I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

Original post by jessamyn78

Aug 10, 2007 11:17 PM

It was completely overwhelming and took about an hour and a half. I knew what I wanted, but the main flowers were peonies and they aren't in season in July. We went through and decided on garden roses, hydrangeas and green berries as fillers.

I need about 20 centerpieces, some flowers for cocktail tables, 6 bouquets including mine, 2 arrangements for fireplace mantles and 2 church arrangments for $3500.

She was very nice and I think put off by my budget (which was about $2000). We changed my original idea to just hydrangeas in silver pedestal urns for centerpieces. Then she added something about introducting peach into the color scheme with ivy when my colors are pale pink, ivory and a very light green (sage/ honeydew). After this, I stopped listening while she kept talking. I felt horrible but I had no idea my budget wouldn't be met and I picked out simple low arrangements. I am quite overwhelmed and confused.

beachbum05 Posted: Aug 10, 2007 11:57 PM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

Posted by jessamyn78

Thanks so much. I heard John was wonderful and I look forward to meeting with him. This whole thing is amusing because FH was also overwhelmed and he told me just to book with Pedestals and get it overwith so we didn't have to meet with anyone else!

I hear ya - I feel that way a lot. But see how it goes on Thursday and weigh your options. Both get such great reviews, you can't go wrong.

jessamyn78 Posted: Aug 10, 2007 11:57 PM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

Posted by Cutechef729

The fact that she made you feel bad about where you are having your wedding bothers me more but I still don't like that she wanted to change your whole vision. I mean its great to have someone who knows what they're doing and can recommend other options that might work better but it shouldn't be in a way that makes you feel like your idea is being completely ignored. And you never made it sound like your venue needed 'covering up.' I'm sorry you had a bad experience. I really worried about florists myself because I have no idea what kind of budget I will need...I only need bouquets and flowers for ceremony (corsages, etc.) but I'm still clueless about prices. I think the flowers are the things I'm most confused about haha. Good luck! I'm sure plenty of girls on this site can recommend places that they've used. You will figure it out!

You really stated exactly how I feel. It wasn't overt but she kept throwing it in. Saying how the place needed to be cleaned. Meanwhile, it is a mansion owned by Suffolk County, I am bringing in my own caterer and they are undergoing renovations right now. I just remembered this now and it is making me even more upset. I like her company and some of her ideas but I felt that she was somewhat condescending and told me flat out 'no' when I told her my budget was around $2000.

DLM107 Posted: Aug 11, 2007 02:45 AM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

I also recommend you checking out burton's. I think they can meet your budget.

Fall Bride 2008 Posted: Aug 11, 2007 06:52 AM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

Posted by jessamyn78

Pedestals. She was very nice, I just didn't even know how to respond. I was so set on my scheme and my idea of what I wanted.

THEY DID THE SAME THING TO ME AND SHE WAS A SHE ALSO LOL SHE TOTALLY ANNOYED ME

chrispar Posted: Aug 11, 2007 06:54 AM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

I will be checking out florists within the next 2 weeks. I made an appointment with LA Blossom. Laurie was a sweetheart on the phone. I was also going to check out James Cress and a few others. Keep us updated!

kristi313 Posted: Aug 11, 2007 07:30 AM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

Jess,
You could always go with my dads theory - of no flowers on the tables at all. LOL it will NEVER happen. Honestly, this woman as creative as she might be manipulated you into thinking you would need more flowers than you actually do. Why point out flaws of a bride's RH when you're trying to get them to pick you as your florist? It's a 200yr old mansion, it's not going to be perfect, but that's the charm that sold you on the place. DO NOT DOUBT YOURSELF! There are tons of other florists out there, you'll find your perfect fit.

It's going to be beatiful!

angl2001 Posted: Aug 11, 2007 07:58 AM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

yeah any thing that is wedding related and expensive makes me sick! lol you will find somewhere that is good for your budget. Did you try flower michele? flowers by burton? i got good prices from them! 15 CPs,2 church baskets, and a vase for my memory table and a buch of petals for the tables was like 12-1400

LeslieMike Posted: Aug 11, 2007 08:55 AM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

We had the same overwhelming feeling after leaving FM with a quote for 4k!!! OMG, needless to say we didnt look at any more florists for about 3 months, and now we have another appt tomorrow. Its so overwhelming. We have already spent soooo much on this wedding, and to think the flowers will die in a few days! Good luck, let me know if you have any luck!

jessamyn78 Posted: Aug 11, 2007 09:01 AM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

Posted by LeslieMike

We had the same overwhelming feeling after leaving FM with a quote for 4k!!! OMG, needless to say we didnt look at any more florists for about 3 months, and now we have another appt tomorrow. Its so overwhelming. We have already spent soooo much on this wedding, and to think the flowers will die in a few days! Good luck, let me know if you have any luck!

Thanks. Good luck to you too!

reneemarie2 Posted: Aug 11, 2007 11:11 AM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

Good luck this week. Flowers stressed me out the most so far. I went to about 6 different florists before I found what I wanted. Everything else went much easier, so that added to the frustration too. I'm definately on a budget, and even received such comments as, 'Oh you're a budget bride'. It's disgusting, frustrating, etc., but don't give up until you find what makes you happy and is in you're budget, whatever that may be. It will all work out.

emcheung Posted: Aug 11, 2007 11:13 AM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

yeah, i hated florist shopping. i met with two popular ones on here, pedestals and flower michelle. wasn't impressed much. then i met with sharon at designer florals. she was really helpful. spent two hours, but it was the fastest two hours ever. she can work with pretty much any budget. good luck in your future appointments.

missK Posted: Aug 11, 2007 11:21 AM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

Sorry to hear that you had a bad experience. I also went to a few places and got really high-not-what-I-wanted quotes and then I stopped looking and regrouped. I am going to start again next week.

