Stefans - EGreen & anyone else in the flower stage (long)

OK, what am I doing wrong? I met with Stefans today, and I was so excited to hopefully save lots of $ based on the info you gave me. Turns out as it stands right now (before any negotiation), I am OVER budget for flowers! We will also have 20 tables, but according to JoAnna (our Stefans contact) she can't do a centerpiece for less than $150 each - so centerpieces ALONE will be at least $3000. Then they want $75 for each BM bouquet(6 of them), $100 for my bouquet, $450 for an arrangement for the placecard table/lobby flowers, $450 for candle arrangements in the sanctuary & she didn't say how much for coctail hour flowers & bouts -- but the grand total was $7,000!!! Why would my flowers be so much more than someone elses? I specifically stayed away from expensive elaborate flowers & arrangements because I'm not very picky about flowers. This seems ridiculous to me!! We're meeting with another house florist tomorrow, but I hear they are even more expensive than Stefans. Is anyone else having this problem with house florists?? I feel like I'm going to really have to skimp here -like use just a single rose for my BMs & not have the candles I want in the sanctuary. Already I have decided not to have a beautiful chupa - wich will save a lot - but that wasn't even figured into the total she gave us! Sorry to vent, but I'm really dissappointed about this. And I'm also very confused as to how they did another party for $3000 less! And I feel like I am trapped into using ultra expensive vendors! On a happy note - I'm going to hopefully have a final decision on a dress tomorrow! :-)

Oops! JuneBride - please read above post - i meant you!

I'm responding to your report on Stefans :-)

Stefans - EGreen & anyone else in the flower stage (long)

I am very sorry that you had a bad experience with them. I don't understand. What time of the year are you getting married in? What type of centerpieces were they talking about for 150 high or low. What type of flowers? Did you tell them what your budget was? Maybe you should call back and speak with Neil. Don't get discouraged the first florist I met with I walked out in tears. Shop around. It does get better. I will give you the number of masters in rockville center or central florist in valley stream if you want.

I'm using Spitz and Peck ... :-)

We went to a few florists and I thought that they were unreasonable. At Spitz and Peck, they were very helpful - we told them our budget of $3000 and they said that they can work with us. Try them -talk to Gary at the Cedarhurst office.

Don't stress on flowers - call Voegler's

Ask for Ed...I used them and they were extremely reasonable and VERY nice to deal with. Before you even discuss prices, Ed will LISTEN to exactly what you want, what style, type of flowers, etc. and he will take all of that into consideration including how many tables, bouquets, boutonierres, etc. and will work with you to stay within budget. He is AMAZING, very CREATIVE and a WONDERFUL person. He did an extraordinary job on my flowers. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend him and his staff. They are in Merrick. Call today, and you won't be disappointed!

I have to use one of our caterer's house florists...

This is the one thing that our caterer's require. I don't know why... Although I am happy to do that since they all know the place very well -- unfortunately they seem to be over-charging! Went to meet with the second florist and their prices seem to be exactly the same. AAARRRGGGHHHH! I have a feeling the we'll be able to negotiate though. I'd love to hear from anyone who has used Atlas Flowers, Marc Eliot Flowers or Stefans to compare prices .... I just feel like I'g getting ripped off! Thanks everyone!

Might charge more because they know you have to use them? *NM*

Try this....

Have someone that did not go in with you - ie: Mom or Maid of Honor - book an appointment. Get quotes for the same type of items but tell them you are still debating on the reception site and suggest a couple of places that are not known for being pricey. Now you'll be able to know if they are upcharging you because you are forced to use them by your reception site. If that's the case, go to your reception site and confront them with the evidence. Our recpetion site told us if we didn't like the pricing we were getting from their recommended (not required) vendors we should let them know. I'd confront the recpetion site and the florist if they are in collusion to rip you off that way. You might also try going to a couple of non-approved florists to get quotes on similar packages too - so you can compare and ask hard questions of the florist as to why 3 other florists can do the same thing for half the amount (or whatever the difference is.)

Who is your caterer Sara?? *NM*

Sara ...

I cannot believe the price they gave you - When I went to Flowers by Brian - I got that same song and dance I was fighting with the ownen Brian... he was telling me I have to spend this (he changed his mind when he saw I wasn't budging. Now let's see - Where and when are you getting married? I got married on a Sat. afternoon - at Carlyle (house florist is Stefans) What are your centerpieces like?? I told you I had about 25 roses in bubble vases 20 tables - I also had 1 floating rose on all cocktail tables and all the other stuff I mentioned - I used my centerpieces on the tables when you entered the reception (for cocktail hour) on the card table (that was their idea) and then they took them and put them on the tables (trust me nobody notices) Call them back make a new appointment and you tell them this is what i can spend what can you give me - and then go to all three florists you men. and play them against eachother... Again, I paid $2100 (and I couldn't imagine spending anymore b/c it's really not worth it... I had roses all over for that price. Keep us posted - After having already been through it I am so happy I didn't spend more than that - people only notice on that day - I have never again been told how beautiful the flowers were (and they were)

Call the catering hall

If the florist continues to give you prices like $7,000 complain. That is unfair. You should not spend that kind of money on something that will die in a few days. Stay firm. You should not go into debt over flowers.