direct & Simplify with Subscriptions
You’re reading this blog post right on our direct floral website – which was designed with you in mind! Ordering online is the easiest way to ensure satisfaction. For even more simplicity, consider a flower subscription—fresh, seasonal arrangements delivered regularly so you never miss an occasion.