Why can't my florist import flowers for my wedding?

I am getting married in Italy (i live in new york) in August. I wanted to have white anemones, peonies, and ranunculus, but I was told they are out of season. The florist says all they can get are roses calla lillies, gladiolis, or orchids in white at that time of year. I really dislike all of these options. Money is not really an issue as we don't need tons of flowers since it is a relatively small wedding (50 people). Why can they not import something from somewhere else? I have been told a good florist can get almost anything at any time of year. Are they just being lazy? What should I do!!?

Why can't my florist import flowers for my wedding?
It married in Italy also. I have lived there off and on my entire life since my family is Italian. And if you need to import them from outside the country they will not do it. Some countries have VERY strict import regulation, and Italy is one of those. So, no they aren't being lazy, there are some things that a florist cant get. Your going to have a VERY hard time getting your dress through customs to. Which is why I bought mine over there.
Reply:Work with a local florist in Italy if you want to be particular about the flowers you use. They probably can't import them due to agricultural restrictions. You can't import stuff into Hawaii easily, either. Don't freak out about it, I hate to tell you but nobody's going to notice what kind of white flowers you have, anyway...I got all particular about the types of roses I used, and people just didn't notice them at all. At least I was happy!
Reply:Perhaps your florist is not used to getting things imported? Maybe he only deals with local vendors? Or perhaps the number of flowers that you require does not worth the effort of importing them? It is also a possibility that what you want done is against import customs / laws?



If you don't like the fact that your current florist won't import them for you, check with another florist. Give them your specifics and see what they can do.
Reply:Other countries have strict rules regarding what is brought in, everything from food to flowers. She is simply covering her tail from being fined or imprisoned for violating those laws. If you want a certain type of flower, then perhaps getting married overseas is not the best option.
Reply:Some things do not ship well...and I'm sure you are used to being in the US, especially NYC. Shipping something from South America (where many flowers are grown) to the US is much easier than shipping from South America to Italy.
Reply:Another option that you may have is to use high quality silk flower that almost look like natural. these may be easier to transport them from the US to Italy.
Reply:Peonies are very hard to grow out of season . I grow them because they are my favorite flower. You may want to talk to another florist and see or find a place that will ship them.
Reply:Hi, we are a florist in the US (NY), so the situation in Italy might be different. Keep that in mind.



When it comes to cut-flowers, most of them are in fact "imports." The major flower producers are: Columbia, Ecuador, Kenya, Holland, and China. The sesonal availability of flowers in these countries, not in Italy, is what matters here.



The reason they are "seasonal" is because flowers require a certain day-night cycle to bloom. For common flowers like Roses, Carnations, and Lilies, etc, flower growers can "fool" their natural cycle to force these flowers to bloom year round. But for other flowers, including the ones you mention, there is not enough demand for them to do that.



The flowers are shipped from these countries to the destination country's entry point (Miami in the case for US) where they are inspected for insect contamination, etc. If passed, they go to a distribution center -%26gt; wholesaler -%26gt; finally retailer.



The flowers you like, Anemone, Paeonia (Peony), Ranunculus, are all seasonal, and they are not available in any flower market in August as far as I know.



Take a look at the Dutch market, the world's largest flower market, by clicking on the link below (click on "Search flowers). I believe that Italian florists must be getting most of their flowers from the Dutch. We do, too, even though we are not in Europe.



If the money is really not an issue, you might be able to persuade a grower in Italy to grow these flowers in such away that may bloom in next August. This August is too late.
Reply:they dont grow every were....they are out of season..which means they dont grow... no she is not being lazy she is honestly telling you that it cant be done.. very few places can grow those flowers...and when its out of season its out of season and there is no where to import them from... if you are so stuck on this maybe look online and try to find a place that grows them.. then pass that information along to your florist..and tell her money is no issue..



and you do know you can not bring wild flowers..fruits or food over seas right?...so that could be another reason she cant get them for you.. it introudces things that could ruin other environments
Reply:I am getting married in Italy on may 8th and wanted white Anemones rununculaus, i couldnt find anyone that could import for me. I finally asked teh owner of the villa where we will be haivng the reception and she located a flower supplier that was able to deliver all these flowers to the villa in italy for less then i can get them in the US.



I am a florist so I am arrnaging them myself but this may be an option for you. Contact your local source, they know their region better then anyone.



Curious to know why i would get a thumbs down for that...its a valid solution, if you cant import get direct from teh source locally. Its cheaper and better quality cause they arent being shipped long distances Sheesh...and yes i am aware that they are out of seasonb ut it never hurts to try and ask locally. Worked for me.