Challenge of the Day

[lizzie ann]

when ever I have a customer with limited means...(chaep!) I uwse the KISS method

Keep It Simple stupid! 6" lomey 1/2 of a 1/3 of oasis,High style the whole thing with white daisiy's blue delph and a few red standard or mini gerbs.....
all the ideas are great ,especially the wine glasses,but these require set up time that you aren't being paid for.Make this as simple as you can. Maybe next time they will give you a better budget...........just my 3cents worth.

 

[mmitc]

I really like something like this but it would have to be scaled down and maybe substiute some of the flowers for more economical varieties. Instead of purple, I would use a deep red.

Hydrangeas, double tulips, clematis, brodiaea, veronica, trachelium and flowering oregano

 

[parie]

Ok, really interested in what you ended up doing

I am more than a little perplexed by this post. A few more questions though.
1. Will you get the container back?
2. Did the client specify the colors? And did they request those colors in the flowers?
3. Is this a non-profit event?
First of all, the dollar amount equates to no more than an slightly upgraded bud vase, why would you do anything different than what you do on a daily basis, price-wise? There is simply not enough money to effectively give them EXACTLY what they want, and my feeling is that you and the client will be disappointed. This, in my opinion is a no win situation.

Several Scenarios:
A) Not a non-profit, and yes you will get the container back.
at $25, the best you could do is large bubble bowl with 2-3 gerbs/sunflowers floating in bottom on a bed of elkhorn or other interesting moss base, and possibly some red flowering euc to add texture and interest. This assuming you act as "DESIGNER" and suggest they stay away from a July 4th theme, and instead push a french country theme in your choice in flowers, i.e. sunflowers etc.
Rented 10" Bubble bowl: $5
Flowers : $12.50
Labor: $ 7.50
Total $25
And you should be adding a more substantial "delivery/setup" fee to the contract, as this is not as simple as walking up to someone's door with a single arrangement. Also consider that you will be picking up the containers the next day.

B) It is a non-profit and you will get the container back. Use same flowers as above but add in 1 blue hydrangea and maybe a couple of calla lilies swirled inside as well.
Rented 10-12" Bubble Bowl: $5
Flowers: $19.50
Labor: $10.50
Total $35.00
Less Discount: -10.50
Total due you $24.50

Scenario B is a new strategy we have implemented for non-profit work, we have a rather extensive contract but I will simplify here.

Secret Garden Fine Flowers Non-Profit Events for Success Formula:
If the organization commits to a 3 year contract they will receive the following discounts:
Year 1: 30% off total
Year 2: 20% off total
Year 3 and beyond: 10% off total

Our goal with this is to give these organizations a formula that will not only help them succeed in fundraising, but also get away from always assuming the "florist" can do it for free. This also allows them to "brand" their event in the first few years on a lower budget, but at the same time they see what they can get for a higher dollar amount. By year 3 you have enticed them with a fabulous event that a more reasonable budget can "buy". We have had huge success with this and we do ALOT of events. What we as florists/event designers need to realize is our own worth. We set the tone, mood and ultimately the overall ambience and feel of an event, this is a tangible asset to any non-profit organization. If a buzz is created about an event it will flourish and grow every year; that is the goal of all Non-profits-- to grow their fundraising base.
A perfect example:
We have been producing our Symphony Ball for the last 5 years. The first year we did the event the guest count was around 600. This year we are planning for 1000 guests. We can attribute this directly to the buzz that has been created over the decor and themes over the last 5 years. I will insert here, that the first year I did give more than a 30% discount.
Another huge reason we are willing to offer this kind of discount system follows.
These type of events allow us to really push the boundaries of design and decor. One caveat that is stressed with these organizations is that in accepting the discount, they are also handing over the majority of the design control. Another component of this formula is that we require 75% as a down payment.

I think now that I unintentionally hijacked this thread, to that I will apologize.

Sincerely & Humbly,
Parie

 

[bloomery]

Our solution...

We opted for the Randy at Oberer's method of giving a little more flowers rather than nickel and diming... So, we used a square black dish from Container Source (that we will get back), 1/3 block of foam, with 3 white hydrangea, 3 blue delphinium, 4 red carnations (would rather have used roses, but they were a little too expensive since we used 3 hydrangea), and added 3 clusters of red grapes. Made them low and lush, so they were easy to see over. No foliage was needed, and total labor time per arrangement was about 5 minutes or less. Setup was minimal -- we just had to set them on the tables. I loved the wine glass idea, but the transportation and setup would have been too labor intensive. Thanks for all of your input -- it is enlightening to see the number of different viewpoints on how everyone would handle something like this!!

 

[Lizi]

I had a nonprofit event in January for 54 centerpieces and 2 large arrangments 1 for the foyer and the other in front of the podium. They bought 3 dirfferent size of rectangle vases for the centerpieces and rented the 2 other from me.

I made three different arrangements for centerpieces and they wanted the guest to be able to take the flowers but not the vases.

I used a black beaded wristlet band around the vase midway and had clustered cassablanca lilies, hypericum, white roses, green buttons tied off with black decorative wire.

I did those vase some for 25 and a few for 20 so it worked out to a total of 24.00.
The vases were elegant and they loved everything and have asked me to come up with something for next year.

The organization is in a different town with plenty of florist but they came to me because the had seen some of my work. They wanted something more elegant and upscale that what they had been getting in the much larger town they are located in.
Something can be done for $25.00 and done nicely, you just have to study it and come up with a pattern or design.

We all love to get more money but sometimes you have to work with what they give you as a budget.

I am already trying to come up with something different for this year and have several ideas thanks to some of the things i have seen and heard about here at flowerchat.

 

[RC in Dayton and Cincinnati]

We opted for the Randy at Oberer's method of giving a little more flowers rather than nickel and diming... So, we used a square black dish from Container Source (that we will get back), 1/3 block of foam, with 3 white hydrangea, 3 blue delphinium, 4 red carnations (would rather have used roses, but they were a little too expensive since we used 3 hydrangea), and added 3 clusters of red grapes. Made them low and lush, so they were easy to see over. No foliage was needed, and total labor time per arrangement was about 5 minutes or less. Setup was minimal -- we just had to set them on the tables. I loved the wine glass idea, but the transportation and setup would have been too labor intensive. Thanks for all of your input -- it is enlightening to see the number of different viewpoints on how everyone would handle something like this!!

Sounds beautiful!

 

[Lynne Moss]

Why not use a couple of stacked red gerberas5-8" high in a low bowl or cube with a cluster of purple grapes (French influence) and base with a couple of white carnations and pave in a criss-cross pattern a little purple statice tinted with Just for Flowers Delphinium to create more of a blue coloration...or could collar around the carnations with calcynia or misty blue.