Finding a florist...(not looking forward to this)

[Gypsy]

Yeah. I know. I was 7 months out and many were booked for a Sunday. Crazee. I always cringe at the brides on the knots Nor Cal board who re 3 months out without a florist and want like 5K worth of extensive high design florals. Yikes.

Can you ask her to hold the date for you? Or at least give you right of first refusal?

 

[newbie124]

Date: 6/10/2008 3:32:20 PM
Author: Gypsy
Yeah. I know. I was 7 months out and many were booked for a Sunday. Crazee. I always cringe at the brides on the knots Nor Cal board who re 3 months out without a florist and want like 5K worth of extensive high design florals. Yikes.

Can you ask her to hold the date for you? Or at least give you right of first refusal?

Well, in my email I had asked her what might happen if someone local approached them about the same date before our consultation. Her response was that they cannot guarantee a date w/o a signed contract and retainer. I can kind of see why they would have a policy like that (I''ve gone through enough failed Craigslist transactions to understand the value of a "first come, first serve" policy).

I didn''t think to ask about right of first refusal. How would that work? I would hope that if someone did tell her they were interested in the date that she would notify me before just signing them on. I don''t know how I''d feel, though, about signing a contract before meeting her (or anyone else) in person.

 

[Gypsy]

They were just suggestions. If it won''t work for her or you... don''t worry about it. I was in the area so I just wrote her a check once I was sure. I was 90% decided on her even before I met her though. I didn''t ask her for either a hold or a first refusal. But they are things I''ve asked venues for, that''s why I mentioned them.

 

[newbie124]

Date: 6/10/2008 6:45:36 PM
Author: Gypsy
They were just suggestions. If it won''t work for her or you... don''t worry about it. I was in the area so I just wrote her a check once I was sure. I was 90% decided on her even before I met her though. I didn''t ask her for either a hold or a first refusal. But they are things I''ve asked venues for, that''s why I mentioned them.

Oh, just to clarify I wasn''t questioning your suggestion. I think it sounds like a good compromise if she''s willing, I just wasn''t sure how it works to request right of first refusal. Would it just mean that if someone contacted her about the same date before we met that she would call me first and ask if I want to put down a deposit or let the date go?

 

[Gypsy]

Hey hon, what did you decide in terms of a florist (or have you decided yet?). I''ve only got one pic to help you, and it''s not a bouquet, its a centerpiece. But it does have kind of the look you want I think.