Home Florists

Mich2012

Can anyone recommend a florist who works out of their home? Our wedding is in Fall River, MA.  I love flowers, but don't have much budgeted for it.  I was thinking someone who can order and arrange flowers from their own home should save me money.  Any suggestions??? Thanks!

Mich2012

Or...Does anyone know of a place where we can maybe rent some cooler space so we can arrange the flowers ourselves and store for two days? Thanks again!

BelleandIzzy

We are booked with Florals by Alisa which is a team of two ladies (Ali & Lisa) who work out of their home in Rhode Island (but deliver throughout MA, CT, and RI I believe). Their work is gogeous and their prices were the lowest I found.  Of course, as with all florists, your pricing will be determined by what you want.  If you want higher end florals and/or flowers out of season (i.e. orchids, lilies, peonies, etc.), it will cost you more regardless of who you use.

Second thought is to check out Blooms By the Box.  Originally I had planned on doing our own flowers but, as an out-of-state bride, it would have been too hard to arrange getting all my vases (which I would have bought used or scoured for at dollar stores) and supplies from across the country.  Plus, since we would be in from out-of-town it's not like I would have a house to stage the arrangements in the day before.  So in the end it was easier for us to just go with a florist, but the Blooms By the Box team and their blog are VERY helpful.  I even chatted with them about the pros/cons of doing it myself given my situation and they were very helpful. There are also tutorial videos, guides, and pics from other brides, etc. to help if you decide to do it yourself.

One of our original budget saver ideas was to alternate tables with a fresh floral arrangement and tables with a pillar candle/sand/starfish centerpiece.  I have been to other wedddings where they did something similar (alternating fresh arrangements with non-floral centerpieces) and it looks great. It also helps to cut down on your budget as well.  In the end we decided not to go this route for the same reason from above (that coming in from out-of-town we would be rushing to put together the non-floral centerpieces) and because Florals by Alisa's price was so much better than our other quotes that we just went with the simplicity of letting them handle all of it.  

Last but not least, you can also look on the web for inspiraiton of simpler centerpieces (i.e. mason jars with just baby's breath or bud holders with just a single rose) that still pack a beautiful punch in their simplicity.  Additional touches such as cheap votive candles, etc. will help to fill out the table as well.  

Hope all of the above can be of some assistance.  Good luck!  

Molly&Andy

We haven't budgeted that much for flowers either and have received three quotes so far from Flowers by Alisa, Bella Floral (Westwood), and Tangled Web.  All three seem willing to work with a smaller flower budget and are all in the same price range.  I'm actually meeting with Flowers by Alisa tomorrow and have already met with the other two.
You can always get quotes via email or meeting with them, if you have an idea of what you might want. 
You definitely would want to get flowers that are in-season for your wedding in order to keep the cost down.
Good Luck!

RoyalOrient

I used Whole Foods University Florist in Providence and they were very reasonable. They were actual under my budget. They are a super market but they don't have a high overhead cost and work with wholesalers where they pass the savings to their customers. Someone mention Florals by Alisa, they are also very budget friendly too!

Mich2012

Thanks for all the suggestions!  My sister can actually do beautiful arrangements but we don't have any cooler space available to keep the flowers fresh until the wedding, not to mention our wedding is in the end of Aug so it will probably be hot as hell and will be difficult to keep the flowers fresh for long.  I will definatley look into your suggestions, thanks for all the advice!

Island_Bride2011

Do you know anyone in the restaurant business?  They have large walk in refrigerators.

Mich2012

No I wish I did know someone who works in the restaurant businesss.  MollyandAndy, what did you think of Bella and Tangled Web?  I'm trying to set up an appointment with Flowers by Alissa as well.  My experience so far is that most florists will work within your budget, but really what are you getting, only a few great flowers and the rest fillers? I don't know that much about flowers but I don't want to have only a few flowers in the arrangments and bouquets. Also, has anyone meet a florist who will do samples for free?  That way we can see exactly what our money will be paying for......Thanks again for everyones help and advise.

URIsweethearts

not to be a debbie downer but, i don't think any florist would do a sample for free. i wouldn't even think to ask this. it's their product, their time and labor. they will charge you. but maybe it's different with home florists. also - even if you knew someone in the restaurant business - you wouldn't want to keep your flowers in the coolers with the food-  especially fruit. the smells and odors from the food would ruin the flowers. sorry i read a lot of good housekeeping.

LOMLBOAT

My florist did a sample for me, but I gave her all the vases I wanted to use.  We hadn't signed a contract yet, but we had given her a verbal that we would be using her.  A lot of our flowers were flowers she had in her shop, only 1 or 2 blooms weren't available and she didn't use them.  It can't hurt to ask if they could do a mock design for your or at least send you some pictures of what a centerpiece in your budget may look like.

Molly&Andy

Mich2012, Sorry I just saw this.  I liked all three that I met with, but we did end choosing Bella/Suzanne.  I didn't know what I wanted for flowers (just in season and in our colors) and I liked the idea of what Bella came up with the best (using dahlias).  I know we are going to have a bunch of hydrangeas (because we can get them in blue and green).  I guess it depends on if you would consider that a filler or not.

MEMtoMEL

I have booked with Florals by Alisa and they are one of my favorite vendors. So easy to work with and helpful.  Flowers and centerpieces have been my biggest challenge and they are making it a breeze now.  Cannot say enough great things about them....