About a month ago FH and I met with two florists. I really loved Flower Michele, and I think they were giving me a good deal. I'm not getting very much, so our estimate was $1200.
John said he would email us a list of what he promised us along with the price quote. He forgot to do this and we had to call him a couple times to get it. Once we did get it, there were a bunch of details wrong, including the date and FH's name (not just a spelling error-it was a different person). They said they corrected the errors, so we decided to book with them.
While on our way to our booking appointment last week, John called me to cancel, saying he had a flower emergency and had to run out to a wedding (which I completely understood, I just appreciated that he called). He said he would call me to reschedule, which he never did.
So now I'm wondering...are they trying to avoid our business because it is relatively smaller than other weddings? And do you girls think I should keep looking to find another florist, or book Flower Michele? I really really loved everything John showed me and I got excited about it, but I'm worried about all the mistakes and evasiveness.
I'm really starting to panic because I feel like I should have booked this a long time ago and I'm worried that pretty soon our date will be taken everywhere. Help!! What should I do?
TIA!
20mrsc10
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
im not sure if they're avoiding you bc you're a smaller wedding-my flower budget was only a lil bigger than yours, and i never had to feel like i didn't matter-
1200 is still 1200 ya know?
if you want to still look around, i would suggest flowers by gina-she's been wonderful
I don't necessarily think he doesn't want your business b/c it's a small wedding but I might be turned off by how he has been getting back to you. It can't hurt to look at other florists. Don't worry about time- I booked my florist in Sept and my wedding is in April.
Do you need centerpieces since you are getting married at the Watermill? I remember when we visited the Watermill they told us we can rent candleabras. I'm paying $1100 at Pedestals for about 10 centerpieces, my bo-k, 2 calla lilly clutches for mom and sis, 3 bouts and petals on the place card table... That also includes a throw away bouquet. I got a similar price at Flowers by Brian. They are both pretty reputable.
Drues_Girl
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
Sounds like they are a little unreliable.... THE LACK OF PHONE CALL RETURNING is SUCH A TURNOFF for me so they would be gone right there. I dont have the patience to follow vendors and chase them
If your feeling uncomfortable maybe try a different vendor.
Tessie728
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
I didnt even go to places that I had problems with returning calls... it just makes me feel unimportant. Id keep looking... its not too late to find a great florist!
cavvento
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
If I were you, i would visit another florist or two (I LOVED Pedestals; we visited Flower MIchele right after Pedestals, and Pedestals blew them out of the water in terms of running with my visions!) -- see if there's another florist who 'gets' what you want and who you seem to feel more confident in. If so, then book that other florist. If you don't feel that same 'click' with other florists that you did with Flower Michele, then I would address the issues you have with someone there and see if you're comfortable with their reactions/solutions.
ellie424
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
If I were you I would shop around a little. It's important for you to feel comfortable with who you're working with....so maybe see if there is another florist that you feel is more reliable/responsive.
If you are going to look around I def recommend checking out Designs by Rose in Howard Beach. They are very reasonable and do beautiful work. Additionally, they are extremely responsive. Whenever I e-mail them they write back to me immediately!!
Nina1010
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
I personally do not respond well to being ignored. I would move on. There are others out there who wouldl appreciate your business and make you feel important. I would suggest trying L=http://www.ginaroseflowers.com]Flowers & Designs by Gina.[/L] She responds very quickly and knows how to work with budgets. She's one of my favorite vendors.
hth
NYYankeeGirl72
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
I have a small wedding and I went with Pedestals.... I am paying $1100.
FutureMrsLMS
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
2 florists who I contacted by phone and email already ignored me. Needless to say, I won't be booking with them.
Since my wedding is small (under 75 guests), I plan to go with a local florist..Flowers Michele, Flowers by Brian, Burtons, Flowers by Topaz, Pedestals, Black Dahlia, et al are all major vendors and have more business that they can shake a stick at. I don't want to feel like a number and think going w./ a local florist may give me the personal attention I want.
Windy
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
Well im using Flowers by Brian - but maybe you should tell your florist how you feel and ask that he be more attentive!
Alyssa79
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
i vote to keep looking!
Soon2BNavi
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
that totally sux... and i'm supposed to be meeting with them this week.... ugh
mbscheer
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
I would keep looking until you reschedule with him. If you find someone else that is great but if not you can still use them. JMO
Iluvpoodles
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
I'm paying around the same as you and also having a smaller wedding. Money is money so it don't have anything to do with the price but I do think their customer service is slacking a bit but if you really liked his work and they are giving you the best price, I would stick with it. I guess it depends on how pissed off you are right now. I can imagine having to play phone tag would get annoying.
Iluvpoodles
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
Posted by FutureMrsLMS
2 florists who I contacted by phone and email already ignored me. Needless to say, I won't be booking with them.
Since my wedding is small (under 75 guests), I plan to go with a local florist..Flowers Michele, Flowers by Brian, Burtons, Flowers by Topaz, Pedestals, Black Dahlia, et al are all major vendors and have more business that they can shake a stick at. I don't want to feel like a number and think going w./ a local florist may give me the personal attention I want.
From my experience, the one small mom pop florist I went to wanted to charge me 250 for a plastic vase I'm not joking, it was plastic tubing with a little over a dozen roses coming out of it. Also, since they don't do weddings really, their bouquets and eveything else looked like it was was 1979. I think a lot of people think you can get a good deal going to some no name place but they probably want to try to make a quick buck off of you since they don't have other weddings to make money off of.
elisa112101
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
every vendor should go over and above to do everything they can to give you great Customer service!! With so many florists to choose from, why settle?
kmi8
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
Thanks so much, ladies. I really appreciate the input. I will keep looking!
brecken5
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
i don't know whether you should book someone else or not but just so you know i booked my florist just a couple weeks ago and my wedding is before yours so it's not too late if you want to keep looking
FutureMrsLMS
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Re: Need florist help! (long, sorry)
gosh that sux. I hope thats not what happens.
I was hoping to get good prices at Wicks, Imperial and Terranova Florists in Baldwin. Other options were a few in Queens which aren't mentioned on these boards. I just don't want to follow the herd and just book one of these vendors that everyone here uses - I hate just relying on word of mouth. I will keep this in mind when I start looking for florists though! Thanks!!
