bittersweet

I just wanted to post an update here since the OP hasn't. She did get a full refund and I did cover the cost of her real flowers. However, when I opened the box of flowers she sent back, the flowers were used. They were filthy, in all different packaging and the handles had scotch tape wrapped around them?! This is very upsetting and frustrating since such a big deal was made here and the entire time I insisted on receiving the flowers back first before issuing a refund. This is why. It really sucks that UPS screwed up, but I went above and beyond by paying for real flowers. It also really sucks that I've had an overwhelming number of cancellations due to this post..but at the same time an overwhelming number of bookings. From now on, there are no more refunding of deposits as it originally states in the contract anyway. And once the packages are in the hands of the shipping company, it is out of our control. Please if you would like to order flowers, read the contract first. The link is posted on the first page of the floramatique gallery. I wish you all the best of happiness and health in your upcoming weddings and new lives with your significant others. Thank you for your input and advice, and thank you for your continued support.

I know and understand all of this. I know what the forums are for. But I also know that you send me an email and it seems if I don't respond within 2 minutes, you've come on this forum and posted that you can't get a hold of me and I'm guessing you assume that I've run off with your money or something. Definitely NOT the case. I have taken all of the comments and advice that I've been offered from alot of the brides on here into consideration and have made changes to better my business with the feedback. That's why I come to the forums...to see what to do and what not to do and to change what people don't like about the business. I'm not ashamed if someone offers me criticism. I take it into consideration for the next time around. I had 1 bride not recieve her flowers because she refused to pay the final balance before shipping (just recently), another that didn't get them in time because Purolator shipped them ground when I paid for air...that was last year, and I ordered her flowers from another vendor near her so that she had flowers for her wedding day. In all of the flowers I've done, I've only had 2 not like the flowers because 1 thought they smelled funny and looked too fake (floramatique), and the other just plain didn't like my work. I have absolutely nothing to hide. Now, because of all the mess we went through this summer, I did offer refunds to brides. It's even posted above in this post I think. So anyone else that didn't get their flowers, is because they cancelled and have gotten or are getting a refund. THIS mess though, wasn't my fault. I've been at fault plenty of times for things, but this was out of my hands. But for some reason you don't see that. When you ordered only 2 months before your wedding day, I told you I was busy. And had UPS not screwed up the packaging with the other brides, you WOULD have received them in time. I DID the flowers. So because it takes me more than 5 minutes to email you back, there is no need to post that I'm ignoring you. I understand that you are angry with me. But you have to understand that I have other brides that I have to make sure I can follow through on my commitments with too. I have apologized over and over, and now have completed the transaction and paid for all of what you wanted. All I'm asking is you stop this nonsense and lift the complaint with Paypal...which now has my account blocked so I can't even send a refund to the other bride who didn't get her flowers because you got them. Again, I'm sorry you went through this experience. Congratulations and best of health and happiness to you and your new hubby.

Actually, it was there on Wednesday the 26th. Today is the 31st...Monday. So it was only there for 5 days, 2 of which were the weekend. So it was only there for 3 business days. I was away decorating for weddings all weekend. The card was not in my mailbox on Thursday. This panic and drama needs to stop. You are now directly affecting my business for a mistake that UPS made. It has been picked up tonight. You have received your refund in full AND I have paid for your legal wedding flowers on top of that. Not something many vendors would do. I expect that these posts will stop.

Well I didn't receive the parcel card a week ago!! But again, we do not get mail delivered directly to our doors here, it goes to a super mail box, and more times than not, we don't get any cards. I didn't say you lied. And I prefer you email me directly rather than on this forum.

