Flowers from an outside vendor

[MissCass609]

I'm considering getting my flowers from an outside vendor because, granted I don't know much about flowers, but from what I've heard I can get them for A LOT cheaper if you don't do it through Disney. So, if you don't mind sharing how much you paid for your bouquet from an outside vendor, what vendor it was and what kind of piece it was (bride's bouquet, bridesmaid's bouquet, centerpiece, etc.,...) that would be great. I'm also interested in hearing about your experience with the vendor. Did they bring everything to you and set it all up? Were they willing to transport items from the ceremony to the reception? Any details would be great!

 

[elphie101]

Haven't had my wedding yet, but we've chosen to go with Petals By Design for our personal florals (because of our venues we can't use an outside florist for the ceremony or reception floral & decor).

I have a brooch bouquet, but we're getting 4 bridesmaid bouquets (white hydrangea & carnation), 8 boutonnieres (white freesia with greenery) and 3 mother corsages (white rose with greenery) for $300 less then what Disney was charging. I chose Petals by Design because a) they offered the cheapest quote (flowers are on the bottom of my priority list) and b) their communication so far has been fantastic - they've responded to my e-mails almost instantaneously.

I also contacted Greenery Productions, Lee Forrest, Peddles & Raining Roses for quotes but again, where flowers aren't important to me I was really looking for the cheapest option

 

[MissCass609]

Haven't had my wedding yet, but we've chosen to go with Petals By Design for our personal florals (because of our venues we can't use an outside florist for the ceremony or reception floral & decor). I have a brooch bouquet, but we're getting 4 bridesmaid bouquets (white hydrangea & carnation), 8 boutonnieres (white freesia with greenery) and 3 mother corsages (white rose with greenery) for $300 less then what Disney was charging. I chose Petals by Design because a) they offered the cheapest quote (flowers are on the bottom of my priority list) and b) their communication so far has been fantastic - they've responded to my e-mails almost instantaneously. I also contacted Greenery Productions, Lee Forrest, Peddles & Raining Roses for quotes but again, where flowers aren't important to me I was really looking for the cheapest option

Thanks for the info! I am 100% on the same boat with you as far as flowers being the least of my concern. Honestly, if I could just forego flowers completely and spend the money on something else I totally. I'll definitely check out Petals By Design. What venues are you using?

 

[justlook3]

My event was nearly 10 years ago, so take that with a grain of salt. I used Raining Roses for most of my floral (I used Disney for the cocktail hour, for the cake table and I'm pretty sure for some greenery on the altar). It was less expensive but I couldn't tell you by how much, it's been so long. But mins were different then and I'd think I'd have to use Disney to meet them these days.
In answer to your questions, they set up everything on site, brought the floral from the ceremony to the reception and met me with my personal floral. We had photos prior to the vow renewal at the GF so they met me there with my personal flowers. I reused my ceremony floral and they came and moved it to the Grand Floridian.

 

[elphie101]

Thanks for the info! I am 100% on the same boat with you as far as flowers being the least of my concern. Honestly, if I could just forego flowers completely and spend the money on something else I totally. I'll definitely check out Petals By Design. What venues are you using?

Our ceremony is in Epcot (Italy Plaza) and reception at Atlantic Dance Hall. I know if you have one of the ballrooms you can explore using an outside florist for your reception, but I think that's the only kind of venue where that's still an option (and could definitely save you some money). Where are your venues?

I will also say that Greenery Productions came back at almost the same as Petals By Design price-wise; I just picked who responded to me first in that case

 

[MissCass609]

Our ceremony is in Epcot (Italy Plaza) and reception at Atlantic Dance Hall. I know if you have one of the ballrooms you can explore using an outside florist for your reception, but I think that's the only kind of venue where that's still an option (and could definitely save you some money). Where are your venues? I will also say that Greenery Productions came back at almost the same as Petals By Design price-wise; I just picked who responded to me first in that case

My ceremony is at the Wedding Pavilion and my reception is a the Whitehall Room at the Grand Floridian convention center. So I know I'll need to use Disney flowers to decorate the pavilion, but I'm looking to use an outside florist for the reception (whatever I don't reuse from the ceremony) and for personal flowers. Good to know about Greenery. I'll definitely check them out too!

