DIY vs Florist?

Jazzerina33

I'm curious, in general, which tends to be less expensive? I haven't started thinking about what flowers I want yet, I'm just starting the planning stages and I was just curious what you all have found.

twilight.rose

I didn't do DIY flowers, but I am assuming it's cheaper than using a florist.

Much of the cost of having flowers professionally done is in the labor, so it serves to reason that it would be less costly to DIY if you're comfortable with doing so.

suz62984

80-90% of what you pay a florist to do is labor. My mother bouquets were quoted at $30/bouquet while the wholesale price for the stems that were going into it were only $9. That was $21 in labor.

Please do the following things:
-Florists expect that you will be negotiating your quote and trying to bring it down to a manageable amount so don't be afraid of this.
-Visit with 3-5 florists to get various ideas and quotes. They will ask you things that you wouldn't have thought of. They will give you flower ideas and suggestions. You can use this info if you decide to DIY.
- Practice a DIY bouquet with fresh flowers. Go to Sams, Costco, Walmart, Grocery Store, etc. and buy some stems. Practice for timing, stress, and ability before deciding on DIY.
-You may be able to have a florist do the labor intensive items while you DIY other easy items. This will also save you a bunch of money.

bloomboxx

I admit that I am a florist. So, of course I would encourage you to let a professional florist take care of your wedding flower needs. We just blogged about this a few days ago:http://bloom-boxx.blogspot.com/ While I'm sure you can make beautiful arrangements and bouquets - like food, flowers are perishable and therefore a last-minute item. With so much to do that day, do you really also want the responsibility of the flower arranging and delivering? A good florist can work within any budget, can delivery a beautiful professionally-designed product, and has the proper facilities / tools / and vehicle to get the job done right.  There are choices you can make that will keep pricing sensible.  As an example, the picture here shows two versions of bride's bouquets using fresh daisies and some greenery.  Simple, yet elegant when in mass.  We retail either one for only $39.  You can also carry just a few stems of of a large-bloom flower.  Carry fresh greenery with just a smattering of blossoms for color.  If price is the issue, there are still ways a florist can work with you and delivery an elegant product.

Lisa8888

I don't understand what makes brides think that all of a sudden they are a florist and they know how to make bouquets and arrange flowers. It takes skill and you are paying for that knowledge and skill which regular people don't have.

nicole1125

I would think diy would be cheaper but I want to warn you bc thankfully someone warned me.....many venues require a licensed and insured florist do your flowesr, I never thought of this and once my mother's friend told her that I called my hall and they confirmed it. They would not let the flowers be delivered unless it was by an insured florist, so I would def look into that first. GL

Catwoman708

DIY is by FAR cheaper, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you have some experience at it, or some reliable, experienced volunteers. 

Because you asked, then I assume you don't know much about flowers.  They aren't hard to do, but you do need a little practice, plenty of time the day before the wedding, the right tools/supplies, and a place to work on and store the flowers so they don't wilt. 

You would probably be better off shopping around for a reasonable florist, or only DIYing some simple centerpieces, and leaving the WP flowers to a professional.

groovysuvi

I would suggest going to the Downtown Flower Mart, since you live in LA, and get an idea of the selection that is available.  Get there early in the morning for the best selection.  Buy a couple bundles of flowers and see if you can make an arrangement you like.  Making bouquets and centerpieces is harder than it looks, even if you're creative.  My flowers are going to be mostly planted centerpieces and a simple bouquet of sunflowers for my bouquet.  Anything more difficult and I would be going to a florist.