Baby's Breath and White Rose Centerpieces

Yes, that's a good price from a florist.

Definitely a good price

Thank you!

If that's too steep for you, have you considered making the centerpieces yourself? It's not for everyone and definitely depends on the size of your wedding, etc., but that is a simple arrangement and you could likely order the flowers for less through Sam's or FiftyFlowers.

Just a thought. But if the $50 per centerpiece is in your budget, it's always easier to let a professional do it for you!

I guess it depends on how expensive the buckets are but that seems a little high to me. Baby's breath is very inexpensive and assuming you are going with a regular rose, those are pretty inexpensive as well. Also it depends on how full it will be but that definitely seems high to me.

I haven't done any flower shopping yet but maybe you can purchase the buckets yourself and save money that way if your concerned about it? I'm sure a florist will upcharge for any type of vase.

When my step mom met with the florist, she told her baby's breath had gone up because of the increase in demand. I also noticed that it went up in grocery stores. It's still less expensive than other flowers, but I don't think it's as dirt cheap as a lot of people assume anymore. That being said, I think you're still getting a good deal. Do you have a picture?

How many centerpieces do you have? You can get 125 white roses on Sam's for $102 and 10 bunches (7-10 stems per bunch) of baby's breath for $93. Personally I think $50 is quite steep for that arrangement but I am often horrified by floral pricing.

Seems reasonable especially if you aren't DIYing it.

Liondell- assuming it takes 30 minutes to arrange the pieces- that's 2.5 hrs.

so- say she needs 5 centerpieces-

that's 250$

200 dollars for the flowers alone- and then say 12$ for each bucket thing. that's 60.

you're up to 260$- at what point are you paying the florist for her time and energy?

she's got 2.5 hrs into the project- and then she has to deliever them- which costs more time and gas- including the wear and tear on her vehicle- what about set up?

What about consults?

what about admin?

where is she going to get money to pay her bills?

you literally just said her time was - zero dollars.

I did not literally say that. Her time isn't $0 of course, but DIY is an option worth looking into if you're unsure of the florist's pricing. The flowers are available in smaller quantities--I was just giving an example of pricing. Depends on quantities and if she wants to invest the time and energy, as with any DIY project.

You said 50$ was quite steep- and I just laid out a pretty basic cost... which left the worker with no money.

Of course you can do it yourself for less- assuming YOUR own time is of 0 value to you. There is a reason you pay someone. convenience/stress/talent.

My time is of value- and there are things I'm simply not willing to do. Hem pants for example. won't do it.

I'm a fairly accomplished seamstress. I make professional grade dance costumes.

Refuse to alter my own pants. Because I feel my time is better spent else where.

It's a matter of how you value you're time. If you can honestly say you have nothing better to do- then by all means- absorb the cost of doing the job yourself. But if you can make money doing something else- or being more productive- then cough up the money and pay the artist.

Sorry if I'm sounding like an arrogant asshat but I feel very strongly about paying artists their worth. and a florist is an artist.

$50 is reasonable. As others have said, baby's breath is not as cheap as you may think it is. I was going to do something similar but to achieve the fullness, it takes a lot of stems! I looked into DIY using wholesale flowers but in the end, I think I'm going with florist. It may cost slightly more but I'm (almost) guaranteed better quality and less stress. I purchased vases ($6 clearance at Michaels) and taking them to my florist for them to fill.

I think it's reasonable, honestly.

JoRocka, I love you.

I don't know which to thank you for the first... the fact you said a florist is an artist or that my time is worth money.

$50.00 is a deal. If you get quoted less, it will show.

- Rachel (the other part of the centerpiece) I am the one that does ALL the admin/consults/etc. I have 60 hour work weeks. That costs money. It isn't a charity.

$50 is a fair price. I'm doing baby's breath, white roses, and hydrangeas for my centerpieces and they are a little more that yours plus I am providing the vases. While baby's breath might be less expensive, a healthy amount is needed if you aren't using anything else bulky (that's why I added the hydrangeas).

I'll also add that I was going to DIY my flowers since I live in LA and could get flowers and supplies for a great deal downtown in the flower district. However, after thinking about how I would properly store and transport flowers, I decided to hire a professional. Don't forget you are also paying for delivery, set up, break down, etc. My florist is taking care of my aisle decor and moving everything from the ceremony to the reception when the space is flipped during cocktail hour. IMO as much as I want to skip it to save money, it's worth every penny to have a professional do it so me, my DOC, and family and friends can just enjoy the day.

One thing with florists is that they do a ton of work beforehand and then, because flowers will wilt and die if they are created to early, the day before AND the day of the event are super stressful and busy for the florist. It's totally worth it. And, with using a florist, you don't have to do anything which is nice.