Florals

wingwong

We have a $25K overall budget for wedding and our florist is quoting us $4000! It sounds a little ridiculous to me.  How much is a reasonable price for florals? Also, did any of you have a florist do certain items like bouquets and certain pieces and then do other, less-complicated items yourselves? Like stringing orchids or buying orchid heads to scatter on the aisle? Our florist is quoting us $150, but I read that Costco sells 1000 heads for $100. Any tips for saving money on florals?

breaness

Wow that is a lot of money.

We're not doing a lot of flowers, but my bouquet is going to be about $150, and each centerpiece at the AHR is about $40 a piece.

Not sure if these are good prices or not, I'm not an expert by any means. Hopefully someone can help because that sounds insane!

Tanq&Tonic

Welcome!  Where is your wedding?  If you could describe what you're getting in that $4k package, we can probably provide better guiadance.  Number of tables, types of centerpieces, family flowers, flower types, etc.

I think some general rules also apply:

1) Use local, in-season flowers where you can.  If you require some exotic imported orchid, expect to pay more.

2) Use non-florals where you can.  Fruit is often an affordable filler.  As is water.  Or sand.  Or giant leaves.

3) Consider Costco or Whole Foods for arrangements instead of a boutique florist -- they often have a lower markup.

tiggy5555

Wow! Sounds like you either have an extravagant party planned or the florist seen your wedding budget and decided to cash in

Petals for $150 is what I was quoted.
Stringing the orchids is very costly if you hire a florist...I'm doing my own.

For $4000 I could fly out for the day, decorate your venue, clean up and transport stuff to your condo, spend the night, and fly home LOL. I'd shop around and tell everyone you talk to that you have a limited floral budget of XXXXX and see what they can offer you.

AKWinterBride

The quote I got was slightly over $2K - are you getting elaborate centerpieces?  I can't imagine why it would be high unless you were really doing it up with the flowers. 

I personally think the prices for the flower petals are outrageous!  I think we are going to swing by Safeway on our way to the venue and pick some up, they sell them at the Carrs/Safeway stores up here for super cheap for a little bag of petals. 

nickandjenn33

Go to Chinatown or Costco for the petals.  They are basically 10 cents each - Try Lin's Lei Shop or Cindy's - those are the biggest shops.  There are other good ones, like Pauahi or MP Lei.

$4000 is ridiculous.  I'm getting my loose flowers from Watanabe ($80 for $100 gift card at Costco) and making my own arrangements.  My entire floral budget is probably a little over $1000, or maybe even less.  Guests - from 150-200.

kimmykupcakes

I'm getting my flowers through Costco.  Way cheap.  Costing under $500.

nickandjenn33

Okay, I was inspired to finish up my lei and flower orders by your post.  Called Lins and Pauahi.  Cindy's has GREAT high quality fresh leis but they are a little more expensive. Lins has good selection but service is iffy and flowers are okay. I LOVE Pauahi. They are the cheapest and they supply other lei shops and wedding coordinators.  They quoted me $60 for a box of 1000 loose orchids! I think it's 10 cents a orchid if you just buy them loose like that.

wingwong

How rude of me, ladies! I apologize for not introducing myself.  Been lurking around the boards for the past couple months. We have been crazy busy with our jobs, and haven't had much time to think about the wedding,  and now that the wedding in just months away, all of a sudden we are full speed ahead with the wedding planning! I am starting to freak out a little!   My fiance and I are getting married at the Haiku Mill in July.  It's a destination wedding for about half our guests, as FI is from Maui, and my family is coming from all over the place. 

Thank you for all the suggestions regarding florals.  We will keep them in mind when we speak to our florist.