Florist Canceled And Took $1000 Of $1375, No Contract Signed — What Are My Options?

Location: Orange County (where the event took place)

My cousin recommended her florist to me. After some back-and-forth, we agreed on an outline, and I Zelle'd her $1,375. No contract was signed.

Here's what was agreed upon:

8 Centerpieces Low floral foam arrangements, no visible vessel, no candles. Golden yellow monochrome palette.

Approximate flower breakdown:

~40% oncidium orchids (dancing lady)

~35% chrysanthemums

~25% daffodils/narcissus (all-yellow variety only, e.g., Dutch Master — no white petals)

Bridal Bouquet Hand-tied baby's breath with sheer white ribbon

Groom's Boutonniere Baby's breath, matching bridal bouquet

Cake Decor Yellow cymbidium orchids, placed individually as single blooms:

Top tier: cluster of 4 blooms

Second tier: blooms at the diagonal corners

Bottom tier: blooms centered on each side

All blooms angled exactly as shown in reference photo. No greenery or additional filler.

2 Cake Table Vases Vases provided by bride, around 17" in height without lid. Pink palette like the reference photo.

Approximate flower breakdown:

~45% cherry blossom branches (peach blossoms may be substituted)

~35% ranunculus

~20% phalaenopsis orchids

A couple of days before the wedding, I went into the shop, and she showed me her plans. She'd sourced lemon yellow, browns, and creams, telling me the golden yellow I wanted "isn't possible" and that I was getting confused by the reference photo's lighting. When I pushed back, saying that golden yellow was what we had agreed to in the outline, she texted me a photo of a spray-painted metallic-gold flower and said it would look exactly like the reference photo; she just hadn't processed them yet.

I showed her a color swatch to clarify I didn't mean metallic when I said "golden yellow." I offered to explore substitutions and even suggested going to the flower market myself. I told her I wished she'd flagged this a month ago... I wouldn't have paid her if I'd known the color palette I wanted wasn't possible.

Separately, I'd been sourcing vases to provide her per the agreement. The first pair we mailed turned out too tall (22"). When we came in, she said the replacement vases were probably too small (~15" instead of 17"). We offered to keep looking and said we'd come back the next day. She said OK.

These two threads apparently led her to cancel less than 48 hours before the wedding. This is what she wrote:

Today is Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 3:02pm. We will cancel the order (due to the constant changes of the order several times up to today), with the total of $1,375 that was zelled to us. The total amount we purchased for all the flowers is $700. The pick up flower in LA flower market charge is $300. The refund amount is $375. All the flowers were special order and nonrefundable; therefore, if you would like to pick up the flowers, you may stop by our store to pick them up. The flowers will be available for seven days starting today. Let me know which phone number you would like me to refund the $375.

I responded that nothing had changed from what we agreed and that she had changed the order. I accepted the cancellation to salvage what I could and said we'd come pick up the materials.

The next day, we came to collect. Someone at the store recorded me on her phone without responding when I asked if she was recording. We received flowers in wholesale state (loose, in plastic, no water, no vases), and more than the order called for, including varieties not in our agreement. She said she was throwing in the extras for free because she'd added them and wasn't planning to use them. I'm not an expert, but I really doubt these flowers added up to $700:

https://preview.redd.it/m6s0aw23b8og1.png?width=1536&format=png&auto=webp&s=2244517845d537549ccabf80581aa81000f6261e

After the pickup, I asked her for an itemized list and noted in writing that I had only accepted the cancellation under the circumstances (cancelling 48 hours before the wedding). I also noted we'd received the flowers without vases or water. Strangely, rather than texting me back, she called my cousin instead. She said I could come pick up the vases.

I followed up again on March 3rd, requesting an itemized receipt by the end of the week. She agreed. On March 6th, she provided a handwritten "receipt" with no quantities, and it included flowers she had added to the order that I never requested. The total had also changed from $700 to $725. When I asked for the actual flower market receipts (since she'd stated she was basically passing costs directly to me), she refused, writing: "We do not disclose receipts from the flower market because this is our business."

This is her receipt:

Ranunculus $88.50
Phalaenosis $36
Cymbidium $22
Cherry Blossoms $180
Daffodil $43.50
Chrysanthemums $75
Dancing Lady Orchids $110
Baby's Breath $14
Peonies $51
Dendro Orchid $51
Supplies $35

My questions:

• Is her $725 flower claim + $300 "pickup fee" reasonable?
• Can she legally refuse to provide receipts?
• What are my options for recovering some of the remaining $1,000 in Orange County?
• Does her deviation from the agreed color palette strengthen my position?
• Did I screw myself by picking up the flowers?
• In the case that I was actually a difficult client, does that justify retaining $1000 of the $1375 when she canceled?

I want to be clear that I have left out some details (like her calling my cousin and complaining about me), but I think I captured the core of it. I'm happy to answer any questions. And sorry that this is a bit of a meandering post!