I used Sharon Elizabeth's Floral Designs for my wedding under the recommendation of a fellow bride. I went into the store for my first consultation not having visited any other florists. Aside from the assumption of talking about my floral budget for the day, I did not know what to expect from the meeting. Sharon Elizabeth not only did not ask what amount we were looking to spend, but was hesitant to offer me suggestions on downgrading sizes and flower styles when I kept requesting to bring down the total cost. I ordered a silk bouquet for myself and a matching (live) boutonniere for the groom. I requested simple (small) coral rose boutonnieres for the Groomsmen, and 4 bridesmaid bouquets to match. I was told that the Maid of Honor's bouquet would be slightly different. Additionally, I ordered a silk corsage for my mother, with a live matching boutonnieres for my father, and a live corsage and boutonniere for my In-Laws. Reception table arrangements and church arrangements were also ordered. It was not until the very end of the meeting when I had to ask for one that a toss bouquet was even mentioned. I was informed that the bouquet would be free of charge, live flowers, and would match the bouquet that I would be carrying. The quoted price we received that day seemed high, but, having not gone to any other vendors, we thought it was average and signed the contract.
Weeks later when the breakdown of the bill was received, I was horrified to see how much each individual arrangement would cost. The prices were astronomical for the individual bouquets and arrangements. I called the shop to explain that I was not aware that each individual item would be so pricey and, when I requested that we cut down on the sizes and prices of each item, was not met with cooperation or professionalism. The florist took only minimal amounts off of the price of each design and said that she could not go any lower. The overall cost was brought down minimally. Frustrated and disappointed with the uncooperative customer services, I would have backed out then and canceled my order if I had not already signed a contract.
The week of the wedding, I received last minute cancelations from guests and needed to cut out a table arrangement. I called the shop yet again to request that the flowers used for that no longer needed arrangement be used to create Grandparent boutonnieres and corsages, instead. I was told haughtily that, due to the fact that they were different types of flowers than the other corsages, they would not match. Again, poor customer service.
The day of the wedding, the delivery of flowers arrived 45 minutes before their previously scheduled time. The Maid of Honor's bouquet was not a different design than the other Bridesmaids. My groom's boutonniere did not match my bouquet in the slightest, The Father of the Bride was a closer flower match. The Mother of the Groom received a silk corsage, instead of the live arrangement that was ordered. The groomsmen's boutonnieres were comically large. The arrangements ordered for the church were, to be blunt, the most ridiculous looking arrangements I have ever seen. Though they were supposed to match the rest of the flowers in the wedding, they did not match in the slightest. The toss bouquet that I was assured would be live and a replica of my own bouquet, was a gross waxy, plastic white flower that not only did not match my coral, pink, and green bouquet, but looked like it was purchased at the Dollar Store.
Going with Sharon Elizabeth's Floral Designs was my biggest regret of the wedding. The customer service was completely abysmal, the arrangements were far over-priced for what I received, and what I actually did receive was not even close to what I ordered. I would have been better off going to the Grocery Store, buying cheap cuts of flowers, and making my own (nicer and matching) arrangements for a fraction of the price. read more