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Did you show her any pictures when you went in to book her? With my florist, I showed up with pictures of what I wanted my bouquet to look like and the flowers in the bouts and corsages. So I knew basically what things were going to look like. If you didn't get that, I would consider going to another florist and seeing if they were more detailed. I'm not sure if they really do sketches or anything like that though since they are put together right before the wedding.
My florist gave me the same kind of proposal and initial contract so that I could make a deposit to hold the date, but I will be meeting with her and she will show me an actual centerpiece and more pictures, and the all the details will be flushed between now and two weeks prior, and the balance due three days before the wedding (all details final at that point). I think you may want to meet in person and ask for a real-life sample to feel more comfortable.
Our florist quote was vague as well. I think that was because we were vague in our request. We obviously had a number of bouquets we needed, but I did not have specific flowers I wanted included.
Our florist also mentioned that he will use what is in season and what is cheap. Because of this, I am guessing he is not able to give me a list of specific flowers that will be in my bouquet or centerpieces.
How did you describe your centerpieces to her? Did you show her a photo? Did you specifically ask for a mock up or sketch? I would think those are things you may have to specifically ask for once you are pretty sure about what you are wanting for the wedding.
That sounds typical. In fact, one florist we met with wouldn't even give us a quote! (obviously, we didn't go with them)
We showed her pictures at the meeting and it was pretty clear what we wanted. She made copies of the pictures and put them in her file.
Ours was really detailed, but there were no photos. She listed colors and exact numbers of stems of each flower in each bouquet. She may not have sent me any pictures because we looked at her albums together when I met with her, and I pointed out what I liked then.
That sounds similar to what I received from my florist. I was given cost per item, a detailed description of each item, and the flowers that would be used. I brought pictures that I liked, so I have a pretty good idea of what it will look like.
That sounds very similar to what we got from our florist. We had a general breakdown of what flowers are going to be used to keep consistency with a few small details for special things we are adding. She has copies of all the photos I sent/brought in in the folder, but there aren't any sketches or anything.
Once we get closer to the actual date I'll be bringing in our containers for her and she's going to do a mock up of a centerpiece to give us an idea of how it's going to look. I know it would be far too costly for her to do one of everything for me to look at.
I'm fully confident though - I know I've explained my vision and she's on the same page as I am. It's definitely different than working with all the other vendors since everything else can be pretty well planned out and flowers are more of a 'in the moment' piece. I wouldn't worry! Maybe just ask to see a sample of a centerpiece once you get closer to the date to make sure everything is still good to go? Maybe even ask her to do a smaller, sample bouquet for you for your rehearsal!
Also similar to what I got. In fact, I'll copy and paste it here:
PROPOSAL FOR FLORAL DESIGNS
DESIGN SCHEME – Romantic, Candlelit Elegance with Lush, Organic Décor Complimented by Lightly Gilded Elements
COLOR PALLETTE – Earth Based Shades of Ivory, and Green and Natural Browns accented with Antique Gold
CEREMONY
These estimates are based on what is anticipated to be available for your wedding date. Where cost, quality or availability prohibit the use of a particular flower variety a similar variety that fits within the design scheme may be substituted.
IN ORDER TO SAVE COSTS ALL CONTAINERS, CANDLES AND OTHER PROPS WILL BE RENTED FROM OUR INVENTORY.
TWO LARGE FLORAL DOOR WREATHS ($125.00 each) $250.00
Wreaths composed of White Hydrangea, Roses, Spray Roses, and Berries Interspersed with
Loopings of Natural Bear Grass.
GUEST REGISTRATION TABLE ARRANGEMENT $100.00
A beautiful rustic wood box filled with white Hydrangea, Organic Green and Seeded Foliage containing an approximately three foot high sandblasted manzanita “bush”. The branches of the manzanita bush will be accented with moss green cymbidium orchid blossoms and Hanging Votive Candles.
AISLE ARRANGEMENTS (12 at $18.00) $216.00
“Wreaths” of Green Bell’s of Ireland Hung from the pew with elegant Antique Gold Ribbon.
PERSONAL FLOWERS
BRIDAL BOUQUET $150.00
A clean dome of Ivory Roses, Spray Roses, Tulips and Ranunculus Hand Tied and Finished with Natural Bear Grass Loops and Wrap.
BRIDESMAID’S BOUQUETS (three at $60.00 each) $180.00
Petite Hand Tied Bouquets of similar composition to the bridal bouquet Hand Tied and Finished with Natural Bear Grass Loops and Wraps.
GROOM $12.00
Classic Stephanotis, finished with bear grass accents.
EIGHT BOUTONNIERE ($10.00 each) $80.00
Ivory Spray Roses simply finished with Seeded Greens and bear grass Accents.
