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.

BNBride60 Posted: Aug 11, 2007 07:09 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!!

woahhh - why did they block out the name of the florist? which, by the way, is j a c k a n d r o s e

Katie&Chris2006 Posted: Aug 11, 2007 07:26 PM

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

Aww, I'm sorry you had a bad experience. Please shop around more - there is absolutely no reason why someone should question your vision for your day or put down your choice of venue (which is beautiful so I have no idea what she is talking about )! I definitely agree with some of the girls who suggested bringing pictures and stuff and just being really open with what you can spend and what you can't and what you want/don't want. You deserve to see your vision come alive (or a version that also fits your budget) and there are lots of great vendors out there to help you do that!

I used John from FM and my idea for cp's was a little out of the norm. He totally listened and understood what I wanted and made it happen.

All the best!

Katie&Chris2006 Posted: Aug 11, 2007 07:28 PM

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

Posted by Jess125483

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!!

woahhh - why did they block out the name of the florist? which, by the way, is j a c k a n d r o s e

This florist is banned from the site...not the best reputation and were featured on a 'Shame on You' segment in 06. I wouldn't recommend!

sugarkube4 Posted: Aug 11, 2007 08:54 PM

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

Wow... I am so sorry you didn't have a good experience with Pedestals.. I worked with Robert there for my wedding and he is their Director of Design.. He totally worked with my budget and had no problems making any of the changes that I asked for.. Maybe you can try talking to him

Melissa313 Posted: Aug 11, 2007 09:20 PM

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

A florist that I went to made me feel that way too!!! I almost had a breakdown in the store! She went as far as saying that my flower girls, who will be 6 were too old to throw petals and they should walk with a bo-k instead... I gave up fighting for what I wanted because I knew that if she made me that uncomfortable I wasn't going to book them. So keep looking, some people can be really helpful and wont step all over your ideas or budget!!!

jessica08bride Posted: Aug 11, 2007 10:24 PM

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

Posted by jessamyn78

Thanks. I don't have to have exactly what I wanted, but I want to stick with the types of blooms and original color scheme. I know this woman was only helping, but it really turned me off. I am going to Flower Michele on Thursday. Hopefully this gets easier.

Thanks for the advice and support.

Dont be discouraged yet. I have a feeling we met with the same lady. I know a lot of girls have had great experiences with Pedestals, however, I have been to 5 floritsts so far and pedestals charged me double than every other florist ive been to. this is just in my case, but just be optimistic. i got some great quotes for the exact same thing (i showed exact pictures i wanted to every florist).

BNBride60 Posted: Aug 11, 2007 11:38 PM

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

Posted by Katie&Chris2006

Posted by Jess125483

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!!

woahhh - why did they block out the name of the florist? which, by the way, is j a c k a n d r o s e

This florist is banned from the site...not the best reputation and were featured on a 'Shame on You' segment in 06. I wouldn't recommend!

WOWWWWWW! Didn't know that!!!

ChristineAaron08 Posted: Aug 12, 2007 12:00 AM

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

This florist is banned from the site...not the best reputation and were featured on a 'Shame on You' segment in 06. I wouldn't recommend!

WOWWWWWW! Didn't know that!!!

There was actually an issue a few years ago (Im not sure of the details exactly) but THEY dont want their name on the site. Its not that they are 'banned' from the site at all. If you actually looked into every florist (or vendor for that matter), Im sure you will always find some bad.

The planner at my RH just used them for her daughters wedding and they were wonderful. FH also knows them from his job at a RH and their work is great. I highly doubt they are that bad, they have been in business for years. Im not worried at all FHs boss at his other job is friends with them, so I could track em down if need be..lol

lindaronwedding Posted: Aug 12, 2007 04:01 AM

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

I am using The Perfect Rose in East Islip. My budget was way less than yours and she gave me real options that were in my budget and she has a lot of great ideas...very easy to work with. She'll listen to what you want and totally work with you. I love what she came up with! FM me if you want any info.

jessamyn78 Posted: Aug 12, 2007 09:41 AM

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

Girls, thank you for your overwhelming responses on this issue. It makes me feel much better about my meeting and I look forward to my next appointment with Flower Michele. I hope that they can meet my budget and still give me what I want. My centerpieces are a simple concept and should not be above and beyond the average price.

DCLM726 Posted: Aug 12, 2007 09:48 PM

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

try the little flower shoppe in lindenhurst. They are great

DiamondPipa Posted: Aug 12, 2007 10:13 PM

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

so sorry you went through this with pedestals....i had the exact opposite experience!!!!

twright5ny Posted: Sep 19, 2007 06:22 PM

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

I am learning that it's all about who you see at these vendors. I booked with Pedestals last night and I am so happy I did. I met with Vito and gave him my vision and he went with it. He showed me and AMAZING fall centerpiece and ideas for bouquets that was right in my range. I am sorry you had that experience. Good luck with other vendors!

Randilotus Posted: Sep 19, 2007 06:24 PM

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

Don't stress just look around for a better deal!

milana Posted: Sep 19, 2007 06:27 PM

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

Sorry for the overwhelming experiance but you mentioned that peonies are not in season in July are you sure? I got married the very last day in the month of June and i had peonies. Please check with other florists to confirm this. If they were available for my wedding im sure they should be availabe for yours.

Good Luck

Soon2beAlberti Posted: Sep 19, 2007 06:38 PM

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

tell them str8 up that the imprefections is what drew you to that location and that you're not interested in covering it up. give them your budget...tell them what you want and just say 'can you makie it happen?' if they can't work within your budget...go somewhere else.

Wedding999 Posted: Sep 19, 2007 06:43 PM

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

i think you should try somewhere else - they need to see things they way you do or you wont be happy - good luck!

kslmbuggie Posted: Sep 19, 2007 06:51 PM

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

I had the total opposite experience with pedastals. They came in a bit over my budget & was willing to come down to my budget when i told them.

$3500 sounds extremly high for low centerpieces. Even if they were charging you $100 per centerpiece thats $2000, the other $1500 is going to personals & your cocktail hour flowers?

If you dont mind what was she charging for centerpieces? Maybe the urns are more expensive than glass vases & this could be driving up the price.

I met with Nadia who was a doll, & Vito is the best, you should def call there & try to speak with him & explain the situation & see if he will work with you.

nifheim Posted: Sep 19, 2007 07:39 PM

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

Try FM -they worked with my budget and i didn't hear one word about oh that is too low and my budget is 1k. They talked me out of trying to decorate the chapel area saying no point since its new so I honestly trust them.

Plus I am not too found of the whole 'one price for all flower' deal. (but this is me)