Plan Your Central Florida Wedding

Beautiful Wedding Flowers within Your Budget

March 25, 2020 Orange Blossom Bride Season 2 Episode 18
Plan Your Central Florida Wedding
Beautiful Wedding Flowers within Your Budget
Show Notes Transcript

Flowers enhance any event, especially weddings. Since this is most likely the first time that you are purchasing a large number of flowers, you may have a little bit of a sticker shock. In this episode, we are talking with Andie Muller of Events by The Flower Studio about how you can get beautiful wedding flowers that are within your budget.

Andie Muller:   0:00
If you need guidance and you need us to provide you with a proposal, that's gonna be your dream. Wedding is one thing, and if you want us to provide you with a proposal that's gonna fit within your budget, it's something totally different.

Amanda Schmidt:   0:23
Welcome to the plan. Your Central Florida Wedding Podcasts. I'm your host. Manish Mint, editor of Greater Orlando's top wedding publication, Orange Blossom Bride. I'm sure when you said yes, you had no idea you were jumping on this roller coaster. That is what I'm planning. The goal of this podcast is to make the wedding planning process less stressful and more fun. We'll provide you with great tips and ideas, along with expert advice from some of the areas. Top wedding pros. So let's get started planning your Central Florida wedding flowers enhance any event, especially weddings.  

Amanda Schmidt:   0:59
Since this is most likely the first time that you are purchasing a large amount of flowers, you may have a little bit of a sticker shock. In this episode, we're talking to Andie of events by the Flower Studio, about how you can get beautiful wedding flowers that are within your budget, Brazilian by birth and American by choice. Andy is an amazing floral artist with more than 500 weddings and events under her belt over the past 10 years. She's a member of the American Institute of Floral Designers. And when she isn't making incredible floral pieces for her couples, you will most likely find to Andie continuing her floral knowledge through various educational opportunities. So welcome, Andie.

Andie Muller:   1:39
Hi, Amanda. Thank you so much. 

Amanda Schmidt:   1:43
I am so excited to have you. I always love talking to Andie about everything, actually, because Andie is just the sweetest person in the world. So let's get started talking about flowers. And when it comes to wedding budgets, because I know as a florist, you've heard so many times that flowers are so expensive.

Andie Muller:   2:02
Yes, and honestly, they're not. So that's what we're gonna be talking a little bit today. Um, it flowers are my passion. And being an immigrant, it's really I'm really lucky to be able to work with something that I love and, you know, make a living. Um, we're going to start talking about why people think the flowers are expensive. So off course, we have to always blame someone. So let's blame Pinterest, right? In the floral community, we would love to have, prices placed on Pinterest. Now, a lot of companies are actually using these new things that they have that you can actually like add prices into Pinterest. But inspirational pictures, it's what will get us. So we always have to kind of couples one that'll be we called the Pinterest couple. So they come ready with, you know,  500 inspirational pictures on. And, um, it's up to us, the professionals to decided, you know, which ones were gonna be picking and choosing to create their floor. Oh, and it's not because you have this 3400 pictures in Pinterest it can be super helpful, but it can be evil as well. I can spend three hours just in pinning and scrolling and looking. It's just so much in this world and being very visual, that a lot of people are, you know, you can get sidetrack and then you start putting things that has nothing to do with your wedding. But honestly, you know, one of the things that, as a professional would love to see. It's a little be more like prices that will show couples, what are they choosing and how much about's gonna cost them because the market is different all over now. We're in Central Florida, mean even us being here. We have several floors that thus in a wonderful way, we have a great floral community here. We all help each other and my process of the different from you know, the florists A or florist B or florist C. So imagine out of state. Or, you know, even like California or New York. I mean, every market has a different price range, and that's when we come up with the idea of, you know, having Pinterest, help us along. But it may not tell you the truth about how much your floral wedding is gonna cost that we always ask them. Okay, so they have inspirational pictures or any, you know, inspirational ideas anyone shares with us. That is the first thing we do before we can actually provide the couples with the proposal and again, you have to kind off, you know, couples one that has to pay interest and one that's just gonna tell me. These are my collars. And I love your work. And I just want you to do your thing and tell me how it's gonna cost so that it's like, you know, the perfect customer client, and we call it doesn't happen too often, but it does happen time to time. And that's what we're here. You know, if if you need guidance and you need us to provide you with a proposal that's gonna be your dream wedding is one thing. And if you want us to provide you with the proposal that's gonna fit within your budget, it's something totally different because, as we know, a lot of times, the taste doesn't you know, is this is not the same as your budget. Like, you know, I love you very fancy purses but am I willing to pay two or $3000 for a purse? No I'm not so that same thing. So we try to guide them and make sure that they are aware of how much flowers cost and how much labor cost, how much delivery set up, flipping, breaking down, all those are optional and you always can tell was yes, I want to hire you to do the whole wedding, or I want to hire you just to do the florals and we come and pick it up. So again, it honestly depends on what they're looking for, and we can try to adjust. You know, according with their budget, we always try to tell our clients that floral budget it's a little above average right now again, thanks to Pinterest that it shows you, you know, those beautiful giant, drooping centerpieces or stairways with 100 feet off garlands and hanging flowers and candles all of that cost money. So we always, you know, try to see their vision first. And then we ask the question, How much If you come for the both spending how important flowers are to you, what are your priorities if your priorities photography, then go for, you know, find the best photographer you can find. If your priority is the venue alone, then you can just go after their first. Now, if your priorities are the flowers, then you can always expect to spend a little more of your budget between 15 to 22% off your total budget. It's what we recommend and off course if there is. If you have to bridge Bates or if have 10 brides mates. Same thing with the centrepieces if you have six tables or if you have 20 tables. So how that needs to be included on the proposal to make sure that you are aware where your money is going

