Florist didn't require a contract. Normal?

No contract means that there is no paper trail for what you ordered and what they are providing service wise, cancellation polices, etc. I personally would not go with a vendor who doesn't have a contract.

View Quoted Comment I completely agree with this. I wouldn't put down any deposits for a vendor who doesn't have a contract. Without a contract, there is no agreement on services/products provided, cost, policies, etc. If something doesn't go as expected (such as, you paid for 4 bridesmaids bouquets and they only provided 3, or they verbally said delivery fees are $50 and then charged you $100, or they just don't show up on your wedding day, etc), there is no signed document to show what you agreed to, and therefore doesn't protect your payment. I would either insist that they sign a detailed contract before you give them a deposit, or find a different florist.

No I would not without a contract

Definitely not normal. I'd look elsewhere

Is it a small, local florist? Did they take notes during your consult, provide an estimate, and/or require a deposit to reserve your date? Did they mention needing to schedule a second consult (to finalize plans) closer to your wedding date? If so, their notes and your deposit receipt (signed) would be your form of record (in lieu of a traditional contract), until the second consult (which would ideally be done when you have your final guest count). I would wait to pay the full balance until after the second consult (or after knowing your final guest count), as your plans may change (i.e. won’t need as many centerpieces if not everyone can attend).

I didn't sign a contract with my florist, but she sent me a proposal for my florals and I paid a a $100 deposit. We have an email paper trail detailing every change we've made and everything I've added or removed. I think you could maybe ask you florist for some sort of record of your exchanges, or try to interact with them primarily via email if you have your heart set on this one. But no, I would not pay in full without some sort of documentation.

No it is not normal not to have a contract with a vendor. You need a contract/email of your discussion with your vendor to make sure you are getting what you ask for then you give your deposit.

My florist was a husband and wife team and they didn’t provide me with a formal quote or a place for a signature. So I asked for one. She sent it a few hours later.

Go elsewhere asap. Without a contract, the vendor can do whatever they want and you have no protection at all.

I paid a 200 dollar deposit and then a few days later she sent me a contract to sign ! I wouldn’t go with someone who doesn’t require a contract!