Help! Florist won't do peonies next week...

elizabethany13

I specifically chose to get married (in Maine) in June so that I would have peonies for my wedding. However, the peonies have bloomed early this year and now my florist tells me that she doesn't think she can get them for my wedding on the 26th.
 
I understand that my florist can't control mother nature, but what do you think I should do in this situation?  She is relying on my contract stating that she is allowed to use "professional judgment" but I specifically contracted for peonies and now she wants to just do roses. My florist is the most expensive shop in the region and I expected more.

Do you know of any suppliers that will be carrying peonies next week?  Do you have any suggestions for other seasonal flowers?

Help!

Sue-n-Kevin

elizabethany, I can relate to your frustration, but also understand the part Mother Nature plays in this. ALL my flowers are blooming 2 weeks earlier this year because of the mild spring we had.

The only "large headed" flowers similar to peonies that might be blooming now are hydrangeas. Mine are already blooming in southern Michigan.

Two alternatives I can see is to push her to find something comparable, OR perhaps drive farther north to find them? She might be able to get them from Canada, where they might be blooming in 2 weeks.

Check out this website: www.californiaflowerexchange.com. See if you can find something you would almost like (LOL) and refer her there for assistance.

Good luck.

waltzingmatilda13

Unforunately if she goes to another wholesaler to get the peonies for you wedding, they are probably going to cost a lot more money. You signed a contract for a specific price and arrangements, and if she can't meet those requirements in your budget, you allow her to make a professional decision. If you insist on having the peonies you're going to have to pay for them. Call her and let her know that you want them and to find out how much they will be to get in.

BShreeve

I'm in the same boat with peonies. I can't get them anymore, unless I'm willing to pay $9 or $10 a flower! I am now looking for an alternative to peonies and I'm not sure how that's going to work out. My wedding is on the 27th.

Islamorada14

You may want to ask about cabbage/garden roses or peony tulips as alternatives.  Cabbage roses can look extremely similar to large, full peonies.  Dahlias might also be worth some consideration.

If your florist is used to importing flowers from other countries, I'd think he/she could find peonies *somewhere*, but as a pp said, they will likely be much more expensive.  For example, my florist ordered peonies for my November wedding from a supplier in New Zealand.  However, I did need to compromise and get a smaller (Japanese) variety of peony instead of the fuller variety I initially wanted.  Peonies are often a tough flower to have your heart set on. 

You may also want to contact www.fiftyflowers.com and see if they have peonies available for delivery next week.  Its my understanding they have a huge network of suppliers.

elizabethany13

Thanks guys! 
Part of my frustration also stems from the fact that she has just hit me with the final bill which includes charges for her time (that were not in our contract), even though she has only sent about 5 one-line emails and has never even met with me.  Plus she says my topiary rose trees aren't looking good so I have to pay for her rose bushes even though I don't want them!  Sometimes venting is necessary...

saradoolittle

I would google every wholesaler out there, but I just paid 57.00 for shipping 6 hydrangeas and some orchids. Peonies are already expensive and the wholesalers will have you sign something that says they can make substitutions. Maybe you should ask for the closest substitution your floriest has or if she can mix in some silk ones with your other real flowers.  I am so sorry this happened. I am just praying my wholesale flowers come in looking okay, even though it was a very small order.

gmsoonyea2011

try one of these companys listed at this review site they might be able to help you.

http://wholesaleweddingflowers.org

h+d

I am a florist by trade and she should be able to get peonies next week from Holland. They are available. She could also consider adding garden roses & rannunculas to the mix for a similar look that is ruffly & soft like a peony. What colors are you doing? I would just call her and schedule a time to sit down and talk. Let her know that it's really important to you and that you really don't understand that she is wanting to sub roses for peonies, and if she is adamant about it, then you should probably ask for a reduction in cost because roses and peonies do not cost the same amount of money. I would highly doubt that she gets 100% of her product locally-- that's just risky because you never know what could happen!   I also don't know why her rose topiaries would not "look good"-- something sounds kinda off here, and I think you should talk to her.

Sue-n-Kevin

Correction to the link I provided earlier: www.californiaflowergrowers.com

ms_teach

I'm not getting married untli next summer, but i decided to go to Dahlias over peonies for this very reason since I'm getting married so late in June.  Some of the non-pom dahlias look just as ruffled...

It's worth asking about other non-rose options.  I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. GL!

flower_diva

peonies are available and should be thru her local wholesaler.I have them sitting on my counter  at my shop opening up. They ARE available  out of holland and she can order direct and have them in two days.  I  think  that this person is 1-handing you a line of BS because she does not to pay the money for the peonies because she didn't charge you enough to begin with. 2-she does not have enough experience to know where to look for them.

Bet you could order them from another florist......why don't you call around and see.And yes I would ask her for a reduction in price,order the peonies from someone else and take them to her to use

florist like this give my industry a bad name.JMO

jagore08

I don't know if this is going to range from region to region but here in California they are all over the place.  I just went to the grocery store and they have tons of bouquets of peonies.

mt4sbwy

Peonies are available here in MA.  I say she's not telling you the whole truth.