Expert Tips For Ordering Flowers

Though it may sound obvious, I must point out that you will, first, need to be clear about what you want. This will help you to chose the right shop for you and it will make it much easier for the order-taker to give you the best service possible.

Before you make the call or stop in, get all your details in order and have them ready. There are so many times when people call or come in to purchase flowers without having this simple info written down. Include the following:

1. Who are the flowers going to?
2. What is their address and phone number?
3. When are they home? (Do they work?)
4. What is the occasion?
5. How do you want the card to read?
6. What is your price range?
7. Do you have a color scheme and style in mind, or are you open to suggestions?

The arrangement above was created as part of a "breakaway" or "tablescape" for a Thanksgiving dinner. A breakaway is a collection of smaller arrangements which can be clustered together or separated and spread further along the table. This gives you the option to alter the flowers to fit your needs. Its a modern approach to floral design providing a unique and interesting look while being very flexible. After the dinner is over the pieces can be placed about the room and later taken home by guests.

As is so often the case for everything, word of mouth is a great way to choose a florist. Just be sure that the person whose advice you are taking has similar taste to your's. Some shops are good with traditional design, whereas others are excellent at a contemporary or more unique look.

These are some arrangements I made for a college event using cymbidium orchids, green fuji mums and pincushion protea. Because it was an art school, the arrangements needed to be colorful and a bit unusual.

You can research a florist through their website which can often give you a very good idea of their style. If you like the look of their site, you will probably be happy. There are some excellent shops, however, that have not yet invested in a custom-designed website, but use a somewhat generic site generated through one of the nation-wide floral groups. Don't rule them out because of that. Give them a call, ask them some questions and do a trial run with them to see what you think. Of course, if you are in the area, visit their store to check them out.

Here are some questions you might ask:

1. Do you have a signature style?
2. What do you do best?
3. Do you go to the market to hand pick your flowers?
4. When do your new flower shipments arrive each week?

I suggest that you do not order from a picture. You know those 1-800 companies and pre-set arrangements available through nation-wide floral providers? Do you think they offer some sort of assurance that you will receive a better product? Well, they don't. They may give you a feeling of control because you can see a picture of what you should be getting for your money, but this really has no benefit. It can, in fact, reduce the beauty and freshness of the finished product. If you need some ideas, use the pictures as a guide for style and/or color, but nothing more.

Here's why.

Most flower shops do belong to one or more of the nation-wide "groups". They do so because people gravitate toward using them, thinking this is the best answer. It does allow the shop to potentially gain new clients and participate in regional and nation-wide advertising. While a good designer will be able to duplicate or even improve upon the phot you chose, the best work a designer does is not achieved by following the pre-set arrangements put forth by these companies.

When trying to fill these orders they must sometimes use flowers which fit the design parameters, but are not as fresh or beautiful as others they have on hand. The photos of these arrangements are often deceiving, as well, putting all the flowers called for in the arrangement on one side in order to make the photo look good. In reality, it can, at times, be very difficult to make it look like the photo.

These same arrangements are being ordered over and over by many others who also chose one of the photos. Don't you want something unique?

You will receive a much greater return on your dollar if you select a top-qualilty shop with talented designers and then give them a few general guidelines. They are trained to put together unique, fresh and gorgeous pieces. They can do this best if they are given lots of latitude. It will enable them to be creative in the moment and use the best-quality flowers available. And, if you are sending something out of town, trust your favorite shop to order something unique for you from one of their affiliate shops.

The arrangement here is a bridesmaid's bouquet of all yellow flowers. including gerbera daisys, freesia, posey calla lilies, mimosa and roses.

You have seen the ads for 1-800 "order flowers from us" and it may seem like an easy choice. They may even come up in your internet search for a flower shop in a certain area. It will probably use some wording to imply that they are actually a shop in that city. Look closely. They may just be a telephone bank of employees who really know nothing about flowers and who will take part of your payment as a fee for passing on the order to a local shop.

Make sure when you are ordering that you have reached an actual flower shop in your desired area. They will have the expertise to help you and you will not be paying a middle man.

Color is probably the most noticed feature of a floral arrangement. Many studies have been done on the effects of color on mood and several have been conducted which specifically study the effects of color in floral arrangements.

One of the most elegant and interesting color choices is monochromatic, or a single color, such as all purples or all yellows. A monochromatic arrangement brings out the beauty of each flower, emphasizing different textures and variations in hue within the color you have chosen.

This purple, monochromatic bouquet features orchids, freesia, stock and roses.

Another striking and classic choice for an arrangement is to use only one kind of flower such as; all mini (also called "Posey") calla lilies, all peonys or all tulips. Ask for the flower heads to be gathered close together without many greens to distract the eye. This creates a stunning display. Consider ordering this in all one color too.

Do something different when ordering roses and consider short-stem roses in a tight arrangement for a rich looking bouquet. This will place the focus on the beauty of the blooms and the patterns that are made as they nestle together and gradually open.

Shown here are bundles of tulips at the market.

Here are some tips on how not to deal with your florist. These things have all happened to me.

1. Place an order for your girlfriend, then order one for your wife, too. Scream at the florist when your wife opens the bill in the mail and asks who "Lisa" is.

2. Ask if the shop can open a personal house account for you because you can't afford to pay this month.

3. Ask them to not reveal to the recipient that you are the one who ordered the flowers. (Only to have the recipient complain to the florist later because you have actually been stalking her.) Then, ask for your money back because the recipient refused to accept the flowers.

4. Go on and on in great detail about exactly how you want the arrangement to look, then threateningly tell them that it had better look good, or else.

5. Ask for the most beautiful arrangement ever for $10.

Almost everyone wants to send roses for Valentine's Day. Its tradition, isn't it?. They are considered by some to be the most romantic flower and its an easy choice. There are other options to consider, though. Do you know why you might want to think about sending something different? There are some good reasons.

On and around Valeninte's Day, rose prices go up considerably. Due to high demand, growers must force more blooms, driving up prices which are passed on to the retailers and to you, the consumer. By ordering something other than roses, you will get more for your money. Plus, roses aren't always the most romantic option.

I think showing how well you know your sweetie is much more romantic than going with the norm. Be creative. Find out what her favorite flower is then shower her with those. Or, send her a bouquet using everything that was in her wedding bouquet.

Another interesting way to go is to research the messages behind each flower used in bouquets during the Victorian era, when a great deal of communication took place through the giving of nosegays of flowers.

Have fun with it. Men want to play it safe on Valentine's Day, but use your creativity when ordering your flowers and save some money at the same time.