Amanda Schmidt:   7:53
Everything that you are bringing up to us by hiring a professional like Andie is gonna help you walk through that which is so important because you know all the options that you know, somebody who just does it for a hobby or they may put it together, and, you know it may not last throughout the day, or they may not have the access to the different flowers that are in season that you get with working with a professional

Andie Muller:   8:20
Correct. And that's something that you know as a professional florist, we have to show you that. What else can you offer and and please don't get me wrong. It's okay for Grandma to help you do your flowers or, you know, get your bridesmaids and into your centerpieces. But again it's all about priorities. I had many, many weddings that, you know, Grandma made the wedding cake, and it was a pretty yes. He was a professional. No. So it's totally up to you. It's your wedding day, and as long as you feel comfortable with your choices, that's what you have to go for. But again, if you wanted the beautiful Pinterest picture wedding, you need to hire a professional florist. People that do for hobby. As you said Amanda, it's fine. But you know what happened If you order the flowers and then you know through, let's say online company. And then for some reason you don't get your flowers the lever on time or if for some reason we had a hurricane and that happened, we had to rescue three brides through a hurricane season because there is no airplanes flying and you know boxes get lost and this three poor you know, couples had no flowers for the wedding, and then they reach out to us and we were able to help them come up with something. But again, you always gonna pay extra if you hire us last minute for the reason that we have to order as we call open market order so you can have to pay the price the day off. And that's one off the things that people really don't know. And again, that's when the professional Flores who come and indicate you the early you order your flowers, the better the chance for you to get a better price. And the better are the chances that you can get better product and better quality. So it's, you know, it's honestly something that you have to realize. Do I really want to play with the flowers? Or maybe, should I just spend a little more and then make sure that they're gonna be, you know, as pretty as in Pinterest. So yes, so that is one of the things and you totally right, you know, professionals, not just florals, but, you know, cake artists. And I cannot tell you how many couples that come to me that they do not have a wedding coordinator, and I always tell them you have to hire one. That is no

Amanda Schmidt:   10:45
I know. I I think anybody who's been listening to this podcast they know I'm a super pro-wedding planner. It's preached here for sure.

Andie Muller:   10:56
Yes, and I do same thing. And, you know, we always tried to recommend it. People that we work with it try to watch their personality, make sure they're gonna match with, you know, the couple. And now they're. But it's totally up to you to ask us as your vendors, you know, for referrals. And we never gonna refer someone that we don't know or someone then we never work with it. And that's why again, it's so important to be out there and network with vendors and make sure that if I'm in there with whatever they do and whatever they can provide you with it. I know I cannot stress enough as well.

