How to prepare for meetings with florists & decor?

[Green with Envy]

I know I should bring a few pictures for inspiration and a general idea of what we need (number of bouquets, tables, etc.), but beyond that... what advice do you give?

I don''t even have an exact budget yet because I have no idea how much flowers will cost in the LA area. I know I prefer flowers in season to keep costs low... but should you ask for a mock up? Do you actually count the number and type of flowers in each arrangement so you get the exact same thing you want on your wedding day?

If our venue provides linens... does the florist provide candles or other artistic type stuff to go along with the reception displays... or do i have to find another vender (or buy myself) for other accents?

feeling clueless about decor and don''t want to spend the cash on any event planner.... help!

 

[meresal]

The best way to get accurate quotes is to know how many of each of these you will need: Centerpieces (do you want them all the same height/fullness, or some tall and some short), BM bouquets, GM/Father bouts, and Mother/Grandmother bouts or wristlets, and what you want to do about the flower girl.

If you are having a buffet, do you need arrangements for each of the buffet tables?

If you are getting married in a church and want pew bows/flowers, be sure to try and find out how many pews there are. Also, do you want arrangements at the front of the church?

**Keep in mind, you can move arrangements from the church to the reception and save ALOT of $$$$ by re-using them... like for the sign-in table at the reception or on the cake table, etc. This also works for reusing BM bouquets around the reception.

I'll think of some others... and add them as I remember.

Most florists will have a stockroom of doecorative accents. You just have to ask what they use, and if they charge you to rent them. Sometimes they will build the rental fee into the price of the "arrangement".

You don't really need to know what your price range is when you go in. After you meet with them, they will put together a spreadsheet with the price per each arrangement and a total. Then you can look at each of the ones you get and decide where to go from there. If the quotes are too high, you can make changes. Maybe do a few more smaller centerpieces would work just as well. Many florists will work with you to come down to your budget, or help you add if you have extra room.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

You really need to have a ballpark budget to go in with. The ladies on your local knot board should be able to tell you how the rates go in your area. But, you need to do what's most comfortable for you and your overall wedding budget. I'd go in with some pictures and ideas as well as the details of what you need (how many, etc). Know your theme and the feeling you want your flowers to evoke. Try and think of some key words you can give the designer like bright, vibrant, classic, romantic, etc. Also, if there are flowers that you don't want, bring in a list, but I wouldn't tell them what you do want. I think part of the fun with flowers is giving them your budget, your ideas and then let them run with the flower choice. This will allow them to choose flowers that are in your budget so you get the biggest bang for your buck.

Good luck, bottom line, budget it the number one thing to go into the meeting having.

 

[meresal]

Date: 2/5/2010 2:59:03 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
You really need to have a ballpark budget to go in with. The ladies on your local knot board should be able to tell you how the rates go in your area. But, you need to do what''s most comfortable for you and your overall wedding budget. I''d go in with some pictures and ideas as well as the details of what you need (how many, etc). Know your theme and the feeling you want your flowers to evoke. Try and think of some key words you can give the designer like bright, vibrant, classic, romantic, etc. Also, if there are flowers that you don''t want, bring in a list, but I wouldn''t tell them what you do want. I think part of the fun with flowers is giving them your budget, your ideas and then let them run with the flower choice. This will allow them to choose flowers that are in your budget so you get the biggest bang for your buck.

Good luck, bottom line, budget it the number one thing to go into the meeting having.

Really?

I met with 3 of the top florists in our area, and not one asked me my budget. I actually don''t think it is a good idea to let anyone know what your budget is at your first meeting. Let them show you their prices when they give you the quote and then you can either choose to work with them, or choose to use a company with a less expensive quote.

FWIW, I used a florist who gave me an exorbitant quote, and we worked our final price down to half of what she originally quoted.

*Also, I think it is nice to find someone that has worked with your venue at least one time before. Be sure to ask them if they have worked there and know the layout.*

 

[MonkeyPants]

Date: 2/5/2010 3:14:02 PM
Author: meresal

Date: 2/5/2010 2:59:03 PM

Author: Hudson_Hawk

You really need to have a ballpark budget to go in with. The ladies on your local knot board should be able to tell you how the rates go in your area. But, you need to do what's most comfortable for you and your overall wedding budget. I'd go in with some pictures and ideas as well as the details of what you need (how many, etc). Know your theme and the feeling you want your flowers to evoke. Try and think of some key words you can give the designer like bright, vibrant, classic, romantic, etc. Also, if there are flowers that you don't want, bring in a list, but I wouldn't tell them what you do want. I think part of the fun with flowers is giving them your budget, your ideas and then let them run with the flower choice. This will allow them to choose flowers that are in your budget so you get the biggest bang for your buck.


