Comments on: Dear Preston: How Much Should Brides Spend on Flowers?

By: Sandra

Sandra — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 08:58:21 +0000

Hi Preston, I honestly think 50% is quite high. Though I like the idea of having more candles on the table, which are definitely better, and sounds more reasonable.

Reusing the ceremony flowers for reception is definitely a good thought, it can save a lot of money, though as you said it’s tricky but if the new flowers are added well, but it is worth the effort, as it is going to save a lot of money.

By: Nicky

Nicky — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:53:37 +0000

Rent vases for the reception so the bouquets can be a feature and not just laid on the table

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:39:25 +0000

I am located in a very rural area in the MIdwest, most of my brides come in with a budget of $500.00 to spend on their wedding flowers. Centerpieces are usually diy, either candles, rose bowls, petals, or artificial pieces that Aunt Snazzy put together from the local Dollar General Store, (no I am not kidding, I wish I was….lol)
Grand weddings in this area are few and far between.
People are broke right now, when I meet with a bride and she is on a tight budget, we start with her bouquet and work down from there. When someone comes in with a very modest budget, we sit down, and figure out what flowers we can get the most bang for their buck out of.
People without money want their day to be just as special as people with an endless budget.
Also you can’t judge a book by it’s cover, I’ve had people come in that look like they don’t have 2 nickels to rub together and they’ve spent more money then the people that you know have the budget to spend, but just won’t because they think flowers are a waste, just saying you should treat all people the same.

By: To Do Or Not To Do: Sharing Your Mark-Up Strategy With Clients | Preston Bailey's Blog, Event and Wedding Designer

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:33:46 +0000

[...] Tomorrow I’ll return to this week’s topic on securing wedding clients, but today I’d like to respond to a few of the comments left on yesterday’s Dear Preston column. [...]

By: Angela

Angela — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:39:28 +0000

preston. I love all tips particularly the candle tip. Really good tip. The last tip is such a great idea too…bravo!!

By: Savannah

Savannah — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:17:11 +0000

Beautiful tips, Preston. Always so delightful to hear tips from the master.

I personally, most definitely, agree that recycling the ceremony flowers at the reception is a brilliant idea. I’ve seen a lot of brides opt for this and I think it’s great. Why kiss beautiful blooms goodbye when they’re perfectly reusable? Adding crystals to them or even grouping them together into a larger arrangement, if possible, is a great way to “create something new.”

And brilliant answer with asking, “What’s most important to the bride?” Absolutely! If the bride’s a food or wine connoisseur, she should allocate most of her budget there. If she’s a flower bride then making a grand statement at the reception, or even ceremony, entrance is a perfect idea!

The French Bouquet designs some breathtaking eight-twelve foot trees, sometimes draped in crystals or covered in Cherry Blossoms or flowers. Shine beautiful lighting on them, dim the ceiling lights and voila! A magical entrance!

Thanks for expanding on this tweet, Preston!
-Savannah

The French Bouquet: Wedding & Event Florals

By: holly turville

holly turville — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:59:02 +0000

Right… your pricing seems a bit off to me.
As a floral designer in Nevada, I purchase everything wholesale and am no way, no how able to purchase roses at that price- anywhere. Box charges, shipping fees, etc. are astronomical. Additionally, 20% labor is the norm here and 50% markup is nowhere close. More like 30% locally, to remain competitive and not lose clients to the next designer who is practically giving away her product just to stay in business. I always give brides the advise of looking at their whole budget and figuring anywhere from 10-20% of their entire wedding budget should go towards flowers. Any additional details (and we all do way more than just flowers) are additional components of the budget.

By: YOUR NAME

YOUR NAME — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:09:10 +0000

It runs all over me when I read on sites like Wedding Wire, Eventective, and other wedding blogs when they tell brides that their wedding flowers will cost between $800-$1,000! I think they gather most of this information from brides who purchase their flowers at supermarkets.

I would like to know where to purchase roses for .50 or small vases for $1.50, because I can’t find any cheaper than $.88-1.10 each, and more if the shipping and box charges aren’t included in the pricing. I don’t have a big flower market to go to and select my flowers. I have to rely on wholesalers, or in rare cases, the growers themselves. Please share some resources, if you would be so kind.

By: julie

julie — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:58:59 +0000

Roses have been 1.09-1.99 each for the past 20 years. I guess New York is less expensive??We base floral budget 20% of overall budget.

By: Design By Gilda

Design By Gilda — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:58:22 +0000

I would like to know how do you calculate the labor, before doubling the cost?