Flowers by Burton - whoah

Original post by MrsQ-in2007

Mar 07, 2007 12:58 PM

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!).

HeatherRose Posted: Apr 29, 2007 08:57 AM

Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah

thanks for the post, i have a good friend who got married 3 years ago, and swore by them, and she keeps telling me to go to them. I have an issue when you make an appointment and only get 15-20 mins, i'll be skipping them. thanks for the help, everyone!

Meaghan729 Posted: Apr 29, 2007 09:17 AM

Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah

I was there for a good 45 minutes, and was never rushed. i would give them a shot, every vendor has good and bad days.

kflan75 Posted: Apr 29, 2007 09:32 AM

Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah

Makes me wonder if they are starting to get a little greedy in the $$ dept.????
Im sorry you dealt with that-- but you are right it should be posted so everyone knows every angle...

MJDoc12 Posted: Apr 29, 2007 09:52 AM

Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah

that sux! sorry to hear you had a bad experience. nothing wrong with posting an honest take on your meeting with them. no vendor is perfect!

we used them for my wedding--and i was 99% satisified (small things on the big day made me a little unhappy). i agree they were very fast in the meetings and stuff, but i liked that. i know that most brides aren't about that at all, but i just wanted to be in and out cause i wasn't that concerned with flowers.

i'm sure you will find someone to work with!

klovess14 Posted: Apr 29, 2007 11:01 AM

Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah

I have to say that it happened to me as well. See the one thing about mine is that my wedding is almost a year after my sisters. She is using Burtons while i'm not. (Flower Michelle all the way) I met with the lady that is there and she was not working with me. She should have realized that less than two weeks earlier the gentleman owner sat with my sister and gave her a price... Here's the difference

My sister:
Bride + 9 bridesmaids
Groom + 9 groomsmen
Flower girl
Ring bearer
20-25 HIGH CENTERPIECES
and so on....

My Wedding:
Bride +4 bridesmaids
Groom +4 groomsmen
12-13 LOW CENTERPIECES
(ceramic that they would spray paint)

So all you brides are thinking big difference in price right.... NOT - only $600-$700 less

I wen't with Flower Michele becuase John was Fabulous and is fabulous every time I go to see him. He was $200 more but I also got more and now we are upgrading to high centerpieces

Burtons is great for the Dresses they beat every vendor out there with the price. I think that you need to meet with the gentleman owner (Michael) when you want to discuss flowers

Sorry so long

sarahthegreat Posted: Apr 29, 2007 11:07 AM

Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah

I used Burton's for both flowers and gown and had not one problem in either dept. we spend about 1/2 hour with John and he went over everything. Carol upstairs is great, she had the seamstress take in my half slip the day I picked up my dress. Yes, a 2 minute job, but she didn't let me leave until it fit.

I don't know what you expected from Burton's. All your flowers for nothing? I know you didn't, I'm just trying to make apoint. You can't be there all day either. I think they work on the assumption that most brides know what they want when it comes to flowers. Yes, they work with you, but if you at least have an idea, that would make things go faster.

Drv0716 Posted: Apr 29, 2007 11:37 AM

Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah

We booked with Burtons after meeting with two local florists. One gave us a more expensive quote & the other was slightly cheaper, but not as helpful & professional.

We had about a 20 minute appointment. I went in with a definite idea of what I wanted & he showed us pictures in his album of exactly what I had in mind. He was helpful in decided what color to give my maids & what to wrap the bouquets with. We are only getting bouquets, bouts & corsages, and we're using mostly roses. I can't really comment on how they'd do with more detailed work, but I'd say we had a good experience with them.

HollyMac Posted: Apr 29, 2007 11:51 AM

Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah

Thanks for sharing the info. Other brides need to know this stuff!

Princess92406 Posted: Apr 29, 2007 05:34 PM

Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah

Posted by sarahthegreat

I used Burton's for both flowers and gown and had not one problem in either dept. we spend about 1/2 hour with John and he went over everything. Carol upstairs is great, she had the seamstress take in my half slip the day I picked up my dress. Yes, a 2 minute job, but she didn't let me leave until it fit.

I don't know what you expected from Burton's. All your flowers for nothing? I know you didn't, I'm just trying to make apoint. You can't be there all day either. I think they work on the assumption that most brides know what they want when it comes to flowers. Yes, they work with you, but if you at least have an idea, that would make things go faster.

i doubt anyone was looking for free flowers, if they were, id be in on that ;)
but i do think its kinda ridiculous to say that 'they work on the assumption that most brides know what they want when it comes to flowers' when MOST people have no clue what the names are of each flower, or better yet, exactly how to acheive that look, they should be able to walk into a florist with a vision and thats it (if they have pics thats great) but if not, you should be able to explain to your florist what 'look' youre going for, and a few color choices, and have the FLORIST, 'THE PROFESSIONAL', help you to create this vision..thats what theyre there for!!
anyway i clicked on this post cause a friend of mine used Burtons who was very recommended at the time (her wedding was in 05) and she was miserable..alot of her flowers were wilted the day of, and her BO-KS were wrong..
choose all of your vendors wisely!!
what may work for one bride, may not work for you

nycerika318 Posted: May 01, 2007 05:33 PM

Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah

Just a quick follow up. Burton never called back after we left the message with the woman who worked there. Maybe the key is to not deal with her.