 

[MissCass609]

My event was nearly 10 years ago, so take that with a grain of salt. I used Raining Roses for most of my floral (I used Disney for the cocktail hour, for the cake table and I'm pretty sure for some greenery on the altar). It was less expensive but I couldn't tell you by how much, it's been so long. But mins were different then and I'd think I'd have to use Disney to meet them these days. In answer to your questions, they set up everything on site, brought the floral from the ceremony to the reception and met me with my personal floral. We had photos prior to the vow renewal at the GF so they met me there with my personal flowers. I reused my ceremony floral and they came and moved it to the Grand Floridian.

Glad to hear that they pretty much take care of everything for you as far as setting things up and moving them. I'll be sure to check them out, thanks!

 

[justlook3]

Glad to hear that they pretty much take care of everything for you as far as setting things up and moving them. I'll be sure to check them out, thanks!

I'm pretty sure all of the bigger florists who advertise as working with Disney would do this. There are of course ones who work out of their homes may differ. When I had mine, you could use outside floral for the WP but Disney's policies change all of the time.

 

[elphie101]

My ceremony is at the Wedding Pavilion and my reception is a the Whitehall Room at the Grand Floridian convention center. So I know I'll need to use Disney flowers to decorate the pavilion, but I'm looking to use an outside florist for the reception (whatever I don't reuse from the ceremony) and for personal flowers. Good to know about Greenery. I'll definitely check them out too!

How lovely! Best of luck researching outside floral - I bet you'll save a ton!

 

[leelee9878]

I just sent in our contract and deposit for Greenery Productions on Friday for our October wedding. We can only use them for personal floral but this still saved about $350.

The biggest difference was in the bridal bouquet (roses and orchids) and the bridesmaids bouquet (roses and blue hydrangea). Disney wanted $250 vs $155 from GP and for the BM Disney wanted $120 each and GP just $80 each.

Also I originally had Stephanotis in my bouquet and quickly removed them when I saw how expensive they were. In doing that I saved about $150.

 

[MissCass609]

I just sent in our contract and deposit for Greenery Productions on Friday for our October wedding. We can only use them for personal floral but this still saved about $350. The biggest difference was in the bridal bouquet (roses and orchids) and the bridesmaids bouquet (roses and blue hydrangea). Disney wanted $250 vs $155 from GP and for the BM Disney wanted $120 each and GP just $80 each. Also I originally had Stephanotis in my bouquet and quickly removed them when I saw how expensive they were. In doing that I saved about $150.

Awesome, this is super helpful because the bridesmaids bouquets are what I feel I would be spending most of the money on considering I have seven bridesmaids. I'm thinking of doing roses and peonies for my bouquet, and then just peonies for my girls. I have to use Disney floral for my ceremony but not for the reception. Luckily I think we're going to have one large circular table, so that will save us money on centerpieces. I think I'll definitely go outside for personal flowers, and then maybe for centerpieces depending on the price difference. Thanks for your help!

 

[leelee9878]

Once I got my floral BEO from Disney I basically copied what they wrote and sent it to greenery productions and lee Forrest for quotes and then compared all 3 to make a decision. The brief experience I had with Lee Forrest irked me (but would have had no problem using them based off reviews if their price was much cheaper). I did however really enjoy my interactions with Tommy from Greenery Productions and I am glad I went with him. He has been extremely responsive and quick with emails.

 

[giffy231]

I used Petals By Design and was very happy with them. It was 2012, but they did a great job and the prices were reasonable. Most important, they always answered emails promptly which helped relieve stress. I struggled with some of my vendors being out of state, some were very bad at responding to emails and voicemails ( cake and limo) which caused a lot of trust ration and worry.

 

[TiffinyKaye]

Hi everyone!

So...I was just going to use Disney for all of my floral...but then I saw this and though, "Wow! I had no idea I could save that much money!" I figured flowers were flowers...and they'd be expensive no matter where I went.

The personal floral thing...what is considered "personal floral?" Is it just the bride's bouquet, boutonnieres, and basically anything that people are carrying on their persons? Does that mean we could do little petals in little bags for the petal toss from an outside vendor too?

Also, another question...one of the reasons I had originally decided to use Disney for my bouquet was because I didn't want to have to worry about how I'd be getting my flowers the day of. I DON'T want to be stressed out (I'm already stressed out enough trying to coordinate the makeup, photography, and videography). So...for those of you who have used outside vendors for your personal floral, or plan on using them...how do you make sure you get them at the right time?

My ceremony is at Epcot...so it's a super early one. I've been given the impression that I'll be in a car by 7:30 AM to go over to Epcot...so flowers would need to be super-early.

Looking forward to responses. I have no clue on this one! I even scoured Carrie's book...but I couldn't find a definition of "personal floral." Just that you could save bunches of money doing it.

