Need help pricing these alter pieces.

Status
Not open for further replies.
LOTAKIDS

LOTAKIDS

Well-Known Member
Jun 1, 2008
1,163
988
113
Monroe
www.flowersbykarenonline.com
State / Prov
WA
I have been so sick, that I don't trust my self pricing these alter pieces that this lovely Bride wants at her $1000.00 budget Mother's day weekend wedding.

I have already told her that she was looking on the upwards of $1500 for all she wants

Here is what I have --

6 bunches of orchids (3 for each side) $450.00
(I hope that is enough for the look)
8' Curly willow - 3 bunches (1 1/2 for each side) $103.50
Labor --- $200
Vase rental - $95.00 for both (39" tall) with a depsoit of $95.00

Thank you for your help-- just let me know if I am on the right track.
 

Attachments

  • Katies alter piece idea.jpg
    Katies alter piece idea.jpg
    105.7 KB · Views: 127
Wow, that is really gorgeous. Are you sure that 3 bunches of orchids on each side would be enough?

Are the prices listed what you are thinking of charging?
 
Karen, I agree with most of your quantities, but the orchid prices seem really high. I would get Hawaiian dendrobiums because you get more blooms per stem...that way, you could get by with fewer stems. You also forgot to add the river rock (I know that can get expensive). I also think you might only need 2 bunches of willow.

Is that $1000 budget just for these? Otherwise, I think we have a case of champagne taste, beer budget!?!?!? You could probably get a similar look done smaller, but regardless of the size, it's something that would have to be designed on site...on Mother's Day weekend $$$$$.

Hope you feel better!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dee Dee
Are you planning on this taking you 4 hours to create on site???

Are the orchids you are getting going to be extra extra long....it seems to be a huge price for orchids...Do you really pay 25.00 a bunch wholesale???

Your prices seem to be good...I did a wedding in October that had a whole lot of that curley willow and orchid stuff going on...it was very time consuming especially when you have hotel people breathing down your neck and bad planning against you...

Just don't think those can be done off site and made to llok right onsite once they move it doesn't happen, much better if you just plan to assemble and design on site...allow plenty of time for a million questions and moves by staff at venue...and you will be fine and make sure you charg for worst case scenario so you don't get caught on the losing side in the end.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LOTAKIDS
To pull off that look and feel, coupled with the stresses and demand normally associated with Mother's day.......and the skill needed to create that look......adding into the equation the higher product prices for Mother's day plus additional labor costs......

I don't think that design should be priced any less that 2000.00
 
  • Like
Reactions: LOTAKIDS
Whatever you do do not skimp on the willow it will be what holds your design together, If you skimp on the willow the dendrobs will make them twirl which will inturn cost you design time...and take away the full wild branchy look. You will not get the graceful look if you try to do this on a budget...it will only lead to dissapointment on both sides.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LOTAKIDS
Yes, the Hawaiian dendrobs that are long and droopy are $25.00 whole sale for 10 stems.. I just needed a place to start. I think that 3 bunches per side would work, but the picture probably has more.

I did forget the rocks.. I just know I am not on the top of my game.

Yes, she is a champaign taste with beer budget... :) Her fiance has used us for flowers when they were dating.

We will have to creat this one site in one hour and that is only 35% of the price of the flowers and curly willow -- I will have to take my other designer with me and pay her for her help..... is this two much???

Thank you all for you thoughts and ideas....... it you don't hear back from me for a few hours, I have spent my energy for a while and need to rest.

I so appreicate all of you!!!!:ghug:
 
LOTAKIDS said:
Yes, the Hawaiian dendrobs that are long and droopy are $25.00 whole sale for 10 stems.. I just needed a place to start. I think that 3 bunches per side would work, but the picture probably has more.

I did forget the rocks.. I just know I am not on the top of my game.

Yes, she is a champaign taste with beer budget... :) Her fiance has used us for flowers when they were dating.

We will have to creat this one site in one hour and that is only 35% of the price of the flowers and curly willow -- I will have to take my other designer with me and pay her for her help..... is this two much???

Thank you all for you thoughts and ideas....... it you don't hear back from me for a few hours, I have spent my energy for a while and need to rest.

