I am a Westchester bride and went to three floral design places:
(1) Diana Gould (2) Daniel (he is a DG spinoff) (3) House of Flowers
Diana Gould was the most professional person ever. She really is an acute business woman and makes no mistakes. For bouquets for 9 BMaids, my bouquet, 10 high centerpieces, 10 low centerpieces, 2 altar pieces, 10 buttonholes for the men, 2 Mother corsages, 1 Junior Bmaid Bouquet, beautiful embroidered golden table overlays, gold ballroom chairs and rose petals for the cocktail tables I was quoted $10,000.
Daniel had the most unique designs. He was around the same price as DG (in fact he quoted me way more but I wouldn't use all the things he quoted me for).
House-of-Flowers was also $10,000 but it's for everything including many more church flowers and cocktail table arrangements etc. I could definitely get it down to $8900 pretty easily I think. What I didn't like about him was I felt rushed and honestly I still have no idea of his style or anything else.
All have sent a quote with a request for a deposit.
Questions: How much are you all paying for similar flowers? Are you getting spot lighting? Do you think I am being ripped off. I really don't know what to do next. I want samples but do I need to give a deposit to get a second appointment?
Here attached are pictures of the type of centerpieces I am going for (these were done by Daniel) to give you an idea of scale and style. And you can also see the gold overlays and ballroom chairs I am paying for (this is actually a photo of the room I will be married in so is fairly representative of what I want).
The reason I am worried I am being taken for a ride is I made a fatal mistake in my negotiations. THey asked memy budget and I told them $5,000-10,000. Well all quoted me $10,000.
The pictures didn't load.....but as far as I can see, based on the amount of flowers you are getting, unless you are having exotic flowers flown in from out of the country, OR if you are going to really upscale places, the prices seem really up there.
NYCGirl2008
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Re: Flowers - I need serious help
Bumpie
PegaLega
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Sorry to crash, but I definitely think you are being taken, the only thing that you have that many others didnt is the chairs, the table overlays are about $60 depending on the size, so you can do the math on that one. Rose petals are cheap, most places throw the in. Are you renting chairs from them? Unless you are having exotic flowers it seems high to me-but I would do some searching on the cost of renting chairs and go from there. I would have them do a break down of costs for you, what each bok, CP, etc. cost, it may seem high but who knows what the chairs themselves are-unless you are talking about covers, then you are definitely higher then you should be
NYCGirl2008
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NYCGirl2008
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MAY24BRIDE
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I think it's hard to compare florists quotes because it really depends on what you're asking for...# of tables...# in bridal party, etc. high centerpieces cost more than low, some florists charge differently depending on type of flower, most will throw in rose petals.
We're getting 50 centerpieces, all low, with tea lights and petals on each table. 5 bm bouquets, 1 moh, 1 bride, 2 mother corsages, about 20 bouts, 2 flower girl bouquets/baskets, 2 church arrangements, bathroom arrangement, toss bouquet and it's coming out to less than $4000.
I'll attach a picture of what my centerpieces will look like to give you somewhat an idea of what I'll be getting for the $. Also, all except the 1st florist we went to told us what they could do for us at what price....we didn't give our budget. at the 1st florist, however, we gave our budget up front, and he quoted the highest price.
Pick the vendor that you feel most comfortable with, that you trust will give you the product you're looking for....good luck.
Diana Gould is super-pricey, but you know that. Try giving Arcadia a call, they're in Mamaroneck, just as well-known and respected, but less expensive. I'm not saying don't go with Diana Gould, but with her, you're paying for the name. Also, try Pelham Bay florists, Westchester Floral and Pearl River Florist. I'm using Pear River and she does EXCELLENT work, has been in business for many many years but works out of a small shop so her overhead isn't as high, she's waaaay more reasonable and I highly recommend her, only thing is you have to go to Rockland to meet with her, it's really not far at all, I just don't know whether you want to go over the Tappan Zee.
