Westmount Country Club Brides

Lauren15215 · September 2010

For those of you that got married or are getting married at the Westmount, which florist did you use? Also, did you use them for both the ceremony (if it was held somewhere else) and reception or just the reception?

andreapnyc · September 2010

from what i remember, you have to use Atlas, their house florist. they dont let you use anyone else. unless that's changed recently, im 99.9% positive on that.

Lauren15215 · September 2010

They make you use Atlas or Pedestals for any flowers at the hall, but I was thinking of possibly getting a different florist for my church decorations and bouquets. Just wasn't sure if that would be worth it to do.

andreapnyc · September 2010

is there a specific reason for wanting to use 2 different florists? atlas does a GREAT job. prob a little expensive though.

Lauren15215 · September 2010

I figured it might be less expensive to go to another florist since Atlas seems a little pricier. Also since I live in Staten Island, thought it might just be easier to go to one closer to home.

andreapnyc · September 2010

it doesnt hurt to price it out out somewhere else and compare... im honestly not sure. maybe a SI florist would charge u a delivery charge for going to N jersey to just do chruch flowers... im not sure.. you might as well ask and compare the two prices.

if its not much of a price differential, it may be more of a headache than anything.

ahhndrea · September 2010

I have an appt with Atlas on Friday and am worried about pricing...I think you can use Pedestals or Spitz and Peck as well....

carabrie · September 2010

I havent commented on this board before (but I like the good advice). I am getting married at the Westmount next month. I originally went with Atlas but changed my mind and am now using Spitz and Peck. I think the 3rd option, Pedestals, is in garden city. I had the hardest time making a decision about the florist.

uppereastgirl · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_westmount-country-club-brides?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:89d64749-c41f-4fbd-b625-fb4bdc3ddc9fPost:2a9825b6-8536-4bf0-a2a1-9ae3070b2902">Re: Westmount Country Club Brides</a>:
[QUOTE]is there a specific reason for wanting to use 2 different florists? atlas does a GREAT job. prob a little expensive though.
Posted by andreapnyc[/QUOTE]

<div>I've seen a lot of people here do it to save money. I think Atlas charges enough more than some other florists that it can be worth the annoyance/travel fees to some?</div><div>
</div><div>Does anyone know *why* they only allow certain florists? I've always kind of wondered that. Do they get money from the florists in exchange for the exclusivity? I always think of The Sopranos when I see these kinds of things. And why do they only do this with florists and not DJs/bands, photo/video etc.? </div>

cutiepie12702 · September 2010

I'm not having my wedding there, but my friend did a few months ago and she used Atlas. They did the flowers for the reception, and the church about a half hour away, as well as drive to her house to deliver the bouqets...and her house is about an hour and a half from the Westmount. She paid a lot of money (way more than I would ever spend), but that was to be expected since you have to use their florist. Her flowers were all very nice though.

ahhndrea · September 2010

As for why they don't allow outside florists...

I ran into a girl who was also getting married there and she was pretty upset that she couldn't use an outside florist as her aunt has her own floral business. Apparently the girl was told that they used to allow outsiders, however there were a couple of events where the flowers were terrible and somehow it made the Westmount look bad - so they decided to have their own florist and limit the options. Personally I think that's stupid. I really don't want alot of flowers and dreading the fact that I'm going to get overcharged for what I do get. We're paying for this wedding ourselves!

Lauren15215 · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_westmount-country-club-brides?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:89d64749-c41f-4fbd-b625-fb4bdc3ddc9fPost:e8837035-6ebc-4192-b46e-861b6fa8480f">Re: Westmount Country Club Brides</a>:
[QUOTE]I have an appt with Atlas on Friday and am worried about pricing...I think you can use Pedestals or Spitz and Peck as well....
Posted by ahhndrea[/QUOTE]

I had my initial meeting with Atlas last week. They basically just ask you what type of theme, flower colors, types of centerpieces, etc and what the price point is. He told me they would create a centerpiece based on the budget that you give them, so cost should be manageable. That said I haven't seen how much you get for the money yet, so I can't comment on that.

37 Butter Knives · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_westmount-country-club-brides?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:89d64749-c41f-4fbd-b625-fb4bdc3ddc9fPost:690ef566-3907-4f92-8fda-3ae15d4bda92">Re: Westmount Country Club Brides</a>:
[QUOTE]Apparently the girl was told that they used to allow outsiders, however there were a couple of events where the flowers were terrible and somehow it made the Westmount look bad - so they decided to have their own florist and limit the options.
Posted by ahhndrea[/QUOTE]

Wow - this is insane! I mean, most venues suitable for weddings in New Jersey don't allow outside catering, but I can understand why (liability issues, safety, logistics, etc.). But flowers?

