Freelancing Etiquette as a Florist
Before Publishing this Blog, we did quite a bit of research and spoke to many florists and freelancers. It was funny how the same issues came up time and time again, however rate of pay varied quite a bit, obviously depending on experience. However the starting rate for newly qualified less experienced florists was quite consistent across the board.
Thank you so much to all of you who contributed to this blog, many of you not wanting to be mentioned, but we really do appreciate your input and honesty.
What does it mean to Freelance & be a lead florist
Freelancing as a florist is very common practice amongst many florists. It is essential to build up a networkers of freelancers who you know will work well together representing your company
Who are the lead florist ?
In wedding & Event Floristry you will always have the lead florist. This is the florist that does all the communication with the wedding couple, develops the vision and theme for the wedding or the event through consultation with the clients or couples. Orders the flowers , sets up work flow and time lines, consults with venues and other vendors The Flower contract between the client and the lead florist is basis on which the wedding or event is structured.
The freelance florist can come with different levels of experience. The may infact be lead florists at other events, but in this case they are the freelancer to the lead florist. Their contract is with the Lead Florist, not the client. They are responsible for the work the lead florists instructs on. They do not normally have contact with the client / couple, and in the event they do so they are courtous and professional and never make any decisions without the approval from the lead florist.
What is the work flow manager?
These are normally the person that will oversea the movement and construction of structures and designs. They will decide how/ when/where pieces are moved/placed for the best impact and the safest situation. The workflow manager will answer to the lead florist, not the freelancer, unless the lead florist appoints a freelancer as a decision maker.
Who is the Floral Assistant?
An assistant to all the florists on the day, they may even be a florist on work experience or a newly qualified florists ( under 2 yrs). They will normally be the ones, setting up things like candles, bud vases, running to and from the van, sweeping up, topping up water in containers, adjusting flowers that may have moved in transport. Watching and learning from the lead florist any the more experienced florists on the day.
No matter if you are a freelancer, floral assistant or any other employed person at the event, there is Etiquette to be adhered to and many “do’s & dont’s”
Always keep in touch with your lead florist who is in charge or who is employing you.
Prior to you turning up, confirm attire to be worn - normally you would not wear your own brand to another lead florist event
Do they provide you with tools etc or do you bring your own.
When you are employed by a lead florist, commom courtesy and ettiquite is not to promote your own business to the vendor or venue.
Taking of photos at any time as a freelancer must always be agreed with the lead florist prior to the event. Tagging and posting photos on social media without permission from the lead florist is a big no-no. The lead florist may have a NDA with the couple.
Using images from the wedding / event even at a later date on your social media is not okay unless you have prior permission from the lead florist.
Understand your specific role at this particular event or wedding. What are you responsible for creating? Who are you to feed back to or liaise with if there is any issues.
Arrive on time, or even a little early is so important to ensuring a smooth setup.
When traveling to events, pack your tools, tool kit, supplies efficiently. Pack a lunch, water, sugar boost etc, you may be in the middle of nowhere with no access to a shop.
Things can go wrong, like a flower shortage or a last-minute change. Stay calm and adapt to the situation. ( the joys of our industry)
Be mindful of the venue's rules and regulations, especially when it comes to setup and cleanup. You are representing the lead florist you are working for, dont overstep the mark.
Every wedding is a learning opportunity. Pay attention to details, ask questions, and take notes.
Ensure you have adequate insurance coverage, including public liability insurance, to protect yourself from potential claims or are you covered under the lead florists insurance.
Always have a written contract outlining the terms of your agreement, including fees, responsibilities, and payment terms. Ensure this is a conversation that is had prior to your event.
Consider the cost of transportation to and from events, especially if you're traveling long distances or maybe using your vehicle to transport to and from the venue. Are you insured to carry goods?
Have a well-stocked first aid kit on hand, including plasters, antiseptic, paracetamol etc. you never know when that headache occurs
Keep track of your expenses, invoices, and receipts, these are all tax deductible at the end of the year.
A positive attitude can go a long way in building relationships with other professionals in the industry. Dont get caught up in bitching or complaining with or to other florists and vendors.
How much do Florist Freelancer earn?
Floral Freelancers rate of pay is very much determined on their experience and their role on a specific event.
An experienced florist
An experienced Florist Freelancer could expect to be paid between €20 - €40 per hour or a daily rate of €200 to €300 per day.
The role of the Florist Freelancer must be taken into account
Are they managing other freelancers
Are they designing without a florist assistant
What characterises an experienced Freelancer?
