Covering Your Butt With Bridezilla

Written by Rebecca Jordan

I know many florists have come across the crazy Bridezilla and the woman who gave birth to it. Both about as equally as impatient, rude, and hateful as they can get. After our first bridezilla we came up with something new.We came up with a series of paperwork to be filled out. First, a listing about the Bride. Dislikes, likes, number of people in the wedding, what they are in the wedding for, their names, her date, ALL INFORMATION DEALING WITH where she lives, email, phone numbers, everything.The next paper is an exact of each arrangement. It looks like this...Bride: Medium white calla, purple lissy, chocolate sheer ribbon trailing. Small bouquet.  Tied stems no bow. Small jewels no fillers.  $165  _____And on and on to each set arrangement. Notice my line after it? That is where the Bride puts her initials. Why do this? Well, then after everything is set she can't continue to change her mind and say we didn't so what she wanted. We also take pictures of each arrangement before they leave the shop.Next is a contract. Simply it says, I agree to give them the best service and flowers available, and they agree to not make me miserable. Also covers any rentals, delivery, set up, and even payment options. Each payment is well documented and they again initial the payment slot.Then after I get every arrangement done I have a checklist that includes what each arrangement looks like and I check it off as I get them done. Then when the flowers are picked up, those who pick them up must initial next to each item saying it what it is and nothing is dead,broken, missing, or just plain wrong.  Then they include (if not the Bride) all their info. This may seem like a huge amount of extra work but it pays off. Lets face it, we live in a nation full of people out to get each other. This covers every aspect of way they can sue you for.  I strongly advise you to do the same. It takes more time and it weeds out people who are otherwise a waste of your time. If you would like, just ask, and I will send a copy of each form. While we are competitors it doesn't mean we can't help each other out.