Event florist T&Cs: what to actually include

The clauses that actually protect you — and the traps most florists don't know about.

Updated on June 27, 20267 min read

Your wedding contract fits on a one-page quote and a handshake? If a client cancels three weeks before the event, you might recover only part of your deposit — or nothing, depending on how the payment was qualified.

This guide walks through the essential clauses, formulations that hold up legally, and the most common mistakes in the sector.

The deposit: qualify it precisely

If you write nothing, French law presumes the payment is earnest money (art. L. 214-1 of the Consumer Code): if you cancel, you owe the client double. Always write "deposit" (acompte) — not "earnest money" (arrhes) or "reservation fee".

Standard rate: 30–40% at signing, balance 7 days before the event.
State explicitly that the deposit is non-refundable if the client withdraws.
Collect the balance before the event — never on the day.
List accepted payment methods clearly.

Cancellation: a sliding scale, not a punitive clause

Keeping 100% from the moment of signing is a presumptively unfair clause (art. R. 212-2 French Consumer Code). A legally sound scale is graduated and symmetric.

More than 3 months out
Full refund of the deposit.
1–3 months out
20% of the total price retained.
7 days to 1 month out
50–80% retained.
Less than 7 working days
100% — supplier orders are placed.

Flower substitution: the clause everyone must accept

Without a substitution clause, a client can claim non-conformity if the flowers delivered differ from the quote. Recommended wording: "Varieties shown in the quote or visuals are not contractually binding. Where a variety is unavailable, the florist will substitute with an equivalent flower of comparable quality, volume and colour harmony."

State that photographs are for inspiration only, not contractual.
Include a price revision clause for exceptional market spikes.
Notify the client as soon as an unavailability is known, ideally 2 weeks before.

Delivery, setup and breakdown

Specify the service area (departments or radius in km).
Complaint window: 48 hours minimum — the French Unfair Terms Commission ruled 24 h insufficient.
A setup delay due to traffic or site access does not justify a payment reduction.
If the client collects from the shop, liability transfers at handover.

Props and hired equipment: mandatory inventory

Vases, arches, candelabras, garlands — equipment often represents thousands of euros. Attach an inventory with replacement values to the quote, specify the deposit conditions, and disclaim liability for the client's own props.

VAT: exemption or split rates

VAT-exempt: mandatory wording "TVA non applicable — article 293 B du CGI" on all quotes and invoices.
VAT-registered: 10% on cut fresh flowers, 20% on mounted arrangements and decoration equipment.
2025 thresholds: €85,000 (retail) / €37,500 (services). Exceeding the upper threshold now triggers immediate registration.

The clauses everyone forgets

Consumer mediator: mandatory for B2C — mention on T&Cs, website, quotes and invoices. Fine up to €15,000.
Image rights: get written consent in the signed quote before publishing your work online.
Provable acceptance: add "I acknowledge having read and accepted the attached T&Cs" to the quote.
Symmetry: if the client forfeits their deposit on cancellation, include an equivalent remedy if you cancel.

Frequently asked questions

Deposit vs earnest money — what's the practical difference?: Earnest money lets either party withdraw (client loses the amount, supplier returns double). A deposit binds both parties to performance. Always write "deposit" (acompte) in your T&Cs for stronger protection.
Can I keep 100% of the deposit if a client cancels 15 days out?: Yes, provided your cancellation scale is graduated and symmetric. A 100%-from-signing clause is presumptively unfair; at 15 days, it's defensible if supplier orders have been placed.
Does the 14-day withdrawal right apply to my events?: No. Services tied to a fixed date (weddings, celebrations) are excluded from the right of withdrawal under art. L. 221-28, 12° of the Consumer Code. Mention this explicitly in your T&Cs.

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The deposit: qualify it precisely

Standard rate: 30–40% at signing, balance 7 days before the event.

State explicitly that the deposit is non-refundable if the client withdraws.

Collect the balance before the event — never on the day.

List accepted payment methods clearly.

Cancellation: a sliding scale, not a punitive clause

Keeping 100% from the moment of signing is a presumptively unfair clause (art. R. 212-2 French Consumer Code). A legally sound scale is graduated and symmetric.

More than 3 months out

Full refund of the deposit.

1–3 months out

20% of the total price retained.

7 days to 1 month out

50–80% retained.

Less than 7 working days

100% — supplier orders are placed.

Flower substitution: the clause everyone must accept

State that photographs are for inspiration only, not contractual.

Include a price revision clause for exceptional market spikes.

Notify the client as soon as an unavailability is known, ideally 2 weeks before.

Delivery, setup and breakdown

Specify the service area (departments or radius in km).

Complaint window: 48 hours minimum — the French Unfair Terms Commission ruled 24 h insufficient.

A setup delay due to traffic or site access does not justify a payment reduction.

If the client collects from the shop, liability transfers at handover.

VAT: exemption or split rates

VAT-exempt: mandatory wording "TVA non applicable — article 293 B du CGI" on all quotes and invoices.

VAT-registered: 10% on cut fresh flowers, 20% on mounted arrangements and decoration equipment.

2025 thresholds: €85,000 (retail) / €37,500 (services). Exceeding the upper threshold now triggers immediate registration.

The clauses everyone forgets

Consumer mediator: mandatory for B2C — mention on T&Cs, website, quotes and invoices. Fine up to €15,000.

Image rights: get written consent in the signed quote before publishing your work online.

Provable acceptance: add "I acknowledge having read and accepted the attached T&Cs" to the quote.

Symmetry: if the client forfeits their deposit on cancellation, include an equivalent remedy if you cancel.

Frequently asked questions

Deposit vs earnest money — what's the practical difference?

Earnest money lets either party withdraw (client loses the amount, supplier returns double). A deposit binds both parties to performance. Always write "deposit" (acompte) in your T&Cs for stronger protection.

Can I keep 100% of the deposit if a client cancels 15 days out?

Yes, provided your cancellation scale is graduated and symmetric. A 100%-from-signing clause is presumptively unfair; at 15 days, it's defensible if supplier orders have been placed.

Does the 14-day withdrawal right apply to my events?

No. Services tied to a fixed date (weddings, celebrations) are excluded from the right of withdrawal under art. L. 221-28, 12° of the Consumer Code. Mention this explicitly in your T&Cs.