Flower Dilemma

angelsong21

I'm an avid "Yelper" and was checking out the recent reviews to try to find a new place for us to eat lunch today.  Low and behold,  The Lilypad Flowers is on there....with a new 1 star review.

Clicky.

Decision time.  This is not the first time I've heard negative things.  I know several people on this board have used her and I think 2 had some complaints.  I had e-mailed Di Fiori (sp?) the other night to set up a consult because it had been mentioned they were fairly budget friendly.  I told them what I had been quoted by Kirsten for what I was ordering and they told me there was no way that could be done...and that didn't include me telling them she was going to let us use any of her other vases and supplies for free on the tables she wasn't providing flowers for. 

So now I'm nervous.  I didn't plan to allow more than $600 for what I needed...which is my bouquet, one BM bouquet, 5 bouts, 3 corsages, and 6 small rose centerpieces.  The only other place I could use money from right now is the possible $550 we were going to spend on a DOC (not committed yet).  My aunt has volunteered to do this role for free as she has helped with many, many weddings before. 

Any thoughts?

ETA: Link fixed!

KendallandAlbert

I know BL loved Kirsten, but recently we have had a couple girls less than thrilled. Last minute floral changes, flowers browning, not enough being delivered, etc. 

You might search the forums to find their actual reviews though.

angelsong21

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_flower-dilemma?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:f016e712-4a38-440d-b71d-6a69d50ef1c1Post:60a9b861-f15a-4e44-97f7-7507b4542436">Re: Flower Dilemma</a>:
[QUOTE]I know BL loved Kirsten, but recently we have had a couple girls less than thrilled. Last minute floral changes, flowers browning, not enough being delivered, etc.  You might search the forums to find their actual reviews though.
Posted by KendallandAlbert[/QUOTE]

I remember them, just couldn't remember who posted them.  They just seem to be increasingly negative -- that Yelp review was really bad, but who knows, maybe that person had unrealistic expectations???  Blahhhhh.  We are DIYing 1/2 of our centerpieces to save money but I don't know that we could DIY the others I wanted to have a florist do. I'm not creative like most of y'all are!  :P

fallbride1109

BL actually now hesitates to recommend her as she says in another Knottie's review of her here:  http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_vendor-reviewssuper-long?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:8ca03b9d-62af-45cf-a45d-7d1b48010a91Post:01052fd1-d1c5-4844-93c4-2a2866b7778c

My advice?  Go with your gut, even if it means you scale down your flowers or find some extra money elsewhere.  As in most things, you get what you pay for.

MarieSD

I wish my florist (TLC Flowers) wasn't taking a break from the business right now. I just know she would've been able to fit in your budget. I think she had such great prices because she worked out of her home. I only heard about her via word of mouth -- but maybe you could find someone like that. (I just noticed she's still on the knottie vendor site, but she's definitely taking a break from the biz.)

I never pay much attention to the florist threads, but I feel like there must be some out there that can fit in your budget, since mine would've.

jimandrachel

I posted the Yelp! I am just now getting around to posting reviews about all my vendors. I know I'm not frequent on here but honestly I had a horrible experience with her. I had my bridals done and the bouquet was all wrong for those so I asked her to change it and she promised and promised it would be right. She came in on my wedding day and just set the flowers down outside the door. Set them down, she didn't tell anyone who they belong to or anything. I couldn't tell my bouquet from the others and they were supposed to have different colors and flowers in them. She forgot our grooms woman's flowers. She forgot our memory bouquet for my husband's brother. She forgot the colors on the ribbons for the bridesmaids. The centerpieces were absolutely not what I asked for and the complete wrong color. I can show you pics of what I asked for and pics of what I received. She's very nice but I strongly advice finding someone else. I looked at In Bloom and Whole Foods Market before going with Kirsten. Talk to them, I've had friends that have used them and would highly recommend them for being in the same price range.

bobbileighb

I would say go with your gut and look else where.  She really helped me out and while I still feel I got a decent amount of flowers for my budget I really was disappointed with our wedding flowers.  There were many colors I didnt ask for and quite a few substitutions that were not ran by me including some flowers I really dislike.  My bouquet really didnt look much like the inspiration picture I emailed her AND I never got the refund I was promised.

angelsong21

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_flower-dilemma?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:f016e712-4a38-440d-b71d-6a69d50ef1c1Post:598b81ba-f468-465e-9f67-ea97350c1c9c">Re: Flower Dilemma</a>:
[QUOTE]I would say go with your gut and look else where.  She really helped me out and while I still feel I got a decent amount of flowers for my budget I really was disappointed with our wedding flowers.  There were many colors I didnt ask for and quite a few substitutions that were not ran by me including some flowers I really dislike.  My bouquet really didnt look much like the inspiration picture I emailed her AND I never got the refund I was promised.
Posted by bobbileighb[/QUOTE]

I am so glad you posted again on this BL -- I really appreciate your input, especially since you seem very fair in your vendor reviews and I do believe you tried to give her the benefit of the doubt. 

