Wedding How to choose a florist? (I just want to check it off already!!)

[newbie124]

I am having the HARDEST time deciding on a florist!!

We met w/ 3 ppl during our trip to CA:

Florist A: We really liked her personality and creative energy/ideas. It seemed like she got what our vision was, although I didn''t necessarily see any previous examples in her portfolio of stuff she''s done before that I was like "Oh, yeah, that''s like what I''m looking for." That could obviously be b/c that''s what her clients asked for, but then it still is a bit of a leap of faith that what I have envisioned in my head is what she''s going to come up with.

Florist B: In person, she was more business-y than Florist A. FI didn''t feel as connected w/ her as Florist A. I didn''t mind her personality--at least I''d be assured that she would definitely be on top of things--and her arrangements also looked nice, but they were in general more formal than the sort of loose, romantic, winecountry garden look we want. So again, another leap of faith on whether her actual arrangements would come through. On paper, though, her descriptions were really lovely and exactly on point with what we talked about...(she''d be a good person to write up restaurant menus

Florist C: LOVE her arrangements. Her style is EXACTLY what I have in mind. In fact, half the sample photos I printed out were her work. However, she could really, really work on communication. I have to constantly follow up with her by email and phone. Her detailed quote came about a week after the other two, and that was only b/c I called and emailed for it. Then I asked about some revisions about a week ago and she''s about 4 days late getting back to me on that (just sent a follow up email today).

Florist C was recommended to me by another bride who did warn me about the email communications (or lack thereof), but that on the day-of the florist was on time and on top of everything. And her arrangements were beautiful to boot.

I found one other review on Project Wedding that essentially said the same thing: lax communication, but flowers were awesome.

So what do I do?? Most of the other vendors we picked are pretty to very good at responding. It drives me nuts to have to keep following up w/ someone...but then again, I really love her work. I''m hoping that maybe after we get a contract signed and have mostly agreed on the arrangements, I probably won''t really need to be in much contact w/ her...but I''d still maybe worry that every time I have a change, it''s going to take forever to get it across.

Should I just try to relax and deal with it and hope that everything will turn out or should I go w/ another florist and hope they''d be able to pull off what we want?

Anyone else have similar experiences w/ a vendor or, in particular, their florist?

 

[dutchflowers]

Hi Newbie124,

What area are you looking for florists in CA? I was just married in Calistoga and was amazed by my florist.

We don''t have any pics yet otherwise I''d show them. Seriously, I can''t give her enough praise. She rocked our world. If you are in the Napa/NorCal area let me know and I''ll send you her info.

To some extent, with florists, I''ve found that you can describe general parameters of colors and texture, but need to trust them to pick the best flowers that are in season and available.

Best of luck!!!!!!!

 

[musey]

Honestly, go with your gut. I''m sure you lean toward one.

I had SO much trouble with this. SERIOUSLY. In the end I said "Whatever, they''re just flowers" and drove straight to the florist nearest our venue and booked them

I may regret that later. Whatever.

To be fair, I only need(ed) 2 bouquets and five boutonnieres. If I''d been doing floral centerpieces, I would''ve cared more.

 

[newbie124]

Hi dutchflowers! I actually am getting married in Napa Florist C (the one whose arrangements I love) is located in Healdsburg. We live in Chicago, though, and just got back from a trip out to CA to meet w/ vendors, so I don''t know if I''d get the opportunity to meet your florist in person. If she has a website, though, I''d be interested in checking out her work! (Although FI would probably say the last thing I need now is more options )

musey - Thanks, yeah, I *think* my gut is telling me to go w/ Florist C since I''ve seen what she can do and it''s really in line w/ what we''re looking for. I just wish she also had the business side of the other two florists.

But others on the knot have mentioned that apparently this isn''t too uncommon for florists and even bakers (although the one I found happens to be great) and once you have the general arrangements fleshed out, there really isn''t going to be much need for further communication later on.

I guess I''m just particularly antsy right now b/c I want to get a contract signed and get this off my list of things to do. The florist is actually the last major vendor we need to book, so getting this wrapped up will really take a weight off my chest!

 

[dutchflowers]

Hi Newbie!!

Yay for Napa!!

Our florist was Verde Flowers. Here is her website: http://www.verde-flowers.com/ I found her prices to be pretty reasonable for the area - and again, we were amazed with her arrangments. Plus, Sara is super responsive.

I also spoke with Lush Floral, we didn''t end up going with them as they were a bit pricey, but have only heard really good things about them too.

All things being equal, I''d go with a vendor who is responsive. The lack of timely responses was a huge pet peeve of mine about some of our vendors and in the end, cuased more stress than it was worth.

Good luck!!

