Flowers

sicilianmarie

Ok you ladies all know whats up so another question.  I went to a bridal show thing last night and won a manzanita display from http://www.flowerart.biz/ Of course I have to buy some flowers too.  Has anyone worked with them?

What is the average cost of flowers.  I only have $1200 budgeted.  Is that way too low?

xoxo

ellefirst1980

That is cool that you won.  I am sure your flower price would be based on the size of your wedding.  But if you want a decent amount of flowers, yes, I think $1200 is too low.  I am budgeting about $2500 and I think that is on the low side because I had a friend spend $8,000 and I have a cousin that spent $20,000 (but she is very wealthy).

sicilianmarie

Oh goodness!  I am not really in to flowers and was gonna maybe use other centerieces and not use flowers for centerpieces.  I think that will help!

[Deleted User]

How big is your wedding?

How many tables are you having?

I DIYed my flowers for around $900 and still had some left over, but if I had it to do over again--I would have only done my ceremony flowers and contracted only the centerpieces out to a florist.

You can also save on the cost of your flowers by going with color rather than a particular flower. 

Keep your fancier more expensive flowers for your bouquet and go with the less expensive flowers for your centerpieces.

When you go to a florist to do your centerpieces, don't tell them it's a wedding.  Just tell them you need centerpieces for XYZ banquet and that you need them in xyz colors.  Ask them what they can do for you.  You can also try to go to the local grocery store and see if they can make centerpieces for you.  They can offer you a deal because they buy the flowers from the same importer a florist gets them from in bulk.

Hope that helps.

CurlyGirlyGirl

I paid WAY less than that for all of my flowers, but I did DIY.  They were gorgeous.  I made

4 bm bouquets, 

15 bouts, 

2 alter arrangements,

 a manzanita placecard table display, 

16 centerpieces, 

and about 20 arrangements for the aisle.

Let me see if I have a pic on my computer.

roryandallyson

My initial quotes for flowers from local florists were over $1000 and then... I went to my local grocery store florist and they came in at $750 BUT THEN.... I found out the manager of the stores does flowers on the side and she quoted me $595 for her, and THEN the store was a great resource and let me know about a local women who does flowers as a hobby who got it down to $350-$450 (her quote, my wedding hasn't happened yet)-- I went to see two of her weddings she did at the same price and they were gorgeous.  THEN we decided to go to Moskatels downtown and do our own centerpieces so prices are back down to $350 firm (for a bridal party of 8 plus ushers, mothers, etc.).  I guess my point is that if you DIY at the flower mart downtown or try your local grocery store, get creative, etc., flowers can come down.  Downtown LA is a great resource- Maple St has flower girl baskets for $7-12, the flower mart has petals for super cheap, etc.  We also decided to change from bouquets to having the BMs carry 1/2 dozen roses with satin strings and that brought down the cost quite a bit.  We also decided to get satin ribbon downtown to put on the aisle chairs rather than fresh flowers- super cheap and reusable.  Good luck!

chinchilla2284

I think its reasonable if like ppl said you go with colors not specific flowers. I went with a florist from Downtown LA flower district and am getting 25 centerpieces  flowers for our BMS and GMS and the flowers for our reception. Our budget was 1200. We are getting married late Aug. and I can let you know how it went with them at that time if you are still intrested/

Jeni35

I don't think that $1200 is too low, unless maybe you are having 200 guests an that would require a ton of centerpieces. Of course, you need your bouquets and buttonaires and pieces to make your ceremony area look nice; but I think you can overdo it with the flowers, whereas simplicity and elegance come out much nicer. We are not having a huge wedding and our florist is charging $1100. We are incorporating votive candles around the centerpieces to make the area seem more romantic (since reception starts in mid-afternoon). 

sicilianmarie

We do have 18 tables but if I have candles instead of centerpieces that should help right?  Where is this flower place in Downtown LA?

Jeni35

One more point on the flowers... my best friend made bouquets out of fake flowers; but unless you smell them, you couldn't tell that they were not real. I do already have a florist; but I am using those to dress up the bride's room and maybe put a bouquet in each bathroom or something. I also think if you would like  a large floral arrangement, it is okay to either DIY or get fake ones. I know some people will disagree with this; but seriously $25k on flowers. No offense to that bride or anything; but that's insane.