You really need to read your emails before you post here. I HAVE replied to your email. I do not sit at home all weekend and am gone Friday morning until Monday evening due to other wedding things that we do. I didn't get a parcel card in the mail until today as I was not home to check it on Friday. Please before you post, read your email. It has not been at the post office for a week. And remember that it was UPS that sent the packages to the wrong place, NOT me. Alot of other vendors you go to would not be refunding you for the flowers on top of the real flowers you had to purchase for the legal wedding. Especially considering the mixup was NOT my fault. So keep in mind that I am doing this and just because I haven't replied to an email that was sent while I wasn't around the computer, does not mean I've left the country and don't intend to refund you. I've had alot of cancellations due to your post, and I was offering brides a refund on deposits to ease minds and to some pressure off myself. So I also have alot to keep up with right now financially because of this post alone. That was something I didn't have to do, but I did it because I am not someone out to make an unhonest buck and didn't want anyone to feel stressed out about their flowers. I am no longer refunding for cancellations as of today because I am caught up and can handle the new work load. For all other ladies waiting for pics from me, watch your email in the next 24 hours because they are on the way!

I just wanted to post that Glamourina will be shipping the flowers to me COD. I think the miscommunication was that I don't have an account with any shipping company in order for her to ship COD so it will have to be done another way. I also want to note that I have offered refunds to any brides that are concerned about receiving their flowers in time. I am back on track and people are getting their flowers in time, but I know it can be extremely frustrating and worrisome wondering and waiting. HOwever, if you would like a refund, it is taking some time. Without a long explanation, we have had alot go on since the fire and have been trying to keep up with paying people refunds for cancellations, as well as paying other companies that we had to hire to accomodate the rentals booked for the weddings that were immediately following the fire. Let's just say, it's insane how much some rental companies charge!!! So we are also trying to keep up with that. IT is in our contract that we don't give out refunds, but we are trying to keep some peace of mind for people. It has been very difficult keeping everyone satisfied but we are continuing to work on it. It's gut wrenching to come online and read these kinds of posts about yourself. But at the same time, please remember that if I was going to bail on everyone and rip people off, I wouldn't respond to them. There is another site that I can't respond because of a "no vendor" policy, but I was always welcome to post here. And, I can take all this info and grow and be better from it. We are doing things alot differently next year, and I'm praying to God that everything is cleared up really soon. The objective for new bookings is to book less, and in turn be able to offer more one-on-one time with each bride, whether it be for flowers, or decor. We are also dropping a few of our services, such as catering. I think this will make a huge difference in our ability to maintain the awesome customer service we used to be able to offer. So please, don't think I'm a scumbag vendor looking to steal a buck. I'm really not. I've emailed "glamourina" and we are working things out. IF that means shipping COD with Canada POst, then that's what will work for me. Blackrose, you WILL still have your flowers in time!

I try not to be too dramatic... it doesn't help matters much in any event! I'm posting to update that when I shipped out Hayley's flowers, I sent another package to NFLD. UPS did all the packaging for me, and after I filled out the shipping info, they put the packages in the back and then I guess put the labels on. WELL, they completely screwed up and put the wrong labels on the boxes. So Hayley got another bride's flowers and vice versa!!!! So I have given Hayley the funds for a real bouquet for her legal wedding and she will have her faux bouquet in time for her beach wedding. Luckily the other bride doesn't leave until next week. Needless to say, we were all very upset about the mixup! UPS is working with me to refund for shipping, etc considering I paid them to do a job and they did it wrong. Note to self *no matter how pushed for time you are, ALWAYS package and label all boxes by yourself!!!* I'm working my ass off this weekend to get more done and catch up more. I was rushing to clean up a wedding this morning so I could get back to bouquets, and 8 mirrors for centerpieces slipped out of my hand and 3 of them smashed. I'm praying that doesn't mean 21 years of bad luck!!!! Maybe it will reverse the bad luck I've had lately!! If your'e waiting to hear from me, expect to hear from me soon!

