Not sure if any of you saw my post from yesterday. There's a girl having her ceremony at my church before me. She offered to leave her flowers for my ceremony incase I needed them (which also makes it convenient for her since no one will have to take them away). She very nicely said 'so you don't waste money on something that's already there.'
But my mom told me when she got married- a gazillion years ago - she split the cost with the girl before her.
Hmmm I didn't get the impression she wanted money. I can only imagine what it cost, and ceremony flowers were not in my budget. What should I do? Ask her the cost and offer half?
OR....just give her a 'gift'? Meaning like $100-200 or something?
I am SO GRATEFUL she's willing to do this cuz it was bothering me that I didn't include it in my flower budget...but I'm cheap when it comes to flowers.
TIA!
ido07
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
That is kind of a tough one
I think maybe you are on the right track with the gift idea....something small though. (like $200 might even be too much) Wow I sound cheap
Since ceremony flowers weren't in your budget....and she hasn't given you any indication that she wants $$ from you...accept it as a nice gesture, and maybe send a thank you note with a little something.
diva7531
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
I would send a thank you note
BlushingBride714
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
I agree - a thank you note should be sufficient. If she was asking your input on what type of flowers, then I would say pay for half but it doesn't sound like that is the case. Leaving them there is as big a help to her as it is to you. If you decide to go the gift route, go small - my flowers for my ceremony only cost me $150.
kahlua716
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
My ceremony flowers are costing me $250...I would think a thankyou note would be enough.
How did you find out who had the ceremony before you? I wish I knew...I would've offered to split the cost with whoever is getting married before me.
bonitachyc
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
if a hundred bucks is in your budget, i'd say offer it to her. she's getting married too and it would be a nice way to say thank you for making the church look extra nice!
natseven
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
I'd say a simple thank you is enough. she is going to have the flowers there regardless. I wouldn't shell out any money.
JayLi2007
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
I wouldn't offer to pay half since she is the one who gets to pick the flowers out. I am sure they will be beautiful, but might not be what you would pick out. And dont some churches make you leave the flowers? I am not getting married in a church, but one of my friends is and she has to leave them. Just send maybe a token gift.
poogie
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
I THINK THE GIFT IDEA IS A GOOD CHOICE. SINCE SHE NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING ABOUT MONEY.....THE GIFT WILL SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION
HelenZ
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
Posted by ido07
That is kind of a tough one
I think maybe you are on the right track with the gift idea....something small though. (like $200 might even be too much) Wow I sound cheap
Since ceremony flowers weren't in your budget....and she hasn't given you any indication that she wants $$ from you...accept it as a nice gesture, and maybe send a thank you note with a little something.
I agree!! I'm glad to hear that it doesn't sound like she's flat out asking for money.....I have a lot more respect for that! So I think it would be great if you sent a little gift- like maybe $100 gift card to Fortunoff or BB&B. It wasn't in your budget anyway, and at least it's showing her you appreciate her being thoughtful. I wouldn't go above $100 though, b/c then you might actually be paying more than half for her flowers. Unless she's having several arrangements and using elaborate flowers......Flower Michelle is charging me $200 for 2 arrangements (I think lol). Is she also leaving her pew bows, or any other decorations?
GiJoe07
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
I wouldn't offer to pay for half. She already has to get the flowers anyway. A thank you card or a gift is fine.
Pencils
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
If she's just leaving them, then send her a nice note with a small thank you gift. Maybe some flowers! Such as, a potted plant. Look on Proflowers.com, they have some lovely potted orchids. Orchids are great because they last a really long time. Or they have really pretty little mini roses and stuff. I've ordered flowers through Proflowers and got rave reviews from the recepients. Martha's Flowers (Martha Stewart) also are great flowers, because they come from ProFlowers.com. Sneaky thing! But there are some things on Martha's site that aren't available through ProFlowers, so it pays to look.
chrissyandvin
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
I think $100 in a Thank You card is a wonderful idea!! That was soo nice of her to offer that to you!!
Bride4Mike07
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
As an act of kindness, I think you should pay her half. It is very considerate of her to share the flowers w/ you. You should clarify with her first that she won't need the flowers for the reception also. I know I'm having flowers moved from the ceremony site to the reception site....so just double check. But I would definitely contribute something for her generosity.
Cpt2007
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
I would do something more than a thank you note. Whether it's a gift or a check, I think you should give her something for it. That's really wonderful that she's willing to do this!
portjeffbride
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
yeah, I would give a thank you note and perhaps a gift.... just keep in mind that ceremony flowers don't cost NEARLY as much as reception flowers. It's only 15% of our flower bill, and since it will be her colors and selection, a nice gift will suffice. Perhaps a nice lenox picture frame for her wedding portrait?
Aug07OFCbride
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
Wow. How nice of her!! Thats awesome. Id tell her what I could afford to offer her and then ask her what she was thinking...or just give her some money 'as a gift' like you said. GL!
PegaLega
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
Posted by bonitachyc
if a hundred bucks is in your budget, i'd say offer it to her. she's getting married too and it would be a nice way to say thank you for making the church look extra nice!
I agree! Send her a thank you and $100
NY031978
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
my ceremony flowers were 150$ total.....and my florist gave me them FREE! So maybe a lil gift if you want or offer her something small!
FullersBride
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Re: Should I offer to pay half?
What about sending her a smll bouquet of flowers that she can enjoy now for like $30-40 with a thank you note??
