How did you approach florist vendor meetings?

I think there is a significant range of what you can spend on a florist and get beautiful work. To me, it's different from other vendors which typically have a set price range and can vary significantly in style, feel, etc. from their competitors (band, venue) so you make your choice based on a number of variables.

So when you met with your florist, what did you do:

a) Went into the meeting without a budget (or without disclosing it) and asked how much your specific wants/needs would cost, or

b) Set a budget (more on that below**) and saw what the florist could do for that amount. If you provided your budget amount, did you give them your top range number or lower to see if they could come in less and then you'd spend less money?
c) Neither a or b.

**If you set a budget and disclosed it to the florist, how did you determine this amount? Basically everything we've booked to this point was based on the price for the specific service/vendor and we knew how much we'd have to spend to get what we wanted going in. The florist budget completely baffles me--how does this budget get decided?

How did you approach florist vendor meetings?

We went in without a budget but he helped us make one. Ours said it helped to know the budget so that they know what to suggest for us. We set it based on the amount of centerpieces we needed as well as the amount of people in our wedding party. And of course the flower type!

How did you approach florist vendor meetings?

I had a feel of what flowers would cost because of quotes that other LIW brides sent me. Based on that, I decided my budget would be $2500. When I met with florists, I didn't disclose my budget. I just told them what I wanted & waited until they gave me a price. If it was too high I told them it was a little more than I wanted to spend & they were able to change the types of flowers to fit my budget. The only florist that didn't do that was Burton's. They didn't discuss the types of flowers just the # of bouquets, centerpieces, etc. that I needed & gave me a price that way.

I wasn't willing to compromise & I got exactly what I wanted for my budget but only after meeting with 4 florists. The one I chose is located in Brooklyn. He does weddings in Long Island all the time though & his work is fantastic. He also made a sample centerpiece & bride bouquet for me before I booked. He does this for everyone. It was gorgeous. If you're willing to travel to Brooklyn & want his info just let me know

How did you approach florist vendor meetings?

We had a budget in mind but didn't disclose to our florist. It was more so we can get a sense if what they were offering was fair compared to the other florists we've seen. We just told them how many people we planned on inviting, and how many tables we expected to have,in addition to pics of flowers we wanted, and kind of went from there. An important thing to ask also is if they take cash. We got about 2 or 300 dollars off for doing so. As for how they compute their prices, it varies based on the flower type, # of centerpieces, if you want tall or high centerpieces, and if they have the stands or vases in stock, or must rent them somewhere else for you to use.

How did you approach florist vendor meetings?

I'm glad you asked this! I'm definitely curious as well about how to approach it.

How did you approach florist vendor meetings?

I pretty much decided I didn't want to spend over $2000. I'm not flower conscious, I just wanted something pretty in our colors. I pretty much asked what she could do for the cheapest price possible.

How did you approach florist vendor meetings?

When I first started I had no idea how much things cost. I didnt go in with a budget until like the 3rd florist I saw. And I waited to see what it was going to come to then I said what I wanted to spend and they adjusted accordingly.

How did you approach florist vendor meetings?

I am probably the cheapest bride on here. I'm not a fan of flowers and think spending $2k on something that dies so quickly is crazy. I'm doubling the bridesmaid bouquets as centerpieces for every other table. The rest of the tables will have a hurricane candle trio.

First, I went to a florist near my home. Showed them exactly what I wanted. They quoted me $400. Since I had no idea if that was a good price or not, I contacted a few other florists (including one I saw at a bridal show that I loved but didn't think I could afford). I sent them the original florist's proposal and flat out asked if they could do better. Two florists said nope, but the one I loved beat the price by $75.

I will be getting my bouquet, 5 bridesmaid bouquets, flower girl bouquet in a mini version of mine and 5 boutioneers for $325.

Re: How did you approach florist vendor meetings?

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Posted by Riker2Be

I am probably the cheapest bride on here. I'm not a fan of flowers and think spending $2k on something that dies so quickly is crazy. I'm doubling the bridesmaid bouquets as centerpieces for every other table. The rest of the tables will have a hurricane candle trio.

First, I went to a florist near my home. Showed them exactly what I wanted. They quoted me $400. Since I had no idea if that was a good price or not, I contacted a few other florists (including one I saw at a bridal show that I loved but didn't think I could afford). I sent them the original florist's proposal and flat out asked if they could do better. Two florists said nope, but the one I loved beat the price by $75.