Amanda Schmidt:   11:36
Yeah, and I mean, and that goes to the couple's just not knowing, You know, they haven't planned a wedding before, so they don't know the wedding world. So they do lean on their fellow vendors and across the board. Whatever vendor they hire, just make sure they're comfortable with and that comes a lot with communication. So jumping back to hiring a professional, just being honest with what you're looking for. You know, if you fell in love with that Pinterest idea that they've found a professional would be able to help work through that. Maybe, you know, I know peonies are expensive, you know, I don't know my flowers very well, but I do know peonies are expensive, and maybe there's a substitute that you could offer that they wouldn't know about. So those types of things are great.

Andie Muller:   12:19
Yes and I always tell them, you know, I mean, okay, so you really love peonies? Okay, so let's put this way. You don't have to have, like, 24 peonies on your bouquet. If you have one or two, that will be like your focal point will be happy just to seeing them. And 99% off the couples who say yes will be happy. Just if you can see one s o again. Now, of course. If you send me a picture that has, you know, 24 a Penis on Lee. There is no way out. That's the flower than you wanna, you know you're gonna have to pay for. And there is always a way and again, if you you meaning you know the couple. If you are flexible, I am flexible, too. We never sat on a stone for anything. I don't have minimums. I will work with whatever you want to stand. And that's one of those things that I think I'm very proud off. If your wedding you know, budget, it's it's let's say, you know, $10,000 or if your wedding budget it's $50,000 I'm able to provide your service is somehow, you know, for personal flowers only, or centerpieces only, or for the, you know, the whole nine yards serum on the reception. Whatever you need.

Amanda Schmidt:   13:34
Now, when it comes to the different things that determine a budget. Obviously the volume of flowers that they're going to get, the more they get that's gonna be more expensive. But what are some other factors like flowers out of season and the type of flowers as well

Andie Muller:   13:49
Okay, so I'm going to educate you in regards to seasonal flowers for Florida because, honestly, most of the flowers don't grow here. We barely have any kind of flowers in Florida. Now, of course, we can talk about greenery, you know, ferns, succulents. They all grow here. And we are very lucky than we have access to them because people that are up north don't have access to any kind off, you know, local, you know, firms or greens. But again, they have local grown peonies, and they have locally grown dahlias that we don't have it. We do have some very small, you know, flower growers. But when you're talking about color palette for a wedding, you really need to be cohesive. Now, of course, if you tell me I just 20 spring collars do what everyone I can try to source locally. But you're going to get, you know, like different collars. And it's springtime so that that's no problem. Now, when you're talking about Rose's, guess what? They either grow in California or the grow in South America, or they come from Europe. Yes, we have rose bushes here, but it's not the same as a fresh cut rose. For an arrangement, you're gonna be paying much more if you decided that you want to buy everything local. And you know there is out this green movement in on by local and supporting your local our business is that it's great. You know, we always should support each other. But when you talk about massive amount of flowers, then it's gonna increase the costs a lot. If you're willing to pay Maur to use locally grown, we can definitely source them, you know, But again, making sure that you're aware that doing that it's gonna cost you more. So again, we rely on South America roses. Just an example. We can get roses from Colombia, We can get roses from Ecuador and you may wondering why Well, it's the weather is the mountains. It's what we don't have here we don't have. I mean, barely we have mountings or, you know, heels and Claremont.

Amanda Schmidt:   15:53
That's always that in our soil. Oh, my gosh. I note I'm trying to grow a garden right now, Andie, and it is I'm just gonna switch to a rock garden like it's ridiculous.

Andie Muller:   16:04
Yeah, and you know, the best solution for that is just grow like very hard. The flowers, like you know, hardly plans like succulents. You know, they were so good in here. But you have to be super careful. So there is no seasonal flowers in Florida than you can rely on it, especially for a wedding. When you're talking about weather changes, hurricane season, you know. I mean, look, att, Look at our weekend. You know, Friday and Saturday we were, like, below 50. And today, you know, two days later is gonna be above 80. So all these damage flowers, you know, it's it's a it's a it's a problem. You know, it's lash. I guess we have to get used to when you're talking about locally grown flowers in here. So it's just a problem than we have to be aware. And we have to explain to our clients that, you know, when you send us an e mail, you're saying that you are okay with us using seasonal flowers, we honestly have none, you know, to be able to do me white hydrangeas, white abilities and white roses. Yeah, they don't grow here, so there is no season for them. But they are here around flowers, so meaning that you know the price will be still the same, but off course again, if for some reason they have you know, a much light in Colombia or they had fire or in arming things happen and we have no control. We cannot go through Mother Nature. So again, trust her professional. Let us guide you and let us make sure we can get you the best product for the best price.

