So since we were going to the Bridal Extravaganza in Melville yesterday, we made our appt. with Flowers By Burton too.
*This is NOT meant to offend anyone that has used Burton's or will be using them in the future.*
Well, they were nice enough to accomodate us even though we were late for our appt (BAD LIE traffic), but I have to say, I was not thrilled with our meeting. Besides the fact that she started off by saying that she wouldn't deliver to Manhattan (which is where I live and where the church is - but later said they'd do it for a higher delivery charge), the most important thing is price and they were over $1,000 more than Verbena Designs for the SAME EXACT thing. They were even more than the most expensive quote we got which was from Flowers By Brian - Burton's was about $400 more than them! She suggested that I could save $100 by having her deliver all my church flowers so that I can have someone take them to the church, put them on at the altar and on all the pews (um NO). She also said that she won't guarantee that they'll put flowers on the cake, but they will at least drop them off so that someone at the hall can do it.
Wow, I was really really shocked. I have read tons of reviews on here that say how Burton's is so reasonable because they don't charge by flower type, just by the amount of flowers. Well, I am using Hydrangeas which are my favorite flower, but if you're familiar with them, you know that they are very full flowers so you don't need as many stems of hydrangeas to fill out a centerpiece or bouquet as you would with roses or anything else.
The reason I'm posting this is so that you all hear a different perspective. I'm sure they're great - and actually one of the pictures I brought as an example was made by them! - but they don't NECESSARILY charge you less than every other vendor. So moral of the story, don't just go by reviews on here or elsewhere - make sure you MEET with your vendors before booking (I know some girls have posted about booking vendors because they've heard they're great!).
GinaZ
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Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
Im using Burtons- but I met with adifferent person. His name is John. Also, my wedding is local so we don't have a delivery charge. I ahve heard that there are other people out there with comparable prices. Like if you are using Roses, you may find it cheaper to go elsewhere. I am using Orchids, Gardenia, Lily of the valley, and french Anemones for my ceremony and then tulips for my reception, so for me- they gave the best price. But I agree- shop around! Im sorry you didn't have a good experience with them! I hope you find some place you are happy with!
prinses777
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Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
Posted by GinaZ
Im using Burtons- but I met with adifferent person. His name is John. Also, my wedding is local so we don't have a delivery charge. I ahve heard that there are other people out there with comparable prices. Like if you are using Roses, you may find it cheaper to go elsewhere. I am using Orchids, Gardenia, Lily of the valley, and french Anemones for my ceremony and then tulips for my reception, so for me- they gave the best price. But I agree- shop around! Im sorry you didn't have a good experience with them! I hope you find some place you are happy with!
I met with John also and had an amazing experience... the quote was also around 1200 less then Flower Michelle, and around 2000 less then Flowers by Brian...
Weird...
Sorry you had a bad experience there!
portjeffbride
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Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
And here I thought I was the only one who wasn't thrilled.....
My experience (with John) was I told him what I wanted (light/soft bo-ks with celery green and cream flowers in stainless steel buckets-sort of victorian style) and he told me what I'd get (puffy / dense bo-ks with spiky dark green grass in glass cubes)
I wondered if he listened to me at all! He did quote a good price though... for what I didn't want...
MrsQ-in2007
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Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
You know, I felt it was important to make this original post because I feel like a lot of times I only read positive stuff on LIW - or really negative stuff. I think it's good to have different perspectives... and this post supports my theory... I mean I had never read anything negative about Burton's before or even that they could be expensive, and a few ladies have responded to this post stating they weren't thrilled with them for one reason or another.
It really goes to show that you just need to visit every vendor in person and see what they can and can't do for you.
That, and us LIW girls should post more often after we visit vendors!
ayadali
Posted:
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Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
I am glad you posted this. I had a terrible experience at Burton's - not the flower division but their gown division.
They ordered my gown a size too small and when I told them it looked funny they made no real attempt to alter the dress. I ended up having to make a big stink, get my money back, and have my dress made by another lady THREE WEEKS BEFORE MY WEDDING!!!!!
In retrospect, I wish I had bought my dress from RK Bridal which is only 10 blocks away from where I work. I shied away from them because of what I read on this board.