Tiffiny

 

[elphie101]

Hi everyone!

So...I was just going to use Disney for all of my floral...but then I saw this and though, "Wow! I had no idea I could save that much money!" I figured flowers were flowers...and they'd be expensive no matter where I went.

The personal floral thing...what is considered "personal floral?" Is it just the bride's bouquet, boutonnieres, and basically anything that people are carrying on their persons? Does that mean we could do little petals in little bags for the petal toss from an outside vendor too?

Also, another question...one of the reasons I had originally decided to use Disney for my bouquet was because I didn't want to have to worry about how I'd be getting my flowers the day of. I DON'T want to be stressed out (I'm already stressed out enough trying to coordinate the makeup, photography, and videography). So...for those of you who have used outside vendors for your personal floral, or plan on using them...how do you make sure you get them at the right time?

My ceremony is at Epcot...so it's a super early one. I've been given the impression that I'll be in a car by 7:30 AM to go over to Epcot...so flowers would need to be super-early.

Looking forward to responses. I have no clue on this one! I even scoured Carrie's book...but I couldn't find a definition of "personal floral." Just that you could save bunches of money doing it.

Tiffiny

You got it! Personal floral is anything on/carried by a person. Bouts, bouquets, and corsages. I don't know if they include flower girl petals in that or if those would need to come via Disney, if that applies to you.

As an Epcot bride, I was told I couldn't bring my own petals for a petal toss (they fall under things Disney has to provide for in-park ceremonies). Have you decided where you'll be getting ready the morning of? I'm being picked up at Beach Club at 7:20 (DF's van will be at at 7:00) so our flowers are being delivered at 6:30am by Petals by Design.

 

[TiffinyKaye]

You got it! Personal floral is anything on/carried by a person. Bouts, bouquets, and corsages. I don't know if they include flower girl petals in that or if those would need to come via Disney, if that applies to you.

As an Epcot bride, I was told I couldn't bring my own petals for a petal toss (they fall under things Disney has to provide for in-park ceremonies). Have you decided where you'll be getting ready the morning of? I'm being picked up at Beach Club at 7:20 (DF's van will be at at 7:00) so our flowers are being delivered at 6:30am by Petals by Design.

Hey Elphie!

Thanks for your response. I will check out Petals by Design. Are you in Florida and were able to talk to them about what you wanted in-person, or did you just pick something off their website?

As far as you know, have they done this before? (I'm guessing they have.) I just want to make sure I'm not stressed the crap out the day of. :/

I WANTED to get ready at Beach Club...but DVC was full. We were sad. So, we'll be getting ready at Saratoga Springs. Should be interesting. The rooms in the DVC resorts are a decent size, but they're not THAT big. It should be interesting to see how we get everyone in there...

Tiffiny

 

[elphie101]

Hey Elphie!

Thanks for your response. I will check out Petals by Design. Are you in Florida and were able to talk to them about what you wanted in-person, or did you just pick something off their website?

As far as you know, have they done this before? (I'm guessing they have.) I just want to make sure I'm not stressed the crap out the day of. :/

I WANTED to get ready at Beach Club...but DVC was full. We were sad. So, we'll be getting ready at Saratoga Springs. Should be interesting. The rooms in the DVC resorts are a decent size, but they're not THAT big. It should be interesting to see how we get everyone in there...

Tiffiny

I described what I was looking for based off of the floral planning session I had with Disney. I was only specific with my bridesmaid bouquets (all white carnations & hydrangeas) and submitted pictures I like of boutonnieres and corsages (I said something white with greenery for boys and simple corsages for moms) and let the vendors do their work. Petals by Design has worked with Disney before - I mentioned a few other frequent vendors earlier in this thread. I picked Petals a) because of their price point and b) because of their lightning speed communication and friendly demeanor.

My parents loved Saratoga! It's an underrated resort IMO.

 

[TiffinyKaye]

Yeah--but it's not within walking distance of Epcot. Seriously, if we could sell our membership and buy into Beach Club, we 100% would.

 

[lurkyloo]

Looking forward to responses. I have no clue on this one! I even scoured Carrie's book...but I couldn't find a definition of "personal floral."

There is an entire section titled "Personal Floral" beginning on page 93, as well as three instances of the phrase "such personal floral as bouquets and boutonnieres." One of the best things about the e-book is that you can search for phrases because it's a PDF.

 

[TiffinyKaye]

I must have missed it, Carrie. My apologies. Thanks so much for your clarification though.