GtBride
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Posted by missliss
Diana Gould is super-pricey, but you know that. Try giving Arcadia a call, they're in Mamaroneck, just as well-known and respected, but less expensive. I'm not saying don't go with Diana Gould, but with her, you're paying for the name. Also, try Pelham Bay florists, Westchester Floral and Pearl River Florist. I'm using Pear River and she does EXCELLENT work, has been in business for many many years but works out of a small shop so her overhead isn't as high, she's waaaay more reasonable and I highly recommend her, only thing is you have to go to Rockland to meet with her, it's really not far at all, I just don't know whether you want to go over the Tappan Zee.
i would definately check out Arcadia. Their work is beautiful.
I am a westchester bride also so thank you for the the few florist you recommended i will also check those out.
beachbum05
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Honestly?
$150 for that low centerpiece seems WAYYYYYYYYYY overpriced. I'm doing something similar and I'm paying less than half of that quote.
Tobewed07
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Hi there....I am an 07' Westchester bride!
We used Arcadia Florist in Mamaroneck. I cannot say enough great things about them! To this day we still get compliments on our flowers, not only did they look gorgeous the day of, but everyone was raving about how long they lasted. Try giving them a call, it can't hurt. We worked with Jenn Spaziante, and she was really great!!
Good luck!!
mariaobride
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Posted by Tobewed07
Hi there....I am an 07' Westchester bride!
We used Arcadia Florist in Mamaroneck. I cannot say enough great things about them! To this day we still get compliments on our flowers, not only did they look gorgeous the day of, but everyone was raving about how long they lasted. Try giving them a call, it can't hurt. We worked with Jenn Spaziante, and she was really great!!
Good luck!!
Hey Nicole how are you? Yes Arcadia is awesome I am working w/ Jenn also she is great and will work w/ you.
RadiantBride
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Hey, I have a very similar package and all my CP's are high and I qot quoted less then half of what you are paying. I booked with Flowers by Burtons if you want the specifics please FM me. Good luck!
NYCGirl2008
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How much is Arcadia setting you all back?
mariaobride
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Posted by NYCGirl2008
How much is Arcadia setting you all back?
Pricing all varies on many things so I really can not say but she will work w/ your budget it doesnt hurt to set up an appt.
DeeluvsVinny
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The CP prices and even BoK prices seem pretty high. I'm getting almost the same, with the chair/table cloths and paying A LOT less. I went with Pedestals. You might want to check them out. We didn't give a budget, but were expecting to pay double what the quoted us!
kslmbuggie
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Re: Flowers - I need serious help
$200 for a low centerpiece is really outrageous...i think they are def taking you for a ride. At those prices there should be absolutely no filler in your centerpieces, or bouquets whatsoever. For low centerpieces i was quoted from $60-$75 & this is with all flowers, no filler.
i think u should look elsewhere & dont give them a budget upfront. If they know they can get 10k out of you they are going 2 go for it.
Tobewed07
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Posted by NYCGirl2008
How much is Arcadia setting you all back?
Arcadia's was very reasonable, and their work and reputation is impeccable....
I think ours was in the $5000 range......
Tobewed07
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Posted by mariaobride
Posted by Tobewed07
Hi there....I am an 07' Westchester bride!
We used Arcadia Florist in Mamaroneck. I cannot say enough great things about them! To this day we still get compliments on our flowers, not only did they look gorgeous the day of, but everyone was raving about how long they lasted. Try giving them a call, it can't hurt. We worked with Jenn Spaziante, and she was really great!!
Good luck!!
Hey Nicole how are you? Yes Arcadia is awesome I am working w/ Jenn also she is great and will work w/ you.
Hey Maria!! I am great, how are you?? Its your year girlie!! Can't wait to see all your pics and watch everything come together for you!!
mariaobride
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Re: Flowers - I need serious help
Posted by Tobewed07
Posted by mariaobride
Posted by Tobewed07
Hi there....I am an 07' Westchester bride!
We used Arcadia Florist in Mamaroneck. I cannot say enough great things about them! To this day we still get compliments on our flowers, not only did they look gorgeous the day of, but everyone was raving about how long they lasted. Try giving them a call, it can't hurt. We worked with Jenn Spaziante, and she was really great!!
Good luck!!
Hey Nicole how are you? Yes Arcadia is awesome I am working w/ Jenn also she is great and will work w/ you.
Hey Maria!! I am great, how are you?? Its your year girlie!! Can't wait to see all your pics and watch everything come together for you!!
