help w/ flower budget

gymchick05

I got my quote from my florist today and Im very upset because its more than I want to spend (or can spend). I'm not a huge flower person, so I want to get back to the florist and see what changes I could make to cut costs. I have no idea what flowers cost more, etc and I was hoping some of you could give me ideas on suggestions I can make to the florist. Right now my flowers will be a blend of white and light pink. The flowers included are ergular lilies, regular roses, spray roses, and stephanotis. Are these expensive flowers? Are there cheaper alternatives? My wedding is in June and my goal is just that our flowers look modern since our venue is modern. My centerpieces also need to be high since we have very high ceilings and it looks weird with low centerpieces. Any suggestions would be awesome. Thanks!

Reilly626

Go see Manny at Santos Florist in Newark.  My centerpieces are amazing and they were a lot more at other florists, Manny is wonderful!

http://www.santosflorist.net/newark-florist/weddings-10386c.asp?items=15

Prices are lower in person and there are discounts for paying cash, being a teacher, cop, etc...

kasabby

Did you ask the florist that you went to see what you could do to cut down on the budget? When we went to florists we basically told them our budget and asked what they could do based on our budget and it seemed to work out well. I am using AW Flowers in Kearney.

Another pointer is to make sure that you are using flowers that are in season at the time. I don't know a lot about flowers but your florist will know that.

ffbride_0813

I would give the florist a burget to stick to.  Also I believe stephanotis is a more expensive flower to use.  They are small so less bang for the buck and I believe they have to be hand wired adding to the cost. 

[Deleted User]

I too am using AW in Kearny - he asked what I would like then asked for my budget and worked around that. Unless you tell him specific flowers you'd want he'll do all the figuring out for you.

Alsom my centerpieces aren't expensive because I'm not doing flowers. Well, technically I am but I'm having one flower submerged in water wih a floating candle on top. It's very my style and I didn't think anythingof it  but it was really nice to find out it's a cheap alternative! (What I'm saying is look at alternative centerpiece ideas.)

jrgoogrl

I agree with PPer's. Definitely make sure the flowers you use are "in season" that helps to cut the cost. I understand that you were saying your venue has high ceilings, but if you alternated high and low centerpieces that can also help cut the cost as well. Also, meet with other florists...sometimes one florist is more willing to work with you than an other.

Good luck!

Rosie24

Did you see a few florists or are you sticking to just one?

I suggest you go see Monica at Magnolia's in Wallington. I was getting really ridiculous quotes for what I wanted and she was able to do my flowers for A LOT less WITHOUT really comprimising the look, quality, and types of flowers I wanted. 3 people I know are using her after my wedding.

I also should add that I had practically no fillers. Just hydrangeas, calla's, roses, orchids, and lilly's in the tall cp's. Our bouquets consisted of roses, calla's, and orchids.

Good luck.

misschristinec

A few questions
1) what's your budget?

2) how many tables are you outfitting with CPs?

3) how many are in your bridal party.

Q's 2 and 3 are defiitely ways to blow your budget.  If you think you need tall CPs, they usually start at 75 and are probabaly closer to $100 a piece. IF you are having 250 guests and 25 tables thats $2500!   

Shop around! 

gymchick05

I am expecting 14-15 centerpieces and I have 5 BM so I dont think its completely crazy- larger but I was hoping to keep my flower budget between $2000-$2500. I wanted lower but unless I dont put flowers on certain tables, I understand that may be unrealistic

gymchick05

I thought the high/low idea was a good one too, but the florist seemed to think it wasnt a good idea for the people sitting at the table w/ less flowers. Personally I have never been to a wedding where I even paid attention to the flowers, so Im guessing this isnt gonna be a problem. I was just disappointed since I know this florist so I figured this would be my best bet and like I said- its the only florist I have met w/ so Im not saying she is overpriced (in fact from friends of mine who have used her and got quotes elsewhere, she was the best bet) so I was thinking maybe my requests were expensive. Since I really dont care what flowers I have, I was hoping to get a better rate on flowers. I think I will just ask her what we can do to lower the cost since she didnt ask me what my budget was up front. Thanks so much!

Danes983

Maybe try and buy the vases for your high centerpeices from another knottie.  That way you wont have to rent from the florist and you can try to sell them after.  This is what I am doing.  Some knottie will always be interested in saving money so maybe look into that. It is saving us a lot of money.

misschristinec

OK I would breakdown your budget and what you expect to spend in each area and provide this back to the florist...

Bridal Bouquet - $150-$200
BMs - 75 max - (5 of these)  total $375
Bout $10-15 per -  (5 + dads +grandads = 11 total?)  $165
Corsage $20 per (moms and grandmas, 2 readers?- 8 total?) $160
Centerpieces $100 max  - 15 of these = $1500

Grand Total of your budget:  about $2500

I think these numbers are reallly realistc!    - and I couldn't imagine any florist not being able to work with these. 

Good Luck

Denise91980

Try Avenue Florist in Elizabeth. They were so easy to work with...I gave them a budget and they stayed below it and even would throw flowers together to show me what things would look like....I am probably spending about 900 for my bouquet, 7 BM bouquets, 12 boutineers 2 corsages and 13 centerpieces, as well as flowers to put in FG basket...To keep CP cost down I went to Mueller's in Newark and bought my own vases...I think I paid about $30 for 16 vases. I am giving the florist my vases and they will put CPs together and deliver them to venue....If your budget is 2500 they will totally work with that.

bleached1

I would definately see if you can pay in cash I got 10% off by agreeing to do that. Also see if there is any wiggle room in reducing the set up and delivery fees, I am not sure if that was included in your quote but they can add up alot to your bottom line. Also definately shop around for a florist, there prices can vary alot from place to place.

tanyavreeland

i got really frustrated looking for flowers bc my budget was small...

i went to Brandywine florist in East Brunswick.. they were much cheaper than everyone else and gave me all upgraded flowers! they are definitely worth a trip.. plus they also have tons of centerpieces set up that dont use flowers

they have great books and really great ideas!

Heather822

Here is a little tip I personally am sooo glad I took....
Go to ShopRite or Costco.
I went with ShopRite, and got exactly what I wanted for a fifth of what a traditional florist wanted to charge.
I am not a big flower person either... so this was such a big deal to me!
I coud not wrap my hear aground what florists were charging.... 39.99 for a boutinerre!?!? I got the exact same one at Shop Rite for $8.99.
I am so glad it worked out, you should definitely consider it!

mariaNryan

I really think you should go to Debbie Designs!! THey are awesome there and I have had nothing but great things from them.... I already saw my trial center pieces which they were the ones to talk me into doing high and lows to keep the cost down. They work strictly with your budget and tell you which flowers will cost more for the season

gymchick05

Thank you all so much for your help. I will ask the original florist if she can make any adjustments and shop around more as well. Is it ever appropriate to use one florist for the church flowers and stuff you need pre-ceremony like boquets and then another for the centerpieces at the venue? Just wondering since my church is far away from many of the florists you mention so delivery costs could add up. Or would that be something that would upset each florist?

Karma01

I used Santos Florist in Newark and I got a lot of flowers for my money and MIL couldn't believe it and the flowers were beautiful. Manny is great.

Faith2730

I would definitly tell the florist that the quote they gave you was out of your budget and tell them what you are looking to spend.  My sister in law was quoted 5,000 and when she told them that she didn't want to spend that much the florist adjusted a few things and ended up getting to 2,500!  Her flowers were beautiful!