I am giving one star because it is the lowest score available. I would give less if it was an option. To say I was disappointed with the $800 worth of flowers that were delivered for a Celebration of Life for a client's close friend, is an understatement.
I am a professional interior designer of over 35 years. My client choose this shop in Alpine because it was convenient. We stopped in together to place the order two weeks in advance.
We brought beautiful crystal vases and bowls from the friend that had passed to use for the arrangements, 3 small, 2 medium and one large. I provided photos of examples of the florals we were looking for. Along with those were also photos and measurements of exactly where the arrangements would be in the host home. They were to be purple, yellow, lavender and white flowers. The largest one that was to be placed at the entry/front door in a tall nook was supposed to be full and to top out above 2 feet tall. I gave very specific instructions for no daisies, carnations or lilies to be used. When I say that I could have gotten mixed bouquets at Trader Joe's (for well under $10 each) and they would have been far superior to what showed up, I am not exaggerating. The largest arrangement had 3-4 yellow roses, mini mum stems, more a filler than anything else, daisies, which were in all of the others as well, status and some other miscellaneous filler. Absolutely no contrast, no other premium flowers, essentially a vase full of fillers with a couple of roses thrown in. In addition, they were delivered the day before and the next morning when we arrived to set up for the event, we had to cull what was already wilted. The flowers in general were poor quality and looked like they had been out for days. Every single one, including the larger ones needed water.
We had been told that because of the size of the order, and because it was local, delivery was free. When my client paid in cash, a discount had been applied. But then she was told that a $70 delivery fee now applied.
Virtually nothing we were told, or promised, was delivered. Other than the food, served buffet style, and some photographs, the flowers were to be the centerpiece of the days decorations. Lush arrangements with a variety of happy colors. All I could think is that I was glad this wasn't someone's wedding. It would ruin the day.
There are several other florists in Alpine, I'm just sorry we didn't happen on one of those instead. Because we only had a couple of weeks to plan, with immediate family being out of state, I just took my client's recommendation that we use this one.
In hindsight, there are only 6 total reviews and two of those were negative.
Lesson learned, do your homework! read more