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But Aren’t They Filler Flowers? |
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June 29th, 2009 by Geranium Bud
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Well ladies, I have had my first major jaw-dropping wedding consult… FLOWERS?!?! I have no idea how much flowers should cost, but I do know one thing for sure… brides get SCREWED OVER!! I have been postponing the whole flower consult thing for a couple of reasons: they are NOT my priority; I know very little about flowers, so I was intimidated to go; I don’t like getting screwed over by the WIC; I don’t have a big budget for flowers… and even worse, I have no idea what I should have in the budget.
BUT, suffice it to say, the meetings had to get started, and I had to start figuring out what I was doing about my bouquet!! I set-up two appointments in Calgary, one with an off-the-beaten-path florist, and one with a more trendy downtown florist. I came prepared… along with pictures of my dress and my girls’ dresses, I brought a whack-load of floral inspiration gathered around the bridal-blogs! Of the stack I brought… this was my short list:
top row (L to R) from here, here, and here; second row (L to R) from here, here, and here; bottom row (L to R) from here, last two pictures… can you help me with the source? Sorry, these have been in my inspiration folder for so long… can’t remember where they came from.
My first appointment left me pretty underwhelmed… to start, the lady doing my consult was late?? The lady who ended up sitting down with me (not the one I was supposed to meet with) was an older lady who had certainly been in the business a long time, but unfortunately I did not really connect with her. I found her educational and professional, but for some reason, I left feeling a bit let down. The quote for 4 bouquets was ~$400.
Now, this where my complete lack of knowledge in this area is messing with me… I gasped at that price!! I didn’t want to spend more than $300 for the 4 bouquets (you’ll remember we already got our gorgeous bouts and corsages from Myra). When I asked my lady if I could get a copy of the worksheet she had filled out (with all the names of the flowers, etc.) she told me it was against store policy to do so unless I had put a deposit down… um thanks for nothing!!
OK, onwards and upwards… on to the 2nd meeting. I LOVE this flower shop… have received a few very special bouquets from here!! I immediately connected with my young, chic consult lady, and really felt that she knew what I was looking for. She had great ideas, but more importantly, she listened to my thoughts, even though I am admittedly uneducated in this arena! I was more prepared to ask questions at this meeting, and really wanted to get to the bottom of the pricing… since the first quote seemed to get pulled from thin air!
She told me that they do up a detailed order sheet, add up the per stem costs, and mark-up the total by 30% for wedding orders… yup, that’s right ladies, 30% more than anyone else would pay because why?? Because we’re brides, and we should pay more?!?! When I asked her for a guess-timate, she told me she couldn’t off the top of her head, but she would send me a quote in a few hours. She reassured me though, since most of the flowers I wanted were “filler flowers” (her words, not mine), it wouldn’t be very expensive. No callas, peonies, hydrangeas, orchids, etc… yes, ladies, I want filler flowers!! Here are the details we worked through (which she sent me with her quote, copy and pasted directly from her email):
Bridal Bouquet
Style of Bouquet: posy, gathered-look of ‘wild flowers’, loose structure.
Colour of Bouquet: More purple/blue flowers than white to contrast bride’s gown.
Bouquet to include: yoko ono mums, misty blue, trachellium (purple),
white spray flowers (only white flower in bouquet), single kale (purple veins), eryngium (blue sea holly), lavender, heather, herbs (such as rosemary), seeded eucalyptus, wheat (bunches of three, trimmed) a bit of greenery.
Open-stems (approx. 2” at bottom). Stems wrapped in burlap with lace details and finished with silver pushpins.
Bride will be bringing in burlap and lace for stem wrapping.
Price: $195.00
Bridesmaids Bouquets (3)
Style of Bouquet: same as Bridal bouquet, but smaller scale.
Colour of Bouquet: More white flowers to contrast the bridesmaids’ gowns.
Bouquets to include: Same flowers as bridal bouquet, but no kale, no trachellium.
Open-stems (approx. 2” at bottom). Stems wrapped in burlap WITHOUT lace details and finished with silver pushpins.
Price: 3@ $140.00
Total for Flowers $645.75 (GST inc.)
Ummm, what?? $650 for herbs, wheat, and filler flowers?!?! REALLY?? OK, well, at least the $25 consult fee got me the list of flowers right?? Because I definitely do NOT have $650 in the budget for bouquets!! Where to next?? Craigslist!! I MUST think outside the box, and find someone who will work with me to create flower bouquets, NOT wedding bouquets… because apparently there is a big difference!! Any other suggestions on how to get these bouquets done for a more reasonable price??
help!! please!!
