Florists and ceremony musicians...

caramels03

Hi everyone,I had a couple of questions I hope you can help me with!1) Do you have any good but reasonably priced florists to recommend?  I keep reading rave reviews of Sebesta, but they sound a bit too out of budget.  I'd like to pay $500-600 for flowers all in, if possible.  (I have a small wedding of approximately 75-80 guests, so I hope this isn't too much to ask.)  I've heard good things about Lois Snover... has anyone used her before?  2) When you hired ceremony musicians, did you meet with them at all prior to your wedding day?  I'm just curious as to how they know when to start playing what songs... does someone cue them when the unity candle ceremony starts, for example, or do they just know based on experience when to start playing?I live in NYC, so meeting with a variety of vendors before I choose them isn't an option, unfortunately.  Thanks in advance!

wparsons1223

I am using Sebestia and I am on a tight budget. We are using her for just the ceremony flowers (corsages, boutineers, bouquets, etc.) and were able to work out a cost of $506. Of course, it does depend on what flowers you are looking for too.I believe that the ceremony musicians are invited to the rehersal so as to figure out timing and such.

buttaflai

Sebesta will work with you within your budget - Corinne does an excellent job of meeting it and still achieving the look you want. I would at LEAST call for a consultation.

elkay

2. - Ask them! I asked my lead musician (Jamie at Great Lakes Chamber Players) what kind of cues they wanted to work with. We worked out the playlist  and approximate schedule -- what song at which part -- by email and phone.  They knew a lot more about wedding music timing than I did. Yes, musicians may wish to attend rehearsal, so check with them. Mine declined because of travel distance. But they are pros and all went well except when my BIL butted in and tried to overrule cues from my DOC even though he did not know order of ceremony -- luckily I had specified to all my vendors exactly whom to listen to about anything on the day.

elkay

Another tip. My ceremony program listed the prayers, readings, and music pieces in order. I made sure the musicians and officiant each had copies before the ceremony.

SKeesee

1. I'd at least call Sebesta Design. She totally works within whatever budget you need and is awesome. 2. My musicians came to the rehearsal and worked everything out there. I don't know how they were cued, but they took care of it all.