Wedding flowers- how does this work?

wandajune6

I need to order bouquets and 'bouts for the wedding. I'm not a big flower lover (I like them but don't care a lot) but my mom is. We're (mostly) self-funding the wedding so we're on a pretty tight budget but I'd like to give my mom some options. Plus, FI really only wants dark red and/or white while I know my mom wants tons of color. I'm trying to avoid any potential conflict.

So how does this work? I ordered the centerpieces from Costco so I'm a bit behind. Do I need to make appointments with florists? Can I just show up with a list of what I need and a budget? Do I need to know what I want?

I'm clearly confused! I also want to prepare as well as possible so that I can make my mom happy without blowing the budget or annoying FI.</>

Please, wise ones, tell teach me!

AprilH81

You should call a few florists (don't forget grocery stores!!!!) and get some basic pricing for the quantity you need using a rough idea of the flowers you want to use. Then take those quotes and pick your top 1 or 2 and discuss options with your Mom.

Peaseblossom55

I made a few appointments with some florists in the area, I based my selection on reviews. When I met with the florist I told each of the florists exactly what I wanted.  I had specific flowers I wanted to use and visions. Once I got 3-4 quotes I compared and went with the person who offered the best services for the lowest price.

emmyg65

I didn't have specific flowers because my budget was tight and I wanted to be flexible, but I had photos of bouquets I liked so she could get an idea of the style and type of flower I like. I did a bunch of research online to find a florist whose work I liked and then set up an appointment to meet with her. She had lots of questions about budget, needs, style, etc. She sent me a quote a few days later and we went from there.

goldchocobo.defunct635829490514903826

You should have an idea in mind as to what you would like.  What are your centerpieces like?  Do you want them to match your bouquet and have an overall flower theme?   

jenna8984

emmyg65 said:

I didn't have specific flowers because my budget was tight and I wanted to be flexible, but I had photos of bouquets I liked so she could get an idea of the style and type of flower I like. I did a bunch of research online to find a florist whose work I liked and then set up an appointment to meet with her. She had lots of questions about budget, needs, style, etc. She sent me a quote a few days later and we went from there.

Same here. I had no real opinions or budget- I just had a few pictures I liked and a rough idea of what I wanted to spend (but had no idea if that was a realistic number). So I set up appointments with 2 places and the women were able to show me samples and pictures to narrow down the types of flowers I liked. Then within a week they emailed me a quote for just bouquets, and one for bouquets, boutineers, corsages. I went with the cheaper one and just bouquets for me and bridesmaids. It was around the figure I had in mind so I was happy with it. I didn't straight out tell them "this is what I have to spend". I waited to see what they charged then I adjusted out the men's and parent's since they didn't care for them anyways.

wandajune6

This is great. Thanks!

I ordered centerpieces of red spray roses from Costco for the tables. Spray roses are my favorite flowers, they're a color that FI likes, and they were inexpensive. Easy enough. My mom wanted huge, lush multi-color centerpieces but our budget can't handle that nor does FI want that. This is why I'm trying to give her more leeway on the ceremony flowers.

It's nice if the bouquets and bouts match but it's not a big deal to me, though I'd at least like them to coordinate a bit. I'd go ahead and order them from Costco (not spray roses, but the same color roses) but I know she would be disappointed. I might end up doing that for the 'bouts then go elsewhere for the bouquets. Not sure.

So it sounds like I need appointments and a good sense of my budget.

I think I can do this!