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Categories: Budget, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Planning |
11 Comments |
June 29th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Hello!
Have you given any thought to doing your own bouquets? You can order the flowers direct from a wholesaler and save a bunch– at least so I understand! And if it’s not your biggest priority, why blow the budget? I think it’s a sweet idea to get your girls together (if possible) and help make each other’s arrangements.
Take a look here:
http://www.fiftyflowers.com/flowers/DIYWeddingCombos_274.htm
Here is one I found on google in Vancouver:
http://flowerswholesale.ca/wholesale-florist-vancouver.html
Also, I read about some flower-alternative bouquet idea which were amazing! Feathers, paper flowers, fans, parasols, crochet flowers, ornaments, candy…etc! So many options. And finally, one other idea I am in love with, really only plausible with a small wedding, is to have your guests “make” your bouquet as you walk down the aisle. meaning, guests are supplied each with a flower or two and as you make your way to the alter, you greet them and they give you the flower. Such a nice way to acknowledge your guests as you come in.
Good luck!!
Snapdragon bud.
June 29th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
While most of the flowers you have listed are basically considered ‘filler flowers’ there are a lot of different types there. This is a large part of what is increasing your costs.
As for the 30% markup over the cost of the flowers, that is primarily, the cost of the labor. Not just a for the heck of it surcharge just because you are a bride. For a bridal bouquet, it is imperative to have all the various flowers at their best on the day of the event. Due to the varied characteristics of different flower types, this may entail getting some of the desired flowers in and processed as much as a week ahead of time, while others will need to come from the distributor or wholesaler no more than 1 to days ahead of time. If the florist does not standardly keep some of the items in stock, there may be a minimum amount they have to order of it as well.
Flowers generally arrive to your floral designer in a dehydrated state and require prepping and rehydrating. Again, the process for this varies with the different flowers. It may be as simple as cutting the stems, putting in a bucket of water & in the cooler or it could require cutting of stems under water, hydration at room temperature for a period of time and then into the cooler. Some flowers will need pollen stamens removed, extensive stem preperation, etc.
Then there is the assembly time for the bouquets themselves. That loose, wildflower look you desire could take considerable time to get that many types of blooms placed in just the right ratio to give you the right look. Just as a rough guess, I’d say that would take a minimum of 5 hours to assemble the 5 bouquets. Then on the day of the wedding, the stem wraps will have to be added.
All in all, a 30% markup for this amount of labor is not at all unreasonable if you stop & really think about it. After all, your wedding jewelry that came from a jewelry store likely had a 400% or better mark up on it….
Just a few thoughts from a free lance wedding floral designer.
June 29th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Hmmm..my bouquets were $60 each for the bridesmaids…times 5 that’s $300. Mine was $150, I think, but that’s in the Boston area, where I feel like all the orices are higher except for New York.
I used a lot of Hydrangeas (hence the moniker), which are a little expensive, but really full, so you get more bang for your buck. I need to post photos of the wedding soon, but everyone complimented us on the bouquets, and I think we got a really good deal for the fullness and glamour of them.
June 29th, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Flowers are so stressful! I was completely open to anything, but knew I wanted fall colors in smaller-scale bouquets. I was completely upfront with my florist and told her honestly that I wanted beautiful bouquets, but did not have a big flower budget and asked for her help to keep cost down. My florist told me single flower bouquets (such as roses) were less expensive than multi-flowers, as when you order a rose you are practically guaranteed to be able to use it, as opposed to having to buy several mums for a fuller look. I used 12 roses, dried fall leaves, white wax flower, and berries for mine and my 4 bridesmaids had 7 roses, fall leaves, and white wax flower. 6 pew bows with 3 white roses each, 10 centerpieces each with 5 roses and fall leaves, and several white rose boutonnieres and corsages costs us less than 900, well within our budget.
June 29th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
I know some brides that went with local grocery stores. I’m not sure what is in your area… stores like Shaws, Stop & Shop, Market Basket, Wegmans, Publix, etc. I have no idea if they have a wedding mark-up but maybeyou can simply call to ask for bouquet arrangements that will be given as gifts and have a friend or family member actually place the order. I get the sense that you want to have a pretty floral arrangement but you are looking to not have this hit your budget so hard. So why not a grocery store? As long as the flowers are alive and vibrant the day of the wedding! Good luck!
