Wedding Blog
I got the price proposal and linen rental samples from our florist the other day. In a word:
WHAT???
We’re not planning on having a lot of flowers at our wedding. First, since the ceremony will take place in a garden—which will be in full bloom this spring—only altar arrangements will be necessary.
Spa Garden
Second, the reception ballroom has plenty of interesting architectural details, chandeliers, and old Southern charm, so it also doesn’t need that much embellishment.
We’re thinking of having 10 very loose arrangements with garden roses, hydrangea, veronicas, greenery, and maybe some peonies for the tables.
As I mentioned in my previous flowers post, I’m not exactly sure what they should look like, but I know I don’t want anything too manicured or labored. I had hoped that would translate to not too much work or cost.
Third, the cocktail hour will be held on the lawn behind the resort–which is lined with large and lovely hydrangea bushes–and also needs very little in terms of decoration. We’ll add some cocktail highboys that we’ll rent from the florist (who is also providing linens and chivari chairs).
On the tables, we’d like simple mint julep cups filled with one large flower like a hydrangea or peony, and a couple loose arrangements of hypericum berries, curly willow, spray roses, hydrangea, etc. for the bar area and display table.
Hydrangea in julep cups. Source
Then there are the personal flowers. For me (plain cream mini cala lilies), for the attendants (some white hydrangea), for the moms (corsages), the flower girl (pomander), and the boutonnieres for the guys.
Estimate for flowers and rentals: Over $6000.
HUH???
I soon realized that there is a lot of price gouging in the wedding industry. There was a fee of $150 to change five chair cushions (you know, the tie in the back, removable ones). There was $150 fee for moving the altar arrangements 50 feet from the garden into the ballroom… seriously? For the table linens, we’re being charged $150 rental per table. We have 10 tables. That’s $1500 for linen rental.
The mint julep cups: four in all=$100. You’ve got to be kidding me?!
Originally, I picked out a bluish-green damask called Nile Danube. It’s pretty, and has a bit of champagne damask design on the aqua background. But…
I think it’s probably too busy (and expensive). So I maybe I’ll just get a basic simple linen (in ivory or aqua), with a bit of sheen.
Apparently, we can get the linens for $9.95 per table if we bypass the florist and go directly to an online linen rental place (Dovelinen.com). That’s right, if we eliminate the middleman, we can get them for 15 times less. So we can dress all 10 tables for about $100 rather than $1500. Quite a savings.
Regarding the flowers, the florist proposed a glass bowl–I’m not liking that idea. But Mr. P’s mom has three silver vintage champagne buckets, and I’m sure we can find various others. Maybe that will cut down some of the cost. Plus, I’d rather have vintage silver than glass!
I love the idea of having different ones for each table… and they relate to the fact that Mr. P is a wine enthusiast. So, maybe the arrangements can be a little dynamic and overflowing if we use the buckets, which will give the table some shine.
When I talked it over with Mr. P, we agreed that we needed to cut the fat off of the flowers (as it were). So I described some of the cost cutting ideas we might consider, including doing the cocktail hour tables ourselves, providing our own containers for the reception flowers, handling all our rentals through a direct vendor, etc. He said he didn’t think we should have to worry about setting up and lugging things like ice buckets and flowers (if we do some ourselves). So we’ll just have to look for a different florist. The problem is that the Homestead is in the middle of NOWHERE. So… the saga continues. I will report back on what we figure out! Grrr!!!
Were you shocked by some of your initial vendor proposals? What did you do to cut the fat?
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Share this post: Flowers! Ouch!
Cripes! I realize that it’s totally different on the coasts than the Midwest, but $150 for linens blows my mind! I think there’d be a lot of brain explosions in Nebraska if a florist gave us a $6000 quote. ^_^
The champagne bucket idea is great–the bucket is so shiny and trophy-like. It’s like, Yay! Wedding trophy! ^_^
This is the reason I’m afraid to meet with a florist! Our wedding is only 3 months and 1 day away and we have yet to even speak with a florist because we are so scared of the bill!
BTW, I LOVE the antique silver idea; ignore the glass idea! Good luck!
Do you have a day-of coordinator? Because the entire reason I hired mine was to have someone, besides asking a guest, to set up the reception tables. Is there someone at the resort who could fulfill that role?