But you dont have to go with the big places either, you may be able to get what you want from a local florist that would be cheaper. I am telling the next florist what my budget is and what flowers I want as soon as I get there.
Peonies though I think only bloom until the end of may and then they are really little and not very useful. Maybe see if there are certain types of roses that look similar to that and get those?
Good luck and let us know how you make out.

SN2BMRSBURTE Posted: Aug 11, 2007 02:23 PM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

Sorry to crash, and sorry about your bad experience. I loved the hydrangeas too, but we ended up not using them because it turns out they are almost the most expensive kind of flower you could pick...who would have thought

I hope everything works out for you

ant n tilde Posted: Aug 11, 2007 03:31 PM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

i highly recommend you work with Designs by Rose - she works out of her house

i told her my budget and she helped me stick to it!! as time went on i kept adding stuff and she is the first to remind me that i am going over budget! lol before she lets me get super excited she will tell me that it will cost more than i told her i wanted to spend

so, working within my budget ( without all of the extras) she is totally sticking to MY vision and adding touches here and there that are just enhancing that!

good luck with whoever you choose - dont let anyone talk down to you. . . your venue sounds awesome i am going to go google it!

willbMrsTE Posted: Aug 11, 2007 03:52 PM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

Hi Ladies

I'm a newbe!! I suggest Burton's also. They really worked with me and kept me on track wth my budget when I got off track (as we sometimes do). They really worked hard to keep it below 2000. I ended @ 1500 with centerpieces, bp, gm. mothers, grandmothers, usher, rb and some stuff for wedding.

The clincher was she suggested that because my wedding and reception are in different rooms of the cottage, we could use some reception stuff during the wedding if I wanted. This was great because while they are tranforming wedding the guests will be in a third room. Left a deposit. Got a contract...We will get back together in June.
Good Luck

Ilovebriani Posted: Aug 11, 2007 04:03 PM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

Posted by jessamyn78

You really stated exactly how I feel. It wasn't overt but she kept throwing it in. Saying how the place needed to be cleaned. Meanwhile, it is a mansion owned by Suffolk County, I am bringing in my own caterer and they are undergoing renovations right now. I just remembered this now and it is making me even more upset. I like her company and some of her ideas but I felt that she was somewhat condescending and told me flat out 'no' when I told her my budget was around $2000.

well that is ridiculous that she said those things. Coindre hall is so beautiful and no one should make you feel bad about your RH! i too, am dreading the flower ordeal since we need lots of CP's and i really dont want to spend another dime if it was up to me. i keep putting it off b/c i dont want to get disapointed. I am sure you will have better luck if you look at other places. i belive pedestals is on the expensive end anyway.

BNBride60 Posted: Aug 11, 2007 05:01 PM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

Hey - I also went to Pedestals and didn't like the person I worked with. No matter what I picked, she kept saying 'you have phenomenal taste.' meanwhile, when I came in, I tol dher I don't know sh*t about flowers and I REALLY need help!!! She made no suggestions, just let me point at random things and say 'this is nice' to which she'd respond 'you have great taste.' It wasn't mean, it just wasn't helpful, and HELP is what I needed!!!!

As far as peonies being out of season in July - that's NOT what I was told. When I worked with John at Flower Michele, he told me peonies were out of season for me (end of Aug). He said peonies are doable in July though!!!! I'd go talk to him. Also, my package includes 1/2 high and 1/2 low CPs for $3,000, so if you do all low I bet you could get closer to $2,000 with him. Also, if you're willing to pay cash, he really works with you and also scratches the tax.

Finally - DON'T LISTEN TO ANYONE ABOUT COINDRE HALL! I wish my FMIL could talk to you - she thinks getting married at a place like that is a historical statement. The imperfections, if you want to call them that, are like a mark of time and history!! That's part of the charm!! If the florist can't understand that - it's not the florist for you! And, on a side note, I go to Coindre Hall every weekend with my puppies during the fall and that place is GORGEOUS. That huge hill in the back that goes down to the water - you can't beat it. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

BNBride60 Posted: Aug 11, 2007 05:04 PM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

Also - try ************* on Woodbury Road in Woodbury. I drive by there every day - it looks gorgeous, it's been around forever, and another bride (Christine) is using them and had great things to say!!

ChristineAaron08 Posted: Aug 11, 2007 05:33 PM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

Posted by Jess125483

Also - try ************* on Woodbury Road in Woodbury. I drive by there every day - it looks gorgeous, it's been around forever, and another bride (Christine) is using them and had great things to say!!

I am using j ack and rose in Woodbury. They were almost $1000 less than flower michelle and other florist I saw. They told me when I booked the apt that they are cheaper depending on how much you need. They must get/give a discounts for bulk.

They are definitely work looking into. I am also doing roses and hydrangeas. I wanted the puffy look of peonies, but they are tissue thin and dont hold up as well. (and they are more $)

ItalianBride428 Posted: Aug 11, 2007 05:42 PM

Re: I went to my first florist appointment today and I feel so sick...

dont settle. You dont want to be disappointed and say ' I wish I would have done that'. I am sure with some research you can find someone who will work with you!