Whether you’re sending flowers to mark an anniversary or birthday, you’re marking Valentine’s Day or
Mothering Sunday with a gorgeous gift of flowers, or you need to find a florist who can reliably design and
deliver the perfect funeral flowers, Direct2florist is here to help.
By ordering flowers through Direct2florist, we’ll help you find a local florist anywhere in the world, with
our unique, customer-first service enabling you to choose the florist you would like to work with. What’s
more, by going direct you’ll unlock bigger, more beautiful bouquets and excellent service that you can only
receive from local flower experts around the corner or around the world.
The local florist difference
Whatever the reason, whatever the message, nothing beats the power of flowers – especially when they’re
handmade and hand delivered by local experts.
By dealing directly with Direct2florist’s local florists, you’ll receive:
- Unbeatable value: At Direct2florist we don’t believe it’s right for up to 40% of your
order to be taken in hidden commission (which is the case with some of our competitors). Therefore, when
you find a local flower shop and place an order through Direct2florist, more money goes to the florist,
resulting in a bigger, better end product. Plus, you’ll benefit from a local florist’s sourcing
expertise – they’ll know where to source the best quality flowers at the best price, often taking
advantage of special offers from wholesalers.
- Total customer control: you select the shop of your choice to deliver your order, based
on real customer reviews, individual florist information and photographs.
- Freedom to florists: At Direct2florist, we believe in giving local florists the ability
to use their own design skills and talents. After all, that’s what makes the best flower shops a
success! We don’t dictate what any of our network of local florists should be selling and we allow them
to set their own prices, further driving creativity and enabling them to use local knowledge of flower
availability, quality and value.
- Not a cardboard box in sight: Every Direct2florist order is arranged by hand,
gift-wrapped and delivered personally by our florists – not by a courier in a box.
- Same day delivery: Need to send flowers in a hurry? Order before 2pm and, because our
florists are local, we’ll deliver the same day.
- Supporting high streets: We love local high streets, which is why we’ll combine the
power and convenience of online ordering with the expertise and service of local businesses, helping
small businesses to thrive.
How do I find a florist?
Direct2florist makes it super-straightforward to find a florist, whether you’re looking for
the best florist in Birmingham, highest rated local florist
in Liverpool or award-winning flower shop in Swansea. Using our intuitive online platform, simply enter the
delivery address where you need to send flowers and we’ll find a selection of professional, local florists
that can help you.
You’ll be able to browse each florist’s profile, have a look at their designs, read real customers reviews
and choose the best florist for your needs. Ordering couldn’t be easier – our platform designed for ease of
use – means you can place an order in under a couple of minutes. You’re only a click away from the best
local customer service!
A day in the life of a florist
A question we’re often asked here at Direct2florist is why local florists are better than supermarkets or the
large retail chains. To understand the difference, it’s worth considering the effort that florists put in to
make their flowers the best.
It’s fair to say that most florists do it for the love of flowers. It’s the passion for flowers, for floral
design and the almost addictive love of seeing people’s reactions when they receive a beautiful bouquet of
flowers that makes 3am starts, standing in cold florist shops for hours on end, and dealing with the
struggles and financial pressure of running an independent business absolutely worth it.
Every day is different in a florist shop, not least because flowers tell life’s dramas unlike any other gift.
Bouquets hail babies and baptisms, they ornament brides, congratulate graduates, comfort the sick and honour
the dead. And, of course, they apply first aid to ruptured romances. There's a story behind every new order
– a story that starts with sourcing fresh flowers for the day.
For some, that might involve early morning flower collections from wholesalers, for others it might mean
heading into the city – while some are still making their way home from a night out – to select the best
blooms from a market. Others take advantage of suppliers who will deliver straight to the shop four or five
days a week, which means heading online to source the best available stems.
Once in the shop, it’s a case of planning the day ahead. Orders received from Direct2florist overnight,
whether they’re for same day delivery or a future day will be added to worksheets, alongside any previously
scheduled orders and event flowers. Weddings seem to take place every day of the week at the moment, as do
corporate events and, of course, funerals. Most florists will prioritise funeral flowers and often the first
delivery is to take the funeral flowers straight to the funeral directors.
An important part of a florist’s job – and one where they differentiate themselves from supermarkets etc. –
is care and conditioning. Each and every flower is conditioned, which involves stripping all the leaves from
each stem, cutting the stem at an angle, to allow it to absorb as much water as possible, and then placing
it in a vase of clean water complete with special flower food. This ensures customers receive a bouquet that
can be enjoyed for as long as possible.
Then, it’s time to get creative. In-store displays need to be set-up and, of course, the day’s orders need to
be made using the best quality flowers available and beautifully wrapped. Each order is checked thoroughly
to make sure any specific customer requests are followed. They’re then carefully placed into a specially
fitted out delivery van, checked off a delivery list, and delivered by hand in prime condition.
Online orders continue to come in throughout the day, so a florist will keep a keen eye on those, especially
when it comes to same day delivery orders. As long as an order is placed before 2pm local time,
Direct2florist accepts orders for delivery that very day – with deliveries often turned round with lightning
speed, which is one of the big benefits of going local.