June 29th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
I love flowers, but I don’t love them enough to drop a giant wad of cash just so they can die.
Have you thought about faux flowers? I’m making mine out of felt and buttons and so far I’m loving how they’re turning out. Also, since my bouquets will outlast the wedding, they’re becoming more important to me than the dress, which will hopefully save me a few dollars when I go dress shopping!
I think I’ve budgeted $40 for my bouquet (vintage button shopping on ebay is addictive…) and about $15 for the bridesmaids (4) and for the corsages/boutonnieres I’ve budgeted about $3-5 each.
It’s time consuming but they’ll be around for longer and will be more meaningful.
Just my two cents!
Best Wishes!
midwestelles last blog post..Our Reception Venue!
June 30th, 2009 at 12:40 am
Where do you live?? That seems crazy. I am getting all my bouquets, bouts, corsages, crowns, and some other for about 500. That does seem seriously overpriced!!
June 30th, 2009 at 9:21 am
wow girl, you need to think about fake flowers and making them yourself! I spent 75$ and bought enough flowers for 6 bouquets, 7 vase center pieces, like 10 boutonnieres and ended up with a bunch of extra’s that I used at the bottom of the archway. check out my pics http://joshnchels.shutterfly.com/weddingpictures I made all of my friends wedding flower pieces too http://craignsarah.shutterfly.com/ I personally like fake better because you get to keep it forever. Best prices on flowers are at Old Time Pottery, but dollar store, walmart, and the craft stores all have them. If your not creative maybe someone in your family is or one of your BM’s? You can always contact an etsy seller too
June 30th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Hi Ladies,
Thanks to all of you for your input… it is nice to hear that I am not over reacting.
@ Sally… I totally appreciate the work that goes into making bouquets. I do not mean to trivialize the time and energy that goes into creating beautiful pieces, I guess I just need to figure out if I can afford it. Thanks for your insight though. But just as a sidenote, the 30% mark-up is on TOP of the mark-up built into the retail prices… so it is safe to say the 400% you mentioned with jewellery is not far off of what the end result with the flowers is.
@ Snapdragon… yes, I did think of doing my own… and am just concerned about the time it will take. I am trying to find a balance between keeping the day of low-stress, and keeping everything affordable!
@midwestelle… I just love those button/felt bouquets!! I just don’t have the time to take that on… but they really are stunning pieces! Good luck with yours… I am sure they will turn out beautifully!!
Stay tuned for an update on my search for the affordable wedding flowers!!
June 30th, 2009 at 11:55 am
I was quite shocked at my bouquet cost at first as well! I do agree with Sally that there is much more than we realize that goes into making a bridal bouquet. For instance – my friend’s tulip bouquet had 3 DOZEN tulips in it. I was shocked! I would have assumed a dozen would do it, but no way.
My bouquet is going to have white roses and gardenias. Pretty simple. Well didn’t I just about flip when my florist quoted $300 for my bouquet? I mean….I just don’t value it that much to shell out $300. I asked her what I could do to make it less expensive, and she was quite helpful in suggesting that if she includes only 3 gardenias instead of 5, that would significantly reduce the cost. So – out go the 2 gardenias, and *poof* the bouquet is now costing me $160. I think you should talk to your florist with your price point in mind, as in “what can you do for $100″, which should help. Also, my single bridesmaid white rose bouquet is going to be $90. These prices are based on a small town in Ontario!
I have heard of people also ordering flowers from grocery stores, then paying the flower shop to arrange them, which helps cut the cost of retail stems.
Keep us posted on what you find!
October 27th, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Hello
I was online and came across this site!
I am from Scotland and design scottish thistle buttonholes for grooms and scottish thistle corsages and I am now designing scottish bouquets due to brides asking if I would make up their flowers .I made up :
brides bouquet
3 maids posies
2 flowergirl posies
5 wrist corsages for maids and flowergilrs
wrist corsage for bride
7 grooms buttonholes
2 corsages for mothers of bride and groom
cake topper with tartan ribbon
and I charged £160 (uk pounds)
they were made in silk and the couple were delighted with them and will be able to keep thier flowers forever
I also added pearl and diamantes to the flowers
so if you can find a wholesaler in usa that sells silk you will manage to make your own
I sell scottish thistle buttonholes with tartan ribbon to kilt stores in scotland so good luck with the flowers .shop around as you are right brides do get ripped of for being a bride I have brides saying I am too cheap but Im happy with what I do good luck catherine at clovathistles@aol.com