We rented linens online from BBJ Linen Rentals and saved on the cost of those. It also helps when you can provide your own containers for the flowers. As far as moving flower arrangements, can you have a GM do it or one of your parents to save the cash?
Eek! I only had a few hundred dollars for flowers. Needles to say, florists laugh at you!!! So since my colors are cream, champagne, and soft shades of blush, I hit Michaels on a 50% off flower sale and spent $200 on ALL the fake flower supplies. A little crafty here, a little crafty there, all done. I simply don’t have $1000 for real flowers. =( It makes me mad to think that the wedding industry can charge you $50+ to MOVE something. It’s not like you asked them to move a baby grand piano around =] Your venue is beautiful by the way! Pretty shmancy in my book =P
that is a LOT! Mint Julep cups in the Wedding Aisle at Michaels are only around $7?! Why 100 for 4?! nonsense!
Oh yeah, and my florist was trying to charge me a $50 transportation fee to drive 5 miles…but she was a guest at my wedding!
I have nightmares about flowers & floral quotes. Which is why I had to take matters into my own hands 
Sounds like you have some great options…it’s highway robbery, I tell ya!!
Yeah, we definitely ran into flower sticker shock. We weren’t even asking for centerpieces, and many of the quotes were above $3000. Bottom line, I searched and searched until I found a florist who totally understood our vision and was willing to work within our (totally reasonable) budget.
I knew she was the right one when she was able to accurately explain our vision and priced out the flowers to slightly under what I estimated they would cost. She is able to get some discounts that I wasn’t counting on. Plus, she’s letting me use peonies from my garden, which will be blooming at that time!
Also, is there a coordinator or someone at the Homestead that can move the floral arrangements & lay down a couple of tablecloths? There is absolutely NO REASON you should be charged that much. I understand Mr. P’s point, so if there is someone else there that can handle it for you, I’d check into that!
Some suggestions if you don’t mind:
-get rid of the decorations for the highboys. a votive will do just nicely. trust me no one will notice
-can you get someone from the venue to move the altar arrangements at no charge? or can a family member help? (same with the chair cushions)
-buy all your own ice buckets/mint julip cups etc. the venue should take care of storing them for you for the night. all you should have to do is drop them off at your florist when they want them (this is what we’re doing)
-talk to this florist and tell them you can’t pay that much. perhaps in this economy they would be willing to cut you a deal
good luck!
Yikes! That is ridiculous! Love your ideas though!!! The planners we are using works out of a shop that does the flowers, offers furniture rental and does invites! They quoted us $1000 for save the dates, I got them for $272 (custom postage and all). For invites they quoted $3000! CRAZY if you ask me! I know I can get great invites, VIA Etsy, for probably less than $1000.
Holy geez, that floral quote is practically our whole wedding budget!!
Your venue is gorgeous and I think you’re right you don’t need to add much.
Some of the charges are just ridiculous! I mean $150 to take something off the altar and bring it inside?? Surely an aunt or cousin can do that for free
DIY flowers is probably stressful and daring for a wedding, but we’re planning to do it all for under $400.
$6000 seems outrageous! Hope you find just the florist you’re looking for!
I couldn’t believe some of my quotes, either! I originally wanted to do something super simple — a single rose in a bud vase, and lots of them — very little labor required. You figure roses are less than $1 wholesale, how much can the markup be? Let’s just say that’s not going to happen….
My favorite was how it would cost over $200 more to add a few calla lillies to my bouquet, and have a single calla bout for the groom.
HOLY CWRAP! This just reminds me how incredibly lucky we are that linens are included in our very reasonable catering contract.
Your arrangements sound very simple (and elegant) and I agree that it shouldn’t cost that much. I hope your have luck finding another florist
I have to give my florist credit. Although I never told her what our budget was, mostly because it was workable, I told her we are “on a budget” and that I wanted to keep it simple. I told her my ideas and within an hour she sent me a proposal for significantly less than I feared. I should also mention that I almost didn’t contact her because of her reputation and the fact that her website questionnaire provides for a minimum floral budget of 5 grand. I loved her work, so I gave her a call and was very pleasantly surprised.