So to reiterate - use these boards as a starting point but make appointments with various vendors and go with your gut!
beachbum05
Posted:
Member since
Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
I met with Burtons, and while they DID give me a fabulous price, I was in and out of the door in 15-20 minutes. I was excited about the price though!
Then I went to Flower Michele and was BLOWN away. I didn't realize that florists actually sat down with you and picked out EVERY single flower. John was amazing. He really took the time to go over everything with me and was completely passionate about his job. We were flipping through his flower books and picking out each flower and detail. He really understood my vision... I spent an hour going over everything with him. I was really afraid to find out the price, but, believe it or not, it was about $70 CHEAPER than Burtons!
I broke out my checkbook then and there!
I really do recommend you meet with John. He is top notch and really concerned about working with each individual bride.
And as for the other FM bride on this thread that mentioned how she's seen brides who have spent as little as $1,600, I got ALLLLLL of my flowers (CH, reception, mantle decor and ceremony decor, bouquets and centerpieces including peonies) for LESS than $1600.
Its worth another trip
giggles62
Posted:
Member since
Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
Posted by MrsQ-in2007
So since we were going to the Bridal Extravaganza in Melville yesterday, we made our appt. with Flowers By Burton too.
*This is NOT meant to offend anyone that has used Burton's or will be using them in the future.*
Well, they were nice enough to accomodate us even though we were late for our appt (BAD LIE traffic), but I have to say, I was not thrilled with our meeting. Besides the fact that she started off by saying that she wouldn't deliver to Manhattan (which is where I live and where the church is - but later said they'd do it for a higher delivery charge), the most important thing is price and they were over $1,000 more than Verbena Designs for the SAME EXACT thing. They were even more than the most expensive quote we got which was from Flowers By Brian - Burton's was about $400 more than them! She suggested that I could save $100 by having her deliver all my church flowers so that I can have someone take them to the church, put them on at the altar and on all the pews (um NO). She also said that she won't guarantee that they'll put flowers on the cake, but they will at least drop them off so that someone at the hall can do it.
Wow, I was really really shocked. I have read tons of reviews on here that say how Burton's is so reasonable because they don't charge by flower type, just by the amount of flowers. Well, I am using Hydrangeas which are my favorite flower, but if you're familiar with them, you know that they are very full flowers so you don't need as many stems of hydrangeas to fill out a centerpiece or bouquet as you would with roses or anything else.
The reason I'm posting this is so that you all hear a different perspective. I'm sure they're great - and actually one of the pictures I brought as an example was made by them! - but they don't NECESSARILY charge you less than every other vendor. So moral of the story, don't just go by reviews on here or elsewhere - make sure you MEET with your vendors before booking (I know some girls have posted about booking vendors because they've heard they're great!).
I am really surprised to hear this. Sorry you had a bad experience. You wrote that you met with a she. I have never met with a she or even knew there was one in the flower dept. I have only seen John or Mike. I hope you did not meet with a girl in their gown dept.
MrsQ-in2007
Posted:
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Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
Posted by giggles62
I am really surprised to hear this. Sorry you had a bad experience. You wrote that you met with a she. I have never met with a she or even knew there was one in the flower dept. I have only seen John or Mike. I hope you did not meet with a girl in their gown dept.
I met with Jill of their flower division. She seemed knowledgeable about flowers and mentioned that she worked on the bouquet I liked and set up for that bride etc.
Either way, NOT what I was expecting from them.
sarahthegreat
Posted:
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Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
i used burtons and to say they are expensive is a stretch. we did not have cp's, and we spent well under 1k, i mean, well under.
you had a bad experience, i think its great you posted that, but i still recommened them to anyone and everyone who asks.
jackie311
Posted:
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Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
My best friend & I just booked with John from Flowers by Burton and we both liked him. I like the fact that our price includes any flower. I guess no vendor is perfect though and everyone is going to have a different experience unfortunately.
danniegirl
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Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
I was very upset when I left - Price was great and everyone was really nice but what bothered me was the condition of the flowers! I saw a sample and the roses had bent leaves and looked damaged. I said 'well that is not what it will look like on the wedding day' and the response I got was 'well that is natural'
no thanks! would rather pay $1,000 more and know I can sleep at night that on my wedding day, my flowers will not look like someone dragged them around!
