Florists in the city - getting stressed!

ewenner · January 2010

Hello ladies! I am looking for a florist in the city (ceremony in Lakeview, reception downtown) that can work with a budget - $1000 total, including all the taxes, set-up fees, delivery, etc. Several florists that I've called have not been very encouraging, and I'm getting frustrated. Here's what I need:

1 bridal bouquet
3 bridemaids bouquets
4-6 bouteneires for groom, groomsmen, and dads
3-4 corsages for mothers and grandmothers
2 altar arrangements
10-12 centerpieces for reception

I don't have specific flower preferences - I'm willing to work with whatever is local and in season for my wedding (June 12). Is $1000 just not possible?

I've seen previous posts recommending florists out in the suburbs, but I don't know if those florists would charge an arm and a leg for delivery to the city. Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated - I'm getting very stressed out. Thank you so much!

Annie_Warbucks · January 2010

Normally any florist within the nearby suburbs will not charge you more for delivery to the city. They just have a set delivery fee.

As for he budget, it probably could be done, but doubtful. Once you factor in a delivery fee of probably $50 - $100, and tax 10% (about $90) that really cuts your budget down to about $850.

I would cut out the altar arrangements all together. They will only be seen for an hour, and will probably get lost in all the church decor, and they are not cheap. That is a chunk of your budget that could be used better elsewhere.

schaiblejen · January 2010

I used Debbie Donovan who works out of her house, she worked with my measly tiny budget (less than half of yours) and blew me away with what she did with my flowers. She doesnt have a website or anything, but i can send you pictures of my wedding flowers and they were BEAUTIFUL! her email is deborah_donovan@hotmail.com Here is a link to my flowers http://www.karaschultz.com/2009/10/cancer-survivors-garden-wedding-photographer-jen-scott/

ladybug7485 · January 2010

Jen-I sent you a PM

ondreaflynn · January 2010

Another couple of suggestions.....

1) Use your center pieces as your flowers for the ceremony. As long as you have a cocktail hour in between this is very easy to do.

2) With a budget this small I would go the DIY route. Costco strangely has a great deal on flowers and they can order you what you need. Making your own arrangements from what they provide and you could save you bunches.

Hope that was helpful!

sgylling · January 2010

I don't really think your budget is that bad. I have at least double the amount of stuff that you need and my quote is a little less thant double your budget. I have 8 BMs!

I agree if you can go without the Altar pieces. Also I have 2 types of centerpieces and one is just water with 2 orchids submerged in it. I think these are quite inexpensive. I would maybe try to pick bigger flowers too, then you will need less.

I happened to pick out inexpensive flowers, but I think it is totally do-able. You just need someone who can help you replace pricey flowers for more affordable ones. My florist is Kio Kreations, and I am guessing she may be booked as she books up pretty quick, but I think she usually recommends GNG? Also my friend used Flora with good results as well!

raeyn · January 2010

Like Jen, I am using Debbie Donovan. She is very budget-friendly and has been wonderful so far. She's super busy right now so she may be slow to respond, but she will have more time closer to your wedding so don't worry about that affecting your big day. I'll post my full review in a few weeks after my wedding!

seventiespop · January 2010

raeyn-I sent you a PM!

karijohannsen · January 2010

Give a call to Ashland Addison and ask for Martha. Her em is martha@ashaddflorist.com . Many of my friends have used her and have given her a budget and she works backwards. She did my quote and it was $900 all-in and the only difference between our needs is that I'm not doing altar flowers. I'm also going to use the flowers that I'm lining the aisle runner with in the centerpieces for the reception to save on costs.

Another route, which is what I am doing, is to find a florist who doesn't have a store front so that the overhead costs and splits are taken out of the equation. Unknown to me, one of my instructors at my yoga studio is also a florist who works out of her home and she's going to do the above for me for nearly half the cost! If she's looking for more business I'll send her your way, but let me check with her first. She used to be head designer at A Stem Above.

ewenner · January 2010

Ladies, thank you so much for your suggestions! I feel much better knowing that it's not impossible to do flowers for under $1000. I may just skip altar arrangements as some of you suggested, and depending on the quotes I get, I may DIY some centerpieces. Thank you all again! :-)

e_feldmann_15 · January 2010

Vale of Enna is also very budget friendly. She will work with you. I am using my ceremony flowers again for my cocktail/ and some reception decor to save on costs. her website is vale-of-enna.com She also works out of her home.

Florists in the city - getting stressed!

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