However, I did make similar cuts to those you have made. My BM bouquets that I picked would be nearly $100 each, uhm No! So I asked her to create a similar aesthetic and keep to my original budget…done! She never made me feel “cheap” or unworthy of her time. As for linens, we are getting them through our caterer. What I really want are the silk tablecloths, but we are getting cotton in a similar shade and it will create the same look. Plus, it will save us nearly $600!!! Just on linens!!! I’m fairly confident that noone will come to my reception and think, “OMG, I can’t believe she didn’t get silk tablecloths!!” For me, its been about acheiving the same look at a fraction of the price, but isn’t that everyone’s goal?? Good Luck!!
UnfortunateLY, for here in NYC a quote like that is not completely out of left field. Are there reputable, quality florists in the area that will do a good job for less? Would you be interested in doing with less flowers? For the florist I did a ton of research on good lower cost florsits and made sure to only talk to those. I couldn’t bring myself to talk to anyone I thought would we way out of out price range. Also would it be possible to scale back some of the flowers? Maybe some DIY?
I feel you, Miss P. We are in the middle of florist negotiations, too. Our florist is great. That’s not the problem. The problem is figuring out how to play with the budget, but not scrimp too much. We are cutting the fat by bargain hunting for things like votives, antique lace, and urns. With 250 guests, this won’t be easy, but my florist really wants to help us keep to our original budget.
Flowers and rentals add up very quickly. I’m confident that you and Mr. P can trim that fat!! Good luck!!!!! (Oh, and don’t listen to vendors who tell you “You need to be spending X amount of dollars” or “You can’t do that yourself” because that’s nonsense!)
wow that is amazing and unbelievable. I think you have some great ideas to cut the costs, you will be so glad you did.
That’s a huge bummer, but everything is so, insanely beautiful!!
This website might really help you out with your silver pieces. I’m sure someone will always want to buy them off of you after <– I know I would
http://www.wholesaleflowersandsupplies.com/store/c/836-Silver-Containers.html
They also make plastic versions by the case: http://www.wholesaleflowersandsupplies.com/store/p/1557-Mint-Julep-Cup-Vase-Small-One-Case-of-36.html
Sticker shock for sure! I’m doing my flowers very similar to yours for about $1500-$2000. The florist works out of her own home, which I’ve heard really brings down the price. I guess I can’t complain too much though. The flowers for my brother’s wedding are…..wait for it…at the $40,000 mark. Ridiculous and ouch!!!
This is why I nixed fresh flowers for our wedding I too hired a DOC specifically to help set up/take down our reception venue.. and have no regrets thus far. Also, your venue is beautiful!!!! I think by just adding minimal decor- you could probably put together everything yourself and hire a DOC to take care of the rest. Good Luck!
That quote is ridiculous! I got married in DC - not exactly a cheap place — and the cost of upgraded linens (beautiful pintuck satin chocolate linens…sigh) was only $13 per table!!! Your floral quote also sounds incredibly high. Do you have to work with this florist due to an exclusivity contract with the venue or something? If not, consider shopping around for different quotes — even if you don’t ultimately go with another florist, yours might back off the pricing if you can show her that there are other vendors out there who are willing not to gouge you.
Rentals and flowers can be expensive. When I was looking for linen, I saw up to $30 per table…that was insane. Luckily, I found it for $9. What a difference. Your location is really pretty as it is and doesn’t need much. I hope you can find a reasonable florist.
If you were asking for elaborate flowers, that would be a reasonable quote.
Based on what you’re asking for, the quote SHOULD be around HALF of that. Probably less. That quote is ridiculous. I would find a different florist.
I just gotta say, that garden is to murder for! Gorgeous! You can definitely cut corners by getting some of the supplies yourself. And you’re right, your venue really doesn’t need much. Good luck!
Oh man, my quote-trauma happened over rentals too! I darn near had a heart attack when I opened the friendly e-mailed quote (after a fun site visit!) that said renting three tents, 15 tables and 80 very low quality plastic patio chairs was going to cost us around $5000. **Tears immediately followed**
I would say the biggest lesson to take away from your experience is that if you are willing to put up with the work/effort/potential stress of dealing with several vendors directly, you’ll save on a lot of special labour charges. A florist might tell you that she “can” get something for you, but if isn’t part of her normal services, and her own inventory, you’ll surely find some budget flab! I didn’t end up taking advantage of ANY of things vendors said they “don’t normally do but could certainly facilitate for me”. You guys are on the right track with containers–I’ve heard florists suggest that couples provide their own containers if they are trying to be more reasonable about the floral budget. When I investigated coloured linens and overlays it was going to cost us nearly $100/table too. Consider a central table square, or runner if you want to reduce the cost and busy-ness of your original linen, but still maintain some contrast. Good luck!