Good luck, bottom line, budget it the number one thing to go into the meeting having.

Really?


I met with 3 of the top florists in our area, and not one asked me my budget. I actually don't think it is a good idea to let anyone know what your budget is at your first meeting. Let them show you their prices when they give you the quote and then you can either choose to work with them, or choose to use a company with a less expensive quote.


FWIW, I used a florist who gave me an exorbitant quote, and we worked our final price down to half of what she originally quoted.


*Also, I think it is nice to find someone that has worked with your venue at least one time before. Be sure to ask them if they have worked there and know the layout.*

Same here Mer. I did initially email around and ask about minimums since many florists have minimums that were often over my budget. When I finally sat down for a consult with our florist (who did not specify a minimum) we talked for 2.5 hours. I brought inspiration photos, a swatch of my wedding gown fabric, and a swatch of the BM dresses for her to get an idea of the colors and "feel" of the event. We worked through all of the decisions during the meeting (I was a bit clueless) and a few days after the consult she sent a quote. I countered her offer and she was more than happy to scale down and change things in the quote to accommodate my itty bitty floral budget.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Well, all due respect, I had a budget that we had to work with and couldn''t vary from. I couldn''t go in there with a pie in the sky dream and my parent''s checkbook in hand. I was simply stating that in my situation, the most important thing was a budget for the florist to work off of.

 

[Lauren8211]

Date: 2/5/2010 3:48:00 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
Well, all due respect, I had a budget that we had to work with and couldn''t vary from. I couldn''t go in there with a pie in the sky dream and my parent''s checkbook in hand. I was simply stating that in my situation, the most important thing was a budget for the florist to work off of.

Amen!

I actually told people my budget was low, and they helped me work around it. I had beautiful flowers and hardly spent any money. They wanted my business and they gave me ideas that were within my spending range.

 

[meresal]

Date: 2/5/2010 3:48:00 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
Well, all due respect, I had a budget that we had to work with and couldn't vary from. I couldn't go in there with a pie in the sky dream and my parent's checkbook in hand. I was simply stating that in my situation, the most important thing was a budget for the florist to work off of.

All due respect HH, I wasn't trying to be mean. Just stating an opinion. I hope that this wasn't a personal attack? My mom and I had a maximum before our first meeting as well, but it was our choice not to share it.

Funny thing is, when you share a budget, your quotes all seem to come back right around that number... or just a bit over.

ETA: We worked with the florist re: our budget after we chose the one we wanted to use.

 

[vc10um]

Date: 2/5/2010 3:48:00 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
Well, all due respect, I had a budget that we had to work with and couldn''t vary from. I couldn''t go in there with a pie in the sky dream and my parent''s checkbook in hand. I was simply stating that in my situation, the most important thing was a budget for the florist to work off of.

I have to agree with HH on this one. I don''t know how you can go to ANY vendor, ESPECIALLY a florist, without having a budget that they know in advance. I know I''m going to be working with a very tight budget when it comes to flowers, and while I''m considering the DIY route, I would like to see if there are florists out there who can be competitive with bulk floral rates. I don''t want to go in there, show them my inspiration pictures, have them say "yes, we can do that!" and show me beautiful samples, and then realize I can''t pay for them. I want to know if they can do what I want, in my budget. If yes, then great. If no, then DIY it is!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Date: 2/5/2010 3:54:07 PM
Author: meresal

Date: 2/5/2010 3:48:00 PM

Author: Hudson_Hawk

Well, all due respect, I had a budget that we had to work with and couldn't vary from. I couldn't go in there with a pie in the sky dream and my parent's checkbook in hand. I was simply stating that in my situation, the most important thing was a budget for the florist to work off of.

All due respect HH, I wasn't trying to be mean. Just stating an opinion. My mom and I had a maximum before our first meeting as well, but it was our choice not to share it.



Funny thing is, when you share a budget, your quotes all seem to come back right around that number... or just a bit over.

LOL my budget was so low that didn't matter.

I agree with screening vendors before setting up one-on-one meetings with them so you don't waste their time or your own. I was under the impression that the OP had done that and was now at the stage where she was meeting with her short list. For that meeting, for me, having a budget was the most important thing. And I ended up paying $200 less than what I told the designer, which to some is pennies in the bucket, but was 25% of my original budget. ETA: and regarding the last bit about their quotes coming in on budget. It doesn't really matter if they come in on budget if your budget is what you're intending to pay from the outset.

 

[meresal]

Date: 2/5/2010 3:56:19 PM
Author: vc10um

Date: 2/5/2010 3:48:00 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
Well, all due respect, I had a budget that we had to work with and couldn''t vary from. I couldn''t go in there with a pie in the sky dream and my parent''s checkbook in hand. I was simply stating that in my situation, the most important thing was a budget for the florist to work off of.

