Called for florist appointment - had a heart attack!!

akenny

Maybe it's me, not knowing what a normal price range is for flowers... I don't know. 

Here's the story, for our flowers we're only getting bouquets and 2 arrangements for church (which will then be brought to the hall).  The hall has centerpieces that we're using, and the guys want hankies instead of bouts, fine by me.  

So I call my #1 pick - Petal Beach.  I spoke with Bonnie, she was super nice.  We set up an appointment time and before she hangs up she goes: "oh by the way, we have a $2500 minimum". 

OMG what?! I'm getting 7 bouquets!! Am I being crazy or does that sound like way too much money for flowers?

Needless to say, I'm not keeping the appointment.  I called #2 pick and set something up.  But now I'm worried about what I think we should be spending on flowers and what it'll actually cost... 

mbcdefg

Try calling AW Flowers in Kearny.

ellev

She told me the same thing too about a month ago. It's just her way of saying that she doesn't do smaller orders during the wedding high season. Depending on what flowers you want, $2500 is about 5-10x more than what you'll need to spend for the number of items you're getting. There are a lot of great florists in the area who will be more than happy  to work with you on a smaller order.

goaliegirl

Call around....$2500 for the amount of flowers you want is way too much.  Just find a florist that will do a smaller order and it will be MUCH less than that.  Don't worry, it isn't going to cost you anywhere near that for what you listed.

KarKarnj

Try the Floral Gallery in Chester. I think its floralgallerynj.com. I spoke with Cindy over the phone, I didnt discuss price but she was referred a friend from work and as I remember her flowers were awesome. I also think she was running a special for a free bridal bouqet.

gymchick05

There are plenty of places that will do smaller orders. I am getting 15 tall centerpieces, 5BM bouquets, my bouquet, 7 bouts, flowers for mothers/grandmothers, and two arrangements for the church and still paying less than that. We are using AW flowers, but I would think a lot of smaller florists would love to help you as well

Heather822

I didn't need flowers for centerpieces either.... so I was in the same boat.

Plus  I come from the "they're flowers / they die / I am not spending a lot on them" school of thought!

So we actually ended up getting our flowers at ShopRIte and saved soooooo much money! Plus the flowers were beautiful! We got a lot of compliments on them, and when I told people where they came from, their jaws dropped & they were so impressed!

No lie, what we got at Shop Rite cost 80% less than what florists wanted!!!!!

If you are open to it, check them out... or I have heard Costco is good too!

colmckenn

We are getting married in Sea Bright. We are getting our Flowers from Flowers by Addalia in Toms River. The prices were amazing. She pulled flowers out to show me what she was talking about. I was over all impressed with every step of the way thus far.

Denise91980

No way! I paid 800 for 7 bouquets, my bouquet, 10 boutineers, 2 corsages, flowers for 2 FGs and 2 Jr. BMs, and 13 centerpieces. 2500 is way too much. Try Avenue Florist in Elizabeth. I told them what I wanted to spend on each thing and he stayed under budget for each. 

Giaspo

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_called-florsit-appointment-heart-attack?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:601d2694-e4ae-4acd-8cb2-e3d65aa53ae1Post:7e98d20d-759a-4a26-bd9a-25cccff676c9">Re: Called for florist appointment - had a heart attack!!</a>:
[QUOTE]There are plenty of places that will do smaller orders. I am getting 15 tall centerpieces, 5BM bouquets, my bouquet, 7 bouts, flowers for mothers/grandmothers, and two arrangements for the church and still paying less than that. We are using AW flowers, but I would think a lot of smaller florists would love to help you as well
Posted by gymchick05[/QUOTE]

Is AW flowers in Kearny?  This sounds like a great price.  Were they willing to work with your budget?  I need exactly what you listed here (minus one BM bouquet) and I was told by several florists that anything less thank 6K is not doable. 

hcer0708

That is way to high! Im using Avenue Florist in Elizabeth. They are very reasonable and great to work with.

wedwed11

I am using Petal Beach but I needed a lot more than you do so her prices were reasonable for what I need.
You need to go to someone that does smaller orders.
I see a lot of girls use Rose, Petals and Lace. Their work looks pretty.

lcrvaric

That's an awesome price, Denise!  What type of flowers did you have for centerpieces and bouquets?

gymchick05

yes AW is in Kearney. I was getting so upset because I really wanted at least some tall centerpieces for our wedding since the venue has huge ceilings, and even for just half tall, I was getting quotes close to $4k- which I just couldnt justify on flowers. Adam was terrific- I told him I wanted to spend around $2500 and he was able to offer everything I wanted, plus crystals on the centerpieces, led lights, etc for even less. Now, i havent seen my mock ups yet, so I cant review fully, but he was so nice and I expect we will be happy. Also, Avenue in Elizabeth and Santos in Newark (who I just spoke to on the phone but didnt meet in person) offer similar things for the same budget. I think any of them would be great.

Giaspo

Thanks so much for the tip.  I am going to call them and see what they say.  I'm sitting here doing the budget as we speak and would love to take it out of the flowers.

Thanks again!  Janine

Denise91980

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_called-florsit-appointment-heart-attack?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:601d2694-e4ae-4acd-8cb2-e3d65aa53ae1Post:7553c92d-37c4-4dc1-8e5d-596e31da5134">Re: Called for florist appointment - had a heart attack!!</a>:
[QUOTE]That's an awesome price, Denise!  What type of flowers did you have for centerpieces and bouquets?
Posted by lcrvaric[/QUOTE]

<div>My bouquet was roses and daisies. My BM flowers were daisies. They were very pretty and daisies tend to be cheaper...they literally have any color daisy. They also were very hearty flowers. The CPs and BM bouquets lasted 2 weeks in water. I think I paid about 21 per CP and 32 per BM bouquet. </div><div>
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cindy91788

I am getting my bouquet, plus 4 BMs and a flower girl, 2 wristlets for the moms, and 7 bouts, (all roses) and I'm paying $600. For what you need, it should be under that, unless you want really expensive flowers.

uppereastgirl

As others said, keep looking.  Some florists do only one wedding a day, so I can completely understand why a florist wouldn't want to take on a wedding that is not going to be that profitable for them.  But a lot of people spend less than $2500 on flowers, so if you keep looking you'll easily find someone.

akenny

Thanks for all the input!  I really thought I was just crazy

We have an appointment with Something Nice in 2 weeks.  She was highly recommended from a few girls on here, so we'll see what happens.  If not, we'll keep calling around!