What a SCAM!!!!

[JDAZ11]

I got my first estimate for wedding flowers this morning

OMG - what is wrong with these people?!?!?!?!?!?!? Why would they think that anyone would spend that kind of money on flowers... that are just going to die?!?!?! I think honestly think you could end up with a really nicely landscaped 1 acre yard for about the same amount! I bet my mom is seriously regretting her decision not to let me have a tiny destination wedding today!!

Felt the need to vent.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Buy your flowers wholesale and assign a close friend/relative to arrange them in a simple way that you design (this is what Pinterest is for). It saved me a BOATLOAD and people were happy to help. It means you can't have an ubercomplicated arrangement but honestly, simple and tasteful is probably best.

We did a few tall calla lillies in a vase with colored sea glass and then surrounded it with white lights in mason jars. It was SIMPLE but it looked pretty good!

[JDAZ11]

Thank you! Yeah - I am definitely going to have to figure out an alternative! I thought about wholesale flowers before - I guess I just didn't want to think about it too much the day before and day of. But oh well! I also don't even care that much about the flowers (I didn't even specify a type - which maybe is part of the problem). Candles for tables = $700... umm no way dude...

This proposal is like WAY over of the top though - I don't think this guy really listened to anything I said (I can't stand the over decorated look - and specifically picked the wedding site so that there wouldn't be much decorating involved). I guess in his defense - this is how he makes money, and it was a first offer.

I still think this whole wedding industry is a total scam

JDAZ, agreed. SOO many people who are running scams in the wedding biz! Hope this site helps if you go to wholesale route and want ideas: www.stylemepretty.com

[Michele]

My MIL bought a crap ton of roses for us (she got a gardener's discount or something). My bridesmaids and I popped off all the thorns and arranged our own bouquets. We put candles on the tables with rose petals around them and some rose petals and roses on the cake. My colors were black and white with red roses. I'm not a flower person.

[JDAZ11]

JDAZ, agreed. SOO many people who are running scams in the wedding biz! Hope this site helps if you go to wholesale route and want ideas: www.stylemepretty.com

OHHH I am already horribly addicted to style me pretty... horribly, horribly addicted!!!

One of my sisters is so funny every time I ask for opinions on things... her response is always "I think I like this one best, but really who cares? I'm going to be so drunk anyway." She is so right - My mom and I are literally the only people who care at all about things like the flowers. And I actually never would have thought to care about the flowers at all until I started reading stylemepretty obsessively. I've probably noticed the flowers at a total of 5 weddings I've been to.... ever. And of those five, I literally don't remember anything specific now.

So wholesale it is!!! I stupidly purchased my dress in ny, so I will likely have to go back to get it right before the wedding anyway - flowers in nyc are bizarrely inexpensive. So maybe that's my best bet.

[Deebs]

If you're not a flower person, don't splurge there. Did you ask your hall if they have centerpieces? We didn't use them, but ours did.

[L.Jane]

I feel you. I didn't have a single live flower at my wedding because of allergies and centerpieces from wedding planners were still ridiculous. We are now working on my sister's and having the same problem. We are actually looking to buy pretty small crystal tree tea light candle holders that we found online and then spread small blue "jewels" around them. It will be simple but pretty and save a but load. And yes, most likely even you the day of, as long as it looks nice enough, wont give a damn, you'll just be thrilled you finally made it to your wedding day (at least thats been my friends and my perspective).

[JDAZ11]

If you're not a flower person, don't splurge there. Did you ask your hall if they have centerpieces? We didn't use them, but ours did.

Our venue doesn't really. They have some things - like I think they have the candles this guy wants to charge me $700 for. I think they also have like mirrors or something that goes under the flowers (which I don't think I need), but I think that was about it. We are using all of their chairs, linens, cake stand, and place settings etc. The place is really very beautiful and looks amazing even if you don't decorate much. I think this guy just got a little too excited. If he can cut his estimate in half maybe we'll talk again. I was just totally shocked when I scrolled through and saw his bottom line. He clearly didn't catch the part of the meeting where I said that I was unemployed

[JDAZ11]

And yes, most likely even you the day of, as long as it looks nice enough, wont give a damn, you'll just be thrilled you finally made it to your wedding day (at least thats been my friends and my perspective).

I agree!

[oceanchild]

Are you getting married in NYC? If so, I'm sure that's part of the problem.

If you think this guy is your only option, go back to him and say, "What can you do for X amount of money, which is what I actually have to spend?" And go from there.

[Pollyanna]

The only flowers at our wedding were for the bouquets and some on the altar. For centerpieces at the reception we had the chef make small wedding cakes. Our table had a small three tier and each of the guest tables had a two tier replica. It made for a beautiful table and a fun way to do wedding cake. Plus it turned out less expensive than tons of flowers or elaborate centerpieces. Have fun planning your wedding!

[JDAZ11]

Are you getting married in NYC? If so, I'm sure that's part of the problem.

If you think this guy is your only option, go back to him and say, "What can you do for X amount of money, which is what I actually have to spend?" And go from there.

No - not nyc (I can't even imagine), but an almost equally expensive east coast city (mistake #1). The guy isn't our only option at all, I think I am just a little frustrated because we met with him for about four hours - and he doesn't seem to be on the same page at all. We also didn't give him a strict budget (mistake #2). He said that that everything would be itemized, so that we could cut out things we didn't want... I guess I just didn't anticipate not wanting so many of the things! (plus the proposal isn't itemized to level of specificity I had imagined). Interested to see what the other companies come back with. But either way I will have to go back and ask what he can do for less than half the original cost. (good thing I have lots of time to deal with this!).

The wedding is also HUGE which is mistake #3! (well huge in my opinion - my guest list had 6 ppl plus guests). So that obviously increases the cost of everything pretty significantly.

[Vanquisher]

I can't even remember all these things about my wedding. I do remember that my sister ordered flowers wholesale on the internet and had them shipped. It was super easy!

[JDAZ11]

The only flowers at our wedding were for the bouquets and some on the altar. For centerpieces at the reception we had the chef make small wedding cakes. Our table had a small three tier and each of the guest tables had a two tier replica. It made for a beautiful table and a fun way to do wedding cake. Plus it turned out less expensive than tons of flowers or elaborate centerpieces. Have fun planning your wedding!

That is actually a really cool idea! I had one friend do something similar (I do actually remember those centerpieces!).

I am sure I will figure something out....