HOW TO HIRE · EVENTS & ENTERTAINMENT

How to hire a florist in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

Florists need no licence in the UK. Here is what to check, what to ask and what the order must say.

  • Search and compare — no account needed
  • Nearest to you first
  • One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews

THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a florist in five steps

  1. Give occasion, colours and budgetThe florist chooses seasonal stems that fit.
  2. Check deliveryTime, address and someone to receive the flowers.
  3. Mention allergies and petsLilies are toxic to cats.
  4. Confirm what is includedVase, delivery, card.
  5. Get it in writingThe order and price.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

There is no statutory register for florists anywhere in the UK, and no exam to pass before taking bookings. Seasonal stock and delivery timing matter more than a stock photo.

Speak to someone who booked the florist recently, and get the terms on paper first.

Public liability insurance for the florist

Nothing in statute fixes the cover; venues set their own public liability figure and ask to see proof of it. Venues may ask a florist who sets up on site for cover.

Find out what the venue requires, then get a copy of the florist's certificate showing the amount and dates.

Fresh flowers and cancellation

A florist is a trader, so the Consumer Rights Act 2015 makes reasonable care and skill part of the order. Fresh flowers are goods liable to deteriorate rapidly, and designs made to your brief are made to your specifications: regulation 28 of the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 takes both out of the 14-day cancellation right, so the florist's own terms decide deposits and changes.

Get the florist's list of pieces, price, delivery time and cancellation terms in one written confirmation. legislation.gov.uk →

VAT

Flowers and arrangements from a florist are standard-rated at 20%. Among florists, any with taxable turnover above £90,000 must be registered, add the VAT and show it apart from the net figure.

Ask the florist for the VAT number and whether the price on the order includes the 20%. gov.uk →

“What flowers are in season for this order?”

A good answer: A florist who suggests seasonal stems to stretch the budget.

“Is a vase or container included?”

A good answer: Yes or no, priced on the florist's order.

“When will it be delivered?”

A good answer: A time slot from the florist, or a timed delivery for a fee.

“What happens if no one is in?”

A good answer: A plan — neighbour, safe place or redelivery.

“Can you avoid lilies or strongly scented flowers?”

A good answer: Yes, for allergies or pets.

“Can I see photos of your own work?”

A good answer: The florist's recent arrangements.

“What if I need to change the order?”

A good answer: The florist's terms on changes and cancellation.

Getting the quote right

  • The arrangement and main flowers
  • Vase or container
  • Delivery time and price
  • Card message
  • Cancellation and change terms
  • The florist's VAT number, with VAT shown under the flowers and the delivery
  • Who actually attends to deliver the flowers, and whether the driver is employed or subcontracted

Walk away if

  • Only stock photos
  • No delivery time given
  • No cancellation or change terms
  • Prices that change after ordering
LOW
£40
TYPICAL
£70
HIGH
£150

What a florist costs: £40–£150 per order

Florists price per order by the size of the arrangement and the flowers chosen, with vases and timed delivery added. Florist price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Florists near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you.

  1. BriefThe florist takes occasion, colours and budget.
  2. OrderConfirmed in writing.
  3. MakeArrangement made close to delivery.
  4. DeliverDelivered in the agreed slot or ready for collection.
  5. Care adviceHow to keep the flowers fresh.

Hand-tied bouquet
Stems arranged in the hand and tied, often in water.
Posy
A small, round bouquet.
Seasonal flowers
Flowers in season, usually better value.
Tribute
A funeral arrangement such as a wreath or lettering.
Timed delivery
Delivery at a set time, for a fee.
Conditioning
Preparing stems so flowers last longer.

AFTER

When the job is done

Check the flowers on arrivalAgainst the order; photograph any problem.
Care for themFresh water and a trim keep the flowers longer.
Raise problems fastWilted or wrong flowers reported to the florist the same day.
Leave the reviewYour review of the florist counts because only booked jobs can be reviewed on Locufy. If something went wrong, the make-it-right step comes first: the florist is asked to put it right before the review goes live.

STEP 1Put it to the florist in writingSay what went wrong — wilted flowers, a wrong arrangement, a late delivery — and what you want, by message or email. Section 49 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 means a florist must work with reasonable care and skill; where the day cannot be rerun, you can ask for a fair reduction, up to the whole price.
STEP 2Use the make-it-right step on LocufyRate the florist below four stars and you are asked whether to send the problem to them first; we follow it through, then your review is published.
STEP 3When the trader stops replyingNo regulator oversees florists. If the trader will not engage, Citizens Advice (0808 223 1133) covers England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland (0808 800 9060) covers Scotland, and Consumerline (0300 123 6262) covers Northern Ireland; each can pass a complaint about florists to Trading Standards.
STEP 4Money the florist will not returnThe last step against the florist is a small claim: up to £10,000 on the small claims track in England and Wales, up to £5,000 under simple procedure in the sheriff court in Scotland, and up to £5,000 in the small claims court in Northern Ireland.

Hiring a florist: questions people ask

No. No licence or register applies to florists in any UK nation. The venue's rules, the hire firm's insurance and the written hire terms are what to check.

Fresh flowers are goods liable to deteriorate rapidly, and regulation 28 of the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 takes them out of the 14-day cancellation right. The florist's own terms decide.

£40 to £150 per order, typically around £70. What drives the price is in the florist price guide; put your town in the search above to compare local florists.

No — lilies are toxic to cats. Tell the florist if there are pets.

You can, but seasonal choices often give more for the money.

Tell the florist the same day with photos and ask them to replace them.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in events & entertainment

How to hire: Wedding FloristHow to hire: Event DecoratorHow to hire: Backdrop & Drapery HireHow to hire: Balloon DecorationHow to hire: Chair Cover HireHow to hire: Wedding PlannerHow to hire: Cake MakerHow to hire: Party PlannerAll 701 hiring guides →

Florists near you

Florists in LondonFlorists in ManchesterFlorists in BirminghamFlorists in GlasgowFlorists in BelfastAll florists on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, regulation 28 — contracts the cancellation right does not cover
  2. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  3. gov.uk — make a court claim for money: court fees
  4. mygov.scot — make a court claim for money
  5. nidirect — small claims process
  6. Citizens Advice — more help with a consumer issue (England)
  7. VAT rates — VAT rates for goods and services: standard rate 20% on most goods and services
  8. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register