$300 flower budget-possible?

SmallenForever

Posted this on the budget board before I realized there was a flower board!

My budget is $300 for flowers. I need a bouquet for me and three bridesmaids bouquetes that's it. I'm not picky about flowers at all. I just want white flowers. I've found a good deal at Sam's Club (includes way more than I want, but it in my budget), but the amount of work to keep the flowers fresh scares me. However, I've talked to three florists now and for what I want, they quoted me between $700 and $2500. The other florists I've tried to talk to won't make an appointment to speak to me for months. Is this normal? I tried talking to the local grocery store too and they said they can't give me quotes this far in advance (getting married in Feb).

Is my budget just too crazy small? I just can't imagine spending so much on flowers. 

shine882007

Are you ok with going fake? Afloral has some nice options, just order one of each first to be sure you like it.

I ordered 45 eggplant calla lilies, 60 white calla lilies, 24 mini calla lilies, grass, and floral tape for $290 with shipping.  Not too bad for calla lilies, that I will be using in a MN winter wedding

Magdala9

Yes,  it is possible.  BUT you may need to do it yourself.    Bouquet prices vary from city to city and depend on the type of flowers desired.  Generally in my area each bouquet ranges from $150 to $500.  You are paying for the florist's expertise in arranging the bouquet so that it stays nice (oasis, waterpicks) and stays together (hand tied, wired).   With the bouquets only and no other floral work, it may not be worth their time to talk to you.   

In an emergency (florist no-show) a group of bridesmaid put together 12 simple 
centerpieces and four "bouquets"  for $150 at the last minute.    These bouquets ended up being long stemmed roses tied with a velvet ribbon. 

Kalabeckman

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_flowers_300-flower-budget-possible?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:28Discussion:cc6a1d52-d914-4f39-985c-8f8190262173Post:08b658bf-fa27-4b2c-bbc1-cfb1b366f7e2">$300 flower budget-possible?</a>:
[QUOTE]Posted this on the budget board before I realized there was a flower board! My budget is $300 for flowers. I need a bouquet for me and three bridesmaids bouquetes that's it. I'm not picky about flowers at all. I just want white flowers. I've found a good deal at Sam's Club (includes way more than I want, but it in my budget), but the amount of work to keep the flowers fresh scares me. However, I've talked to three florists now and for what I want, they quoted me between $700 and $2500. The other florists I've tried to talk to won't make an appointment to speak to me for months. Is this normal? I tried talking to the local grocery store too and they said they can't give me quotes this far in advance (getting married in Feb). Is my budget just too crazy small? I just can't imagine spending so much on flowers. 
Posted by SmallenForever[/QUOTE]

<div>It is definitely possible you just need to find something that has that look and feel that you are looking for.  As someone else said, are you ok with silk flowers?  You are able to get things that are easier to match to your specifications and sometimes you have more budging room on the price.  </div><div>
</div><div>Here is an example of some silk floral arrangements that range form $50-$200 each just depending on the style.  Many Etsy retailers offer custom arrangements as well.</div><div>
</div><div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BUniqueBouquets?ref=si_shop" rel="nofollow">http://www.etsy.com/shop/BUniqueBouquets?ref=si_shop</a></div><div>
</div><div>Check it out and see if it fits your needs.  There's a wide range of arrangements out there Im sure whatever you chose you will love and will look amazing in your wedding! Congrats on your engagement!</div>

TheSlowskys

I am not a fan of silk flowers. Your budget is totally doable for real ones. Talk to your local grocery store.  My sister had a local grocery store do her flowers (and bouquets, bouts, centerpieces, everything) and it came out great. A friend of mine used whole foods (for bouquts, bouts, centerpiecs, etc) and it also came out really good. They just charge for flowers, not labor.

Some grocery stores will deliver, others you just have to pick up on the day of. I'd much prefer going that route over ordering things on online.

Edit: Sorry, just saw you said you talked to a grocery store. I'd just wait then.  The amt of flowers are so few you should be fine.  Even if you had to put together a few hydrangea bouquets yourself it would be no big deal.

fallbride1109

My bouquet was $175 and my BM bouquets $35 in 2009 (all white roses).  My guess is that your amount of flowers needed is too small for a florist to want to do it.

