Flower disappointment :-(

I think it's completely understandable for you to feel disheartened by it and to feel that you want to look elsewhere. I think i'd feel that way too.

Imagine the same thing happening in another scenario- If you were walking around the supermarket and one of the staff started putting things you didn't even like or want in your trolley you'd be annoyed and would probably want to shop elsewhere next time- especially if they then expected you to pay for those items. I'm sure it wasn't a nastiness thing, she probably thought she was being helpful, but I understand that there is a line and that it can easily come across as pushy or domineering.

Did you say anything at the time to her? I know it can be hard to step in and say no when suppliers go off on a tangent about an idea (or ideas!) they have. I'm rubbish at stepping in and saying no to people too

I would try at least another two but looking at your ticker, your wedding is the 21st December so prices will be high as it's peak trading season for fresh flowers and a lot will be limited in supply coming up to Christmas too. Which flowers were you thinking of just out of interest?

Thank you for your comments; you have made me feel less like I was having an unnecessary strop!

I had been wanting purples but specifically lilac roses which I understand are tricky at that time :-(

Something a bit like this:

I did think of silk but people's websites are not always great for silk flowers and I already saw you are all booked up!

I did tell her I was not happy about the lillies but it was not until I got home that I realised I would be unhappy with spending ages trying to get flowers perfect and just doing teh mums a white rose which didn't fit in with anything!

I am also being awkward by wanting succulents for buttonholes which she first said 'couldn't be done' until I showed her lots of examples!

There is a possibility that another florist could spray the roses lilac for you. Some florists don't dye flowers because of the risk of colours transferring onto your dress but that particular style of bouquet has all the roses on the inner of the bouquet rather than on the outer edge so that should be fine. Another option would be to find a florist who could mix fresh with artificial for you which is often done especially when the flowers you really would like are out of season. When I got married, I had artificial lily of the valley in my bouquet because it was way out of our budget to have it in fresh so the florist mixed artificial LOV with fresh roses - no-one noticed!

I'd definitely try a few others - tis true that some flowers may not be easy to get hold of but there's ways and means of getting as near as possible. A lot of florists only like working with certain flowers because it's what they are used to and therefore try and sway you to their way of thinking. Don't be bullied into having something you don't want!

Ah sorry girl, maybe worth giving the florist in question a little feedback then it'll be a learning curve all round. Anyhoo hope you find someone more on your level

Hi,

I can recommend corinne Turner florist in March, Cambs even if it is just for advice. She is on holiday for a couple of weeks but well worth talking to

lynne

Thank you

Does anyone have any experience with making their own bouquets with foam roses? I have bought some to see if I can do it but am not feeling massively confident!

Hi, that is one of the bouquets I've been considering - and I am gettin married on 29 November. My florist is a work colleague and at our preliminary chat back in March she specifically mentioned lilac roses to me as an option and no increase in price either. I'd be inclined to either ensure she writes up your quote and booking to specifically state no white, succulents etc or go elsewhere! Where are you based? My florist is in Essex if that's any use?

Ignore me - now seen where you're based! Bit far to travel for a florist, even one that can source lilac roses!

Yeah, might outweigh any saving! Thank you though. I assume it is worse because it is right near Christmas. Oh well, I have bought a load of foam roses and am going to have a go at putting something together.

I did something in 5 minutes - it looks a little ropey but I reckon I could make it work with some time and youtube videos!

Your instinct to look somewhere else is justified! Is about you and your wedding, if you have a certain dream about how your flowers should be, and the florist is not capable to fulfill it , and she also takes decisions on her own about something so important for you! So if I were you honestly I would look somewhere else, of course is up to you!

Unfortunately, this is the main reason. The wholesale markets where florists buy their flowers from tend to concentrate on the best selling lines the week running up to and including Christmas week. The auction houses where the wholesale markets buy their flowers from do the same as do the growers and so on. Christmas time in the flower trade is mainly door wreaths, table wreaths, gift wrap bouquets, potted plants, poinsettias etc., as these are the core products of Christmas trading. Whilst there are weddings at Christmas time, the choices of flowers are reduced quite considerably to make room for seasonal goods which is great if you want a red and white wedding but not so good if, like yourself, are wanting lilacs and purples. Price wise, everything goes up at Xmas and generally stays quite high in price until after Easter/Mothers' Day then back to normal prices after that.

Thanks for this. It is helpful to understand the reasons.

The florist has still not got back to be with any prices (she was going to the wholesalers on Tues) so she is not endearing herself to me any more!

I have an appointment with a different one on Tuesday night so I will see how that goes

Definitely speak to a few other florists. I'm getting married just after Christmas and was warned about high flower prices and limited choices. I know what colours and style I want but am fairly flexible with the types of flowers used. I went to see several florists - some said they would struggle to get certain flowers and wouldn't be having deliveries around that time but others said it wouldn't be a problem. The quotes I got varied massively from £250 - £480.

I think your justified in going elsewhere

that would annoy me so much... If they added lilies to any of my wedding items I wouldn't pay them, lilies are traditionally funeral flowers... why would you want the flowers of death at your wedding? (its fine if you chose lilies but it confuses me and if they did it without asking that's just wrong)

stick to what you want, maybe you could look for cheap wholesale flower places and try your own... im expecting problems with the flowers I want as they're quite rare 'dark purple/black tulips) so im looking into growing and making them myself

good luck

Lilies were traditionally funeral flowers and are still viewed as this by some elderly people but this is a very outdated view now. Lilies, particularly calla lilies, have been the most popular wedding flower for over ten years. It is more the longiflorum lily that is regarded as the funeral lily although this is still used in wedding work and was hugely popular in the 80's and 90's but the calla took over in the 00's.

100% agree though that they shouldn't be used unless they've been asked for.

Update:

I have just been to see a different florist who specialises in weddings and she has told me there will be no problem getting the flowers and colours I want! She said, yes, they will be pricier than ivory roses but it is not as though I am having a whole bouquet of them and it is not too much more.

She listened and made good suggestions and was really enthusiastic about doing some more inventive things with succulents as the OH wants so I have come away very happy!

Just got to wait for the quote now but I am sure we can change things around a bit if it is too much :-)

Thanks for your help - I feel much more confident in this person.

Glad you've managed to sort things out

That's great news - so pleased for you! It always pays to see at least 3 of each wedding supplier so you find one that is on the same wave length as you rather than do what they prefer to do.