I have to agree with HH on this one. I don''t know how you can go to ANY vendor, ESPECIALLY a florist, without having a budget that they know in advance. I know I''m going to be working with a very tight budget when it comes to flowers, and while I''m considering the DIY route, I would like to see if there are florists out there who can be competitive with bulk floral rates. I don''t want to go in there, show them my inspiration pictures, have them say ''yes, we can do that!'' and show me beautiful samples, and then realize I can''t pay for them. I want to know if they can do what I want, in my budget. If yes, then great. If no, then DIY it is!

If that is the situation, then that is probably the best way to get a straight answer. You are looking for a quick answer, a yes or no. However, in some cases you know that your budget will allow for what you want, and you just want to make sure you get the lowest quote. In that case, I would recommend not sharing the budget.

 

[meresal]

Date: 2/5/2010 3:57:22 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk

Date: 2/5/2010 3:54:07 PM
Author: meresal

Date: 2/5/2010 3:48:00 PM

Author: Hudson_Hawk

Well, all due respect, I had a budget that we had to work with and couldn''t vary from. I couldn''t go in there with a pie in the sky dream and my parent''s checkbook in hand. I was simply stating that in my situation, the most important thing was a budget for the florist to work off of.

All due respect HH, I wasn''t trying to be mean. Just stating an opinion. My mom and I had a maximum before our first meeting as well, but it was our choice not to share it.



Funny thing is, when you share a budget, your quotes all seem to come back right around that number... or just a bit over.

LOL my budget was so low that didn''t matter.

I agree with screening vendors before setting up one-on-one meetings with them so you don''t waste their time or your own. I was under the impression that the OP had done that and was now at the stage where she was meeting with her short list. For that meeting, for me, having a budget was the most important thing. And I ended up paying $200 less than what I told the designer, which to some is pennies in the bucket, but was 25% of my original budget. ETA: and regarding the last bit about their quotes coming in on budget. It doesn''t really matter if they come in on budget if your budget is what you''re intending to pay from the outset.

HH, I completely agree. I got the impression that the OP hasn''t met with anyone and has no idea what the rates are in her area. Which could lead someone to take advantage if she has a generous budget.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

That''s why I said to do some research before hand. It sounded to me like she really wasn''t even ready to reach out to vendors. Which is why I told her to start at the knot. Those girls will know who the best vendors are for her particular situation.

 

[Green with Envy]

I have a few names recommended by my venue and I checked out some of their work online. I didn''t even realize that some might have minimums $. So when i make the first introductory call to set appointment... i now guess I should ask upfront if they have a minimum $ amount. Anything else?

I have some idea what I like and I want to know what to expect and what questions/ details should I bring to the first meetings.

i am not sure exactly what types of flowers we want... but I want to try to compare quotes among 2-3 venders.

 

[sunnyd]

I didn''t state a budget at first, I just let them come up with prices based on what I wanted and we went from there. I agree with Mere that that can often generate a quote that''s exactly that amount.

Luckily, the place I went to was known for having extremely reasonable prices, and they did not disappoint! That, and I knew pretty specifically what I wanted. I think that helped for sure.

 

[emeraldlover1]

Date: 2/5/2010 2:50:14 PM
Author:Green with Envy
I know I should bring a few pictures for inspiration and a general idea of what we need (number of bouquets, tables, etc.), but beyond that... what advice do you give?

I don't even have an exact budget yet because I have no idea how much flowers will cost in the LA area. I know I prefer flowers in season to keep costs low... but should you ask for a mock up? Do you actually count the number and type of flowers in each arrangement so you get the exact same thing you want on your wedding day?

If our venue provides linens... does the florist provide candles or other artistic type stuff to go along with the reception displays... or do i have to find another vender (or buy myself) for other accents?

feeling clueless about decor and don't want to spend the cash on any event planner.... help!

If you are using a full service event designer and florist then they should be able to provide you with anything that you want. I don't know your venue but most likely anything "artistic" would come from your design or whomever you employ to design. That being said...make a list of all the things you want to do design wise. Then, price out what you can do vs what your florist can do. OR, ask your florist for a quote on everything and do your own pricing as a comp. This is the way I would deal with any vendor mind you.

You should have an idea of everything you want and make a list some thing like:
- 10 tables
- check in table
- gift table
- bar
- 8 bridesmaids
- 2 mothers
- 8 groomsmen

Then make a list of things that are nice to have:
- uplighting
- candle displays for ____
- hanging lanters

you get the idea.

