So I found the florist I want. I like him and I like his style. Problem is I am required to use him (or 3 other people) by my RH, and I don't like the price. I've seen girls get statements for what I want for half the price of what he's going to make me pay, the prices at the other places are the same or more expensive. He gave me a second contract that was closer to my price range, but still too much, and he took away some of the things I really wanted.
I'm not sure how to navigate this and find ways to make it cheaper without making it the bare bones already because I know as we get closer to the date there will be things I want to add, and he's already close to $1K over our budget.
Do you think it would be alright to show him copies of my other contracts to try to get him down on prices that he's higher but their lower on?
On a side note, he's not giving me any free-bee's with my contract (like free candles or free rose-petals) and I looked again, he's charging me $2.50 a votive candle. That seems kind of ridiculous. Does anyone know where I can buy square votive candles myself? It would save me close to $500 just for that.
Jayla127
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Re: Florist Contract Help!
I so hate when a venue will limit you to using only their vendors. I think that is unappropriate and selfish. Since the florist knows this they tend to charge more because they basically have you by the balls. I would definitely be stern and don't give in to what he is offering. Tell him you have a certain budget and don't want to go over that.
Is their anyway to express your displeasure with your venue?
You can try BJ's Wholesale for votive candles. Also, buying your own vases for your centerpieces will come out cheaper if he won't come down in price.
http://www.quickcandles.com/
egem523
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Re: Florist Contract Help!
I know this maybe crazy but what if you tell the RH that you doing 'your own flowers' Have the florist you want you deliever the flowers to you directly and bring them to the RH.
coley1027
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Re: Florist Contract Help!
wow that is ridiculous! i would definitly bring this to the attention of the reception hall AND the florist. let them know that its unfair that you are only able to use 3 florists, and because the florists are aware of this they are ripping you off! $500 for votives is beyond me, my florist isnt charging me for those, and none were any of the others i had met with. definitly talk to your reception hall though and see if maybe they can work around that rule, especially if you are being overcharged by $1000s of dollars.
Just Cindy
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Re: Florist Contract Help!
Tell the RH that you do not want to select any of the preferred vendors however the florist you will be picking has insurance and see what they say.
MaggieLuvsJoe
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Re: Florist Contract Help!
I've heard of people getting out of using the RH's recommended vendor if you tell them a family member of yours is a florist and is going to do your arrangements -- give it a try and see if you can get away with going with your own florist.
My RH makes us choose out of 2 florists as well but I was going to choose one of them anyway since they did my brothers wedding. But I definitely 100% agree that its not fair of them to do that.
MrsInglima
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Re: Florist Contract Help!
Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to do a mix of everyone's ideas and see if I can get a quote from some place else for cheaper and then give it to my sales manager to show how the other place is so much and see what can be done. If it's going to be too expensive then I'll go somewhere and see if I can do some of it myself and order some things.