Minimum 2 years qualified and working steadily in the event / wedding flower industry
Doing their own weddings & events on a regular basis
Being able to work & design alone to a brief from the lead florist
A Floral Assistant
A floral assistant would expect to be paid anything from €13.50 to €18 per hour or a daily rate of €120 - €160
What characterises a Floral Assistant?
A floral assistant in normally a florist still in training or recently qualified in the past two year, Who maybe has only a few weddings of their own under their belt.
A floral assistant normally does not create many of the designs, they assist the lead florist or the experienced florist creating the designs.
A floral assistant would mainly be responsible for setting designs out on tables, aisles, chairs etc, setting candle scapes and arranging bud vases etc.
Although everyone on the job is responsible to clean up, it would be the responsibility of the floral assistant to chase the florist cleaning up around after them
Other Freelancing Costs/ Expenses
Travel
Freelancers nomally will list the areas they are willing to travel to for work. These areas do not or should not incur travel expenses as the freelancer has agreed to work in these areas. Outside of these areas the lead florist may wish to have a certain freelancer on the job and may agree to pay extra travel expenses to get them there.
If you are using your vehicle to transport flowers etc to and from a venue or transporting workers to and from location, you may get reimbursed for petrol/ diesel/ tolls etc. NOTE: If your vehicle is privately insured, you may not be covered in an accident if you are carrying flowers / goods for commercial use.
Overnights
Some freelance jobs may incur an over night stay, due to breakdown the following day. Accommodation would be paid in this instance, but not the hours outside work - ie you don’t get paid for relaxing and sleeping in a hotel.
Food allowance
It is not the responsibility of the lead florist to provide lunch during the day. However for over-nights, a dinner allowance may be offered and breakfast is normally included also.
Contracts
Having a clear concise contract is important and this contract can change from job to job, location to location and event to event. Even as an experienced florist you may be employed under another florist to do the floral assistant job. However, remember every day is a school day and the skills and learning you get from freelancing is amazing.
Whilst writing this blog I asked a few Flower Friends who are experienced in employing freelancers and indeed freelancing themselves for their input.
Lorna Trainor from A Room in Bloom in Athlone who is a renowned chapel florist here in Ireland tells me as a business owner she loves to freelance for other florists, it gives her the opportunity to be the employee for a change and not solely responsible for the full wedding service. She also says on every wedding she picks up tips and tricks as well as sharing her expertise with fellow florists. It is a way of socialialising and Lorna says she always comes away from a freelance job with a pep in her step
Lorna says “As a free lancer you are hired based on your ability and experience, It is important to be upfront with the lead florist and explain your strengths and weaknesses to them. For example some florists are exceptional at personables like buttonholes and flower crowns etc, whilst others maybe more experienced or faster with creating large installations”
“It is important to note that although you are arranging and designing flowers for a wedding or event, the designs recipes and concepts are not yours, and you would not be permitted to post images to your social media , permission must always be asked”
Heather from Flower Pop, who regularly employed freelancers gives here top 7 tips
Price yourself properly. If you're good, fast and don't need direction - charge accordingly. If you're still a young florist and have basic skills, don't over charge or over sell yourself - all that will do is frustrate the person hiring you.
From an employer point of view - match that viewpoint. If you have time to guide and help, hire in a new florist that you can teach in exchange for the lower rate - but if you need an experienced florist, compensate accordingly.
I will pay travel rates if I am charging the couple travel rates, so basically if it's outside of Dublin.
Food on site - shouldn't be expected by the team, but I like to offer it when I can as a thank you for working hard.
If freelancing regularly, make sure that you are well versed in different styles of floristry so you can comfortably flirt between different styles with ease and you're not just constantly recreating some version of your own preferred style.
Get stuck in - if you see something that needs to be done, do it. Don't sit around waiting to be asked.
If you're the employer, don't treat your freelancers like dogs bodies - aka, don't ask them to do anything you wouldn't do.
Jisca from Yesca’s Flowers also reiterates about the sharing of photos, and how important it is for lead florist to be very clear from the onset. Freelancers should always credit the lead florist and explain that this is an event they were freelancing at and it is not their design or concept.
Again Jisca says the importance of freelancers being up front about their experience from the beginning as once onsite it is very obvious their level of ability. Lead florists need to know before the event if they need to micro manage or if they can leave the freelance to complete a job.
Last minute cancelations for lead florists can also be an issue, but like all professions, sometimes due to illness or family issues freelancer may need to cancel at short notice and this is where it is important for lead florists to have a network of florists available to them if at all possible.
Shelly Hayes an Intrigue Floral Designer from Newport in Virginia says “clear contracts in place is her number one priority, stating rate of pay, dress code, rules around photographs , allowance for food and tax declaration”.