Why should it matter to a venue if the flowers "look bad"? A wedding is not a public event, so it's not like <em>everyone </em>is going to know. (Besides, most guests at weddings don't pay much notice to flowers, anyway.) Also, most people are aware that the flowers aren't the venue's doing.

bluepop · September 2010

I'm having Atlas do the flowers, although I'm not having many flowers, but more branches with crystals and candles and an arch for the ceremony. They did work within my budget (even though from reading the forums what I am spending still seems a bit much). I will say that when Atlas showed me the mock up of my centerpiece, I was blown away, so far I am very happy with what I have seen. Also, since the westmount does give a $500 credit to use towards any of their recommended vendors including florists, I am applying my credit towards Atlas, which helps a bit.

Lauren15215 · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_westmount-country-club-brides?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:89d64749-c41f-4fbd-b625-fb4bdc3ddc9fPost:79116cc2-bca8-43a6-8688-0dc7400a5784">Re: Westmount Country Club Brides</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm having Atlas do the flowers, although I'm not having many flowers, but more branches with crystals and candles and an arch for the ceremony. They did work within my budget (even though from reading the forums what I am spending still seems a bit much). I will say that when Atlas showed me the mock up of my centerpiece, I was blown away, so far I am very happy with what I have seen. Also, since the westmount does give a $500 credit to use towards any of their recommended vendors including florists, I am applying my credit towards Atlas, which helps a bit.
Posted by bluepop[/QUOTE]

I am having them mock up a similar centerpiece that has the branches with crystals and candles and just a few white flowers.. I am going to see the mock up in 2 weeks and I can't wait. I never heard of the $500 credit before. Who did you deal with at the Westmount that told you about the credit?

ahhndrea · September 2010

Same here - we weren't told of a credit when we booked!

uppereastgirl · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_westmount-country-club-brides?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:89d64749-c41f-4fbd-b625-fb4bdc3ddc9fPost:690ef566-3907-4f92-8fda-3ae15d4bda92">Re: Westmount Country Club Brides</a>:
[QUOTE]As for why they don't allow outside florists... I ran into a girl who was also getting married there and she was pretty upset that she couldn't use an outside florist as her aunt has her own floral business. Apparently the girl was told that they used to allow outsiders, however there were a couple of events where the flowers were terrible and somehow it made the Westmount look bad - so they decided to have their own florist and limit the options. Personally I think that's stupid. I really don't want alot of flowers and dreading the fact that I'm going to get overcharged for what I do get. We're paying for this wedding ourselves!
Posted by ahhndrea[/QUOTE]

<div>I don't know that I buy that, because nobody in their right mind assumes that the venue took care of the flowers. I'm guessing there's another real reason but that's what they tell people to justify the policy (because that's an excuse that makes it sound like they're only doing it because they <3 you)?</div>

bluepop · September 2010

Just to clarify, the $500 credit was not something we negotiated. When we booked our date, they gave us an envelope with vouchers we could use towards any of their recommended vendors. I assumed everyone got this! Maybe it is because we are getting married on a Friday in an off month? Sorry ladies

ahhndrea · September 2010

Hmmm- I'll have to recheck my folder from them. They gave us an envelope, but it was all business cards of their vendors. We have a Sunday wedding that isn't in their "high season".

bluepop · September 2010

You can always call up ask and said that you heard some brides got $500 credit to use towards suggested vendors, but you did not receive it. Who knows if it was some sort of short time deal, but wouldn't hurt to check. Hopefully you get it!

Lauren15215 · September 2010

I definitely did not receive an envelope with vouchers in it. I am getting married on a Friday next September, so thats definitely their high season, but I don't see why that would make a difference. I think I will give them a call and see what they say. Maybe it was a promotion they were runnng at the time you booked.

carabrie · September 2010

I am getting married there on a Friday night next month and never got the voucher. If anyone hears anything else about it, can you please post it??

ahhndrea · October 2010

Wanted to post an update...

My mom and I went to Atlas a few days ago and was not impressed. Matt shot down all of my ideas (he found them too small for the room) and then tried to get me to agree to all these things that I didn't want. He kept asking me "are you sure you don't want an outside wedding" when I told him that we are 100% decided on being married indoors.

Today I went to Spitz and Peck and it went so well. John was wonderful to talk to and really liked my ideas and showed me some similiar things he had done in the past.

Either way, we're going to pay way more than I'd like for florals (perils of the Westmount) but I'd rather work with someone who is willing to work with me.

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