I guess everyone does have their good and bad experiences.

This forum has been excellent so far though; I have found 2 of my vendors through this site.

alymikewedding08 Posted: May 01, 2007 05:37 PM

Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah

WOWWWWWW I am SOOO shocked..

I went to 9 different florists.. and not only did Burtons give me the BEST price by FAR.. but they made the nicest sample!!!

I think it definitely depends who you work with and what your taste is.. but I'm shocked about the price.. hopefully you book a florist you LOVE!!

the future mrs m Posted: May 01, 2007 05:39 PM

Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah

i swear you learn so much on this board!

klovess14 Posted: May 02, 2007 12:31 AM

Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah

Try going there again and speaking to Michael (I believe), he was more helpful to omy sister than the women was to me and unfortunetly first impressions are important. I felt that she wasn't getting me. My sister said that she had a great experience with Michael. Carol is the best for the wedding dresses though. Can't complain there

MrsQ-in2007 Posted: May 02, 2007 01:08 AM

Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah

Posted by Princess92406

Posted by sarahthegreat

I used Burton's for both flowers and gown and had not one problem in either dept. we spend about 1/2 hour with John and he went over everything. Carol upstairs is great, she had the seamstress take in my half slip the day I picked up my dress. Yes, a 2 minute job, but she didn't let me leave until it fit.

I don't know what you expected from Burton's. All your flowers for nothing? I know you didn't, I'm just trying to make apoint. You can't be there all day either. I think they work on the assumption that most brides know what they want when it comes to flowers. Yes, they work with you, but if you at least have an idea, that would make things go faster.

i doubt anyone was looking for free flowers, if they were, id be in on that ;)
but i do think its kinda ridiculous to say that 'they work on the assumption that most brides know what they want when it comes to flowers' when MOST people have no clue what the names are of each flower, or better yet, exactly how to acheive that look, they should be able to walk into a florist with a vision and thats it (if they have pics thats great) but if not, you should be able to explain to your florist what 'look' youre going for, and a few color choices, and have the FLORIST, 'THE PROFESSIONAL', help you to create this vision..thats what theyre there for!!
anyway i clicked on this post cause a friend of mine used Burtons who was very recommended at the time (her wedding was in 05) and she was miserable..alot of her flowers were wilted the day of, and her BO-KS were wrong..
choose all of your vendors wisely!!
what may work for one bride, may not work for you

Princess92406, thank you for responding to this.

I have to say that by NO MEANS was I expecting anything for free or for like a couple hundred dollars or something. But when a company that is highly recommended on here for being so inexpensive gives me a quote that is OVER $1,000 more for less stuff than TWO other well respected florists (that are also recommended on here), I feel that is too much. $1,000 is a lot of money to throw away if you're not getting anything more than the lesser expensive florists are offering. And I'm sorry, but every single other vendor we met with spent more than 15 minutes with us and at least acted like they were interested in our business. If someone is happy with that type of quick service, then more power to you, but we just expect for vendors to show interest in our business and want our money to be well spent.

I always say that everyone will have their own experiences and preferences - my post was just to point out *my* experience and also to make a note that just because a vendor is known for being cheap, that isn't necessarily ALWAYS the case. I never said 'Don't go to them because they were more expensive than other vendors' - everyone is capable of forming their own decisions and if they wish to use a company that I didn't have a great experience with, I still wish them lots of luck like any other person. I'm happy for those that have used or will use Burton's and are happy with them. We, unfortunately, did not have a good experience so obviously I cannot recommend them.

alymikewedding08 Posted: May 06, 2007 02:58 PM

Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah

I think some people tend to get offended when you have less than perfect comments about their vendors..

I can understand being a little upset since you put your trust and $$$ into them and expect everything to be perfect.. and when someone else doesn't feel the same way.. you become kinda doubtful of the vendor.

I personally just think everyone has different taste.. and personalities.. everyone meshes well with different people.. so to each their own.. and that's what this board is about.. learning from eachother

Mrs.NicolaXoXo Posted: May 06, 2007 05:06 PM

Re: Flowers by Burton - whoah

I have one of those strange situations where Burton's quoted me a much higher price then others! Your right, you just have to go and see for yourself! I know they do an excellent job, but for me they just didn't work