HOLY CRAP! That seems so expensive. In addition to trimming the fat, can you trim the florist? I would get a quote from another florist.
I went to several florists and the prices were insanely different. Flower prices CAN be expensive, BUT it really sounds like yours is overcharging you. I would keep looking for someone else, someone who is more into what they do and create than the price tag attached to it. Good Luck!
Your venue is SO gorgeous! It hardly needs extra decor! I agree, flowers and rentals are SO overpriced. Just imagine the added costs when you have to get the flowers shipped to a tiny Caribbean island! I love your idea of renting linens on your own and bypassing the florist for the julep cups. You can find stuff like that at antique stores and keep them for yourself, instead of renting them for $25/apiece!
@SpinningJenny: @teris: haha! wedding trophy indeed!
@Lina: @miss_norris: @Lillindy: @Miss Quiche: Yes, we have a coordinator (who comes with the resort). Her main job is to shake her head and say no to me. But you’re right, I should check to see if she and her crew can handle moving the altar arrangments (and maybe even putting together the cocktail flowers–doubtful). At the very least–and you guys make a good point–I should ask GM to move the arrangements.
@ejs4y8: @mmc4474: @LatteLove: @caribqueen: I WISH I had a (good) DIY bone in my body! I commend you guys who can do your own flowers. I want to learn more about arranging and gardening…Good for you guys and good luck to you on your projects. I’m so exasperated!
@doctorgirl: @Emilydll: @ribride: Hopefully, I’ll be as luck as you guys and find a reliable and fairly-priced florist!@Habibi:
@domesticandfabulous: @caribqueen: Thanks for the suggestions! Will definitely look into each of them!
@ChicagoBride09: GET OUT! 40k?!
@Miss Glitter: @bluegreenjean: @bluegreenjean: @West Coast Bride: Kinda glad I’m not alone in this!
@markyk: @Mary Kate: @Miss Kitten: You guys are right!The price is so outrageous. I’m not even renting a tent! So something needs to be done, whether it be eliminating flowers, DIY, finding a new florist (and nixing this one @Mrs. Cookie:)…
I’m also in the DC area and have just been appalled by the florist proposals I’ve been getting. I’ve had two friends get married at The Homestead recently who used Richmond, VA florists and just paid the travel fee and saved a ton of money by not using the floral vendors recommended by the Homestead. Richmond florists tend to be pretty great because there are a lot of them in the area, and it’s a relatively affordable city, just in general. If you think you have enough time, you should definitely get some quotes from Richmond vendors!
that is obscene. I found the website that distributes the linens that I was going to rent, and they rent it for 5 times more too! I’m buying organza overlays and then going to repurpose them as curtains in my bedroom. For $5 each!
http://www.wholesalechaircover.com/ they’re having a sale on organza overlays and linens, you should check it out. They will also custom cut their tablecloths to any fabric on their site. Check it out!
I live in Richmond too, Miss Dolce, and I just got back from a florist who actually said my budget was more than enough, SHOCKING, since every other florist just poo pooed me. We’re doing our centerpieces ourselves, a friend has an account at a wholesale flower warehouse. When you realize you can get 20 enormous roses there for $9 there, it makes you want to smack florists.
Posts like this make me happy that I’m planning to DIY our flowers.
i didn’t read through all of your other commenters advice but i would also recommend revisiting the types of flowers you would like. hydrangea and peony are on the higher end of the scale when it comes to $/stem. just a thought.
and in all honesty, Homestead is so gorgeous that you could get away with bouquets & bouts and people would still rave about how beautiful your wedding was.
I think my jaw hit the floor when I saw that number. EGADS that’s highway robbery!
I haven’t received the proposal from our florist yet… and it’s driving me NUTZO! I’m prepared for that shock though… (we’re not having many flowers, and I know the florist I want to go with is expensive so I’m hoping that my “yikes that’s high but I can handle it” is acurate and I don’t end up with an “Oh.My.Goodness. I need a paper bag” amount.
Oh and I LOVE the champagne bucket idea - it’s beautiful!
@Miss Quiche: @Miss Kitten: Also, I can NOT imagine how expensive it is to import flowers to a tiny Carribean island!