I will be getting my bouquet, 5 bridesmaid bouquets, flower girl bouquet in a mini version of mine and 5 boutioneers for $325.

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Based on my quote, that's a really good deal. My bridal bouquet is like $150 and BMs are $85 each.

I didn't go in with a budget....but my co-worker's daughter just got married a few weeks prior to my appointments, so I was prepared with what she paid. At least that gave me a clue. By the 3rd appointment, I was so done with flowers. I ended up booking with my first appointment, Bella Flowers. Had a great appointment with Ronnie!

Re: How did you approach florist vendor meetings?

I actually just had my meetings this past Saturday. I am not a flower girl and didn't want to spend more than $3K (i didn't want to spend near $3K either). I ended up getting everything I needed (delivery and set up included) for around $1700.

I didn't let them know my budget. i just told them what i needed and what i was looking for and waited until they told me what the price would be.

Re: How did you approach florist vendor meetings?

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Posted by kammy322

I actually just had my meetings this past Saturday. I am not a flower girl and didn't want to spend more than $3K (i didn't want to spend near $3K either). I ended up getting everything I needed (delivery and set up included) for around $1700.

I didn't let them know my budget. i just told them what i needed and what i was looking for and waited until they told me what the price would be.

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What florist did you go with? Looking for something around your pricing!

Re: How did you approach florist vendor meetings?

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Posted by Riker2Be

I am probably the cheapest bride on here. I'm not a fan of flowers and think spending $2k on something that dies so quickly is crazy. I'm doubling the bridesmaid bouquets as centerpieces for every other table. The rest of the tables will have a hurricane candle trio.

First, I went to a florist near my home. Showed them exactly what I wanted. They quoted me $400. Since I had no idea if that was a good price or not, I contacted a few other florists (including one I saw at a bridal show that I loved but didn't think I could afford). I sent them the original florist's proposal and flat out asked if they could do better. Two florists said nope, but the one I loved beat the price by $75.

I will be getting my bouquet, 5 bridesmaid bouquets, flower girl bouquet in a mini version of mine and 5 boutioneers for $325.

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Who is your florist? I like this idea.

I'm looking to spend very little myself on flowers, doing mostly DIY wine bottles, vases, candles and tin cans. I'm actually looking into buying bulk from Costco or Sam's Club. I may also contact a local florist as well.

Re: How did you approach florist vendor meetings?

We are using Wick's Florist in Baldwin. I will send you a FM with my quote.

Re: How did you approach florist vendor meetings?

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Posted by Riker2Be

I am probably the cheapest bride on here. I'm not a fan of flowers and think spending $2k on something that dies so quickly is crazy. I'm doubling the bridesmaid bouquets as centerpieces for every other table. The rest of the tables will have a hurricane candle trio.

First, I went to a florist near my home. Showed them exactly what I wanted. They quoted me $400. Since I had no idea if that was a good price or not, I contacted a few other florists (including one I saw at a bridal show that I loved but didn't think I could afford). I sent them the original florist's proposal and flat out asked if they could do better. Two florists said nope, but the one I loved beat the price by $75.

I will be getting my bouquet, 5 bridesmaid bouquets, flower girl bouquet in a mini version of mine and 5 boutioneers for $325.

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You're my soulamte. I want flowers. I don't want to spend money on them. Haha

How did you approach florist vendor meetings?

In my head I knew I wasn't going to spend over 1500 on flowers. At the florist that we ended up booking I told her what I wanted first things like number of tables and bouquets etc. Then I told her I needed all that to be under 1500. She came up with a few ways to save some money and it all came in just under budget.
But I must say that I really didn't have very many specific things I wanted. I had already chosen a few flowers that I knew were in season and was fine with how she could incorporate them to fit my budget.For someone who is more picky about flowers or has a very specific vision,I don't know how well that would work out.

How did you approach florist vendor meetings?

Thanks ladies. I also realize that just the chuppah rental runs about $1,500 at most florists (just for the poles and a small floral arrangement on it) so that raises the price.

How did you approach florist vendor meetings?

We went in with a budget in mind but didn't tell the florist. We instead let her explain something we wanted and then haggled her down about $700 to meet the budget we wanted to spend.