How do deposits and payments work with a wedding florist?
The Short Answer
Most florists take a deposit of 25 to 50 percent to reserve your date, with the balance due one to two weeks before the wedding. The deposit secures your spot on the calendar, and final counts are usually locked around the same time the balance is paid.
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What the deposit does
A deposit is not just a formality; it reserves your wedding date on the florist's calendar and covers early planning work. Because a florist can only serve a limited number of weddings per weekend, that deposit holds your place so no one else books over you. Deposits commonly range from 25 to 50 percent of the estimated total. Until it is paid, your date is generally not guaranteed, which is why popular dates in peak season fill first. Paying it promptly after you decide is the surest way to lock in the team you want.
When the balance is due
The remaining balance is typically due one to two weeks before the wedding, right around the time you finalize your guest count and piece counts. This timing lets the florist order the correct volume of flowers with confidence. Ordering happens roughly a week out because fresh flowers cannot sit for long. Paying the balance and confirming counts together keeps everything aligned. Ask your florist for the exact date so you can build it into your final month checklist rather than scrambling.
Reading the contract clearly
Before you sign, read how the contract handles changes, cancellations, and minimums. Understand whether the deposit is refundable, how late changes are priced, and whether there is a minimum order for your date. A clear contract protects both you and the florist and prevents misunderstandings during a busy planning stretch. Our Bentley Florist team walks couples through the agreement line by line so expectations are shared from the start. Never hesitate to ask a question about a clause; a good florist welcomes it.
Planning Tips From Our Designers
- Pay the deposit promptly to secure a peak-season date.
- Ask the exact date your balance and final counts are due.
- Confirm whether the deposit is refundable before signing.
- Understand how late changes and minimums are priced.
- Add the balance due date to your final-month checklist.
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