Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

mara1017 Posted: Nov 16, 2010 09:19 PM

Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

Hi Girls:

I met with Cindy at Flowers by Brian and Nigel at Pedestals. The quote at Flowers by Brian was $50 a centerpiece cheaper than Pedestals.

I liked Nigel better although I also liked Cindy. I am confused. Mainly because my best friend had used Flowers by Brian and they had brought bouquets that were dead. They did replace them before the wedding but it is disheartening that they would have even sent the dead ones.

We are paying for the wedding so every penny counts. But at the same time I want to make sure I am happy.

What do you guys think about these two vendors. All opinions welcome. If you would rather you can FM me,

Thanks so much
Mara

Suzie4 Posted: Nov 16, 2010 09:37 PM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed

i used Pedestals and cannot say enough! my flowers were STUNNING and they exceeded my expectations. If your concerned about the $ I would negotiate the price down at Pedestals they were willing to work with us. I worked with Rob.

SoInLove916 Posted: Nov 16, 2010 10:43 PM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

i was in the same boat as you are now about 2 weeks ago. I went to both fbb and pedestals on the same day. FBB quoted me a little more, but for an extra CP. (i too met with Cindy at FBB)

ultimately i chose Pedestals, i loved Nadia, she is super helpful and i negotiated a bit with somethings.
im confident that I chose the right place.
either way, you will have a fabulous florist!
good luck!!!

annabellagirl Posted: Nov 16, 2010 11:36 PM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

Posted by SoInLove916

i was in the same boat as you are now about 2 weeks ago. I went to both fbb and pedestals on the same day. FBB quoted me a little more, but for an extra CP. (i too met with Cindy at FBB)

ultimately i chose Pedestals, i loved Nadia, she is super helpful and i negotiated a bit with somethings.
im confident that I chose the right place.
either way, you will have a fabulous florist!
good luck!!!

AGREED - i booked Pedestals... Nadia!
She is awesome

LoveyDovey Posted: Nov 17, 2010 12:40 AM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

if price is your only issue, Id be totally honest with pedestals and tell them listen we want to use you but FBB told us theyd do same thing for 50 less...Im sure they will come down!

IheartDanger1023 Posted: Nov 17, 2010 07:38 AM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

Posted by Suzie4

i used Pedestals and cannot say enough! my flowers were STUNNING and they exceeded my expectations. If your concerned about the $ I would negotiate the price down at Pedestals they were willing to work with us. I worked with Rob.

The same, but I worked with Nadia. The flowers, especially how they set up the ceremony room at JT were breath taking!

futureMrsJSL Posted: Nov 17, 2010 10:01 AM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

I was a Pedestals bride and I worked with Chris. He was great, especially after I had originally been booked elsewhere & it was like 3 weeks before my weddings. My flowers were beyond gorgeous and they are so creative and really listen to what you want at Pedestals.

AdriandSteve Posted: Nov 17, 2010 10:17 AM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

Posted by Suzie4

i used Pedestals and cannot say enough! my flowers were STUNNING and they exceeded my expectations. If your concerned about the $ I would negotiate the price down at Pedestals they were willing to work with us. I worked with Rob.

ITA! I booked with Rob but ended up working with Christopher Michael.

ewecki825 Posted: Nov 17, 2010 10:22 AM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

I fell in love with Pedestals right away and booked with them. I think that you can negotiate with them and get them to lower the price or throw in some extras.

pjc92980 Posted: Nov 17, 2010 10:33 AM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

i met with nigel too and loved him...unfortunately his customer service stunk and so we booked with FBB instead. It took over a week to return my call (leaving 2 messages) and i was calling to BOOK HIM! Needless to say, even though i liked him and thought his ideas were creative, it was most imp to me was having a vendor i felt comfortable communicating with. my concern was before the wedding i have changes to make and i cant get in touch with him. so i went wtih FBB and used some ideas i had from pedestals. FBB has great reviews and it is unfortunate your friends flowers were delivered dead but at least they were there to rectify the situation. with my experience with pedestals i would be concerned they wouldnt replace them for me! If you are getting the same exact thing from both vendors I would say go with the less expensive one. $50 per CP is a huge difference. so talk to pedestals, see if they can match the price and if not go for FBB

ItalianBella1122 Posted: Nov 17, 2010 11:23 AM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

I booked with FBB. They had done my best friend's/BM's wedding in fall 2008 and everything was fresh and stunning and they were great to work with (even as far as changing your mind a million times....they wont rest until they get it just right for you, in my experience).

alexb Posted: Nov 17, 2010 11:39 AM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

My vote is Pedestals.... they originally came in over my budget and I asked Rob if he could work with me on the price. He gladly negotiated with me.