And thank you everyone for the additional input -- I appreciate it!  I think you are all right about going with my gut, and I think that's what I will do.  Even though she is much less expensive, $500 is still a lot to spend to just be disappointed in the end.  So now I must decide if I should scrap the whole centerpiece idea I had and just do DIY hydrangeas in mason jars or if I should nix the professional wedding coordinator, use my aunt who VERY much wants to be my wedding coordinator, and put extra money towards a florist.

jmitchel

I am using Rhonda with FD2 Floral. She is really great. Super creative and since she doesn't have any overhead she is very budget friendly. I've had a great experience with her. My wedding is 49 days away and I have no doubt she will come through for me 100%. PM me if you want her contact info Always go with yout gut on things like this, you know in your heart what will be best for you on your wedding day! 

professorscience

TBH, hydrangeas in mason jars sounds really beautiful to me.  I am a much bigger fan of simple, unassuming floral arrangements.  In fact, I told my florist to focus more on using interesting glassware than on the flowers themselves (with a few guidelines).

jmitchel

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_flower-dilemma?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:f016e712-4a38-440d-b71d-6a69d50ef1c1Post:2d0c4684-c148-43bf-89f0-bde440dba509">Re: Flower Dilemma</a>:
[QUOTE]TBH, hydrangeas in mason jars sounds really beautiful to me.  I am a much bigger fan of simple, unassuming floral arrangements.  In fact, I told my florist to focus more on using interesting glassware than on the flowers themselves (with a few guidelines).
Posted by professorscience[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>If feel the same way. I've collected tons of vintage glassware and that will be the main focus along with candles and single stems of flowers. I've seen a lot of understated arrangements I tend to like better than huge floral pieces. I think you can do a lot with a small budget & a little creativity. 

</div>

angelsong21

Thanks Amanda and jmitchel!

Jmitchel -- I will definitely PM you to get that info.  I'm willing to check out people that you guys have confidence in and are willing to work with someone with a small floral budget.

I agree with both of you -- I love the understated floral and the cool, unique glass pieces.  FI and I went around to several resale shops and such to find unique pieces but we were surprised at how expensive it was. I don't even know where to begin because I can't put things together in my head like that and I'm just not creative. :-/  Here are pics of what I WANTED to do (vintage garden theme).  I apologize if these come out large...I hope they don't!




^ This arrangement would be on 6 of the 12 guest tables.  The tealights would be votives (I just didn't have any.)  This is a trial arrangement Kirsten made for me.  The image below was the inspiration:




The other 6 tables I was going to either do the hydrangeas in big mason jars OR candles.  I don't have a stand-alone picture of the candle centerpiece I like (I copied it and pasted it into a document from a website but can't remember where I got it from) but basically it was all different sized cream-colored thick pillar candles in various sizes of glass vases, and then there were coral peony heads scattered throughout them.  I don't know if you could visualize it, but it's beautiful.  However, all those candles and the glasses would really add up.   I also like...



^ (would have to use different flowers though...dahlias are too expensive in May)



^ more of a "gathered from the garden" look...


The tables are 60" round so I want to make sure it doesn't look too little.  I also don't like HUGE arrangements.  When I'm sitting at a round table, I actually want to see the other people opposite me and perhaps, you know, even talk to them LOL.

jmitchel

I love those photos - I am doing a vintage garden theme as well Can you ask around within your families / good friends? Over half of my supply of glass were my Grandmother's glassware. I would start there - and that would be free. You will be surprised at what people are hiding away and they don't think they have any value at all. The rest I acquired at resale shops but most of them in the small town I am from. You might find cheaper prices at resale / thrift stores on the outskirts of the major cities. It's def a lot of work to hunt for these things but it can be fun too You might also consider incorporating other "found" objects to take up space if you are worried about scale. Books, birdcages, etc. Once you find a florist you jive with it will all fall into place - she may have fabulous ideas you hadn't even thought about. 

nancylusk

I am so sorry that you are in this predicament. I agree with PP trust your instincts plus I do remember reading serveral reviews that were far from stellar. I found someone that is super affordable and seems to have a passion for weddings. I am paying $550 for my bouquet and toss, 10 bouts and 8 corsages plus 17 centerpieces and altar arrangements this includes delivery, set up and take down. Originally she was only going to do the bouquets, bouts and corsages but for not much more she was going to take care of all my centerpieces. PM if you want her contact info, she is super sweet.

angelsong21

jmitchel and nancylusk -- YGPM!

jmitchel -- I will definitely have to ask around my family to see what everyone has as well as checking out the thrift stores on the outskirts since we just went to ones in Dallas proper.  I LOVE the book idea!  I had this picture saved, but FI said he didn't like the book look at all (booooooo):




Could put billy balls in the little soup can or whatnot.  He just feels like there won't be a way that it looks nice from all seats at the table, and he may be right on that.  But I'd love to play around with knick knacks and stuff...I just have no eye for it.

