Florist etimate 2X my budget. What to do?

Jen6862

My florist just came back with the estimate and my $2,500 budget just exploded to $4,300. Increased because of insane amount of tables at venue and need for flowers at the church. Here is the breakdown.

Personal Flowers: $391
2 Alter Flower arrangements: $500
Reception Flowers for 20+ tables, cake flowers + candles: $2,500+
Set-up & Take down: $750

Questions:
Are these prices reasonable for DFW?
Should I just have her do the personal and alter flowers and do something simpler for the reception flowers... it's outside, so maybe I can get away with tulips or roses in simple vases with candle votives.  Did anybody else DIY for the reception?

NRHDaisy

Unless you are using really expensive flowers, the quote for the reception centerpieces seems high.  And $750 to set up and take down?   What does that entail?

Stef&Bobby0612

Personally, I would keep looking around if you haven't signed a contract. I'm only paying $100 for delivery and set up and the alter arrangement price seems high to me too. Maybe you could change the type of flowers if you are using more expensive blooms and just use a few of those and supplement with less expensive flowers.

Also, you could do 1/2 the tables with nonfloral arrangements to cut the cost.

bobbileighb

Its hard to say what is reasonable without knowing what type of flowers and how intricate the arrangements are.  Are you willing to change what type of flowers you want and maybe go with something less expensive?  Especially with so many tables you may want to go with whatever flowers can be purchased the cheapest.  I would recommend going back to this florist and advising what your budget is and asking them what their suggestions are.  I would also suggest maybe getting a few quotes from other florists and being up front with them on what your budget is.

I told my florist what my "dream" vision was and also what my budget was then we struck a happy medium with what I wouldnt compromise on and what was realistic for my budget.

HTH

MarieSD

My personal flowers and church flowers are in line with that quote, but I think the reception flower and setup/delivery costs are a bit high.

Then again, I chose very, very simple reception flowers. A small assortment of gerbera daisies in a vase I am providing -- I believe each table is costing me about $20 each.

I'd definitely suggest telling the florist your original budget, and asking what can be scaled back. Or, if you're not committed to this florist, getting a quote from someone else -- especially to compare and see if that setup/delivery cost is reasonable or not.

Jen6862

Getting married at St. Monica's, but that is an awesome idea to save on the church decorations!

The flowers are fancy: Orange lillies, white hydrangeas and roses, burnt orange callas, peach tulips.

Maybe I can ask her just to do tulips and roses for the reception with candles on 1/2 the tables. Thanks!

juliebug1997

To me the actual cost of the flowers doesn't look completely terrible although I got my two altar arrangements were $150 total (just white gladiola stems).  I can't get past the $750 set up and take down.  Um, if you're paying that much for real flowers, they're yours so why do you take down?  My florist delivered for $100 on Mother's Day weekend so that fee is the one that gets me. 

My total flower cost was about $1200 and I had twelve tables, personal flowers, altar flowers.  My centerpieces were about $30 total (I bought my own vases at Garden Ridge).  I had a very elaborate bouquet (click on my bio--there's a picture there). 

Is this the only place you're considering? 

juliebug1997

Okay, I just looked at some pictures of St. Rita's and I would ask your florist is she can find orange glad. stems.  They are like $10 a stem and you can fill up a lot of space with just a few.  That should definitely cut your costs some. 

You could still do flowers on every table by providing your own vases.  Hobby Lobby had 50% off all glassware this past week and they have some very nice looking stuff. You mentioned candles as part of your centerpieces but be sure that your reception site allows open flames.  Many don't now or, if they do, they aren't allowed to be above a certain height.   

rcpm44

I know you sent me am e-mail about tips for LBV and I haven't gotten back to you. For that I'm sorry, let me make it up to you now!

For our reception flowers we did simple white roses in a round vase and similar versions for the bar, fountains, and anywhere else we could stick flowers. We had flowers EVERYWHERE! For reception flowers we DIY and I spent $530 on 700 white Ecuadorian roses from Sam's.

For the wedding party flowers I had a local grocer do that - yes I typed grocer.  We paid a little over $400 and we got:
2 bridal bouquets
5 BM bouquets
3 GM Bouts
1 groom Bout
3 G-ma corsages
1 dad bout
1 mom bouquet type thing

If you want to see my wedding here is my photographers website:
http://kristinafanelli.zenfolio.com/bradandreneewedding
password: grapevine

You'll want to skip through to page 21. Hope this helps and if you need anything else please let me know!

NRHDaisy

OK, I see part of the problem.   Tulips in October are expensive.   Can you use something else?

Jen6862

rcpm44: Thanks for the tips... the only part I might want to DIY is the reception flowers so it's great to see that simple flowers still go very well with the venue. Your wedding looked so pretty!

and NRHDaisy: I wrote back to my florist to ask what suggestions she has for less expensive flowers, because if we could get the estimate at budget I would love to have to not worry about anything the day of!

fallbride1109

This definitely sounds on the higher end to me.  I only spent a little over $2K and I had 13 centerpieces, personal flowers, cake flowers and a buffet and guest table arrangement and I used expensive flowers.  Even 7 more tables would have only added about $500.  The set up/take down is usually a percentage of the total cost I think so that can come down also.  I agree that your florist just quoted you on the high end but you can definitely work to get it down some.  Just let your florist know what you have to work with.

nancylusk

I think that is very high particularly the $750 set up and take down as well as the altar arrangements. If it were me I would keep looking. We are on a tiny budget so we will probably be going the DIY route but I had looked into Rain Florist Designs. I got her info from another knottie and spoke with Kate via email several times. She has the best prices as far as I'm concerned. www.rainfloristdesigns.com

bsn1752

That sounds WAY high.  Check out the vendor sticky and start hitting up those florists for quotes.  Good luck!

marksle84

My grandparents are florists and they are purhasing my flowers at cost. Its helped me learn a lot about where the prices come from. The hydrangeas and calas are the most expensive on your list. Tulips are great and inexpensive. I do think the setup fee is a bit ridiculous. Maybe you can arrange someone to pick it up instead.