Ballpark $$ for flowers?

jchristel

I just booked my DJ (yay!) and am on to flowers next.  I set a budget but I'm wondering how far off prices will be from what I think they are.  We're going to have about 20 tables, so centerpiece prices give me a knot in my stomach.  I don't want anything extravagant because I can't see spending more than $3000 for flowers.  Is $80-100 within reason?   I really just don't know... anyone have ideas or lists of ranges for things like centerpieces, bouquets and bouts?  

uppereastgirl

Centerpiece prices will depend on what you get, but $800-$1000 for bouquets, bouts AND 20 centerpieces will be very tight unless you're going for tiny arrangements.  You can look at non-floral centerpieces if you want to save some money (although they can be pricey too depending on what you pick).  How many bouquets do you need?  Bouts tend to be inexpensive (like $10 each).

You can always set up a clicky poll with different price ranges if you want to know what most people spent on flowers or centerpieces.

jchristel

I don't think my post was clear, I was asking if $80-$100 is reasonable for each centerpiece.  I came up with a budget from a website that listed prices (and added 20% since it's NJ) and came in around $2700 for everything.  I guess I just need to start making appointments to see how far off my budget is...

mbcdefg

I'm paying $680 and getting:

* one bridal bouquet (orchids, freesia, roses and lisanthius)
* one groom boutonniere (rose and hypericum berries)
* two BM bouquets and two GM boutonnieres (gerbera daisies)
* two boutonnieres and two corsages for parents & grandma (orchids)
* one toss bouquet (TBD)
* 16 low centerpieces (hydrangea and gerbera daisies)

That does not include the price for me to buy 16 six-inch cube vases ... getting them myself from craft stores (using coupons) is cheaper than going through the florist. I wasn't even planning on floral centerpieces but on a whim I asked if he could do something for around $20 per table and he suggested the hydrangeas & daisies. Fine by me.

We don't need church flowers because there will be Easter lilies on the altar already, and we opted out of pew decorations and other reception arrangements (guestbook table, etc.).

FutureMrsF111

With flowers it depends on how elaborate you want to go. You can certainly have nice flowers in that range but they probably wont be over the top. dont forget centerpieces are not the only floral cost. You have ceremony flowers, your bouquet, BM boquets, bouts for the guys. 

jchristel

Thank you for the info!  This site is awesome

jchristel

I'm getting married at venue, so my plan is to have centerpieces do double duty as aisle flowers- I know there will be an additional cost for pedestal/column rental for ceremony, but I'd rather spend a little more and have them used twice than have to buy that many more.  I still go into sticker shock every once in a while.  I'm glad my dress was a lot less than I planned on spending!!!

caketime

Unfortunately, flowers are the one wedding item that are a bit up in the air.  How fully you want, want flowers you want, are they in season, etc.

Your best bet is to go and make appointments with a few.  Bring some pictures of what you have in mind, what you are hoping to stay under, and ask them what flowers are in season.

jchristel

I'm going to call someone today and hopefully make an appointment in the next week or so (holiday permitting).  I know myself and I'll just obsess on it and be scared of the prices until I do.

Love your dress

Mye

My centerpieces were pretty, I paid $55 each

jchristel

Those are very pretty!!!

I just made an appointment for 12/1.  I feel better already!!

uppereastgirl

Your post was clear, I read it completely wrong - sorry!  As others said, yup!

jchristel

My DJ told me this morning that he got "a great deal" and recommended his florist.  He was raving about paying $3K and it scared the bejesus out of me.

After I get an idea on flowers I'm seriously taking off until after the holidays!  

Mye

i paid $1800 total for all my flowers, and I think they came out great

caketime

Thanks for the compliment

That's good you have an appointment.  Can prices go that high, absolutely!  But he might have also wanted a flower that was out of season, even for a bouquet the price would sky rocket.  

