Yet another florist/chuppah question

Julephenia

I had a meeting with a florist today, and realized that May 1 means all flowers are nearly double price. Boo. The real question I had was about chuppahs.

While we are not having a fully Jewish ceremony, we would like to incorporate some Jewish traditions into it, including the chuppah. We were quoted $750-1000 for a free-standing, decorated chuppah. We asked for mostly greenery and only simple, in-season flowers in spots, not completely covering. I feel like this is a bit steep for a chuppah - or am I just delusional?

I'd rather not give up the chuppah, but if that's what it's going to take to bring the flower budget down, we'll deal without...

I'll be calling other florists within the next week, as I'd like other quotes. Does anyone know of a reasonable chuppah quote?

TIA!

Reilly626

I would give my florist Manny a call - their prices blew me away.  What I am getting there was double the price in every florist I went to in the Union County  I have been thrilled with them and my mock up so far.        http://www.santosflorist.net/

Magoobie1001

My chuppah was simlpe, but had flowers on it and was covered in tule and lights.  It was a lot less money then what you were quoted!  We used Addalias Flowers in Linden. Here is a link to a picture of my chuppah:

http://tinyurl.com/39bcj3p

Danes983

I don't know anything about Chuppah's but I just want to say that florists must make a killing with the prices they quote.  I mean if it weren't for us knotties chatting we probably would just all pay the first price quoted and think nothing of it. INSANE.

AlmostLoCo

Why are the flowers more on May 1st? Too close to Mother's Day? I got married 4/25 and my flower prices were reasonable.

I only paid $300 or $350 for my chuppah with organza draping and some light florals, I've attached a picture.  The other quote I got was for $700, which is more in the ballpark of what I thought I was going to have to pay, so I was thrilled when I got the cheaper quote.

Julephenia

Yeah, it's the week before Mother's Day and flowers are twice the price. Even in-season flowers.

AlmostLoCo, who did you use? FI has a talit we want to use for the chuppah, so we don't even really need that much fabric - just a structure and some vines/flowers to cover the mechanics.

Thank you, all, ladies, I'll certainly be looking into other florists. Both FMIL and I thought $750-1000 was ridic for a simple structure!

abernstein76

I will be paying $400, and mine will look like AlmostLoCo's, so I would say that $750-$1000 is way too much, though I recieved quotes for that much as well, and the $400 includes the bringing it in, setting it up, breaking it down, and taking it back out. I am using The Flower Cart in Fair Lawn...Very nice, and very helpful! The owner really seems to enjoy taking the time to speak with brides and plan what will be done. And she was the least expensive of all florists I saw, and I was able to get more than I even thought I would. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the N.NJ area.