EEK!! Don't worry Hayley, I'm on it along with everyone else's! I did fall behind because of the time I was off sick, but so far everyone has been getting their bouquet sets just in time. They are a little behind, but don't miss a date!! I am paying for Express saver shipping with DHL or UPS ...whichever promises me it will get there in time at my own expense in order to make things right with everyone! We also had a rental shed burn down so we lost alot of rentals and it's been CRAZY hectic. Maryyy, I'm not sure who you are, but you should have told me you didn't like the bouquet! Which one was it? I would have refunded you no problem. I don't have a whole lot of control over the colors unless I dyed them, but if you weren't happy, let me know! I do urge anyone that if it is too stressful for you, please let me know and I will definitely refund your deposit without hassle if you would like to take another route. I understand completely how stressful it can be to wait for something for your wedding date. I will not be hurt if you choose to take that route, and I won't hold back your deposit from you. I need you all to be satisfied and happy with what you get, even if it's with another company. I can also refer you to other vendors if need be. Otherwise, please be patient. A lady from the forum just got her flowers 2 days before her wedding, but she did get them and she was very happy with them! I'm off to do more bouquets!! PS....I'm working on that assistant idea...it's just hard to find someone I can trust to follow through and keep in touch with all my brides!!

I think Michael's does have some True Touch flowers...the orchids look like True Touch, but not the callas. They did do an excellent job though!

I am still here, just catching up. What an insane summer it's been! I did fall a little behind while sick and although I'm keeping up, I feel like I can't get ahead! I haven't disappointed anyone yet (and don't plan on it!!) and everyone is getting their flowers in time....albeit a little later than originally planned. Unfortunately I haven't been able to take any new bookings or last minute orders because I have to fulfill the commitments I've already made. I am completely booked until the end of September and am already booking into the new year!! If you email me and don't hear back from me right away, it's because I'm busy busy working on flowers! Literally...my hands are likely full and I can't type while my hands are busy! ;o) I may have to take up typing with my feet! HA! I feel awful that some of my quotes haven't been sent out yet, but I'm getting there. If you want to book past September, but you think that the Real Touch are out of your price range, feel free to drop me a line....I can help you out!!! Our prices will be dropping on our bouquets, AND we will be offering stems for those DIY'ers out there. Please don't think I've forgotten about any of you! I am still here, just extremely busy.

Hi there! Don't panic, I fell a little behind when I was sick, but am catching up. I just searched for emails from you and the reason you didn't get a reply is because you sent a form via my site. I haven't been accepting any new orders until I'm caught up and your email must have been overlooked. But that's the only email I've found from you. I just got your voicemail and will give you a call this afternoon! I'm just finishing up some other projects. Don't worry though, you will get them in time!! In the future, when you email me can you email me directly? Sometimes the forms from the site get put aside until I have time. Crystal

Hi ladies, It's so nice to come and read the nice things you all have to say. I am home now and doing alot better. Thank you all so much for checking up! We are no longer shipping with Canada Post...nothing but disappointments in the last few months with them. We don't receive half of our mail, and the people we ship to don't either. I am still actively working on flowers and everyone will have their flowers in time! I have a ton of sets complete, just needing the hand tie. So watch for pics in your email soon!! I think the OP should have her centerpiece by now...I checked with UPS tracking and she should have it today or tomorrow. What a mess that was! I look forward to hearing from you all soon and REALLY missed the emails everyday!!! I'm still trying to catch up on them but my biggest priority right now is the flowers. So if you email me and don't hear back from me for a day, that's why but please don't panic! I will try to be prompt in responses. Thank you all for your confidence in me and all the concerned emails and well wishes I received while I was off sick. Crystal

Quote: Originally Posted by hanna I don't mean to be unethical, but is there any way to purchase from Flowers by Design wholesale prices. I won't be reselling them, but just wish I could obtain the wholesale prices. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Each stem comes with 8+ orchids. Does anyone have an extra flower that you can mail me so I can see the quality before I place a huge order Unfortunately, you need a business number/tax ID number for purchasing wholesale with them. There are also a few other vendors not mentioned in the original list... Shavon's Wedding Silks fresh real natural touch artificial silk wedding bouquet flowers Bitter Sweet Wedding Designs There's also Flowerstogo....but I can't figure out her link so I'll post it when I find it.

WAY TO GO C!!!! I'm really impressed and so happy you shared your pics!! Good luck and can't wait to see pics of your big day!!