Licee15
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Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
Posted by jackie311
My best friend & I just booked with John from Flowers by Burton and we both liked him. I like the fact that our price includes any flower. I guess no vendor is perfect though and everyone is going to have a different experience unfortunately.
Ditto.
nycerika318
Posted:
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Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
I actually didn't have such a great experience with Flowers by Burton. I went there today after seeing another florist who spent a significant amount of time working with me, and showing me beatiful arrangements.
Then... I went to Burton.
Mike spent about a total of 15 minutes with me and seemed very rushed. However, his pricing was amazing, and we were very impressed with what he was offering us. We also felt that he seemed flexible and nice.
We called about 5 minutes later to ask him to send us in writing what we had discussed so we could sign off and give him a deposit. A very rude woman answered the phone and proceeded to scream at my mom that 'you need to give a deposit before they will write anything up' and that they would not visit the site of my wedding to measure the area for the wedding tent, even though this was something Mike has agreed they would do for us.
I was very disappointed, especially since Burton had made such a great proposal. However, I would not be comfortable booking them after this experience of poor customer service and rude treatment. I would especially be careful after reading some of the bride's reviews on this site that describe problems with flower delivery and setup. It seemed like utter chaos there with huge volumes and a lack of personal attention for your event. Maybe that is why they are able to offer such low prices.
I realize they have been in the business for a while and my mom has even been to some weddings that they did a nice job on. However, for me, it just wasn't worth the aggravation.
emcheung
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Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
hmm, reading this post definitely makes me second guess about meeting with them. they don't seem to give you the time of day.
KSquared
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Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
Yeah I went there today and I was not impressed at all. I felt rushed and pressured and like the did nothing for me...
portjeffbride
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Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
Posted by emcheung
hmm, reading this post definitely makes me second guess about meeting with them. they don't seem to give you the time of day.
I recommend that you DO go, but only after meeting with another florist recommended by LIW girls... then you can tell if you're fine with the lower price / lack of attention... (I ADORE our florist.... she has an amazing sense of detail, and really exerts a lot of effort to exceed your expectations... sugar magnolias)
Shorty McBride
Posted:
Member since
Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
I know this is an old post, but I felt the same way about them.
I met with John - our meeting was very rushed, the flowers rose petals he was planning on giving me for the tables were just the guard petals - NOT broken up roses. (If you've never seen guard petals, they're the petals on the outside of the rose that keep the 'good' petals protected. The guard petals are removed before the rose is used.)
I had questions regarding colors, and he kept saying 'whatever you want, its all the same.' I wasn't even asking about price - I just wanted to know WHAT COLORS WOULD LOOK GOOD TOGETHER!!!
And then I got the quote....it was $300 more than all of the other florists I saw - including Flowers by Brian, Pedestals, and others typically referred to as 'pricey' on LIW.
And the office was a dump. There were papers piled everywhere, the office garbage was overflowing on to the floor and people were stepping over it. I was just so unimpressed.
Aug07OFCbride
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Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
thx for sharing!
AeroJenn
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Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
I met with Mike when we booked and I had a fabulous experience with them! They had amazing prices and he was so helpful and nice.
Everyone has different experiences -- im sorry yours was a bad one but I would still highly recommend Burtons to future brides. they've been nothing but fantastic from the beginning in my experience.
Meaghan729
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Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah
Posted by AeroJenn
I met with Mike when we booked and I had a fabulous experience with them! They had amazing prices and he was so helpful and nice.
Everyone has different experiences -- im sorry yours was a bad one but I would still highly recommend Burtons to future brides. they've been nothing but fantastic from the beginning in my experience.
I also met with mike - they were cheaper than my sisters flowers (In Full Bloom in farmingdale - where the guy from Lovin Ovin used to work) - and she had NO centerpieces and it was in 2004. I got 20 centerpieces, church flowers, ch flower, rh flowers, and all the other stuff for way under $2k.
I am a flower idiot- i honestly dont care about them at all - as long as they are pretty - Mike spend a long time with me, looking through books, he even went and made a centerpiece for me right there - and it was perfect.
and they did write something up for me, and all you had to leave was a $50 deposit.