I would also bring any and every picture I could find that represents the feel I would want of the wedding. Not just a few pictures. I brought a whole binder!!!!!! The more the better.

Lastly, have a ballpark range of what you can pay total and go from there. I had a certian budget and believe me I streched it to the limit with my designers. You would be amazed at what you got. That being said their first quote came back at over $175 for each bridesmaids bouquet. YEAH RIGHT!! They somehow managed to get the same feel with a cheaper option.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[caribqueen]

Here are my suggestions for your meeting:
First off, I think you should determine your budget for flowers, but I don’t think you need to share it with the florists during your first meetings. I went to three different florists and they all seemed to have set prices and ranges that they gave, like “centerpieces run from $ to $$$”, bridal bouquet runs from $170 - $300. In the end, we went with who was the most creative of the bunch and who would work with us at whatever budget we were at. So after we met she gave us a proposal based on our conversation and we were able to make changes to it as we saw fit. You will need to research averages for your area so you don''t get taken.

1) I would bring swatches of your BM dresses if you have it.
2) I personally didn’t want to flip through books and then pick something to be duplicated so I listened for their creative ideas – someone who could turn my vistion into something fabulous.
3) You want to make sure that the person who is doing the consultation will work on your flowers, because things can get lost in translation.
4) Does the installation/work fee include delivery AND pick-up?
6) Can you see a sample reception table centerpiece (and hopefully it''s included in the price)?
7) Request a line by line chart of what everything cost along with the flowers to be used, for example - bridal bouquet $170, bms bouquet 7 X $80 = $560, 2 mothers nosegays, large table centerpiece - dendrobium orchids, lavender roses, green hydrangeas..... (you get the point)
As for the bouquet toss, I will get one from leftover flowers, so there won''t be extra cost. If there is additional cost, I''d say forget it, because not many people do that anymore.
9) Ask what kind of deposit is required to hold the date?
10) Have they done weddings at the venue you''ve selected? That could make things easier if they''re familiar.
11) This goes without saying, but you should have contract that has the wedding date, location, your name and as listed above, what exactly you''re paying for.
12) You could definitely ask about whether they are able to supply linens (or rent/get them) and at what cost. When we saw sample centerpieces, we asked our florist to show us a couple looks with linens (the venue provides generic colors), so we’ll order our linen overlays through the florist.

 

[Lynnie]

Hi, Green!!

I worked at a florist through college, and was one of the wedding consultants there for 3 years.
Here's how it worked at our shop:

Every flower has a 'per stem' price. The consultant and you decide what size/style/color scheme you desire, and the consultant should give you options as to what flowers suits your scheme. A good consultant will put a bouquet together there on the spot, so you can get an idea of how your bouquet or arrangements will look. The consultant will figure how many stems of each flower they need per bouquet. Our shop had a 20% arranging fee per bouq... so for a dozen roses (example) the cost of the flowers and filler is $65... so I would've quoted $80.
Yes, you should get quoted for a count of the exact flowers... For example:
Bride's bouq: Hand-tied bouquet of 12-14 fuschia roses, 6 pink mini callas, 3-4 stems white hydrangea. Fill: heather, lemon leaf and seeded eucalyptus. Made garden style/light & airy (see inspiration pic, attached) $175
This is necessary because this is what the designer will be going by. Note: always a plus if the consultant is the actual designer. Very valid question to ask.

As far as going in with a budget... I found it really helpful if the budget was provided. A good florist will WORK to have your business, and suggest alternatives, give ideas/insight, etc. If you go 'over budget', there are always ways to cut back. So go in with an idea as to what 'area' of flowers you wouldn't mind cutting back on.... set a priority on what you can and can't comprimise on.

GOOD IDEA: Call some local florists, and get a quote for a pick-up: a dozen white roses arranged in a vase. Don't place the order though. Then call back the next day and get a quote for a bridal bouq of a dozen white roses for pick-up (a quickie JOP ceremony

). Don't place the order though. If there's a HUGE difference in price between the vase and the bouq, then you know that florist up-charges a lot extra for hearing the word 'wedding'. Because in actuality, they cost the same for them to make.

As far as renting additional items from the florist:
Our shop had lots of things available to rent - everything from candlabras, card boxes, vase stands, etc. Make sure that the items being rented are actually owned by the shop, and not coming from an outside company. We did linens thru an outside company. We'd charge $6/tablecloth when it cost us $3... you could've just called the outside company yourself and saved some $$.

Carib has an awesome list there of things to do, also!!

Good luck!!

 

[Green with Envy]

Thanks. This info is super helpful! My venue says they have seen flowers done for ceremony and reception ranging from under $2000 and up beyond $10,000. yikes!