Thanks again everyone for the great advice.  I do think I'm going to look elsewhere and just try to find some cost-saving measures in other areas.

crash2729

MLandCJ used books in her centerpeices. She used sixfourteen, if you want to look at her centerpeices in the blog. Clicky. 

TexanTreasure08

Have you looked at Salvation Army and Goodwill stores?? My mom has gotten all of my milk glass at these stores for .50-$2 a piece, even the large vases. The resale and antique stores were way more expensive. And if you're willing to DIY your centerpieces, you can get a lot of flowers for $500 at 50flowers.com. I don't think centerpieces are that hard to DIY, at least not as hard as bouquets. I took the flower arranging class at the Fort Worth Flower Market if you need help.

fallbride1109

I gotta be honest--I like your inspiration pics way more than that mockup.  I think getting old glassware and DIYing your flowers could be a great option--IF you have help.  I also love the idea of simple centerpieces.  At any rate, I think you can do better.

Nancylusk I don't see how in the world you are getting personal flowers and 17 centerpieces for $550--I really never would have thought such a thing was possible. 

angelsong21

Angela -- I have not checked out Salvation Army/Goodwill stores yet but this is on my list for tomorrow!  .50 cents - $2 is a great deal!  I've seen people sell their milk glass on the Classifieds board for a LOT of money.

Stephiehall -- Thanks!  TBH, Kirsten just made the arrangement in the mock up.  Everything else was my idea.  I bought the little pedestal things to put them on because I thought it would make the centerpiece feel a little bigger since they were pretty small.  On the flowers, she was able to replicate it really well with the exception of one of the colors (which I knew beforehand because I wanted to pick it up the next day).  The salmon color should be that bright coral color. 

fallbride1109

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_flower-dilemma?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:f016e712-4a38-440d-b71d-6a69d50ef1c1Post:b000edd4-b5e7-4bc2-a2c4-6f60730923e3">Re: Flower Dilemma</a>:
[QUOTE]Stephiehall -- Thanks!  TBH, Kirsten just made the arrangement in the mock up.  Everything else was my idea.  I bought the little pedestal things to put them on because I thought it would make the centerpiece feel a little bigger since they were pretty small.  On the flowers, she was able to replicate it really well with the exception of one of the colors (which I knew beforehand because I wanted to pick it up the next day).  The salmon color should be that bright coral color. 
Posted by angelsong21[/QUOTE]

Well the flowers are what I was talking about--I just don't think it looks as pretty as your inspiration pic but maybe it's just the picture.  But I do think just the vase would look fine as well with the candles.

angelsong21

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_flower-dilemma?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:f016e712-4a38-440d-b71d-6a69d50ef1c1Post:600bce97-bc9f-4b6a-a19a-2adda95b58a5">Re: Flower Dilemma</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Flower Dilemma : Well the flowers are what I was talking about--I just don't think it looks as pretty as your inspiration pic but maybe it's just the picture.  But I do think just the vase would look fine as well with the candles.
Posted by stephiehall[/QUOTE]

Ok, just making sure.  I wasn't sure about the pedestal but liked the look of it when I did it...buuuuut I'm also not really great at decorating so I appreciate the feedback!  I do think the flowers in the inspiration pic are arranged a little more interestingly (meaning they draw in your attention), so you are right about that. Some of the filler flowers were a little different but I think that was due to cost.  I told her just to use things that I could actually fit into our little budget.  I'd LOVE to find someone who could truly replicate it, but even Di Fiori said the price Kirsten quoted me was essentially unrealistic for what I was already getting.  I don't want to get my hopes up that it could look exactly the same with money we have to spend.

fallbride1109

I am also a fan of using fewer more expensive flowers than a bigger arrangement with fillers.  JMO of course.  I am so sorry you are having such a hard time.  I really hope there is someone out there that can bring your vision to life.  And FWIW, I love the idea of just the mason jars with hydrangea--especially if you can have colored ones which are so beautiful.  I think that with some candles would be lovely.

angelsong21

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_flower-dilemma?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:f016e712-4a38-440d-b71d-6a69d50ef1c1Post:5ef12710-b64d-4ee1-88e9-69c7afd3df95">Re: Flower Dilemma</a>:
[QUOTE]I am also a fan of using fewer more expensive flowers than a bigger arrangement with fillers.  JMO of course.  I am so sorry you are having such a hard time.  I really hope there is someone out there that can bring your vision to life.  <strong>And FWIW, I love the idea of just the mason jars with hydrangea--especially if you can have colored ones which are so beautiful.  I think that with some candles would be lovely.</strong>
Posted by stephiehall[/QUOTE]

