How much is too much to pay for flowers...

Hello everyone,

I would appreciate it if you could tell me what your experience has been with the pricing of flowers for your wedding/reception. I am getting married in September at the Westbury Manor and WM only allows three specific florists to be used...Pedestals, Speaks & Peck (sp???) and somewhere else. Anyway, I went to Pedestals and I thought that I wasn't going overboard, but after it was all said and done, the final price (after talking her down a bit) was $3,500. Does this seems like a lot to you? Now, I haven't gone to other two florist that the WM allows, but I have heard that the other two are even more pricey.

I have never heard of that. I know that places have 'house vendors' that they recommend, but I have never heard of required vendors. Was that included in your contract? Did you know this before you entered into the contract? That seems to be unreasonable and I would question them about it.

Hello everyone,

I would appreciate it if you could tell me what your experience has been with the pricing of flowers for your wedding/reception. I am getting married in September at the Westbury Manor and WM only allows three specific florists to be used...Pedestals, Speaks & Peck (sp???) and somewhere else. Anyway, I went to Pedestals and I thought that I wasn't going overboard, but after it was all said and done, the final price (after talking her down a bit) was $3,500. Does this seems like a lot to you? Now, I haven't gone to other two florist that the WM allows, but I have heard that the other two are even more pricey.

I know...it sounded ridiculous to me too except that I loved the Westbury Manor and it was stated in the contract. I didn't care at the time, when I booked, that I would be so limited. I think one of their reasons for having only three florists, is because the WM has low ceilings and the three places that they named are used to dealing with the Westbury Manor and what can be used for centerpieces.

He also has a provision in the contract that if for some reason we cancel prior to the wedding, we still have to pay the FULL BALANCE. Isn't this what the non-refundable DEPOSIT is for? I have been grappling with this and it's not sitting right with me. Not that we expect anything might happen to cause us to cancel, but what happens if my reception site burns down, or god forbid a family member dies the day before?

Bride's bouquet

Thanks so much for all your responses. I really liked the feeling that I got at Pedestals, I just wanted to make sure that they were worth the price. I will most likely end up going with them...I have another appointment this Saturday. The only thing I didn't like is that they told me that they can't show me a sample of what I am getting until after I book with them. I did think that was a little strange...I just can't wait to pick a place and be done with the stress of thinking about this :-)

Star

Thanks for the information - I am just about to start on flowers. I wasn't considering the flower district because of the distance. Where are you getting married? We are getting married in Deer Park and our reception is in Smithtown - I wonder if they travel out that far?

Your only 'professional' obligation is to give enough notice for days off needed for your 'honeymoon' or to arrange for coverage on your position if your job warrants it.