I sent a bride a ballpark number for a floral plan for her inspiration photos yesterday. Today, the bride emailed me today to say
“I don’t think I can afford your prices…”
My immediate reaction was to be sad, not because she couldn’t afford $3700 for all the wonderfulness I told her was the price range for her inspo photos, but because she wasn’t asking the right questions. She didn’t have a clue she was asking for upscale design with gourmet blooms and foliages or how that related to the quotes she was seeing.
She didn’t ask MY price, she asked the price of the photo inspiration photos she sent along as her picked-it-out-of-Pinterest choices.
You see I wasn’t her first shot at procuring a proposal that fit her idea of what she wants to spend on flowers, she had shouted out on a wedding board for help with finding a ‘reasonably’ priced florist. Had already contacted some florists and was shocked at the amount, couldn’t afford the minimums on the venue’s preferred vendor list of florists, but is continuing to drag her inspiration photos around and try and shop for the lowest bidder. Oh Lawdy, but this is a bad idea.
So what should she do? She’s clearly in way over her head and is so frustrated with the process she can’t, or won’t, ask the number one question she should be asking ——-
How can you design my inspiration photos into my dream wedding using XXX dollars?
Since I do not think this poor girl will be coming back to ask that question (and I totally told her that is THE question she should be asking, and delivering her budget amount with it) I can feel free to share her photos. Here’s what she’s thinking she’s like to see:
The breakdown of designs, for the record:
large bridal bouquet
10 (yes, 10!) bridesmaids bouquets
14 centerpieces
25 feet of eucalyptus garland for the king head table
2 12 foot garlands for the oversized mantels
rose petals for the aisle
greenery on the 4 chandeliers
greenery on an arch for the ceremony
Did she give me a number for her budget? Nope, that’s how I knew she wasn’t prepared and not ready to choose a floral professional. This bride is shopping, trying to find the lowest price for the designs rather than what she should be doing, finding the best use of her budget.
How not to make me (or any other wedding artisan) sad?
Have your budget settled and your number ready for discussion!
I make no judgements on that number, my job is to work with you to determine what amazing things we can create for those hard earned funds. Ask the right questions to work your wedding budget.