Amanda Schmidt:   17:40
And that that's important to realize, too, because you are dealing with Mother Nature. This is a live product into, you know, that's there's so many things that can you can't control. So

Andie Muller:   17:51
no, yes, definitely. Yeah, that's funny. We cannot control that.

Amanda Schmidt:   17:55
Now. Are there any other tips that you can think of of recommending a couples when it comes to getting flowers within their wedding budget?

Andie Muller:   18:05
Yes, So I will probably just be super honest, you know, regarding you know, your budget, your floral budget and you can read on several blog's, including the the Orange Blossom Bride blogged because you guys, you know, you girls, you and Jamie are always like trying to guide, you know, local couples and, you know, a statewide and making sure that they are aware about you know how to pick your venue or you know what to expect When you blending your wedding or, you know, I mean, what what do you do as a favor? You know, ideas and price range. And this is honestly, it's priceless. You know, the educational part off the community that we have here, it's it's amazing. So take advantage off that. Make sure that you check out local blog's, you know, if you decided that you want a destination wedding and you're gonna get married in California, that make sure you check out what is the cost in there, you know, So honestly, you know, being aware off the cost and being honest, which are vendors, you know, I mean, especially Flores, because I am a florist. Don't be afraid off after hours, You know, I'm this is how much I'm going to spend, because if you don't tell me, I'm gonna ask you the question. This is a question that I need to know. If you feel comfortable with spending, you know, 5 $7000 in flowers or if your budget it's below 2000 or if, honestly, you don't have a budget and you willing to spend whatever it takes. And and again, we can always work around. We can always use, you know, different centerpieces. You don't have to have 30 tables, and they spend, you know, $300 for table. You can maybe spend 100 and one, maybe 50 and the other and then do like one with $300 flowers. So it's it's easy to save money if you are willing to work with us. And I don't know any off our local florists in here that's not willing to guide you and advocate you when he comes up to your budget. You know, we have a great group of Flores, as I said earlier, and we always tryingto help each other and make sure that we, you know, share knowledge because I may be attending, you know, a national convention that they're gonna just tell me a big secret that nobody else know. So why not share with my local friends, you know, and vendors over here? So that's what we do we share. And, um, our knowledge is like, you know, why are you learning? I'm learning because I want to share. I want a pass it along, and I want to make sure that the next generation of Flores you'll be ready for the market. That's coming for the first time ever. You know, in the past two years you have four generations that we have to cater for, you know? So it's like people are leaving longer, Thank God. So, you know, anniversaries come up and, you know, family reunions. We see more and more, you know. I mean, high school, union something that speaking here and and he's great. But people don't spend much money when you're talking about, you know, high school unions. But like when you're talking about 50th wedding anniversary, or like, 60th or even like a 75th wedding anniversary, those are things that honest the towers. Wow. You know, we are living longer and that's all the celebrations. We we say that the florist works between birth and death. Any celebration in there. And if we too, you know, engagement parties, you know, new babies, celebration off life sympathy. We work on every single celebration. And if you stop and think about it, isn't that awesome?

Amanda Schmidt:   21:46
Oh, it was amazing. And you guys, I can say from an outside or not being in the floral community, of course, being in the wedding community, but not the floral community. And you guys, I'm just in awe of which I'll create some time. So just like it's just so beautiful. And you are such team players. You help each other out. I see it all the time, which I absolutely love.

