Some advice to anyone looking for florists

For anyone who has read my past posts about florists who have been way over charging me as compared to other brides on this board who used them -- I finally figured out how to get around it! My advice is to speak to the florist about your budget (and give a lower budget than you are willing to spend) BEFORE you begin talking about the flowers. When I went to see Stephans and Atlas (who are 2 of the 3 house florists I am required to use), I knew my budget but didnt tell them what it was until after they told me their final numbers (which were about $2500 over my budget - and apparently 3 times as much as what other brides paid for the same stuff). So then, in order to come down to my budget, they are forced to take away a lot and downgrade. So I felt like I was totally cutting corners and still wasnt sticking to my budget! I went to Spitz & Peck today - who have an amazing reputation and are also a house florist at my hall - and told him that my budget was $1000 less than what it really is, and lo and behold, I'm getting everything I want for exactly what I budgeted for. I'm getting the same exact package from them that 2 other florists are charging me $2500 more for!!! Anyway - those are my words of wisdom... I'm tired of being taken advantage of every time I say the word wedding - hopefully someone who reads this will be armed to avoid it!

Some advice to anyone looking for florists

Thanks sara! We are going to Stefan's in two weeks, this info will be very helpful.

Can you post what your getting for how much? I'm clueless:( *NM*

Can you post what your getting for how much? I`m clueless:( *NM*

Before I post anything, I need to ask if Stefans is the house florist for your catering hall? Only because I know that whatever I am paying is probably inflated a bit since I know my hall gets a kickback and they kinda 'work together' if you know what I mean. It's very frustrating. As I said, Stefans charged me $7500 for the same package that another bride is getting for $2500. But that was before I learned the 'budget trick' :-) I went to Spitz & Peck and told them to stay under $4000 and he gave me the same exact package for $5000 (and I can probably talk him down from there since it was his first offer). I bet he could do the SAME package for another bride for $3000, but at least he didnt quote me as high as Stefans did. Anyway, Stefans is on my @#&%^list right now, but my advice, again, is go in and tell them what your budget is (but subtract $1000 first) - and go from there. It wouldnt make sense for me to list what I was getting and for how much from stefans because it would just scare you. If you go in and tell them that your budget is $5000, they would probably charge you $6000 for the same package as they would give you for $4000 if you told them your budget was $3000. It's like going to a car salesman. I'm curious to know how you make out - good luck!

Can you post what your getting for how much? I`m clueless:( *NM*

No, my reception site does not have a house florist. And since my wedding is in Brooklyn, I will probably get a Brooklyn florist. I was just curious about how much things cost. Flowers are not in my top ten list of important wedding priorities (read: won't spend a lot on it) so I refuse to spend any more than 1-2K. Not sure how realistic that is so if Im totally crazy in that expectation I want to start thinking of flower alternatives now. Thanks!

Stef - you are not being unrealistic!

You are not being unrealistic. My friend who is getting married in Westchester is spending $1000 on flowers. But she's also using a mom&pop florist that is near her reception site which is in the boonies. I went with her to her florist last weekend to see her samples and they are beautiful. Point being though, that it can be done - you just may need to shop around for a less snobby florist -- I didn't have that luxury. I wanted to save on flowers also - but no matter how many corners I cut (like not even having bouquets for the BM's!!!) I still am being way over charged! You shouldnt go by my posts - I'm just being taken advantage of b/c I'm getting married in a temple on LI where a lot of the families can afford to spend $10,000 on flowers - and do. So they assume I can afford to also (which I definitely cannot!!!) Good luck!!

You are 'required' to use specific florists?

That's crazy. Are you sure that that is even legal? It doesn't sound like it to me. Your reception hall must be making a lot of money off of this type of thing. It's almost like blackmail. I am wondering about my own reception site now. They gave me their 'recommended' list but I don't think that I am required to use vendors from this list. I would check your contract and see if it is written that you must use a house florist. Thanks for your warning, Sara- good luck with everything

I'm using Spitz & Peck too - I agree with Sara! :-) *NM*