Florists

theauracle

Hi Ladies,
Just looking to hear about your experiences with florists and possibly average costs?
We are not from RI & meeting with all the potential vendors hard.
We have met with two florists & while there were things we really liked about both of them - I just didnt feel that click with either and with our wedding so fast approaching - I am afraid of settling.
Neither one of them had book of pictures or portfolio to go through
- is this really common?
And one of them seemed very accomodating but did not outline anything she would use in her proposed contract?
The other had great prices on some items but seemed a little rigid?
I brought lots of pictures & ideas as well as conveyed them?? 
Just wondering what other brides experienced - & recommendations
Thanks

amylydia23

I am originally from CT and live in TX currently.  I booked my florist without even meeting with her.  I met with a few other prospects in person but I just had a great connection with who I booked.  Communication is very important to me because I'm planning half way across the country.  As for average costs, it completely depends on what kind of flowers and design you want.  I've tried to make a weekend out of meeting with vendors everytime I'm home and will travel to RI, I just try not to book the same type of vendor back to back so you dont get confused.  Good luck with your planning!

ETA:  My florist is Toni Chandler, she's been wonderful to work with!

vsha

I met with 3 florists and all had several, it not many, books/portfolios displaying their work.  Again, I think "fit" is really important and I didn't find my florist until my 3rd try.  Despite being the only vendor I didn't get a chance to meet in person, she completely won me over and made me really comfortable from the email and phone communication as she is extremely organized and quick to respond to my emails and questions.  I would highly recommend her and I will list her contact info below for your reference.  Hope that helps and best of luck!

Christina Chandler
Studio539 Flowers
174 Wickenden St
Providence,RI 02903
401-454-4400
539flowers.com

RoyalOrient

I met with 7 florists not including Whole Foods - the most reasonably priced. Every single florists I met with had albums of their work if not magazines of published work in weddings, events or trade shows. Every consult included a detailed outline of the types of flowers used and pricing per item plus cost of delivery and set up. As a bride on a budget, it was helpful to see the breakdown of everything. Communication is definitely key. One florist I met with was more concerned with his ideas than mine which was a complete turn off. I did enjoy meeting with Christina from Studio 539 and her mother, the lovely and talented Toni Chandler. I also met with Semia from Flowers by Semia but felt her pricing was significantly more than my other quotes. Pam from Blooming Blossom is also amazing, she uses the same designers as Stone Blossom, whom I never met with because of their reputation for being on the high end. I also like Golden Gate and Florals by Alisa (booked on my date). I also love, love, Arranged Occasions but they are from Westport, MA

Jdolce

I'm going to post the reviews from my wedding sometime in the next few days, but I cannot recommend Florals by Alisa enough.

They were the one vendor that I didn't meet with ahead of time, but they did provide photos on their website plus a very detailed description of the specific flowers that they would use on the day of our wedding. I would think that most florists should be able to do that for you. We booked based on the description and the fact that they were tremendously responsive (just in general) but also to our loose theme and color scheme. They were also very reasonable, and I honestly couldn't have been happier.

One thing I learned throughout this process (and now that the wedding is over) is that you should listen to your gut. If you're not 100% positive about a vendor, look for someone else. You need to be able to trust the people you hire.

Magdala9

I worked with Jay at Golden Gate Flowers and our flowers turned out lovely.

  

As you can tell we used different flowers for the bouquets and the reception.  Our vision was not the typical arrangement. 

kibo8

The Flower Shoppe
1 Hanover Avenue
Pawtucket, RI 02861-2186
(401) 722-4649

Dave Kinder is amazing!

MaryLaura13

I'm using Golden Gate as well. He is reasonalby priced but you have to go in with a firm budget or he will def go to town with your ideas. My flowers are costing 2,300.

He does beautiful work (he works iwth his wife as well) and he has tons of books of his work including a slideshow playing as you discuss so you can get ideas as you go.

birdy7797

I eneded up going with The rivers edge which is a very small place but even she had many photographs.  She gave us a quote $1,000 less then the first place we went.  I've also seen Golden Gate's work and heard great things about Jay.  Don't settle you will find the place that is the right "fit" for you!