Florist

Re: Florist

• aimers1525 member

  

  January 2012

  I can tell you that I had the same attitude. I didn't want to spend a lot on flowers, but didn't want them to be cheap and crappy. I thought I found a florist who offered that (under $1000 for everything I wanted), but I ended up with cheap and crappy.  For maybe $300-500 more I could have really had what I wanted, and not had pipe cleaners in my bouquet (no, I'm not kidding).
  
  So, my advice is to meet with a handful of florists of different price ranges. You can save money by not having floral centerpieces (I did half floral and half non-floral), not giving all your readers/ushers, etc. flowers, having a smaller bridal party. If those things aren't options for you, make sure to chose flowers that are in season.  Or if you have to have calla lillies (which I think are pretty pricey), maybe just do bouquets w/callas and have everything else be a flower that's less expensive.  Also, be very clear about what you want.  If you have your heart set on a bouquet that you found in a magazine/online, send the florist the picture.  Make sure written descriptions are included in your order/contract.  Check out the website for the florist and see if they have up to date pictures from recent events. 

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• Golfer09 member

  

  January 2012

  Some of the florists that you find in Chicago have bricks and mortar costs.  There are some florists that work out of their home and might charge less.  I ended up going with Kloeckner Preferred Flowers.  They are on the preferred vendors list for Cafe Brauer so I figured if they were good enough for one of the pricier venues in the city, it was good enough for me.
  
  Mark from Kloeckner was able to work within my budget - because his shop has corporate accounts (I believe Millenium Hotel and Field Museum) I didn't feel that he was gouging me.  Also, his shop is out near Midway airport - so it was a hike for me to do my initial consultation and review his samples.  But his customer service was really good the day of my wedding and his staff was there to drop off and pick up before and after the event.
  
  Other florists that I have read with good reviews on this board has been Kio Kreations - her work looks very good.  From what other brides have mentioned, she is also very reasonable in price and willing to work with you - I think she does other wedding related items like programs, menus, invitations, signs, calligraphy.  I believe Kio does not have a shop but is based in Naperville and will work in the city,etc. 
  
  Good luck!
  

  Our wedding SDE: https://player.vimeo.com/video/8491081 Our wedding Feature: PW=demo

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• aimers1525 member

  

  January 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_florist-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:47e2b0f5-3b0a-4cde-ad42-1b1f96b08f95Post:7e0436e4-8dcb-4ed8-b67f-a35854ff3819">Re: Florist</a>:
  [QUOTE]. Other florists that I have read with good reviews on this board has been Kio Kreations - her work looks very good.  From what other brides have mentioned, she is also very reasonable in price and willing to work with you - I think she does other wedding related items like programs, menus, invitations, signs, calligraphy.  I believe Kio does not have a shop but is based in Naperville and will work in the city,etc.  Good luck!
  Posted by Golfer09[/QUOTE]
  Kio Kreations did my escort cards and monogram. In hindsight, I wish I would of had her do my flowers too, but I per my above post--I thought I was getting "a deal" Kio does awesome work!
  
  I also looked at: Vale of Enna and ZuZu's Petals. I DO NOT RECOMMEND Miller's Florist!

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• trambam

  

  February 2012

  We did not put flowers on our high priority list.  After visiting with a few florists, I realized that although they were not high on our list, I still wanted nice flowers.  We ended up going with Flowers by Color Chicago.

  
  521 126 39 356 RSVP Date: August 1

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