Why Flower Substitutions Are Sometimes Necessary (And Nothing to Worry About!)

Table of Contents

• Nature Has the Final Say
  
• What Happens If a Substitution Is Needed?
• You're in Control

At iBuyFlowers, we know how important it is for retail florists and event florists to get exactly what they’ve ordered, especially when you’re prepping for a big event or restocking your shop. That’s why we’re transparent about something that occasionally happens in the world of wholesale flowers: substitutions.

Let’s talk about why they happen, how we handle them, and why they’re actually not a bad thing.

Nature Has the Final Say

As much as we’d love to control every petal and stem, we’re working directly with Mother Nature, and she can be unpredictable. Weather shifts, crop changes, and even global transport delays can sometimes impact flower availability. Because of this, your order may occasionally need a substitution.

This isn’t about cutting corners, it’s simply part of working with live, seasonal products. And it’s something every wholesaler (not just us!) must navigate.

What Happens If a Substitution Is Needed?

Here’s the good news: if a substitution is necessary, our farm team  will reach out to you directly, typically about a week before your order is scheduled to arrive. That gives you plenty of time to review your options and make any adjustments if needed. 

We’ll always present you with substitution choices that:

• Match your color palette
• Keep the same vibe or style
• Stick closely to your original price point
  
  Whether you’re ordering dusty rose garden roses or whimsical scabiosas, we do everything we can to find the closest match to your original request.

You’re in Control

Once we reach out, the decision is in your hands. You can choose one of the substitution options, or let us know if you’d prefer to adjust or cancel that part of the order. We’ll never make substitutions without your knowledge.

Our goal is to make the substitution process as easy and seamless as possible, while maintaining the beauty and quality you expect from iBuyFlowers.  If you’ve been in the floral industry for any length of time, you know substitutions are just part of the game. At iBuyFlowers, we do everything in our power to minimize them, but when they do happen, we handle them with transparency, communication, and care.

You can trust that we’ll always reach out to you and provide quality options that meet your needs.

Have questions about substitutions or your upcoming order? Our farm team and customer support staff are always here to help. Reach out anytime. We’re here to make your flower buying experience as smooth and stunning as possible.