Floral Budget

Are YOU being realistic? Fourteen centerpieces is a lot. Flowers themselves can be pricey too.

Maybe it's that particular vendor. I haven't had that happen. Do you have to work with them?

The budget is the budget! What's the point of these people coming up with ideas that are above your max? It's just a waste of time on EVERYONE'S part. Are you particular to this florist? I say look for others just to see if someone else won't be so much of a headache to you.

Is she giving you an itemized list, like the cost for each bouquet, centerpiece, etc.? If not, request one, it can help you see what is driving the cost up. Also ask about switching flowers for a cheaper type or what not.

Maybe pick a different type of flower? Some cost much less than other types.

Thats what happened to us. On our first consultation, I told her right away I want to keep table centerpieces to under $50 each. She created a design and quoted us $65 each. It may not seem like a lot, but if you need centerpieces for 20+ tables, then it adds up. On the second consultation, we scaled back a lot and she worked with us better on budget. We came out to $100 under on the flower budget which was $2K. And the only DIY I'm doing is bringing crystal beads to add to my table centerpieces that she will hang for free.

You just gotta haggle and make the vendor work with you.. whether it is with flowers, cake, or decorations...

The centerpieces are predominantly the candles I am providing with about 4 stems of Hydrangea and a couple ranunculus and Peonies in a small container I am providing. No, I am not set on this florist, it is just that I keep running into this issue and I find it ridiculous that they ask for a budget and keep exceeding it every time.

Peonies are expensive. I wanted that flower, and then switched to "garden roses", which are VERY similiar. Google them!

Flowers add up and hydrangea and peonies are not cheap. I told my florist my vision and her initial quote was way more than my budget. We made some revisions and tweaks and were able to get it price down to what I was comfortable with. Everything adds up, but after reviewing the final proposal I feel that I was able to get the look of the centerpieces and decor I wanted even if it wasn't the exact flowers I envisioned in the beginning. Definitely have to be flexible. Maybe she can provide you different options for the peonies since those are very expensive. Maybe discuss "filler" flowers that are beautiful yet inexpensive to help your centerpieces look lush without spending a whole lot.

That is asking for a lot. It's not a matter of haggling, it's a matter of having a realistic idea of what you can do on the budget you want to have. Wholesale flower prices are not that different for any florist; a $4 peony head is going to be the same for any florist you look at.

In my neck of the woods, every bridesmaids bouquet is 75-100,, bridal 100-300, and even the least expensive centerpieces (think tubes, water, floating things) are going to be 30.00. It all adds up, and someone has to bring it and set it up.

I agree with the other ladies, I think what you are asking for is quite a bit. I am using the exact same flower (peonies, ranunculus , and hydrangeas) and my wedding bouquet alone is over $300. 14 centerpieces along with the other bouquets is extensive.

Like Celia said, I don't think its about haggling, its about realistic expectations. Maybe selecting different flowers will help with the budget.

Get quotes from different florists. But first make a list of what you need to you get quotes for the same exact things. I got quotes from 4 vendors, what I asked for:

1 Bride Bouquet

7 Bridesmaids

2 Write corsages

11 Boutonnières

2 Large urn arrangements(to be used at ceremony and then at the card table and guest book table)

15 table centerpieces

1 sweetheart table

One vendor quoted me $3K (with set up and delivery), the second one $3800, the third one $4200. I am still waiting for my last vendor for a quote, but I have a feeling that the vendor that goes over my budget by $500 is going to get the job.

I personally think the florist should know straight up if that is possible or not! They should be able to tell you it's just not possible for them is how I feel. If 1,500 is your budget then I would stick to it. For now on though I would just call places and ask how much is it going to be for XYZ with out talking about your budget. IF it's too high ask what are cheaper alternatives.

The flowers you chose are expensive and personally I think what you are asking for is A LOT.

I'm not very picky with my flowers, and I'm spending about $800 in the end.

I've gotten a florist for centerpieces only - that's about $500 for 2 hydrangea and 2 white roses in 18 centerpieces. The florist I'm working with has been great. She met with me and when I told her my budget, and gave her a few sample pictures, she came up with something I loved.

I'm ordering my bouquets online though Sams Club. Their white collection is about $300 and has great reviews. And if I run into a problem with the flowers, I'll just go to Cost Co or Sams Club (I have a cost co membership, my mom has a sams club) and buy bouquets there and wrap the stems in ribbon. I'm not worried.

If she is quoting based on what you want, then if course the price is different. If you keep giving different budgets, then maybe they know you are not being straight up with them. I gave my florist the photos of what I like and a budget. They told me if I wanted those things, then it would be more than my budget. I raised my flower budget to get what I wanted. They were willing to use different flowers that cost less but they were important to me.

Just go back and remind her of your budget. Ask her to show you what she can do for your budget - it will just mean giving up the flowers you have picked.

I got a similar package for $1500. It's possible keep looking... I'm using a vendor my RH recommended.

Sara, my wedding was last Saturday. I did my own flowers and I had hydrangea, peony, and carnations. I can tell you it is an immense amount of work. I did 15-20 centerpieces, but I did not do anything complicated just pale colored marbles with water and a little arranging to balance them all. I made 4 or 5 bouquets and 5 corsages. I gotta tell you... it is A LOT of work. I had two people help me for over 4 hours Friday night and three people for about 3 hours the day of. If you combine all their time that is over 20 hours!

Also, we ended up freezing my bouquet (it literally was an awful brown frozen mess) because hydrangeas and peonies are very, very fussy flowers. They are both very delicate and only like certain temperatures, foods, and conditions. You will be glad you hired someone knowledgeable to handle those things they are difficult!

I am not sure what you have asked the florist to quote, within your budget.

You need to understand that not all flowers are "in season" during your wedding month. So, if you are asking for particular flowers, and they are out of season, you costs will go up.

You do seem to be asking for a lot, for a small amount of money, at least where I live.

Bottom line, you need to tell her your dollar limit and let her tell you what she can do within that budget. Do not tell her what flowers you want, just the dollar amount and colors. See what she comes up with.

I agree with the other ladies you might need to rethink your flower choices. In my area peonies are upwards of about $25 a stem. Call your florist and tell her the budget has changed and while you love the look of hydrangea and peonies you can no longer afford them. Ask her to design something with a similar look at a lower price point. I am always amazed at what my florist (I have used her for several events) can do with just a budget and a general idea of what you want.