@MissDolce: Good suggestion on Richmond! Will definitely look into it! Thank you!
you might look into supplying your own mint- julep cups if you still want them.
I wanted a champagne colored fabric backdrop behind my head table. Nothing too extravagant . I got a quote for $ 3,500!!! They also informed me that if they couldn’t pick it up from the venue 3 days later they would charge an additional fee of $200. AND since it is a holiday weekend there would be an extra delivery charge.. WHAT?!?!?! I ended up calling a different company who charged $635 for everything. I still think it’s not worth the money. I’ll save it for the honeymoon!
HOLY MOLY!! I had no idea flowers and linens cost so much! What an eye-opener!
Fortunately for me, FFIL is a florist and is doing our flowers as a wedding gift… I feel especially thankful for this after seeing these numbers!
Because of the scenery of our venue, we have chosen to forego the flowers at the reception. Just a simple non-flower DIY centerpiece. I’m only paying for bouquets for me and my MOH, bouts for my FI and his Best Man, and corsages and bouts for our parents. No one will remember the flowers anyway, so we’re just leaving them mostly out (to accomodate everything else in our plans!).
I also just trimmed $1200 off our budget by finding my dress on ebay. NWT is awesome. So is the “Make an offer” button!
Wow, that is a pretty crazy quote. Good for you for trimming that fat!
Holy buckets!! You’re right, there is a lot of price gouging - you’d be amazed at how much prices go up once the word ‘wedding’ is mentioned. I never thought to look for online rental places - that’s a great idea! At any rate, I’m lucky enough to have a family friend who’s a former florist, who’s arranging our (warehouse-purchased) flowers for us.
wow and ouch! to minimize costs for my wedding, i’m going to create the centerpieces myself using milk glass vessels and succulents. for the aisle at the church, i’m going to make little hanging vessels using mason jars, strong wire and ivory silk dupioni. those will be filled with loads of queen anne’s lace. they will be transferred by family or friends from the church to the lounge area in the restaurant where we’re having the reception. i’m not doing any bouts for the guys and will probably buy silk corsages for the moms on etsy. i’m not a diy person but, in order to cut costs, i’m becoming one! much luck!
Yikes!
That is almost as much as our whole package at the reception venue!!!!
Hope your cost cutting ideas work and you end up with a more resonable and not jaw-dropping price!!!
I just want to chime in with a different perspective since so many people are commenting on how expensive that is. My wedding is going to be in NYC, so, yes, things are more expensive here, but $6000 actually seems like a great deal for what you wanted. The cheapest proposals I received were more than double that and we are having a very small wedding.
Now, if this proposal of yours turns out to be significantly higher than what other event designers quote you, then obviously you should go with the cheaper ones, assuming that you think their quality standards will be as high as the company that provided this proposal.
Your venue is very pretty, good luck!
eeesh!!! The linens at our venue are around $20 per table for the least expensive plain ones, so I have been hunting around too. We saved a ton of money by providing our own vases to the florist!
If you want to do things yourselves instead of finding a different florist, you might be able to find a day of coordinator who would take care of setting up for a reasonable amount. Good luck!
OMG.. I’m scared! We’re about to get our quote.. our lady just keeps saying we’re gonna get a good deal. I don’t know what this means!!! ahhh
OMG! I saved some major money by using vintage silver pieces collected from my family members too! I think it will look so unique and chic. Check out Artfool’s blog…he has some photos that are probably similar to what you are looking for in these vintage containers. Check out the last arrangement on the right in the top row: http://blog.artfool.com/2009/03/06/moments/. I think it is v. close to what you want. His photos totally inspired this idea for me!
yikes! that is a crazy figure for what you’re getting and I definitely agree that their prices for linens are outrageous! Not that I agree with it but I “get” how they are charging you to move the altar pieces since it IS time but I also imagine they’re charging you something ridiculous for delivery and set-up as well. ugh! Good luck searching for other florists and most definitely go with linens from elsewhere!
Hehe, I cut the fat by cutting the vendor! One florist told me his cheapest centerpieces are $100 each…what?!?
I’m suffering the same pains you are! Argh. And mine doesn’t even come with linen rentals. Apparently, that “just in from the garden” Saipua/Ariella Chezar look involves A. LOT. OF. WORK.
