Ordering flowers online looks simple until the bouquet arrives… and it’s not quite what you imagined. Different cities have different florists, supply chains, delivery rules, and even “normal” bouquet sizes. So if you want your order to feel thoughtful (and not like a random box of stems), it’s worth doing a quick pre-check.

This checklist works anywhere — whether you’re sending flowers across town or arranging flower delivery in Abu Dhabi from another country. (Same logic, same pitfalls.)

Start With the “What Exactly Am I Buying?” Check

Before you look at delivery times, make sure you understand the product itself.

Confirm the bouquet size in a measurable way

Photos can be misleading. Look for:

• stem count (or at least a range)
  
  
• bouquet diameter or height (if provided)
  
  
• size options (S/M/L) with clear differences

If there’s no concrete detail, assume the picture is an example, not a promise.

Read the flower list, not just the title

A listing called “Spring Mood” can mean anything. A solid description usually includes:

• main flowers (e.g., roses, tulips, lilies)
  
  
• secondary flowers/greens
  
  
• possible substitutions

Substitutions aren’t automatically bad — they’re often necessary — but you should know whether the florist can swap half the bouquet without telling you.

Check whether the design is “replicable”

Some arrangements are very specific (rare flowers, unusual color palette, heavy seasonal dependence). If the bouquet looks like it relies on one signature bloom, it’s more substitution-prone.

A safer pick for long-distance gifting: bouquets built around common, widely available flowers (roses, chrysanthemums, carnations, alstroemeria, seasonal mixes).

Look for Freshness Signals (Not Just Pretty Marketing Words)

Everyone says “fresh flowers.” The useful part is how they handle freshness.

Delivery date vs. preparation date

Ideally, the flowers are assembled close to dispatch, not a day earlier “to be safe.” If a platform mentions same-day assembly or “made to order,” that’s usually a good sign.

Storage and seasonality hints

If you’re ordering for a city with very hot weather, ask yourself:

• Is this bouquet heat-sensitive?
  
  
• Will it sit in transit or at reception?
  
  
• Does it need hydration packaging?

Hot climates are where sturdy flowers (and good packaging) really matter, especially if delivery happens in the middle of the day.

Get Clear on Delivery Logistics (This Is Where Most Surprises Happen)

A bouquet can be perfect and still arrive at the wrong time or not be handed over properly.

Time window: narrow vs. “sometime today”

Check what you’re actually buying:

• exact delivery time (rare)
  
  
• time slot (e.g., 10:00–14:00)
  
  
• same-day with a broad window

If it’s a broad window, plan the message accordingly (“Hope this brightens your day!”) rather than (“Happy lunch break!”).

Recipient availability and handoff rules

Look for details like:

• do they call the recipient?
  
  
• can they leave flowers with a concierge/security?
  
  
• what happens if nobody answers?
  
  
• is “leave at door” allowed?

This matters a lot for offices, hospitals, dorms, and gated buildings.

Address format requirements

In many cities, “street + number” isn’t enough. You may need:

• building name
  
  
• apartment/villa number
  
  
• floor
  
  
• entrance code
  
  
• landmark

If the site doesn’t prompt for these fields, add them in the notes. It reduces delays more than anything else.

Check the Substitution and Refund Policy Like You Actually Might Need It

Most people skip this part until something goes wrong. Quick scan, two minutes, huge payoff.

What counts as an acceptable substitution?

Good policies usually say substitutions may happen within the same value and style. Vague policies basically mean “we’ll improvise.”

What proof do they provide?

Some services send a pre-delivery photo, others don’t. If you care about the exact look, a photo policy is helpful.

What happens if delivery fails?

Look for:

• re-delivery rules
  
  
• refund or credit conditions
  
  
• how fast you need to report issues (sometimes it’s within 24 hours)

Read Reviews for the Right Clues (Not Just Star Ratings)

A 4.9 rating is nice, but it doesn’t tell you why people are happy.

When scanning reviews, look for repeated mentions of:

• flowers matching the photos
  
  
• on-time delivery
  
  
• quality after 2–3 days (freshness)
  
  
• customer support solving problems fast

Also notice what the negative reviews complain about. “Late by an hour” and “bouquet was totally different” are very different categories.

Think About the Occasion and the Local Context

Even if you’re sending to “any city,” the recipient experience depends on local norms.

Size expectations vary by place

In some cities, a compact bouquet is normal and elegant. In others, people expect larger bunches for celebrations. If you’re unsure, picking a medium size with a clean design is usually the safest bet.

Some flowers are culturally tricky

Not everywhere, but it happens. If you don’t know local preferences:

• avoid extremely “funeral-coded” color schemes (all white in some contexts)
  
  
• avoid overly scented lilies if the recipient might be in an office/hospital
  
  
• choose balanced, neutral palettes (soft pinks, mixed pastels, classic red/white)

Make Sure the Message and Add-ons Won’t Backfire

A great bouquet with a weird card message can ruin the vibe.

Card text: keep it clear and typo-free

If you’re writing in a language that isn’t local to the recipient, keep it simple. Avoid jokes that don’t translate well.

Add-ons: check what’s actually included

“Chocolates” can mean anything from a nice box to a couple of mini bars. If you add something, confirm:

• brand/weight (if shown)
  
  
• packaging
  
  
• whether it’s a separate item or integrated into the bouquet

A Quick Pre-Order Checklist You Can Copy-Paste

Before you hit pay, quickly tick these off:

• Bouquet size is clear (stems or dimensions)
  
  
• Flower list is stated (and substitutions explained)
  
  
• Delivery window is acceptable
  
  
• Address fields cover building/apartment/notes
  
  
• Recipient handoff rules are clear
  
  
• Refund/re-delivery policy is understandable
  
  
• Reviews mention quality + punctuality (not just “nice”)
  
  
• Card message is clean and appropriate

Final Thought: Your Best Protection Is Clarity

Most “bad flower delivery” stories aren’t about evil florists — they’re about assumptions. You assumed the bouquet would be bigger, they assumed substitutions were fine. You assumed “morning delivery,” they meant “before end of day.”

Choose listings with clear specs, confirm delivery details, and read policies like a real human who might need them — and you’ll massively increase the odds that the flowers arrive looking right, and feeling right.