Florist Costs

LessThanZero

What is reasonable to pay for the florist? I realize everyone's opinion of "reasonable" is different, but in general what would you say?

Is it possible to have nice floral arrangements, bouquets etc, for under $2500? I really don't have any experience with this aspect of wedding planning and it's also not the most important part of my wedding day, for me. I had a meeting with one florist place recently and they wanted to charge me about $5000, and it wasn't for anything particularly fancy. It just seemed overly expensive to me.

I guess I'm just wondering if $5000 is more normal, or have most people gotten great florals for much cheaper?

kristinanddan

Of course it depends on what you're looking for, but in my experience, no 5k is not normal. We spent 1k on: my bouquet, 4 bridesmaids' bouquets, a nosegay for my mom and a wrist corsage for MIL, bouts for the groom, 3 groomsmen, 2 dads, and my uncle, and two large altar arrangements.
We made our own centerpieces because it was so much cheaper than the florist route, but you can certainly get nice (smaller) centerpieces for $50-75 per table.

What did the 5k include?

rblucy

The price will vary a lot depending on type of flowers you use, size and variety of bouquets, how many centerpieces you need, etc.  For some 5k is prob low.  We were more in the 3500 range.  I would def get different quotes though.  If they are consistently around 5k, rethink what you were asking for and see where they can work to come down.

ssage

Definitely get different quotes and rblucy is right..it can also depend on the flowers you want.  If you are adament about a certain type of flower, it could cost you.

I paid about 1800 and that was my bouquet, 4 BM bouquets, 2 FG baskets, 8 boutinierres (groom's was different than rest), 2 corsages, 2 big baskets for ceremony and 15 centerpieces...oh, and flowers for my cake.

Riss91

We paid about $1500 for my bouquet, 6 BM bouquets, 5 Tall centerpieces and 12 low centerpieces. I made boutonnieres for under $2 each. We used all in-season, budget conscious flowers.

ktwed09

We asked the florist to keep it under $2000, and she did. We had my bouquet, 7 bm bouquets, 9 boutonnieres, 2 corsages, 2 altar arrangements, and 16(?) centerpieces, 8 tall, 8 short. We used mostly in season flowers, but she was able to add in some specific flowers that I wanted and were a little harder to get.

LessThanZero

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-york-hudson-valley_florist-costs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:113Discussion:4da974cb-16bb-49be-b2ae-6b4a62208400Post:6a81b936-de81-4be1-9dbb-e1167bf0ac18">Re: Florist Costs</a>:
[QUOTE]Of course it depends on what you're looking for, but in my experience, no 5k is not normal. We spent 1k on: my bouquet, 4 bridesmaids' bouquets, a nosegay for my mom and a wrist corsage for MIL, bouts for the groom, 3 groomsmen, 2 dads, and my uncle, and two large altar arrangements. We made our own centerpieces because it was so much cheaper than the florist route, but you can certainly get nice (smaller) centerpieces for $50-75 per table. What did the 5k include?
Posted by kristinanddan[/QUOTE]

It basically included everything you mentioned, except we have more bridesmaids and groomsmen than you had. And the centerpiece arrangements would initially be used during the ceremony, then set up on the tables in the ballroom, so you get double the use.

These were for tall arrangements, which I understand are more expensive but especially since I had told him I wanted to keep it closer to the $2,500, I was kind of annoyed that he got to 5K.

Anyway, I just wanted to know if I was shooting too low. I have another appt with a florist tomorrow, so I'll see how that goes.

Thanks ladies!

ssage

personally, i would not be happy that you told him your budget and he doubled it.

there are many ways he could have worked with that....i think you are smart to see other florists.

LessThanZero

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-york-hudson-valley_florist-costs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:113Discussion:4da974cb-16bb-49be-b2ae-6b4a62208400Post:83d5d7a6-87d4-4a82-945e-0642ceb9e8dd">Re: Florist Costs</a>:
[QUOTE]We asked the florist to keep it under $2000, and she did. We had my bouquet, 7 bm bouquets, 9 boutonnieres, 2 corsages, 2 altar arrangements, and 16(?) centerpieces, 8 tall, 8 short. We used mostly in season flowers, but she was able to add in some specific flowers that I wanted and were a little harder to get.
Posted by ktwed09[/QUOTE]

Would you mind sharing who your florist was?

md2034

Go to Jackie's florist in maspeth, tell her michele and ed sent you, when you walk in the store is really old and small but she is so nice and attentive and will work with you on a budget, we did our whole wedding for around 2000. If you tell her what you want she will make up sample pieces for you when you go to the appt.

http://www.jackiesfloral.com/

md2034

She called me two times before the appt to make sure she had what i wanted, price included 8 bridesmaid, bride bouquet, decoration for the gazebo, 20 centerpieces, groomsmen, mothers of the couple, toss bouquet and flower petals..

LessThanZero

Thanks, md. I actually ended up booking the florist I met with late this week so it's all good now. He ended up being more than 50% less than the previous one I met with and he seems great to work with.

I appreciate all the feedback from everyone.