Here are a few... Flowers to Go - located in Ontario (not sure if her site is up yet but I know her and would recommend her) Special Day Designs...I think is Canadian...I'm pretty sure, but I don't know her really. Bittersweet Wedding Designs - located in Alberta (that's me) I think I heard about Blooms by Laura - located in Ontario as well I think. I haven't heard of too many others but I could be missing a few. If you scroll through the forums, there are probably more mentioned!

You should all check out the book "Bouquet Chic" by Kimberly Aurora Kapur....simply stunning bouquets on every page!! Definitely worth checking out if you want something unique as well. There are also a lot of great tips for those of you who want to DIY!

To be honest, I also had real flowers on my wedding cake! And have been to MANY MANY weddings where real flowers were used on cakes. I know there are probably some flowers that probably would be poisonous if you ate them, and maybe if you stuck them in your cake. I think if you are concerned about it being dirty or whatever....I would wrap the stems with saran wrap....I've done that before. Quite frankly, if you've ever seen the inside of some of the silk stems, you would be more concerned about those than real flowers!! *gag*

WOW! That's definitely gorgeous! Martha Stewart does some pretty amazing stuff! I check out her site often for inspiration. I'd love to see how it turns out!

Bianca is right, if you can't get the flowers wholesale, the prices can be outrageous. The Floramatique especially...their wholesale prices alone are insane. I have helped a few brides get real touch at a little above wholesale. Doing your own bouquet can be tedious and frustrating. I know I even get frustrated sometimes doing bouquets. But with the right flowers, some floral tape, and the right wrap it has potential to be gorgeous no matter if you're doing it or a professional is doing it. There definitely are alot of great DIY videos though to follow and guide you. And if you find you can't do it yourself or are overwhelmed by it all, I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to change your mind and bring them to a professional to put the bouquet together for you! Afterall, you would already have the flowers, so that expense would be done! Just leave yourself alot of time to work on it. Good luck!!

The plumeria in the OP's bouquet is about 2" wide. I think Roberta now has new plumeria sprays and the blooms might be smaller.... The reason they look so big in the OP's bouquet is because it's a rather small bouquet and it's up against a bloom that is about the same size. I did a bouquet with lilies and plumeria and it was the perfect size. So I think it depends what's in with it.

I still haven't heard from the bride or her planner. Last email I got was from the planner saying she got the backup bouquets and that they were still hopeful for the flowers I sent. She said they might make it, but I never heard. POO! I half expected a picture of the bride today with her bouquet or something....that would have made my week! I love getting pics of my brides with their flowers! Makes me feel proud to be a part of such an important day!! I'll let everyone know when I actually find out though!

Oh that's so cute!! I love your idea for pictures...filling it with sand! I'd love to see pics too!

Never again! Apparently when the package gets to the states, it switches over to UPS. Looks like they MIGHT step up to the plate! If they can pull it off, UPS will be my number 1 shipping company! As an update, the package is currently in Jacksonville, Florida!! It needs to get to Orlando and they were going to hand pick it and deliver it.......I'll keep you posted!! I want to be excited, but still a little nauseous!!

LOL.... I haven't had the chance to see her flowers in person, but her and I have the same suppliers. So I know they are good quality. I have just never had one put together for me by Shavon. And I hate to say it, but I used to sell Sharon's flowers for her and after I ordered 2 things ....one for my bride and one for my rentals, I would never order from her or sell her flowers again. The callas were from Walmart. I thought it was an easy alternative because my business was so busy with rentals I didn't have time to do the bouquets myself. Sure taught me a lesson...I couldn't have my brides get that kind of quality. We've since hired another decorating team, and I do our flowers personally. I would never even recommend Sharon. And it's not because she's competition, because i have no problem at all recommending other vendors! I think if you email a vendor and they are quick at responding and COURTEOUS...not snarky or make you feel like you're a nuisance, you have a good start. Check out contracts they have before you order....some places don't let you email them more than once without charging you. If their site is full of "rules", or rumors about other brides, chances are it might not be a good experience. Tell the vendors exactly what you want....especially the brand of flowers if you want Real Touch or Floramatique. And do your homework. Make sure you know what a Floramatique calla or rose looks like if that's what you want in your bouquet. So when you get proof pictures, you will know if that's what is actually in the bouquet. It is YOUR big day and you should NOT feel like you are annoying someone if you email them with a request. Or if you feel panicky about something. Regardless if it's flowers, your dress...whatever, don't let anyone make you feel like they are your only option. I hope that helps. I tend to ramble on...it's a sensitive subject. I hate when I hear of brides feeling like they are putting someone out....I see it ALOT in the rental business!! It's shocking really!