Just an idea...instead of using the flowers for the aisle and renting columns maybe use rose petals (if your venue allows).  I had them line the aisle and it was great photos for cheap.  My florist ended up just throwing them in for nothing.

jchristel

I love rose petals!  I guess I'll know more when I meet with Florist #1.  I've been googling to find out what flowers will be in season for September.  I don't really have my heart set on any particular type- although I do know I want some roses for the bouquets.  I think I might be able to get away with non flower things too since it's Fall, berries and things like that might be nice as filler

mbcdefg

If you don't have your heart set on anything in particular, I would personally just go to your meetings and say, "I want to spend around $X, and I need the following items: [list]. What can you do for me for that price?" Low-ball your number a little bit, that way if they say they need more money you might still afford it (but be fair, because they still need to make a living off this).

Honest, professional people will tell you what they can do for you and whether your quote is possible. If they laugh at you or refuse to at least try to work with you, then they're not worth your business.

tbrose16

Mye and mbcdefg - which florist did you use? I'm in the process of looking for a florist now...

kewltif

I spent 2k for a me, dh, 3 moms, 2 grandmas, 2 dads, 7 girls, 8 guys, 2 church baskets, 20 tables, toss bouquet, and sweetheart table.  My centerpieces were $60 each.  I used the same place as Mye- Avenue Flowers & Gifts in Elizabeth.

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c33/kewltif/IMG_90182.jpg

jchristel

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_ballpark-flowers?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:e3e94448-3f1e-4d83-adab-0d98926cdd82Post:210db54c-90e3-49a3-b0e4-ead350af02a3">Re: Ballpark $$ for flowers?</a>:
[QUOTE]I spent 2k for a me, dh, 3 moms, 2 grandmas, 2 dads, 7 girls, 8 guys, 2 church baskets, 20 tables, toss bouquet, and sweetheart table.  My centerpieces were $60 each.  I used the same place as Mye- Avenue Flowers & Gifts in Elizabeth. <a href="http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c33/kewltif/IMG_90182.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c33/kewltif/IMG_90182.jpg</a>
Posted by kewltif[/QUOTE]

<div>Your numbers are a lot like mine (I have fewer bms and family though) so you just made me feel a whole lot better about my budget!! <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-sealed.gif" border="0" alt="Sealed" title="Sealed" /></div><div>
</div><div>Pretty centerpieces!!</div>

mbcdefg

I booked AW Flowers in Kearny. Can't comment on their work yet since my wedding is in April, but they've gotten good reviews on this board.

Reilly626

Went to Santos, they give 10% discount if you are a teacher, fire, or cop. So after the discount Im paying 1700 for 14 tall centerpieces (its called Candace on their website) my bouquet, 5 girls, 5 guys, 2 baskets at church, runner for church, parents, cake, etc.  I went to like 7 florists, someone told me Hollywood in Union, Rekemeyers in Summit, and Santos was by far the best prices and best customer service.  Good luck, I was freaking out myself after going to the place in Summit and being told any tall centerpiece is $200 and up.

DS0305

I'm spending about $3K on flowers.  We're assuming about 18 tables and each centerpiece (tall) is $125.  The rest of the cost is from bouquets/bouts/church flowers/etc.  But you can definitely get tall centerpieces for less.  $80 - $100 for tall centerpieces is definitely doable.

jchristel

FI really likes low ones and since he hasn't had any major requests I'm good with that.  I wonder if that will cost me more or less.  Thanks everyone, this was so helpful!!

DS0305

Well if you want low centerpieces, those will be even less!  $80 - $100 is actually more on the expensive side for low centerpieces!  So you have nothing to worry about.

jchristel

Yipee!!!!

mrsdevilguy

Our quote came in at $2600ish. The centerpieces figuring on 12 tables is $1600 but that's because it's a lot of glass (we're doing 3 cylinder vases with submerged flowers, stones on the bottom and floating candle).

jchristel

That sounds so pretty!!