Is this highway robbery?

elysewalston

I'm getting married at the Hazlehurst House in McDonough, GA and they're a venue that's very helpful to aid in arranging a florist, cake specialist, etc. so that planning is a little less stressful. I just received a little invoice on the budget and was blown away. It seems I'll have to have a talk with them tomorrow.

Bridal Bouquet $225 (10 inch hand-tied with red gerberas, orange callas a fall (orange and yellow rose) and yellow dahlias.)
3 Bridesmaid bouquets: $120 each, $360 total (6 inch hand tied bouquet with shades of red, red roses, red dahlias, red callas)
Throw away bouquet: $75
Mother's corsage: $35 each, $70 total (fall foliage)
Groom: $20
No groomsmen flowers
$65 each for centerpieces
$225 for a large banquet centerpiece

I just feel like I'm being robbed, and especially after I requested cheap and in-season flowers. Will someone tell me if I have a case to be upset with?

GoodLuckBear14

You might want to ask your local board this question but the prices don't seem outrageous to me.

Maggie0829

The prices don't seem crazy to me but like PP said check with your local board.

Do you have to use their florist?  Is it in their contract that you use their vendors?  If not then I would check around to see what other prices you come up with.

GoodLuckBear14

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_flowers_this-highway-robbery?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:28Discussion:0af5b42d-479d-4054-b09f-eee8bcc78317Post:aa680a07-098d-4ee7-98dc-8e2c69f64d59">Is this highway robbery?</a>:
[QUOTE] Bridal Bouquet $225 ( 10 inch hand-tied with red gerberas, orange callas a fall (orange and yellow rose) and yellow dahlias. ) 3 Bridesmaid bouquets: $120 each, $360 total ( 6 inch hand tied bouquet with shades of red, red roses, red dahlias, red callas) Throw away bouquet: $75 Mother's corsage: $35 each, $70 total (fall foliage) Groom: $20 No groomsmen flowers $65 each for centerpieces $225 for a large banquet centerpiece I just feel like I'm being robbed, and especially after I requested cheap and in-season flowers. Will someone tell me if I have a case to be upset with?
Posted by elysewalston[/QUOTE]

I asked a friend of mine who got married last year what her flowers cost.  She had daisies, lisianthus and roses. her bouquet, MOH's bouquet, MOB's corsage and bouts for groom BM and FOB.  Her total was $295.

Wiscisbliss

I think it does seem a little high. 

Check with your local peeps, and get a quote from another lforist and see how it compares. 

Catwoman708

I think it is a little high, but not outrageously so. 

Most flowers you can get year round for roughly the same price, so "season" is not that important anymore.  But some flowers are definitely more expensive than others.

When you talk to the florist, ask them to choose cheaper flowers, or cut down on the variety, without scrimping on size of the bouquets and arrangements. 

fallbride1109

I agree with Catwoman--a little on the high end.  Just to compare, my bouquet was $150, my toss bouquet was free, my centerpieces were $65 ea, corsages $20, groom $18, BM bouquets $65, buffet $125.  And of course, my wedding was in 2009.

Aquarian342

I do think that is a bit pricey, however, it all depends on what other venders in your area are charging, and what flowers you use (despite whether they're in season or not).  My florist told me that calla lilies are just always going to be expensive (something like $10 per flower) so you have to decide if you love and have to have them.  If so, maybe just in your bouquet and nowhere else?

Also, maybe you could cut down on flowers for centerpieces and use other objects with minimal floral accents.  I'm using lanterns with colored glass stones, oil votives in and around it, layered colored cloth napkins underneath, and coated fall leaves (my wedding is in September).

Ask your vender if they have decorations free of charge, and make sure your florist gives you little vases to put the bouquets in so you can decorate your head table without spending extra.

bunchesbob

As a floral designer, I'm telling you this.  Those prices are much to high.  Especially since you are probably getting the hand tied type of bouquet, which takes 30 minutes or less for a professional florist to make. $20.00 for a boutoniere, give me a break, it takes two seconds to make it.  Bunches Bob, floral designer