After 2pm, local florists can start planning and preparing for the next day – while also meeting brides and
event organisers for consultations and venue visits. Many brides will work with their florist for over 18
months to get their wedding flowers spot on. Staff training, reviews of feedback, delivery vehicle
maintenance, website updates, perhaps a look at new staff uniforms, business admin and so on are all looked
after at this stage – all with aim of delivering the best flower shop possible! All Direct2florist member
florists have access to the D2F app, a comprehensive tool that helps the business owners manage day-to-day
orders and the running of their shop, further enhancing their already elevated levels of service.
Towards the end of the day, local florists from Aberdeen to Penzance will start to think about placing their
next orders with suppliers. Direct2florist’s professional florist members select by grade (flowers from a
florist are a better grade to supermarkets), the stem’s length and what growers they come from. All
particularly important details when wanting to stock only the finest blooms.
Once that’s done it’s time to head home after a long but rewarding day!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to use a local florist?
There are a number of reasons why it is better to use a local florist. As a small business, the quality of
product is all-important. They have to make customers happy, it’s as simple as that. As a result, local florists will
always use high quality flowers, offer products at the right price and at various different
price points to suit budgets, provide the perfect flowers for any occasion and customise designs to suit any
requirement. What’s more, they’ll offer same day delivery and deliver flowers by hand, ensuring they arrive
in the best condition, every time, beautifully presented of course. The list of reasons to buy from local
florists, rather than supermarkets or online retailers, really does go on. Then there’s the social impact of
supporting a local business.
The biggest struggle for consumers has always been finding a local florist when sending orders outside of
their local area. Direct2florist has revolutionised flower sending by connecting flower buyers directly with
local florists, making same day delivery a reality, even if it’s on the other side of the world, including
when customers have specific or complex requirements.
How much does it cost to get a bouquet of flowers?
When you buy directly from local florists, you can take advantage of a wide range of price points to suit all
budgets. Prices vary from florist to florist due to a number of factors, including the cost of running a
shop and the supply price of flowers, but the beauty of buying from local florists is that they can use
their skills to craft a beautiful floral gift to suit a specific price point, without compromising on
quality.
For example, for lower-priced bouquets they can use flowers available at a special price from suppliers or
opt for flower types or varieties that are cheaper. It's worth looking out for seasonal flowers, which can
offer exceptional value. At the other end of the scale, florists can source truly luxurious or unusual
flowers for a statement gift. Utilising the Direct2florist Florist Choice option provides florists with the
opportunity to use their skills and experience to craft the best bouquet for you, at the best price.
Unlike the traditional flower sending firms who can take off large commissions, at Direct2florist we ensure
florists receive a greater proportion of an order’s flower value. This means more flowers in every bouquet
and a commitment to only use top-graded flowers and growers. Higher grade flowers are healthier, stronger
and therefore tend to stay fresher for longer, further enhancing Direct2florist’s value for money ethos.
Are florists cheaper than supermarkets?
While supermarkets will often sell flowers at a lower price than a local florist, value for money is almost
certainly better when buying from a professional florist shop.
The old adage that you get what you pay for rings true with local flower shops. Flowers come in different
grades and that means prices will differ depending on where you buy flowers. Florists focus on high grade
flowers, which cost more, but last longer and look better, especially given how florists will spend time
conditioning flowers before they are used in designs. Flowers will also be delivered beautifully wrapped by
the florist’s local delivery team, rather than via a courier in a tatty cardboard box. It’s also worth
mentioning that online retailers and supermarkets can buy in bulk (often at the cost of growers), spread
fixed costs across multiple products and larger customer bases, a luxury florists (and other small
retailers) can’t do.
Not all online order services that use the services of local florists are equal though. Ever ordered flowers
for someone special and felt there should have been more blooms for your money? You’re not alone! That’s why
Direct2florist is here. Unlike the traditional big-name players in the flower sending sector, Direct2florist
provides a unique way to order, without transparent fees and more money ending up with the florist than you
they would get on orders placed via the big names.
Can a local florist deliver to central London?
Yes, local florists in London and other large cities around
the world can deliver beautiful flowers for any occasion.
The great thing about local florists is the local knowledge they have. Yes, there are challenges to
delivering flowers in London, including the choked traffic, congestion charging zones and difficulties of
parking, but the best flower shops have found ways around the problems. For example, to make city deliveries
easier, many Direct2florist members have introduced a fleet of specially adapted bicycles, some even deliver
on foot. They will have agreements in place with suppliers to deliver overnight to ensure supply (or they’ll
be up at 3am to visit New Covent Market).
Florists are a resourceful bunch – and just as those based in rural areas will have to adapt to their way of
working, so do florists in big cities. Next time you need to find a flower shop in Fenchurch Street, or need
to send a bouquet to Bayswater, Direct2florist can help.
How do I find a florist near me?
Direct2florist specialises in connecting flower senders directly with the best local flower shops, whether
that’s just down the road, or on the other side of the world. Simply start searching using the delivery
address and we’ll provide a list of florists that can design and deliver flowers for you.
You’ll be able to select the best
flower shop for your needs by checking out their profile, products, prices and previous
customer feedback.