What happens to wedding bookings when a florist is sold?

Weddings and events are booked months ahead, and the couples have often paid a deposit. When the shop changes hands, those bookings do not go away. Someone must still design and deliver the flowers on the day. Both sides are better off treating them as a separate item in the deal, not an afterthought.

List every booking

Ask the seller for a schedule of upcoming weddings and events: the date, the couple or client, what was agreed, the price and the deposit paid. Check it against the contracts, emails and the shop’s calendar. A buyer should know what workload and what obligations arrive on closing day, and in which weeks.

Deposits between buyer and seller

If the seller already holds a deposit, and the buyer will do the work, the buyer will want credit for it. The seller will want to be sure that the work is done. How this is handled is a negotiated term. Ask your lawyer and accountant to set it out clearly, including what happens if a booking is cancelled.

Who designs the flowers

Couples often choose a shop for a particular designer. Find out who that is and whether they are staying. If the seller is the designer, ask whether they will agree to design the booked weddings after closing. If not, the buyer needs a realistic plan and should be ready to explain it to each couple.

Telling the couples

Agree on how and when each couple hears about the sale. A short message should confirm the date, the design and the contact person. Whether the original contract can pass to the buyer, or needs the couple’s agreement, is a question for your lawyer.