Ok, so two florists, two TOTALLY different experiences. Thursday we went to Les Fleur D'Almir. It's a more expensive place in east Boca. He was showing us pictures from Mara Lago, a dinner for President Bush, Breakers, etc. I was expecting a snotty accented man. I was way off. Ota was wonderful. As I was telling him what I wanted he would go and grab the flower or vase and show me what it looked like. He came up with ideas to help and put that little extra oomph. Like instead of limes stacked on top of eachother in a large cylinder vase, he has these silicone little balls that he will put a light under and it will give the impression that the limes are floating. Also, for the flowers on top he showed me different flowers to use and said which one would be in season and would be less expensive. Our cocktail hour is first so all of the centerpieces for that will then be used for the reception as well. Small square vases, with leaves wrapped in the inside and a flower on top, spider mum or hydrangea. I wasn't sure what to do for the girl's bouquets so he also gave me ideas and put the flowers together. Gorgeous! We were there for two hours. It was just fantastic. At the end he asked what our budget was and my dad told us not to say (in case they mark up more than they need to). He said when he sends the proposal we can go over everything and see where we can change to make it lower if need be. Loved him. Today I went to Honey Bunch. Not as impressed. What was really weird was when I made the appt she asked what flowers I like and don't like so she can have them ready for me to see. I didn't see any. I know her work is simple and not as extravagant (she did my brother's and SIL). Even in her books she has out, it wasn't anything to die for. She made me stand up and take pictures with different bouquets so I can get a feel and see what would look best with my body. Ok, fine. Then when we sat down to discuss the wedding, I felt like it was pulling teeth. When I tried to explain to her what I wanted, she wrote it down but gave no real feedback. I told her about the limes and the silicone ball gel things, and she basically said that would be too difficult to do. Maybe just the acrylic ice on the bottom with a light underneath. I had to ask her if she wanted to know what I wanted for the boutinieres, and for the girls bouquet. She said for the groom's bout, she used my flower, I told her I didn't want that because I wanted it to be more masculine. It's like she was offended by it. I walked out of there without telling her about the centerpiece for the escort card table. I just... I don't know. So I will wait for the proposal. I definitely would like to work with Ota from Les Fleur. He was more artistic, gave more to the table etc. I just hope he can work within the budget. Whatever that is haha. He was very impressed with how I knew what I wanted and had pictures to show him. Also, the chivari chair came up in conversation. So I guess now we are on the hunt for those. They might be beneficial because our tables can only hold up to 10 people because the chairs are over-sized. So by the time we get the chair covers and sashes, it might be better to get chivari chairs which would allow more people at a table and less money spent on a centerpiece. Hmmmm... who knows a sale going on for those???