CLUTCH BOUQUETS ($15.00 each) $30.00
Simple hand tied posies of Green and White Parrot Tulips and Wired Green Cymbidium Blossoms Hand Tied with Bear Grass Loops and Simple Satin Ribbon.
RECEPTION FLOWERS
CENTERPIECES DESIGN 1 (Seven at $100.00 ) $700.00
Tall Clear Glass Trumpet Vases filled with a shallow layer of river rock and an abundance of curly willow branches and a lush “cuff” of green and White Hydrangea, touches of Gilded Foliage and Berries around the rim of the container. The curly willow branches would be studded with hanging votive candles and crystal drops. The arrangements would be encircled by cylinders of varying heights and widths containing water and floating candles.
CENTERPIECES DESIGN 2 (Eight at $50.00) $400.00
A series of 5 - 5” in diameter Cylinders of Various heights placed on a Cut wood platform provided by client. The tallest Cylinder would contain small green pears covered with water and topped with a floating candle the two cylinders flanking the central cylinder would be filled with water and contain clear glass beads topped with floating candles. The two shortest cylinders would contain small mini-pillar candles. The entire arrangement would be accented with moss and votive candles.
COCKTAIL TABLE ARRANGEMENTS (Ten at $250.00 each) $250.00
Petite urns filled with a mixture of Green and White Hydrangea, Mixed Green and Berries, Roses and Spray roses accented by votive Candles.
Hope that helps!
I am planning long-distance so wasn't able to show the florist photos of what I like or meet with her in person. I think this might make it more difficult for us to get on the same page. What I'm afraid of is that the bouquets or centerpieces are going to be too small or not the shape I am envisioning. Then it would be too late to change them, or at the very least, it would cost extra. It seems that many of you trust that your florist's ideas and yours will coincide - did you have these types of concerns at all?
@ Mrs. Dee to Bee Thanks for sharing yours - very helpful to see what other proposals look like!
Ive seen only vague ones myself which make it really difficult to make any sort of decision.
I'm planning long-distance too - I've only visited once when I was in town visiting our parents and I only think I'll be seeing her one more time when I drop containers off over the holidays - so I understand where you're coming from. Have you emailed her any photos? Maybe a phone call would be beneficial too - say you could send her an email with some photos and ask when would be a good time to call to go over them to make sure you're both on the same page?
I had some concerns when we first started, but I'm pretty confident at this point now that we've had many conversations and email exchanges.
oh man, MAKE SURE SHE MAKES A MOCK UP! mine had a very detailed (like WAY detailed) contract with me, but the centerpieces came out ALL wrong. Everything else was great, but the centerpieces-ugh.
@GirlwithaRing: Can you email her some photos? That should help.
Being absolutely sure with florists is tricky. I was very detailed with mine, but some of our bouquets weren't what I wanted (but I blame myself because I don't think I explained clearly).
As far as sketches or mock-ups, I don't think that's standard. Sketches would be hard and time-consuming because most likely, the florist isn't an artist (as far as drawing goes), so who knows if it would even accurately resemble what the final product would look like.
As far as mock-ups, it's my understanding that they will charge you for them, which makes sense because they have to order/buy the flowers and everything. I also believe they will only do that for large orders (like, if you're spending a certain amount of money with them). But I could be wrong.
I would just send pictures of your vision, and attach a Word document that details the overall look you're going for and the types of flowers you want used. My florist asked those questions and included it in the proposal.
You're welcome! I'm also a Long-Distance planning bride...but I TOTALLY trust my florist that she's going to do an amazing job. And I've given her umpteen billion images with what I like and what I don't like about each one.
you should get something that you are comfortable with.
In my estimates I give my clients a clear idea of what they are getting. Photos of flowers, sketch, style and count on the pieces. This is what I would want to get from a florist.
I don't do mock ups usually, and if I do I charge extra for it. In my opinion mock ups will never be 100% accurate because you can almost never get the same flower twice especially when it comes to different seasons and very specific shades. It all depends where these flowers will be shipped from the week of your wedding. And they don't always come from one place.
I ask my brides to bring me samples of colors and photos of pieces that they like.
One thing that florist hate is when you take their estimate and run off to a different florist and ask them to do the same design but beat the price on it. That is the main reason why florists are not open for giving out information. Each idea that we come up with is custom and if you are going to a different florist then he/she should come up with their own ideas.
You are welcome to shop around of course, as long as there is no copying. Different florists have different rules. In the end of the day, I say go with somebody that shows you they understands your needs and ideas in a way that you are comfortable with.
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Just got my first one and it lists how many bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces, and the flowers to be used in each. No number of blooms info, no photos, nothing, even after I asked for more detail.
Is this normal? She says all centerpieces are custom, but couldn't she show me something similar (at least size and shape if not the same flowers)? Or do a sketch of how they will look? I booked all of my other vendors and felt like I knew exactly what I was getting, but with this one, it's very vague...