 

[Sabine]

Which would upset you more?
A. It''s the day of your wedding, and you walk into the reception, and your are pretty and nice, but don''t quite match your vision.
or
B. It'' the week of your wedding, and you need to add a corsage for a reader (or some other thing) and need to change the number of centerpieces, and you call/email your florist, and have to keep calling/emailing each day to confirm, and on the day of your wedding you still aren''t sure if all the changes will be taken care of, but the flowers are exactly what you pictured?

 

[newbie124]

Sigh....Well, I finally heard back from the florist yesterday w/ the revised quote. It''s still about $200 over what I want to spend (and about $100 more than Florist A, our 2nd choice). I know in the grand scheme of things that''s not a huge amount, but I was really hoping to be able to trim down costs in this category since almost everything else is pretty set.

I''m still really undecided and it''s totally stressing me out now

To Sabine''s points...I think since the flowers are what we''re spending on this money on, I would feel pretty disappointed if on the day of I see them and they''re not what I hoped. Then again, if something was missing or not changed to how we requested b/c of communication problems, well, that would kind of suck, too.

I did have a friend just tell me how her wedding florist was even more lax to the point where my friend had to create her own Invoice b/c the florist seemed to lax about everything. But then her flowers turned out to be just what she wanted in the end...but man, can you imagine how worrisome that would be that your florist couldn''t even pass along a proper invoice?

I went back to both florist''s websites...while both only have a small sample of their work, I still kind of get goosebumps looking at the photos on Florist C''s site. Whereas Florist A...she''s definitely talented and does some nice arrangements, but I didn''t necessarily see anything that was exactly in the style that I want...kind of close, but not quite.

Here are their sites if anyone is interested in taking a look and offering feedback?

Florist A

Florist C (they have one link that showcases their farm stand and one for their special events)

I do like the fact that Florist C (Dragonfly) is a local, organic farm so I guess even though we''d be breaking our budget, at least we know we''d be doing good for the environment, right?

 

[dutchflowers]

For what its worth, I''m local to the Bay Area. I''ve heard good things about Dragonfly. I don''t have specifics, but believe they have a strong reputation. I don''t have input on your other vendor.

Either way, your flowers will be beautiful.

 

[newbie124]

Date: 9/19/2008 12:44:41 PM
Author: dutchflowers
For what its worth, I''m local to the Bay Area. I''ve heard good things about Dragonfly. I don''t have specifics, but believe they have a strong reputation. I don''t have input on your other vendor.

Either way, your flowers will be beautiful.

Really, you''ve heard of them before? Wow, I thought they were just a small operation that only locals (as in w/in a 15-20 mi radius) only knew about. I barely found anything else about them online. But that''s definitely good to know that you''ve heard good things.

Thanks for the heads up

 

[marchswallowbird]

Newbie, $100 here and $200 there adds up FAST. You''re right to try to stay within your budget.

That said, I''m with Musey. They''re just flowers. I am having centerpieces, but they''re going to be simple, I just don''t have the $$ to spend a huge amount on flowers. I''m blowing my wad on photography instead.

Personally, it would drive me CRAZY to have a vendor that was lax about communicating with me in a timely fashion. It immediately makes me think they will also be lax about their work. I don''t need that stress. (And if a vendor didn''t send me an invoice, I would not send them their $$ until they did. Their choice on how long they want to wait to get paid.)

 

[newbie124]

Date: 9/19/2008 6:48:40 PM
Author: marchswallowbird
Newbie, $100 here and $200 there adds up FAST. You're right to try to stay within your budget.

That said, I'm with Musey. They're just flowers. I am having centerpieces, but they're going to be simple, I just don't have the $$ to spend a huge amount on flowers. I'm blowing my wad on photography instead.

Personally, it would drive me CRAZY to have a vendor that was lax about communicating with me in a timely fashion. It immediately makes me think they will also be lax about their work. I don't need that stress. (And if a vendor didn't send me an invoice, I would not send them their $$ until they did. Their choice on how long they want to wait to get paid.)

Yeah, seriously, when I went into this, flowers were definitely not a high priority for me. We actually aren't spending all that much, comparatively, or going overboard on anything--low centerpieces, small bridal party, only flower pins for parents and grandma (not every aunt and uncle), no crazy out of season flowers. Yet somehow...it's still a lot of money! And thus I feel like if we're going to have to spend this much, I might as well get exactly what I want, right? You're right, though, $100 or $200 more here or there does ADD UP! I think my decision would be a lot easier if there was a greater price difference b/t all of the florists. However, our 2nd choice florist's quote was only $100 less than the other one.

The communication (or really, I should say email) issue is annoying. However, I'm not necessarily worried about them falling through the day of, given what I've heard from previous clients. They all warned about the slow communication but raved about the flowers and one bride said in particular that she was prompt and on top of things on the wedding day.

 

[marchswallowbird]

Then I think you''ve made your choice! Check that puppy off the list!!