Secrets to Ordering Flowers from a Florist

Full Disclosure: I'm working with Sweet Pea's Floral in Woodbury. However, in my short time working there, I've encountered the same mistakes people make when ordering flowers time and again.

Sending flowers, or a special blooming plant, to that someone special is a time honored tradition showing how much we care. If you want to ensure the very best florals and delivery for your package, simply follow these tips (especially useful with Valentine's around the corner!)

1. Do allow enough delivery time. Calling the morning of for a delivery within the same city is fine. Calling the morning of for a delivery in Chanhassen in two hours will probably not happen unless you want to pay an extra delivery charge. For the best assurance in delivery, order at least 24 hours in advance.

2. Giving guidance on florals you want is perfectly acceptable - dictating exact flowers is a recipe for disappointment. Most floral shops go to market every day, or at least every other day, to get the freshest florals. And we are lucky in the Twin Cities we have two floral wholesalers at our beck and call. Sometimes those wholesalers don't get the product in timely - or the product is in poor condition. You may want white lilies for that arrangement, but the white lilies at market may not be up to your florists standards.

Give some wiggle room. Saying an "all white arrangement" is fine. But avoid dictating what types of flowers are in that bunch. It would be very difficult for each florist to have EVERY variation of flowers in stock.

3. Trust the florist. Sometimes I get the notion people believe some florists are out to rip them off on flowers. Not true. They want to provide the best product possible so you'll be a repeat customer. And providing the best product means substituting florals in an arrangement AT THE SAME PRICE.

4. Roses are not the most expensive flower. Orchids, some lilies, peonies and even some forms of hydrangea are all more expensive than a single rose. But if you saw an arrangement of blue cottage hydrangeas and one of roses, you would think the roses were more expensive. Not always. (There are varieties of roses that are quite exotic and of course, the long stemmed rose, a favorite this Valentine's, demands for dollars for its beauty)

5. If you are on a budget, let the florist know. They can offer substitutions and design ideas that will still show you as a hero for sending flowers. And could you pick up the flowers yourself to save on the delivery fee?

6. Florists do not raise the price of a dozen long-stemmed roses for Valentine's Day. Don't forget to include the cost of the vase, greenery, and the time and expertise of that florist creating a beauty for you.

I hope these points help next time you order flowers!