Laura from Wild Feather Blooms “Taking care of her freelancers is so important to her business and freelancers play a huge part in her busy wedding and event business. Skills and abilities will always determine payment and if she needs to micro manage or if she can leave them to work alone whilst she decorates another area will play a big part also.” Laura says she has always been very lucky with her free lancers but she knows she looks after them very well and they learn so much whilst on a job. “Floral assistants get amazing opportunities when working with her, to work with flowers without the pressure of the designing and the planning that goes on months before the actual event”
Lenora Brundy from Glamorous Events LLC again believes honesty regarding experience and expectations before taking on freelancers is utmost to her business
Leah from AnnaMay Floristry tells us ”Set Clear Expectations, From the outset, be upfront about the details: the hours, the pay (yes, talk about the “taboo dollas”), and exactly what will be required of you. Equally, be honest about what you can and can’t do—if the gig is beyond your skill set, don’t take it. It’ll only lead to frustration on both sides and leave you feeling deflated. Remember, on-site at a big event, the florist won’t have time to teach you, and the pace is relentless. You need to keep up.
As a much sought after freelancer Leah says, Floristry is not glamorous on the day of a big event—it’s buckets, ladders, sweat, and a race against the clock. Everyone mucks in. One minute you’re making an arch, the next you’re washing buckets, flowering up table centers, or putting the kettle on should you be lucky enough to grab a quick one! There’s no room for fluting about—get your head down, your hands moving, and keep the energy up. LET’S GO!
Diane Mouton from Fat Cat Flowers Louisiana talks about taking personal and sometimes business calls whilst working as a freelancer is not okay, this may be done on breaks etc, Being conscientious of the people and vendors who are working around you and always being respectful and a representation for the lead florist
Vicky Laffey - Wedding & Event Florist “I would say the key is to have great processes behind the scenes and as wedding florists, as creative people, we tend to keep a lot of things in our heads, and when you work on your own, it's very easy to keep all of the full process inside your head or little notes from your client or takes certain parts of the process for granted. I actually found that the hardest transition to make, when I needed to start using freelancers to grow my business and to take a step back from the day-to-day running. It was establishing a process and systems that I could use to get everything out of my brain and onto paper so that someone else could follow those instructions without me standing over them”
“Your value as a Freelancer, really depends on how competently you can follow these instructions and what value you can bring to the table in terms of speed and experience etc. So if you're a new Florist and thinking of freelancing to get experience as well as fill in the gaps financially while you build your own wedding florist business, then there really isn't a set scale or going rate as such (although £15 an hour seems to be common here in the UK), but rather you need to also be thinking about what your value is. Because if I had the choice of employing someone at £20 an hour who is fast and good, or paying someone £10 but who would take twice as long or need lots of hand holding, I know which one i'd go for!”
Sharon Griffin from Frogprince says “Be clear from the onset, explain expectations, if a NDA is in place the freelancer must abide by this also. Only images posted on their socials ( lead florist) can be shared and posted with an explanation that you worked as a freelancer on this project, but the concept & design is belong to their company and you as a freelancer cannot use it to advertise your business. Tagging Couples or Couples friends and family is also a big red card. You just don’t do it.”
Wedding Florist “One point I do have though is while I am always happy for freelancers to post on social media that they have been along with me setting up a wedding and share photos on the day but I have also had instances where freelancers have later down the road shared those same photos on their own accounts advertising their work which I don't like. It's not just placing the flowers on the day that makes the wedding, it's the weeks of planning and choosing flowers, making the recipe, creating the design etc that informs the final result so to advertise your work based on someone else's design is really bad form in my mind”
Wedding Florist “I have lots of people who contact me who want to come to me for "work experience" (i.e tag along and see how I do things before they go off and set up on their own) I wouldn't feel right about having someone work for free so I always pay them if I do agree to have them along. My general rates for day-of help if they are young or totally inexperienced is €100/day or €15/hour if it's only a few hours. Then €17/hour for someone with a small bit of experience i.e someone who has done a couple modules with yourselves but hasn't really ever worked as a florist”
Wedding Freelancer “Big weddings and events can be incredibly stressful, and as a freelancer, you’re part of a team responsible for a florist’s reputation. If things go wrong, tensions will run high. Don’t take abrupt instructions personally—it’s not about you, it’s about getting the job done. Be adaptable, solution-focused, and don’t be a snowflake!”
What started out as a “Top Tip” blog, the conversation threw up so much when we started to speak to florists. Freelancing is an amazing way to gain experience within the industry. Its a great way to connect with other florists, network and learn new skills and techniques. Back in they day when I freelanced, it was the ideal time to enjoy working with flowers ( working hard mind you) , creating designs without all the pressure of planning and organising that goes on for months before the wedding or event.