August 8, 2026
How Far in Advance Should I Order Flowers?
One of the most common questions our designers hear is simply, "When do I need to order by?" The honest answer depends on the occasion — an everyday birthday bouquet and a full wedding are two very different timelines. The good news is that none of it is complicated once you know the general rhythm. Here is how far ahead to plan for the situations we handle most at Bentley Florist in Burton, MI, so your flowers arrive fresh, on time, and exactly as you pictured them.
Everyday arrangements: a day or two is ideal
For an everyday order — a birthday, a thank-you, a get-well bouquet, or just a happy surprise — a day or two of notice gives the designers the best possible selection to work with. That short window lets us make sure the flowers you want are at their peak in the cooler, and it leaves comfortable room to fit your delivery into the day's route. That said, plenty of flowers are ordered the same day they are needed, and same-day delivery is often possible when you call early enough in the day. If today is the day, do not assume it is too late — call the shop and ask. More often than not, a designer can make it happen.
Holidays like Valentine's Day and Mother's Day: a week or more
The major flower holidays are the exception to the relaxed everyday timeline. Around Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, demand for roses and spring blooms spikes across the entire country at once, and delivery routes fill up fast. For those dates, order a week or more ahead whenever you can. Ordering early around a holiday is not just about beating the rush — it is about choice. When you plan ahead, you get first pick of the freshest stems and the widest range of designs, and your delivery locks into the schedule before the busiest days arrive. Waiting until the last minute on a holiday means taking whatever is still available, if anything is.
Weddings and large events: plan months ahead
Wedding flowers are a different world from a single bouquet. Between the bridal bouquet, bridesmaid flowers, boutonnieres and corsages, ceremony pieces, and reception centerpieces, a wedding is really a coordinated collection of designs — and it deserves real planning time. Wedding flowers are best planned months in advance. Starting early lets a designer help you shape the whole look, source specialty blooms for your date and season, and build a plan that fits your budget without last-minute compromises. Large parties, corporate events, and holiday gatherings follow the same logic: the more lead time you can give, the better the result. If a wedding is on your horizon, reach out early and let a designer walk you through it.
Sympathy and funeral flowers on short notice
Sympathy orders are the one situation where there often is no lead time at all, and florists plan for exactly that. Service details tend to come together quickly, and a good shop is used to turning sympathy work around on short notice and coordinating delivery to arrive in time for the service. If you have lost someone and need flowers for a service soon, do not worry about whether you have ordered "far enough" ahead. Call the shop as soon as you know the details — the funeral home, the family's name, and the service time — and a designer will confirm what is possible for your timeline and handle the rest with care.
Why a little lead time gets you better flowers
The reason advance notice matters is not that a florist needs to be talked into helping you — it is that flowers are a fresh, living product with a supply chain behind them. When you give a designer a day or two, they can order in the specific stems you want, let buds open to just the right stage, and design without rushing. Lead time also protects the small details that make an arrangement feel personal: a specific color, a favorite flower, a particular style. When you are up against the clock, those specifics are the first things that have to give way to whatever is on hand. A little planning keeps your options open.
When same-day is your only option
Life does not always cooperate with a planning calendar, and sometimes you need flowers today. Same-day delivery is often possible across Genesee County when you order early enough in the day, so a last-minute occasion is rarely a lost cause. The key is to call rather than assume — availability depends on the day's schedule, and a designer can tell you right away whether your delivery will make it out today. Even on a same-day order, sharing a few details helps: who the flowers are for, the feeling you are going for, and your budget. With that, a designer can put together something that looks intentional, not last-minute, and get it on the route.
The simple rule of thumb
If you remember nothing else, remember this: everyday flowers want a day or two of notice but can often go out same-day, holidays want a week or more, and weddings want months. Sympathy work is the exception where florists move fast for you no matter the timeline. When in doubt, just call. Bentley Florist has designed and delivered flowers for Burton and the greater Flint area since 1963, and the fastest way to know exactly what your timeline allows is to talk to a real designer. Call 810-742-3174 or stop by the shop at 1270 S. Belsay Rd, Burton, MI 48519 — we are open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 3 PM.
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Ready to send something beautiful?
Call the shop and ask what is freshest — or order anytime at bentleyflorist.com.
