I met with Sharon Lange today and absolutely loved her!! I probably have FM'd most of the brides on here that are using her, but I just wanted to get some other opinions, especially of those who have shopped around for their florist. I had originally told her I wanted a budget of $2500-3000 and she said it was unrealistic for what we were wanting/thinking. Mind you she was the first florist I met with, but b/c I loved her, I just don't know if I should even bother going anywhere else.
She quoted us $3400 for: 20 CP (hi and lo mix) with petals and candles, 6 BM bo-ks, 1 Jr. BM bo-k, roughly 10 boutenieres, 1 bridal bo-k, 3 corsages, an arrangement for the place card table (which I may just scrap), some floating arrangements for 1/3 of the cocktail hour tables and petals for the others with a votive, rose petals for my FG and cones, and flowers for the cake. I believe it originally came to about $3800 and she took money off. Does this sound reasonable? Am I stupid to not look around? I am going back there on Thursday to see the sample CPs and BM bo-k. Is it normal to do that and not book? I would feel terrible. She was so sweet. Thoughts?
P.S. Sorry so long...
BNBride60
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What kind of flowers?
AllJoy
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You should check out Flower Barn in Seaford. They are a vendor on here. Mike is great. He will work w/your budget.
kellygirl
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Posted by Jess125483
What kind of flowers?
The CPs are gerber daisies with this Bell of Ireland Green thing and grass like greenery
The BM bo-ks are roses and green berries
My Bo-k is a mix of callas, roses, ranucclias, and something else that I can't remeber
Cocktail hour is gerber floating in water
place card is rose arrangement with petals
rose bouteneires
calla lily for FH
orchids or roses for corsages
Am I missing anything?
tbone66
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Sounds about right.
emcheung
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i don't think it's too unreasonable considering you're asking for a lot from her.
Daisy Bride
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sounds a little high. Maybe you should get another quote just in case. See how she does your centerpiece and if you love it it's worth it
BNBride60
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You should priobably get another quote. I am going to my first appointment on Friday, so I'm not an expert, but your quote sounds pretty good to me for what you're getting. But still, it never hurts to get a second opinion.
Kris10546
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FYI I would ask Cathy at the bridgeview because I am 99% sure that she said they provided votives on all of the CH tables so that is an expense that is already paid for!
redvelvet
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i visisted with Sharon a couple months ago and she was very nice. she is very animated and i could tell she knew her stuff. her quote for me was on the low side...but i went to 4 florists. i think you should atleast go to 1 or 2 more to get a feel for the market. i didn't end up going with her b/c at that point i was trying to go with my gut feeling. i am using Flower Michele. but u def should have someone to compare prices to. HTH go with your gut!!
jtgarsik
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i think u should shop around a little bit....and if u DO find a lower quote - bring it to her & say you'd really like to use her, but you'd really like her to meet the other price. usually works like a charm!!!!
jennd311
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yes, what kind of flowers? I am getting just about the same amount of 'stuff'. All my flowers are roses .. and all the CP's are low with a variety of fall colored flowers.
I would get other quotes .. I am working with Flower Barn in Seaford and I was quoted $1700. IMO you should look around, you dont want to end up kicking yourself later on
BoxOfRocks
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Yes, visit other florists to get a feel for prices. If you still like the first one, use the other bids to negotiate with her.
As far as your scope of work, you could also reduce the price by not using calla lilies--IIRC, they are expensive. Orchids are too, but it looks like they don't make up too much of the job. Making your high centerpieces lower, either to medium or all low, will also make a difference.
nycgirl79
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That sounds about right, but I'd visit Flower Michele before you book anything - John is awesome!
LuckyMe
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I think you should shop around just in case. You never know and there alot of good florists out there. We didnt go with them but I loved Flower Michelle(Barbara). Also Laurie at LA Blossom. It doesnt hurt to ask and then maybe bargain with the florist you like once she sees you have a better offer. Good Luck!
daniebc16
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I don't think it is totally unreasonable, however, I would definetely shop around, I suggest making appointments with various well reputated florists, give them the same list, with the same flowers and see how they price it out. I also say go with whoever you are most comfortable with.
PS> We are using With All My Heart - located in Wading River, they are a vendor here I am getting something very similar to you, not as many centerpieces, also, for the centerpiece table, they are putting a low centerpiece from the reception table there and moving it back once everyone has their cards, its an easy was to save some money...we are also doing high and low and are paying under $3000... Good luck!