I'm posting this as a new thread because I want everyone to be aware of something that CAN go wrong when ordering flowers (or anything for that matter) online!! I'll try to shorten the story because all this happened today and I'm still frazzled about it.... I had a bride order her flowers only 3 weeks before her date. I hate to turn anyone down, so I accepted. I finished the set and it was gorgeous. I sent proof pictures at the begginning of last week and I hadn't heard back from them and it was cutting close to their date, so last Friday I took it upon myself and sent the flowers with Purolator. I told them they NEED to be there BY THURSDAY because her wedding was on Saturday (10th). They were going to Florida from Alberta. So they charged me for express shipping and promised me they would be there on the 7th (Wednesday). I was confident with that considering I nailed it into them 4 or 5 times how important it was, etc, etc. I got an email today from the wedding planner that the flowers hadn't arrived yet. I called Purolator and they said that the people at the depot where I sent the flowers from.....sent it REGULAR GROUND (even though I paid for express) and the shipment wouldn't be there until the 13th. I think I blew a vein in my head I was so shocked and angry. I demanded something be done. The lady on the phone told me that in all the 5 years she's been at Purolator, she has never once seen them do anything like pull over the truck and grab the package and throw it on the plane to get it there faster. I told her to hold her hat because she might just see it yet!! So we traced the package and it was in Nebraska this morning. Purolator called me back to tell me they couldn't do anything about it. I think there's only so much yelling and eventually you realize it doesn't get you anywhere. Those people can be so cold!! They hung up on me when I demanded I speak to a supervisor because I want restitution for myself and the bride! So the bride's planner was also on the phone with them. In the meantime, I'm definitely NOT having one of my brides without flowers on her wedding day!!! I remembered that the florist I chat back and forth through email with and share secrets with was in Florida as well. SHAVON!!! I figured I might as well give it a shot. She's been nothing but help with me in the last few weeks. Sure enough, within 2 hours Shavon has emailed me a picture of what she was able to do with what she had on hand. Although it wasn't exactly what the bride ordered from me, it was damn good!! Shavon was amazing and so calm and helped us out. The planner said she still wanted to see if my shipment came and is still confident that it will show up, but I told Shavon to go ahead and ship the flowers to her at my expense because I couldn't bare thinking of her not having flowers at all. So if mine show up, great....if not, she has a backup. Shavon has finished the flowers already and has them ready to go. She's only an hour and a half away from my bride. I'm amazed at how kind she was today. Not something you get from some vendors....but that lady is an angel!!! I can't say enough kind words!!! So as a side note, PLEASE ladies, if you are ordering flowers online, ESPECIALLY out of country, allow alot of time!!! It's never too early to order. Although neither the bride or myself were at fault, you never know when someone else along the way will screw something up (like the shipping company!!). I'll keep you updated about how things pan out...I'm just sick to my stomach over the whole thing! To top it off, I had my first bride not like a bouquet I made her. I changed it over 4 times for her in the course of 2 months. Completely different style, colors, etc. She thought the floramatique looked really fake and tonight decided she doesn't want the Floramatique anymore. It did take longer than expected because of all the changes, but it's to be expected. She hasn't even seen the bouquet in person yet. Told me I shouldn't be trying to sell them and that I should be embarrassed about selling them. If I knew how to post a picture, I would...I think it's a nice bouquet (minus the pink flowers she requested). I've never had anyone complain about the Floramatique before. I really am a fan of them. I guess everyone is different though. What a miserable day. Keep your fingers crossed that my bride in Florida gets the set I made for her. It will be a miracle.....but you never know!!