You can at least cut down the cost by buying your own containers. Jamali.com and Saveoncrafts.com have tons of mint julep cups and rococo urns you can get for a lot less than what your florist is charging you (and what you can get from stores). Also try the Christmas Tree Shops and Homegoods — the latter had a ton of mercury glass vases for around $10. The bonus of buying these containers is that you can at least let your guests take them home.
Wow, that’s outrageous. My advice - DIY! Go to a farmer’s market, pick out your flowers, order vases online, and have family members assemble it the day before or the morning of.
ahhhh
ok let me start by saying that linens and chair covers will add up to half of your final decorating cost. Linens run anywhere from $15 - $45 per each one. Usually, I see $25 - $35 ones used the most. They will also charge you a delivery fee and pick up fee plus a set up fee, so it all adds up really really quickly. My recommendation is that you should get flowers and linens and chair covers from two or 3 separate locations. Why? because you can control your cost better.
I say get linens ordered and have one of your friends pick them up day before the wedding. Placing linens on the tables is not that hard I am sure you have few friends that wouldn’t mind doing that. That would already cost you around $150 that you don’t need to spend. The same thing with returning linens, after wedding package them and have one of your friends drive them back to the rental place. Chair covers if you get from a smaller company it costs way less too so keep that in mind.
Now flowers. I always prepare packages for my clients. I don’t charge silly fee for moving an arrangement or placing 5 more candles. In my opinion, based on what you wrote you will pay around $2000 to $2500, with your bouquet and 4 bm bouqets ( you didn’t mention how many you have) and everything. Keep in mind the more bouquets and arrangements you have the more expensive it will get. Also if you cut down on variety of your flowers it will get cheaper too. In wholesale the more you order of one kind the cheaper it gets.
Based on my experience $6,000 is high and you can easily fit into $4,000 with everything. It it based on the flower shop tho. The more prestigious it is the bigger your bill will be.
Are you getting quotes from florists who also do rentals, or from event planners who also do flowers? You might try looking into event planners, who would still do a great job on the flwoers, but might have better pricing on the rental items.
If you end up supplying your own flower containers - don’t forget to scour the flea markets for vintage silver items at (hopefully ) a steal!
@Miss Hot Cocoa: Thanks, Miss HC! Your suggestions will surely help many of us (including me!!)
I was as shocked as you were, Mrs P! So shocked that I proceeded to ignore the proposal for almost 2 months! I had to “cut a lot of fat” off my floral proposal…trimming down on the types of flowers, size of the centerpieces, etc. Good luck!
Not trying to add insult to injury, but the caterers at the Chgo Botanic Garden are amazing to work with–they go w/ the least expensive everything unless you specify otherwise. (And the dinnerware & tablecloths are affordable & nice looking.) And they make great suggestions (like a red rimmed chop plate to tie into our theme). There are no corkage fee or cake cutting fees either. They are so accommodating w/ no hidden extras. Plus they handle ALL rentals, returns & clean up. I AM paying $7300 for the space (I KNOW, I KNOW) AND approx $165pp (incl. bar, dinner, apps, linens, etc.), but I know it will be well worth it! I just wanted to give a shout out! You will do fine doing things on your own–outsource–& girl, do NOT let them gouge you just because they can. AND DELEGATE, DELEGATE, DELEGATE–your bridal party is happy to help move flowers, etc!
That flower and linen proposal is abso-friggin-lutely insane!! I can’t imagine spending that much for the few flowers you listed! I’d definitely go with the online linen rentals…
i’m shocked, like everyone else!
good that you have a concept in mind so you can work on creative ways to accomplish it!
a random thought: just as Alchemy worked on etsy, do you think you could craigslist someone who would be able to work with u for a better price?
tip: i personally try NOT to mention the word ‘wedding’ to vendors unless absolutely necessary. i’m saving $200/table just by saying i’m having a “family lunch” on a saturday!!
Okay, so I haven’t read any of the other posts because your blog entry “RAISED THE MOMMA BEAR IN ME”. Seriously. Do NOT under any circumstances let your florst walk all over you like that. Ask her (nicely) to pricematch what you have found or (nicely) edit those lines from your contract and ask her to revise your quote. That is rediculous. An all in one wedding stop shop like a florist who will also do linen and table rentals should be able to SAVE you money versus rip you off…
Grrrr….
