Orchids

[amelia]

I would like info on where to find best price/quality for cut
orchids (I live in the L.A./Orange County area). Have any of you used flowersales.com?
I'm considering orchids because in addition to being beautiful, they hold up well and are easy to arrange (i'd like to do my own florals for my small wedding a few days in advance if possible).
However, I'm concerned that the cost might be prohibitive. What do you think? I'd sure appreciate your input.

Thanks, Amelia

[kat_luvs_paris]

Check out flowersales.com. They are a wholesaler in california with some very attractive prices

[PRINCESS_KIM]

I am looking for the same thing and I was told by one of the Orchid Wholesalers that they don't sell just blooms but rather orchid plants and to go to the Los Angeles Flower Market. I called the LA Chamber of Commerce and supposedly the flower market is an entire block of streets in Downtown LA near Wall Street and 6th. But if you walk around, there are many stores. I am planning on going up there to take a look but if you happen to get there first, let me know what you think of it.

I looked into flowersales.com and they charge 20% surcharge if you don't have a TAX ID i.e. business license. I was looking at their orchid bouquets. There is a $5/box charge and then $25 for shipping and handling for 1 tray. After all that, we're looking at about $100. If you get the stems, the minimum order is 100 or 10 bunches. The least expensive stem is $1...which means that's $100 in flowers already. Do you really need that many??? I think with the flower market, we would not have to buy that high of a quantity but then it may stressful to run to buy flowers on the day of or the day before.

[PRINCESS_KIM]

I was at the local swapmeet a few weeks ago and they were selling an entire bouquet of dendrobium orchids (purple) for $8.00. The orchids were perfect for bridesmaid flowers.

[GodsQQQ]

I have been to the LA flower mart several times for different weddings.It's really just that you walk around to alot of different shops that are in the same lil' area,just like the garment district,etc..there just mostly all bunched in the same area, but you can bargain with the people, especially the smaller shops.Know what you want before you go or look around one time and come back another.It is wayyyyy cheaper than a florist but you just have the headache of having to have someone pick them up for the wedding, or I have came across some lil' shops that were hungry for business that will deliver for not much more.Sorry I don't know any names, as we just walked around and asked questions in most and got things on various weddings over the years.Like the arches,etc....which you can also get really cheap like $8 or $18 at Michaels, and decorate.It can save lots of money but it's just the legwork that you have to do, but if you are willing to do that, you can come out good.There are lots of lil' shops around there for veils and tiaras and beading and fabric and wedding stuff.Just alot of walking around,looking and pricing.Take a day, why not, may be worth it.Start early.:->

[PRINCESS_KIM]

A friend of mine went to the Flower Market for me and it does not open until 8am ...earlier hours are for businesses only and there is a $2 charge to go in. Since I need the flowers early in the day, it would be too stressful to run, buy the flowers, and arrange or tie them for corsages or bout's.

[sugarpike434]

This may be too late to help the original poster, but check out www.tayama.com . I found their website and emailed them questions about orchids - they have a booth in the LA flower mart and I was able to go and just pick up some beautiful cut orchids. If I had needed more than a few I could have ordered them and they would have been shipped or I could have picked them up there. But my huge Catteleya orchids were only $4 a bloom and the Japhet orchids - also huge - were $3 each. The flower district was an absolute kick - so much fun. And the public can get in earlier than 8am on certain days, like Thursday. Their website is www.laflowerdistrict.com .

[wiccanbride]

they also sell orchids on marisolblooms.com though you have to order them by the hundred. still, they're only a dollar and sum per stem. good if you planed to use them profusly.

blessed be