Ok... I'm upset...

I just called to schedule an appointment with Flowers by Burton, and he told me that they're closed from Dec. 15- Jan. 2. I live in North Carolina, and I'm going to be up on Long Island from Dec. 25-Jan. 1. Then the next time I'm up on LI won't be until May-June next year. I'm so upset. I can't pick a florist without meeting them and seeing their work? I have no idea about what types, kinds and colors there are, and different types of decorations? I don't know what to do? I've heard such great things about them. Any suggestions???

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Ok... I`m upset...

Hi Melissa, Take a deep breath. You are trying to plan a wedding from a distance. This is not going to be easy and in fact, is even more stressful. if you are going to plan the wedding this far away you need to make more trips to NY. One of my best friends planned her LI wedding from San Francisco and had to come home every 6-8 weeks. Why not try to come to LI during President's Day (Febuary) or for a long weekend. Just drive up and stay at your parents. I know it's a long drive but you are going to really need to plan on coming here more often.You are really trying to plan a major event from a distance. I would ask your Mom or close friends for some help with all this. You could ask Burtons to send you photos or have your Mom met with them. I'll be honest with you. I didn't really go to Burtons to see displays of their work. I have heard too many good things about them and had recommendations from Dennise at the Hamlet. Their place is nothing amazing. You could also ask him to let you book the date with a $50.00 deposit( that is how much we had to put down) and then make an appointment with him. Ask him that if you are not happy with their work if he would refund your deposit. Also, $50.00 is not too much even if you couldn't get it back. Florists are really busy during the Holidays. I know Laura's in Commack does not meet with brides until after the Christmas season now. e-mail me if you need to ask more about the florist.

Don't worry!

I think you should take the opportunity to look at other florists on LI. I used Bayport Flowers and was just overwhelmed by how beautiful the flowers were. People are still telling me that they were the most incredible wedding flowers they'd ever seen! I also agree with the earlier post saying you need to come up here more often. In my opinion, you're not too far away. I was on Long Island every weekend in the months before the wedding. Granted, I only live in the city, but if I could have gone more often, I would have.

I understand - long distance planning (long)

I'm planning from San Francisco and I was also disapoointed to learn Burton's would be closed over the holidays. But I did visit them last month when I was home, (though contracted with Florist Michele instead.) As for visiting more often, I've been home only 3 times in the eight months we've been engaged and I'll be home only two more times before our April wedding. You just need to make the most of the trips - and do all the research beforehand. We've got the dresses, church, reception, band, photograher and flowers. When I'm home next, we'll do limos, video and tuxes. Things like invitations and rings, we've done locally. While the long distance planning makes things somewhat more difficult, it also allows us to not totally get wrapped up in the planning to the point where its all we do or talk about. Back to Burton's - you can call them and describe what you're looking for and they'll quote you an approx. price over the phone. As mentioned in earlier posts, there's not all that much to see at the shop itself, and you can be confident they'll do a beautiful job.

I understand - long distance planning (long)

I also planned from North Carolina and though I went often it was mostly around holidays that I could be home. I got engaged April 2000 and luckily was already planning a trip to LI for a friends shower two weeks later. We found the reception hall that weekend. Then we just planned to do lots of meeting with vendors each time I was up there. For DJ's I didn't meet with any in person. I had them send me demo tapes and a package of what they included. One I had heard at a wedding and another my mother had heard at a wedding. That's all we needed. Until towards the end of the planning. Flowers you don't need to worry about until about 6-8 months out. My mom did do a lot of leg work for me -- but I also made a lot of phone calls and such. Invitations you can do locally -- dress/bridesmaid shopping locally -- favors locally. Lots of stuff. From April 2000 -- Sept 2001 I visited Long Island 10 times. 2 of those times was for other friends weddings and once was at Christmas -- those times I really didn't get a chance to do much. Once you have all the vendors booked there isn't much to do for awhile. So don't stress. You'll be able to get it all done.

burtons

melissa, there really is nothing to burtons shop. i would call mike and see if he can email you any pictures from weddings they've done. my future sis-in-law just used them a couple of weeks ago, i will see if any pictures show the flowers and email them to you, if you'd like. everything was stunning and they were on time and we had no stress over the flowers, at all. i'm booking them based on a couple of weddings i've been to they've done and a couple of phone calls with mike. i'm going to the shop this saturday to finalize things but we're booking without having gone in person yet. my email is [email protected]. please email me if you want me to send you some pics.

long distance planning & Burtons

Melissa..I too am planning from San Francisco..and am getting married next Sept. I have been back east once since our engagment and will be back for the Holidays..then probably one other time, so that will only be three trips before the wedding. You can do just about everything from where you are. Especially with Burtons, Mike will give you a price of what flowers you need and you dont even have to tell him what kind of flowers you want, it does not matter if you are getting roses, tulips, daiseys..it is still the same price. We plan on meeting with 2 or 3 florists when we go back east..everyone seems to rave about Burtons, my friend used them and loved them..so just meet with some other florists in the meantime. Dont worry..go home and enjoy the holidays and have fun planning!!

there are other florists!!!

there are other GREAT florists on LI - all with a passion for what they do...check out other florsits..if you can't meet with burtons im sure you'll find another one...

Ok... I`m upset...

my sister used them 2 years ago when she lived in florida and they were great. she did almost everything through the mail and my mom and then came up like 2 months before to see everything. they are the only vendor i know i'm going to use.

Ok... I`m upset...

Melissa, I was just at there Showroom last night. There really isn't anything to it. Mike is really easy to work with. He has every type of bouquet. I'll be honest I went in with ideas of what i wanted and he pulled one photo and he was right on the money. I was out of his office booked after 20 minutes. The prices are incredible. Mike is so easy to work with no matter what your concern is.

I used Burtons

If you want to e-mail me at '[email protected]', I'll e-mail you a picture of my bouquet that they did. I didn't even know exactly what flowers I wanted, just a cascading, white flower bouquet. He was wonderful!!!

burton's did my sister's wed.

they did my sister 2 yrs ago and at least 4 friends. they were all thrilled and i know we will be too.