is this to much $$ for flowers??

Re: is this to much $$ for flowers??

• AbbeyS2011 member

  

  November 2010 edited December 2011

  It really depends on your area.  I would shop around with other florists since it sounds like you are not happy with those suggestions.
  
  Make an appt.  with some florists, take a list of the bouquets/flowers you want and what your budget is.  They will work with you and offer more than one type of arrangement.
  
  HTH  and Good Luck!

  

  Report0 Reply
• Lisa50 member

  

  November 2010 edited December 2011

  I strongly echo others' suggestions ... post this on the local board in addition to asking other florists in your area.  I would also suggest that, once you get another bid or two, ask a florist in Westchester County or Manhattan.  That will give you a real feel for how much these things truly cost and how much is just add-on.
  
  My bouquet quote is $177.  I'm told that pricing is about average (even a little, tiny bit low) for the Washington, DC, area.
  
  Good luck!!

  Report0 Reply
• midgemoto

  

  November 2010 edited December 2011

  Ok... I will admit that i am a floral designer but not where... but i am really good....and was a bride... and know a bit about all this stuff!   

  
  

  This is one whack combination of flowers for a wedding... 

  If you love it great...but it's looking like your "design master" is trying to make a big "statement"  the question is why... for you or him/her...

  
  

  Or perhaps there is a bit of a  drag queen thing going on?   oh sorry to be so frank but I am only saying what others  will probably be thinking when you hit the aisle.... 

  
  

  And marigolds straight out smell awful....those kids will nix that in minutes... the florist should know that already!!!  

  
  

  But you asked about pricing... not outrageous for those flowers and obviously the designer feels they have a big edge over the usual...hummmmm. 

  
  

  ok... so if in fact these are the flowers YOU LOVE  go for it in terms of the reception... get crazy all you want there... But don't you want your wedding party flowers to focus on you the beautiful bride, your smile, face and happiness ... and not on the "interesting " flowers.... 

  
  

  Just be careful that the advise you are getting reflects YOUR desires and not someone elses chance to show off...  this is about you...

  
  

  And do go get another designers ideas... trust your gut...  Sorry if i gave you attitude and it hurt ... just being honest here...  and good luck for a gorgeous wedding... ( by the way the colors and stuff can really be made to rock it... no criticism  on those choices!)  

  Report0 Reply
• suz62984

  

  November 2010 edited December 2011

  I think the bridal bouquet is about right with my area (SC). I will point out that you have a lot of exotic stems which cost more per stem. I would cut some of those and sub in cheaper flowers. Also, if you hate fruit...cut the fruit. See the bottom paragraph.
  
  The BM bouquets are WAY too much at $100 each. Mine were only $50 each. I will say that the florist also has exotic stems in their bouquet. Honestly I would just use the cheaper flowers for their bouquets. My BM bouquets didn't even go home with the BMs. I ended up taking them home and giving them to the neighbor's kids to play with. $100 each is a lot of money to spend on BM bouquets.
  
  The flower girl price seems reasonable only because those are harder to make. If you hate marigolds then don't do them. Just because you get a quote doesn't mean it is set in stone. Quotes are meant to be negotiated. Tell the florist you are uncomfortable with the price and the exotic stems. You hate marigolds and would like another option. If you just aren't meshing well with this florist find another. I interviewed 7 florists before choosing one. I saw who I got along with, where I was getting more bang for the buck, and couldn't have been happier!

  

  Report0 Reply
• marissa_claire member

  

  November 2010 edited December 2011

  Ew I hate marigolds too!  They don't have much place in a wedding.  Nice fall flowers, but yeah, definitely not a pick for a wedding.

  
  

  I would try shopping around vendors.  I would do this:  look up a picture of a wedding bouquet you love.  Go to a vendor and say "Another vendor offered to do this for *make up number here, probably $125 or so*.  What can you do?"  See where you can get it.  Take the time to shop around before signing anything, and as uncomfortable as it may be, make sure vendors know you're shopping around and what other vendors have to offer.  

  Report0 Reply
• suz62984

  

  November 2010 edited December 2011

  I wouldn't give the other florist a number to go by and here is why.
  
  Me: This other florist can do this for $150
  Her: I can do it for $125 (in her head she is thinking...I can really do it for $95 but she is still getting the better price at $125 so I make more)
  
  Go to interview several florists. Some ask for an overall budget and some don't. Let the florists know that you have a few more florists meetings. They will know they have competition and it will make the prices better.

  

  Report0 Reply
• lisab613 member

  

  November 2010 edited December 2011

  i think your price is high b/c of orchids, they're one of the pricier flowers. agree with you on marigolds, they really do have a strong smell as well. i got two quotes before choosing a florist and they were several hundred dollars off in price, so i would keep looking if i were you. if this florist added things in there that you told her you didn't like, i'd be wary. but maybe they just have a kooky idea; if you say you don't like them they should be able to offer other ideas.

  <br

  Report0 Reply
• janicejab

  

  November 2010 edited December 2011

  The flowers you've chosen are expensive in most areas of the country, so I don't think the price is outrageous at all. You probably could have the florist do something smaller, simpler or with different flowers for the BMs. As well, if you don't like certain flowers, don't use them! There are plenty of flowers to sub for marigolds, and you don't have to use veggies if you don't like the idea.

  Report0 Reply
• benmel31 member

  

  November 2010 edited December 2011

  I personally think it is high, but you do have some exotic flowers in the bouquets.  If you do not want to spend that much, talk with the florist to see if you can substitute some less expensive flowers to fill out the bouquet.

  
  TO
  my to-read shelf:
  
  

  Report0 Reply
• flower_diva member

  

  November 2010 edited December 2011

  I don't think the quote is that far out of line. I am just really confused as to what this jumbled mess is suposed to be. On one hand you have tropical flowers being mixed with garden flowers with veggies and fruit to boot. .....it's one SCREWY mix.  This designer has ADHD.......go elsewhere  and talk to a "real"florist....PLEASE.

  Report0 Reply