Try to get the price lowered before going to another place. It's your day and you should feel 100% confident in someone's work.

Posted by mara1017

Hi Girls:

I met with Cindy at Flowers by Brian and Nigel at Pedestals. The quote at Flowers by Brian was $50 a centerpiece cheaper than Pedestals.

I liked Nigel better although I also liked Cindy. I am confused. Mainly because my best friend had used Flowers by Brian and they had brought bouquets that were dead. They did replace them before the wedding but it is disheartening that they would have even sent the dead ones.

We are paying for the wedding so every penny counts. But at the same time I want to make sure I am happy.

What do you guys think about these two vendors. All opinions welcome. If you would rather you can FM me,

Thanks so much
Mara

mara1017 Posted: Nov 17, 2010 11:46 AM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

Thanks so much girls.... Keep the opinions coming!

I am really hoping that I can negoatiate Pedestals down (especially since so many of you are raving about them!) because I loved Nigel and I think he got what I was looking for.... Different/modern but nothing too crazy!

I hate this I am great at negotiating for others (I am a lawyer) I am just so bad at it for myself.

I have to keep reminding me that the economy sucks and there is definitately something for a company to have a contract so far out (I am a 2012 bride).

ewecki825 Posted: Nov 17, 2010 11:56 AM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

I would just call and tell him that you really want to use them but FBB gave you a lower price and you are going to go with them if they can't lower their price. It can't hurt to try.

mara1017 Posted: Nov 17, 2010 04:59 PM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

bump

thefloreswedding Posted: Nov 17, 2010 11:01 PM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

my vote is for FBB only b/c i went to pedestals and they were very pushy with me and wanted me to sign right away, they said that 'the date will be taken soon', and we really wanted time to think about it.......Pedestals work is beautiful but so is FBB....my guess is continue getting polls LOL

CosmoLover Posted: Nov 17, 2010 11:45 PM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

Hands down, Flowers by Brian. I met w Pedestals, did not get a good vibe and when I read all the reviews from former LIW brides who used them - there were many more 'bad' reviews about Pedestals than FBB.

Any florist could screw up flowers - but honestly, the percentage of that happening with FBB seemed to be less than the other florists I met with.

I was very happy with my flowers- pics of my CPs and bouquet are in my albums.

saralee1978 Posted: Nov 17, 2010 11:52 PM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

My vote is for Pedestals. I never felt that bad vibe some others described in the wedding process. My flowers were gorgeous the day of, the deliery guy came an hour early and explained what everything was to me. They also did the ceremony flowers and the drapery in my RH. Check my album for pics.

P.S. centerpieces are still alive and I was married 11 days ago.

justnicethings Posted: Nov 18, 2010 09:58 AM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

my SIL booked with FLowers by Brian. She said everything seemed ok until she saw her centerpieces which were horrible and mostly dead. she warned me against using them.

my sister used pedastals and it went off without a hitch.

ravekpl Posted: Nov 20, 2010 02:26 AM

Re: Florists - Opinions Needed- FBB or Pedestals

I'll be meeting with Flowers by Brian today (as well as Jack&Rose)! My BM says Pedestals was taken off their recommended vendors list due to 'business reasons' but I've seen their website and they have some really nice stuff!

Is there a 'consultation fee' for first-timers who want to check out the florist and talk about ideas and price? Are there generally fees for all florists? (so that I won't be surprised if they ask for $ after we talk to them haha) What's the price range of a consultation?

I know they will ask what my budget is and I wouldn't want to tell them a budget of $1000 when the avg rate is $4000?! Help! I am so clueless. I'm thinking a rough estimate of 10 centerpieces, 6 bouquets, 7 boutenierres and 4 corsages?