OMG… I felt the same way when I received my first proposal. I thought that I would be able to go to a not so well know florist in the DC area but she turned out to be more expensive than the more known florist. I did my own research and found that you can get your flower wholesale or no purchase the vases that are being used. Flowers are just expensive!
@Katherine: yeah, that’s what I’m thinking…
@michigan bride: so crazy!
@kkimm:?@Mrs. Woody-to-be: you are VERY fortunate!
@MightySapphire: CONGRATS on the dress!! What are the centerpieces
@margaret: Those are really smart ideas! Oh…I love milkglass! Sounds like a beautiful vintage wedding you’re planning!
@Miss Taffy: @gabbydancer: @peonypink: thanks, fingers crossed. We can/will not pay $6k for flowers/rentals!
@E: yes, i would understand if it were nyc, but it’s the country. in the middle of nowhere!
@LzzNYC: good luck! i hope it’s fair!
@Miss alex: THANK YOU! That’s exactly the look I’m going for! now I have a picture to show the NEXT florist.
@Miss Bruschetta: That’s what I need to do!
@Miss Hot Cocoa: Thanks, HC! Will check these out!
@amariem25: I’m so all thumbs, but may need to do this!
@Izabela: Thanks for validating my initial shock. Your impression is especially meaningful given that you’re in the business!
@NixLapi: It’s a florist who also does rentals. I need to look into other options, as you suggest.
@Miss Latte: Yeah, I may have to change the flower idea and/or use less (even less!).
@eileen marie: Oy!! But you’re right, I keep forgetting to delegate, I mean there IS a coordinator! And of course, the attendants are there, too!
@mrspaetz: That’s awesome: A FAMILY LUNCH!!
@JennyBryde: Aww, thanks for being “momma bear”! Yes, I need to NOT go with this one!
@Tstew: grrr, flowers!!!
I’m with Cookie - I’d nix that florist. Seems like they are not worthy of your business with inflated quotes like that.
Cake and flowers were the two things that were shockingly expensive for me. I only wanted bouquets and bouts as I was always planning to DIY centerpieces, but now we’re doing it all ourselves. My mom and MIL both have huge gardens so we’re giving it a whirl.
Not most, but ALL brides experience sticker shock at the 3 main expenses of their wedding, the florist, the photographer, and the catering costs.
Shopping for wedding vendors isn’t something one does every day, so most aren’t prepared for the cost.
Linens can be rented from $9.95-$250 and up, depending totally on the fabric, not the vendor. It’s like comparing a Chevy to a Lamborghini. I agree that many wedding vendors price some of these things to make too much of a profit, but do you not value the time it takes them to order your linens and process them? While it may not seem like much time involved to put them on the tables, when you have a lot of tables, it all adds up to labor costs. For example, it takes approx. 2 1/2 hours to put chair covers and sashes on 200 chairs….but that is with a staff of 15 doing it. Multiply that and you have 45 man hours of labor.
You have chosen expensive flowers. Hyrangea can run from $5.50-$8.00 per bloom, wholesale cost, plus shipping. Calla lilies and peonies are also expensive flowers. For the average size wedding, it takes approx. 3-4 hours to just to unpack the flowers. Then there is bucket washing, the cost of flower preservatives, and cutting the flowers. It’s a little more involved than picking up a rose for a $1.00 and sticking it in a vase. Someone has to strip the thorns and leaves off that rose, wash the vase, and put the rose in the vase. Not a lot of time involved…something one could do themselves, but still labor costs involved.
Bouquets take from 20-45 minutes each to make, and depending upon the detail of the boutonniere, about 15-20 min. ea. A good floral designer earns $17-25 per hour. It’s a skill and design expertise costs money.
As for containers, someone at the florist has to spend time shoppping for those containers, placing the order, and unpacking them. After arranging the flowers in them, they must specially package them for transport and use their fuel and car to do so.
I would guess that the outrageous fee for moving the arrangements inside is simply because they don’t want to do it. If that florist wasn’t attending the wedding, you are asking them to take more time out of their day to come to the wedding and move them.
Most brides simply don’t do the math. One bride asked us to drape a huge room with fabric, do 50 centerpieces, bridal party flowers, and the church for $1,000. It would have required 1,000 yards of fabric to drape the space. At a discounted rate of $4.00 per yard, the cost of fabric alone would have been $4,000 plus it would have taken a crew, renting a lift, and 2 full days to drape it. If she had put a pillar candle and some votives on the tables herself, she would have spent more than $10 per table. That would have taken 1/2 of her budget. Then there were linens to rent, and she still didn’t have any flowers.
