Floral Frustration

[LilJen2001]

Just wanted to see if anyone else has dealt with this.

Laura Kidd is our Floral Manager for our upcoming Wishes wedding on May 31, 2008. We have had a really nice time with planning our wedding, however I received an e-mail from Laura that has me somewhat frustrated.

My fiance and I live locally in Orlando, and Disney is doing all of our wedding--videography, photography, DJ, floral, etc. We had our menu tasting and planning session back in December. At that time we went over what we had wanted in regards to floral.

With the wedding almost two months away, I had contacted Laura a few weeks ago regarding having a mock up done of the bouquets and centerpieces. She had told me that they do not generally do this and if we wanted, we would have to pay for it. I was under the impression that if we had gone anywhere else for floral, that this is something they would do, so that we would see what we are getting (and paying for) prior to the wedding. I definitely do not want to get to the day of my wedding and see that I'm paying so much for somehting I do not like. Does this seem right???

Just wanted to get your thoughts.

Thanks!

 

[Swmhc]

Sorry, I have never heard of them doing that without a fee. Maybe someone else could answer this for you. I can understanding wanting to see it ahead of time as mine wasn't what I had envisioned, but, I wasn't specific enough either. I think if you are very specific about what you want, you are fine. Good luck!

 

[M&M126]

I found this frustrating too. I was also told that I'd have to pay to see mock ups done. Originally I had wanted to see my table linens all together, but I didn't want to pay for it. I think that outside vendors probably do do this type of thing for free but unfortunately Disney does not Lame but true. I'm sorry you're frustrated, but on the bright side I'm sure everything will turn out beautifully!

 

[sunsh1ne]

i did not receive mockups but i did ask to see the flowers to see colors and how the crystals looked like. i asked for a follow up visit and she brought one flower of each color and also a linen sample. it was nice to see it coming together. maybe that is something that would help you

 

[caryndisneydiva]

they do charge a fee for this. there was a girl who had a reception at lss last summer (jasonandlisa i think?) and she wanted a mockup of the tablescape. i think it cost her around $300. i remember reading it in her pj or tr...i'll see if i can find the post, but it was a long time ago...

 

[Janet2k]

She had told me that they do not generally do this and if we wanted, we would have to pay for it. I was under the impression that if we had gone anywhere else for floral, that this is something they would do, so that we would see what we are getting (and paying for) prior to the wedding.

LilJen2001, that truly depends upon the florist. For example, a quick Internet search gave me the website for a floral business called China Wedding Flowers (website link). The following is what is stated on their website in regards to this topic:

Consultation is free as long as no actual flower samples are requested at the meeting. We have sample pictures of bouquets and other floral arrangements that we will show you for ideas which will allow you to appreciate our own creative styles.

Should you wish us to bring a mock-up sample of your bouquet, centerpiece, etc., there will be a fee which will depend on the actual product you request.

If Disney is telling you that they charge for creating mock-ups, that seems reasonable to me since other businesses operate that way, too.

I definitely do not want to get to the day of my wedding and see that I'm paying so much for somehting I do not like. Does this seem right???

It's only human to be concerned about what you're paying for, especially when it pertains to something as emotional as a wedding. Please contact Ms. Kidd and let her know of your concerns. My dealings with her have always been cordial and professional. For example, when I was concerned about something and wasn't sure what to do, I asked for her honest opinion and she gave it to me -- even though it meant that Disney would be making less money off me if I went with her suggestion. I respected her for her candor and she did not lead me astray. Everything turned out beautifully for my event and I would not hesitate to work with her again in the future.

But that was me and this is you. You need to strike up a conversation with her and let her know what is bothering you. Perhaps an easy solution will be at hand, especially since you live in the Orlando area.

Good luck with your planning. I've got my fingers crossed that everything will work out for you. Congratulations on your upcoming marriage.

 

[caryndisneydiva]

i didn't put this in my original post, but i used laura as well and was VERY happy with my outcome. my flowers actually made me cry they were so beautiful. i had 2 phone meetings with her and i sent her dozens of pics of what i wanted and she did an outstanding job.

it makes sense that they would want to charge for this service since they will be using materials and flowers specific to your event that they might not have around otherwise.

i was VERY stressed about my floral during my wedding planning and i really think that laura kidd did an amazing job.

 

[tinklynn]

I guess you could look at it this way...Look at each meal as 1 unit. They are going to sell 1 meal to each guest so they can afford to "comp" you a couple of 'units' for your tasting session. Now if you want to order a bridal bouquet for each guest, they'd probably "comp" you one of those as well. But seeing that you are only ordering one of those, to ask them to make you a second for free is a bit much. I've been a professional florist my whole life and I've never heard of or seen that done. When I'm doing a consult, I usually will take the flowers in question and hold them together so the bride can see the textures and colors together, but to make an actual bouquet? Not really feasible. Having said that, please realize that it's their job to make you look good--they won't let you pick things that won't go together. Trust your florist and the opinions of all the brides on here who have had their flowers done by them. Everything will be just fine.

 

[Lynn5700]

I remember when I was planning on having my wedding at home and my florist was going to do a mock bouquet for me for free,but this is very rare.Other florist do charge for the mock's.

It is frustrating.Just show picture's and be very specific.I sent my florist(rosie) picture's of what I wanted and I was very specific about how open I want my rose's to be and on my BEO it state's that.So you should be ok just make sure you tell them exactly what you want.