Do you think it would look strange to have all the centerpieces be essentially the same?  We could easily DIY them if we just did the hydrangeas in the mason jars.  FMIL is also making cute napkins for us in all different fabrics to bring in the vintage feel, so those will definitely be adding some color and visual interest to the tables as well.

btweety04

You could also try to contact Shantay with Expressions of Decor. She will be doing our flowers for the wedding and is super sweet and reasonable. Wouldn't hurt to try.

fallbride1109

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_flower-dilemma?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:f016e712-4a38-440d-b71d-6a69d50ef1c1Post:4a71c80c-c158-4bfe-bc29-0d0b19e419ff">Re: Flower Dilemma</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Flower Dilemma : <strong>Do you think it would look strange to have all the centerpieces be essentially the same?</strong>  We could easily DIY them if we just did the hydrangeas in the mason jars.  FMIL is also making cute napkins for us in all different fabrics to bring in the vintage feel, so those will definitely be adding some color and visual interest to the tables as well.
Posted by angelsong21[/QUOTE]

No, not at all.  I had originally planned to do two different centerpieces but ended up doing the same one for all the tables and it looked perfectly fine.

bsn1752

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_flower-dilemma?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:f016e712-4a38-440d-b71d-6a69d50ef1c1Post:9e2a5080-8c7e-4795-86c1-1cf527b21c3c">Re: Flower Dilemma</a>:
[QUOTE]You could also try to contact Shantay with Expressions of Decor. She will be doing our flowers for the wedding and is super sweet and reasonable. Wouldn't hurt to try. :)
Posted by btweety04[/QUOTE]

This is who I was going to recommend.  She will fit right into your budget and my bouquet actually lasted a few days AFTER we got home from our week long Honeymoon too.  The flowers were gorgeous and she is very good at what she does.  And her prices are hard to beat!

TexanTreasure08

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_flower-dilemma?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:102Discussion:f016e712-4a38-440d-b71d-6a69d50ef1c1Post:0351ade9-1f18-4b55-ae87-ae5305f5524b">Re: Flower Dilemma</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Flower Dilemma : No, not at all.  I had originally planned to do two different centerpieces but ended up doing the same one for all the tables and it looked perfectly fine.
Posted by stephiehall[/QUOTE]

Ditto Stephie. Most people only have 1 type of flower centerpiece anyways unless you're awesome like Lauren. Hydrangeas & mason jars would be super easy & pretty. I was going to do 1/2 of my centerpieces like that with just hydrangea to save some money.

angelsong21

Whew -- I thought it might look "boring" having all of the tables with the same general centerpiece in the middle (same flowers but possibly different colors and/or different glassware).  Like I said, I can't conceptualize all this stuff so I really appreciate everyone's input!

I have e-mailed Expressions of Decor to see if they might be willing to work with me on my budget as well.  Thanks for the recommendation.

KendallandAlbert

Angel, I will also recommend Branching Out.  She was in line with pricing with Expressions of Decor but could guarantee blooms that EoD and Kirsten couldn't.  They said black & white anemones weren't guaranteed.  Debby said it wouldn't be a problem and I believe her

bsn1752

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-dallas-ft-worth_flower-dilemma?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:102Discussion:f016e712-4a38-440d-b71d-6a69d50ef1c1Post:af76e6f1-4f31-4272-99dd-06775d29493c">Re: Flower Dilemma</a>:
[QUOTE]Angel, I will also recommend Branching Out.  She was in line with pricing with Expressions of Decor but could guarantee blooms that EoD and Kirsten couldn't.  They said black & white anemones weren't guaranteed.  Debby said it wouldn't be a problem and I believe her :)
Posted by KendallandAlbert[/QUOTE]

Just to touch on this... if two florists said they can't guarantee it, and one said they could... well, you know where I'm going with this.

KendallandAlbert

She called the grower directly while I was there.   I think it is based more on the suppliers they use than on whether or not it's possible.  I know I am in the prime season for anemones, just some suppliers only do one of the white color combos, not both.

ETA:  I say the supplier thing because Shantay told me Forget-me-knots weren't an option, while Debby's supplier can get them in no problem.  It just seemed like Debby's had more to work with supplier wise than the online system I saw with Shantay.  She was also the only one who really listened to what I wanted and made it work for my budget.  The others I was getting far less of what my vision was.

It's obviously a personal preference.  Shantay was a total sweetheart.  Debby just got "me" better and was able to deliver more for the price.