The $6,000 is high, but the cost wasn’t so much for flowers as it was for all that labor. If you put those cushions on the chivalry chairs yourself, you had better allot a good amount of time to do it.
You do have a gorgeous venue! You need very little to accentuate it, but a focal point for pictures is important. I agree with the votive on the coctail tables. The silver containers will be lovely. Silver brings some sparkle to the table, and reflects candlelight. The size determines the amount of blooms to look proportionate, too tall and your guests can’t see each other across the table. A pave arrangement will work better, but would only look right with roses, not hydrangea. Hydrangea needs to be full and free. Another consideration is the size of your tables. How many do they seat? Large containers are too overpowering for tables that seat 6 or less. A small mint julep cup is too small for tables that seat 6 or more.
There are many DIY ideas that will cut your cost, but pick a couple of things you would enjoy doing and leave the rest to a professional. You want to be relaxed and enjoy your wedding day.
The book, 99 Things You Wish You Knew Before You Planned Your Wedding would be a great read for you, and save you hundreds of dollars, if not thousands. You can download it at http://www.99-series.com, or order it in print at afcpam@mindspring.com
If didn’t have a single flower at your wedding it would be fabulous, because of your location!
Warm wishes for a full life of happiness.
I’m doing my own flowers to cut costs, but I feel your pain. The reception venue we are using is charging us $100 just to use glassware - That we provide!!!
I read in an article that said the florist will inflate costs mainly because they can. And they will gauge how much they can inflate it by the size of your engagement ring.
You may be able to go back to the florist and explain your budget will not allow for the quote and ask her what can be done to cut costs.
OH MY CRAP! That’s a big number!!! It’s amazing how much flowers and rentals jack up your wedding cost! 
I threw up in my mouth a little after our first consultation. My stomache was literally in my throat as we were leaving because I knew there was no way I could: a)convince my FH that this was a necessary expense. b)cut the fat enough to be able to afford it! Needless to say, we went another route.
And I would have given the florist the stinkeye in your case. There’s no way your quote should have been so high…you’re getting married in a garden! Having a remote location should not be the green-light for price-gauging.
I just wanted to say that our flowers are going to be about 3,500 and although I feel like we are getting a deal on what we ordered, we are donating our flowers after the reception, and getting a tax deduction (for making a charitable contribution).
When I went interviewing florists for my August wedding, I didn’t know what to expect. All three florists I spoke with quoted be around $3000. I was beyond shocked! I’m having an average sized wedding with around 130 people, a small bridal party… and nothing too extravagant. For where I live, this is the norm though. Your florist should be willing to help you fit in a budget though, and give you different ideas. Interview other florists even, they may give you other ideas that will be less expensive.
Having seen reports of huge costs for flowers, we were wary from the beginning. We basically decided on nonfloral decorations whenever possible. At the ceremony, we’ll have bouquets for us and the MOH, and a bout for the “dude of honor,” and no other real flowers. The chuppah is decorated with gold sashes and lighted rose garlands, and we’ll have pew bows, and that’s it for ceremony decorations.
The luncheon afterward will be at a restaurant, and we’ll use whatever decorations they have.
At the reception, we are doing real flowers from the grocery store on the cake. The flowers inside the clear acrylic cake stands will be fake. The centerpieces will be long-stemmed votive holders with acrylic diamonds and floating candles. We’ll scatter freeze-dried rose petals on the table. Total floral budget will be under $350.
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Mrs. Perfume, DC
Age and Occupation: 36, Consultant (and Part-Time Professor)
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 41, Consultant
Engagement Date: May 13, 2008
Wedding Date: May, 2009
Venue: The Homestead, Hot Springs, Virginia
About Me: I'd like to think that I'm a modern day Little Edie Beale. Only not as..."talented". More realistically, I'm a foodie who can't bake; a dancer and dilettente; an art collector with a penchant for the whimsical and subversive. I live in the city and adore the country, but not much in between. I like smart design, great craftmanship and good value. Most of all, I love the new vintage aesthetic: classic, sweet, delicate, bespoke. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for a culinary arts degree rather than a PhD; but wouldn't trade Mr. P for the world.
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