I so appreicate all of you!!!!:ghug:
Click to expand...


No not too much at all for 2 designers....1 hour will be tight...but with 2 or you working like bees it should be ok...
 
To shorten construction time.....You could make the component parts and then assemble it onsite.....For instance.....make the curly will compenent in the vase/container at the shop - then graps all the stems, pull it out the vase.....rubberband then ends to hold in position,

Assuming you will have to prep the orchids.....go ahead and attach your wires, raffia, bind wire, whatever material you will use to attach the orchid to the branch....get all those ready for attachment.....and so forth,

then assemble the component parts onsite.
 
RWK said:
To shorten construction time.....You could make the component parts and then assemble it onsite.....For instance.....make the curly will compenent in the vase/container at the shop - then graps all the stems, pull it out the vase.....rubberband then ends to hold in position,

Assuming you will have to prep the orchids.....go ahead and attach your wires, raffia, bind wire, whatever material you will use to attach the orchid to the branch....get all those ready for attachment.....and so forth,

then assemble the component parts onsite.
Click to expand...



The wedding I worked on this fall did this and it didn't work out too well...It may be because the assembalers didn't do a good enough job dissasembaling and banding...everything was floppy and had to be redesigned, but there were a whole lot of amatures working on this project...non-designer basement betty types...they could put together pleasing designs but they way they got there would make your head spin...
 
I don't know but that is a beautiful picture! Seems doable....
***Saving to my inspiration file***
 
I think that you are on the mark, I would have each piece ready to produce.
I would simply wire the orchids to the branches with paper wire,bundle the curly willow supports branches and take with me, rocks in vases, topped with paper for protection, and then add orchids to branches, topp off vase with top branches, fluff up a bit and should take 2 people an hour. Remember to try and get back to recycle as much of the design as possible, soaking those orchids sprays for several hours will enhance their last quality for the next week!
Your might bring it bac, insert silk orchids and add hanging light for a bridal display for summer, and rent the thing out.
Good Luck.
 
lori042499 said:
Are the orchids you are getting going to be extra extra long....it seems to be a huge price for orchids...Do you really pay 25.00 a bunch wholesale???
Click to expand...

Lori, this is what I pay for these orchids too.
What do you pay in your part of the world?

 
LOTAKIDS said:
Vase rental - $95.00 for both (39" tall)
Click to expand...
You've received a lot of good advice. :)

The one element I would question would be the sizes of the vases. They appear taller than 39" in the photo since they rise so far above the table top. Hope they are made of very, very heavy glass, too.

Does the bride expect these to be moved to the reception? Hope not.
 
CHR said:
You've received a lot of good advice. :)

The one element I would question would be the sizes of the vases. They appear taller than 39" in the photo since they rise so far above the table top. Hope they are made of very, very heavy glass, too.

Does the bride expect these to be moved to the reception? Hope not.
Click to expand...


Thank you!!

I am concerned about the vases also. I have been really sick since last wednesday so I haven't been able to scope out the vases as well as I would like. I looked in Floral Supply Syndicates catalog for prices and sizes of vases. I have not been there to touch and feel yet0- oh how silly but it does work.

They wedding and reception are in the same area, rooms, so yes they are planning on moving them..... Not a good Idea??
 
If they are planning on moving the vases.........Here is what I would do.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

First of all.....inform them that due to the nature of the arrangements and the contruction techniques used......it is better that they pay more to have them moved by YOUR TRAINED STAFF.

If they don't go for that......have them sign a form stating that YOU WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE IF THE ARRANGEMENTS BREAK, SHIFT, OR BECOME DISARRAYED DUE TO THEM BEING MOVED FROM ONE LOCATION TO ANOTHER BY AMATEUR OR UNTRAINED PERSONS.

-------------------------------------------------------

 
  • Like
Reactions: LOTAKIDS
RWK said:
.....it is better that they pay more to have them moved by YOUR TRAINED STAFF...


-------------------------------------------------------
Click to expand...

Excellent advice! Last year I had a Mother-in-Law jump the gun and she had 'friends' move the 40" vase filled with phal orchids and curly willow.
Guess what happened... If you don't place those big vases down perfectly, they break real easy.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom
Back