We’ve all been there—after a thoughtful consultation, great vibes, and what seemed like a promising connection, the client disappears. No booking. No feedback. Just silence.
At first, it stings. It’s hard not to wonder: Was it something we said? Was it our pricing? Was it us?
But here’s what we’ve come to understand: not every client is meant to book with us—and that’s actually a good thing. Learning how to handle ghosting as a florist is less about toughening up and more about realigning with the clients who truly value our work.
Whether you’re running a flower farm, designing for weddings, or juggling the chaos of both, rejection is part of the process. And when you stop taking it personally, you can open the door to something better—clients who actually align with your values, appreciate your artistry, and make the work feel joyful again!
The Real Reasons Clients Walk Away
Sometimes it’s budget. They want a $10,000 install with a $500 budget, and no matter how creative we get, math is still math.
Other times it’s personality. We might vibe with the bride, but not the mother-of-the-bride (or vice versa). Or maybe a client is just looking for someone to say “yes” to everything, while we’re more collaborative by nature.
And let’s be honest—sometimes we’re just part of a price-check process, with no real chance of being hired from the start.
We’ve all had consultations where we didn’t know if we were florist #1 or florist #5. We’ve met with couples who seemed excited, only to hear nothing after sending a proposal. It happens. And while it’s tempting to spiral into self-doubt, what we really need is perspective.
You Have to Talk About Money
We used to hesitate when it came to the “money talk.” But over time, we’ve learned that being upfront with pricing is one of the kindest and most efficient things we can do—for us and for our clients.
That’s why we now send out a pricing guide or brochure before scheduling a call. It sets clear expectations and filters out the people who simply aren’t ready—or able—to invest at our level.
Because what we do takes time, labor, skill, and resources. We’re not just tossing a few flowers together. We’re building something with structure, logistics, and a whole lot of heart. And we deserve to be compensated accordingly.
Clarity Attracts Compatibility
When we’re crystal clear in our brand voice, our website, and even our proposals, the right clients will run toward us. They’ll get what we’re about—locally grown blooms, authenticity over perfection, artistry over volume.
They’ll also know what they’re walking into. We’re not a tinkly-bell flower shop with a glass door and cute gift shelves. We’re a flower barn, a back lane, drying bundles overhead, and buckets everywhere. We’re working artists. We’re messy, real, and rooted in the process.
And the people who get that? Those are our people.
Ghosting Isn’t Always About You
Let’s stop pretending we’re the problem every time someone walks away.
Often, ghosting comes from the client’s own discomfort. Maybe they don’t know how to say no. Maybe they’re overwhelmed by too many choices. Maybe they feel like they’re letting us down—and avoid the conversation entirely.
Yes, a simple “thank you, we’re going in a different direction” would be great. But we’ve learned to let go of the silence. It’s not worth our mental energy!
And when someone’s only using our quote to leverage a better deal with their preferred florist? That’s not our client either. We don’t need to play that game.
Too Many Options = Decision Fatigue
Here’s a lesson we learned the hard way: offering everything doesn’t help anyone.
When we send proposals with too many packages, options, upgrades, and stylistic choices, we can unintentionally overwhelm the client. And when that happens, they don’t always pick the best fit—they pick what feels easiest.
We’re not here to confuse people. We’re here to guide them. So keeping things simple, clear, and focused actually creates a better experience for everyone involved.
The Ugly Stuff We Don’t Like to Talk About
Sometimes, rejection feels personal because it gets messy.
We’ve had clients ghost us after the proposal. We’ve had families who hijack the bride’s vision. We’ve dealt with comments about our delivery vehicles, been called “difficult” for setting boundaries, and felt the sting of being undervalued in real time.
It hurts. But we’re not alone in this. And every hard moment has made us stronger, smarter, and more attuned to the people we do want to work with.
What It All Comes Down To
We’re not here to be the cheapest, most agreeable, or most available florist in town. We’re here to do our best work with the right people.
That means honoring our boundaries, protecting our energy, and trusting our gut—especially when it’s telling us this isn’t the right fit.
We’ve learned that every “no” makes room for the right “yes.” The one where the couple gets us, values what we do, and is excited to build something beautiful together.
So the next time we get ghosted, let’s not spiral. Let’s remember: we are not for everyone. And we shouldn’t want to be.
🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Flower Files wherever you get your podcasts—and if this message resonated with you, share it with a fellow flower friend who needs to hear it!