Have you tried Market Street?  Lots of girls on our board have used them for their personal flowers. 

flower_diva

yes ,totally.   Get some referals from people you know and get your vendors booked now. Doesn't mean you have to plan all you flowers at this point in time.   I have never undcerstood why some florists won't book a consult more than 9mo out. I have dates reserved into next sept(2013).  I won't see the brides again probably until the girls dresses are ordered or 3-4 months out from the wediding.

amandasass

If your ok with silk flowers $300 is definatly doable. I sell silk bouquets through Etsy in case your interested  http://www.etsy.com/shop/PetalGem

random4180

Definitely doable- I made ten centerpieces with flowers from www.fiftyflowers.com for $110. I went an unusual route with mine and my BM's bouquets and got dried flower bouquets made by someone on etsy- one bridal bouquet, five BM bouquets, 2 jr. BM bouquets, 2 corsages, and a ring bearer pillow for about $425.  https://www.etsy.com/transaction/70619854

chf08

I think you can definitely work within that budget. Just do some research to find the most reasonably priced florists in your area, because pricing can vary a lot from one shop to the next. Your local board should be able to give you recommendations. I received a quote for under $350 for my bouquet, 3 bridesmaid bouquets, 3 corsages, and 4 boutonnieres (almost all roses); and I live in an area where wedding costs tend to be higher than average. 

I'll probably arrange to pick up the flowers myself so that I can save on the delivery costs, and I'm making my own centerpieces as well. You can also look into floral shops at the nicer grocery stores in your area. I know of a few brides who have used Whole Foods with great results and the prices were very good.

GL!

jessicazeadker

Samsclub!!! They have bulk flowers for a DYI or packages available... they are all beautiful!

heathernmatt07

I have a similar post on th etiquette board( I didn't see the flowers board) and I'm wondering if It's bad etiquette to not provide bouts and corsages for parents and grandparents.. I was also thinking no more than $300 for flowers, and my FI still thinks that's an outrageous price and so do I! I didn't like the idea of using a grocery store, but I guess I should not knock it until I look in to it..I will have to give that a look. I have my first meeting with a florist next week, and I'm going to stress that I really would like to stay under $300, but I also really want to use cala lillies. I hope I can stay within budget with using calas.

rievergurl13

For just the flowers in the ceremony we are paying 650 to 700. I am going to buy bulk roses from sam's and arrange my own centerpieces almost scared to see how much the centerpieces would have run.

kisskiss30

As long as your flexible and not expecting a whole lot you can get something really pretty for $300.

Check out lovetheblooms (all one word) on Etsy.com  They have some pretty nice packages within your budget and the flowers are beautiful.

I made mine with her and I loved them.

silver0319

Costco also has some amazing floral packages available, but they might be a little bit over your budget.  You can go to the costco website and enter "wedding" in the search field.  I found one package that I love with Calla Lilies for $399 and it includes a ton of flowers. 

mnwatson1

I've been lurking for awhile, and decided to post on this, because I'm trying to keep my costs as low as possible, regardless of my budget. 

After looking into it, I'm probably going to be spending roughly $300 for my flowers - all roses, a mix of black magic and white roses, - because I'll be DIY everything, and ordering the flowers from Sam's Club.  The bouquets should be super-simple, and I found some awesome bout holders for fresh flowers (I have already been warned that those need to be made day-of, or they're likely to die) that only require a little floral foam.  (Here's what I'm planning on using: http://www.afloral.com/Floral-Supplies/Corsage-Supplies_2/Black-Lapel-Pine-Vase-with-Braided-Trim ).  My $300 quote is including everything I'm planning on buying for the project - floral tape and wire, the flowers themselves, flower strippers (definitely something I want for working with the roses!), the bout holders, shipping for everything, etc.  It is DEFINITELY doable!  Just hunt around online, I'm sure you'll be able to get ideas and figure out what you can do with your budget!  Good luck! 

Anorden

If you are open to different options of flowers, a florist should be able to do 4 bouquets for 300. I am a floral designer at a grocery store, and we do weddings from $50 total to $6000 and more. I do just want stand up for grocery store florists, they are just like all other florists, some are wonderful and some are not so good, but please meet with one before you decide against them. Sometimes because they work within a larger store they are able to do the same beautiful work for a better price.