Andie Muller:   22:07
Yes, yes. Thank you. We were awesome. And we need to support each other because, as you know, I mean that there is Dunn's off weddings that happened in Central Florida. And there is there is a space for everyone. And, you know, the the the newbies that we call the new people that are coming out. As you know, new wedding vendors they need to reach. I'll tow us and make sure that you know we'll guide you. You mentor you, we'll let you know. You know where to go or what to do. And which school did you attend it or what? Can you suggest it? As you know, a convention order networking. Excuse me, Are a symposium in no just re child. That's that's the main thing. We are your help as much as we can

Amanda Schmidt:   22:53
and another thing. It's nice having a community aspect because there may be something that a couple once that, you know, maybe he's not technically one florist style, but they have a great suggestion and a great fit because we have, like, 19,000 weddings a year around here. So it's a matter of finding the vendors that work for you and the style that you're going for a swell one thing before we go real quick. I did want to mention I love how you had given the suggestion about having a variety of different. If you're talking for a reception space, a variety of different centerpieces, because it really kind of elevates. Even if you have a smaller budget, you can really elevate the look of something by kind of giving the eye different things to look

Andie Muller:   23:36
at. Yes and your And that is, honestly, it's it's the key. So what I always tell my couples is, you know, like close your eyes and just imagine your reception area. You know, do you wanna see every table look like? Do you want it to be like, you know, super classy, super elegant and be like, you know, 20 tables are looking alike. Or when you go to your reception area, you are okay looking to different centerpieces. Off course everything is gonna be cohesive. But are you okay? Looking to like different heights and different textures and, you know, different elements and 99% just say yes, I would love the city's different And, you know, it gives people things to talk about it because they're gonna go to their own table. I'm going to say, Oh, my God, look how beautiful my sentences. And then they looked at the table next to them and they go and they weren't so different. Oh, wow. I love that one is so So Those are the things that you know make you if you like comfortable attending a wedding and it's it's it's my job to educate you. Regarding what? You really want to see it. And again, if you wanna have, you know, 20 tables with a lantern and a garland and you know, flowers and candles. We can do that now, if you're OK doing lanterns and ones and then candles in the mothers and then maybe like you say that it'll be more elevated, you know call centre Pease. That's going to give you your eye, the ups and downs and you want it and you cover. You're going to give people things to talk about it. So that's one of the things that we like to recommend it. Another thing that you recommended. It's like size wise because you know people are different, you know, talk about body shape and height because I'm six feet tall and £160. So when I was a bride, it was hard for me to find the dress. There will be all the way, you know, like like floor Lane was very hard because I'm very tall and we're talking about 20 years ago. So if you are like, you know, five and 1/2 and like size zero, it's totally different from, you know, my body type. So we always like to ask the question. You know, what is your highs? And you know what size of floating you wear because you want to make sure that it's gonna be proportional. When you see pictures off, you know, very tiny brides, like holding very large book. It's that are either was an option that they decided to do that. We call the Pinterest focus because those are the large and freestyle that gorgeous. But is that what you want to hold? Or maybe you just want to hold something that's gonna compliment to your dress and you just need to hold something, So maybe a pitiful care. We work for you. So we give options, you can do petite average, grand A you can do cascading him tied for style. It's again, hire professional is gonna give you options off how to save money. And what's the appropriate okay for you to hold it if you wanna hear, Sometimes you already have in your mind. Oh, I wanted that cascading book it touching the floor. Okay, then I'm not gonna even tell you my opinion because you know what? One and that's again. One of the things that professionals vendors do, They listen to you. And if you are open for suggestions, we'll give you suggestions. Now, if you know exactly what you want, then we're not going to say anything. It's opening up to you. Whatever you wanna have, it is your wedding. And that's very important for us.

Amanda Schmidt:   27:12
And I love that and That's a great note to end on. And if they would like to contact you, how can couples do so?

Andie Muller:   27:20
Okay, so you know, we are all social videos. I mean, most of them well, is that chatter way? Don't talk either, but we can find us on Facebook under the flowers to give Florida. Or you can find us in Easter Gram under the flowery Studio Altamont. Or you can find those on the website events by the forest studio dot com. There is a contact form in there. You can call us, and our number is 321 for 2 to 083 You can always messages through Facebook or messages through instagram we had on the Not we are on the wedding wire. We are on the perfect wedding. I and we are part off orange blossom bright as well.

Amanda Schmidt:   28:04
And we absolutely love having you. Andy, thank you so much for being with us. It's always a pleasure talking to you.

Andie Muller:   28:11
It's my pleasure. A man that thank you for having me.

Amanda Schmidt:   28:22
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the plane. Your Central Florida wedding podcast For more Orlando wedding inspiration. and tips head on over to orange blossom bride dot com. And if you're looking for amazing wedding pros to help bring your wedding day together, make sure to check out our wedding vendor directory until next time. Happy place.