Smithfield market flowers

Millem

Does anyone have any experience buying flowers from the market? If so how much roughly is it per stem for a rose or a gerbera? (I know there are loads of types just rough estimates!) I downloaded prices from wholesalers and they vary greatly (when you are buying a large quantity). Thanks in advance.

Toto Wolfcastle

Prices can vary. Because they don't have prices on anything they can set them at whatever price they like so one customer might be charged more than another. It will also depend on how many bunches you're buying. The lads in LW are very helpful though and if you give them a call they'll give you a ballpark figure.

http://www.lwflowers.ie/index.htm

tatli_lokma

When you say a large quantity, how large are you talking? 1 box or 10 boxes??? What might seem a large quantity to someone buying as a once off for a wedding is usually small fry for a florist.

Also, although they are a wholesale market, they also sell retail. Meaning, unless you are a registered business (i.e have a VAT number) or are a regular customer you will be paying their retail price not wholesale. That said, it is still a bit cheaper than buying the same quantity of flowers from a florist shop and the selection will be larger. And if your haggling skills are any good, that can help as well!

Millem

Little Ted wrote: »

When you say a large quantity, how large are you talking? 1 box or 10 boxes??? What might seem a large quantity to someone buying as a once off for a wedding is usually small fry for a florist.

Also, although they are a wholesale market, they also sell retail. Meaning, unless you are a registered business (i.e have a VAT number) or are a regular customer you will be paying their retail price not wholesale. That said, it is still a bit cheaper than buying the same quantity of flowers from a florist shop and the selection will be larger. And if your haggling skills are any good, that can help as well!

Well I reckon maybe 160 roses and 60 gerberas give or take. I do need to get greenery but have not decided yet. They either come in 20 or 30. Does the registered business need to be a flower shop? Please excuse my ignorance in advance! When I did a flower course some of the other students swore by wholersalers. I am getting quotes of €1 per stem including vat - €2 per stem including vat from various wholesalers for roses.

tatli_lokma

no it doesn't but of coure you will get better prices if you are signing up for an account or they think they are getting repeat business from you.

160 roses and 60 gerberas isn't really a large quantity. Are you getting other flowers as well? If not I think you will probably get the 'retail' price and might be lucky to get a few quid off.

There are different grades of the roses, so be careful you don't get the cheap ones as they will fall apart fairly quickly (think garage forecourt quality flowers). Mid range ones would be enough for buttonholes, pedestal arrangements etc, and get the premium quality ones for the bouquets as they will be the ones that get the most 'abuse' (i.e picked up, put down, handed around, even swung around! lol).

For our wedding we spent €500. That was for 1 bridal bouquet, 8 large table arrangements in vases (vases bought seperately), 2 pedestal arrangements, 8 pew ends, 15 buttonholes for guests and 5 buttonholes (more fancy) for immediate family, fresh flower topper and decor for the wedding cake, one large table arrangement for the top table, small arrangement for the candle holder for the ceremony, two hanging arrangements for the backs of the b&g chairs at the ceremony. Price included, wires, oasis, posy holders, ribbob, fern and foliage, and sundries. No bridesmaids bouquets. But we did go for a lot of roses, orchids and tropical flowers. And that price is with my sister (who is a florist) using her supplier who supplies to her bosses shop. I dread to think how much it would have all cost if I had to get them through a florist shop!

Nead21

I used the flower market in Smithfield for my wedding.My sister-in-law and myself went up 2 days before. Two pieces of advice;
1. If you want a particular type of flower, make sure to go in beforehand and order it and it is first come first serve and you don't want to be disappointed.

2. Get there as early as possible to ensure you have the best choice.

The market was perfect for me as I wasn't fussy about what kind of flowers, I just wanted flowers in season.

Millem

Nead21 wrote: »

I used the flower market in Smithfield for my wedding.My sister-in-law and myself went up 2 days before. Two pieces of advice;
1. If you want a particular type of flower, make sure to go in beforehand and order it and it is first come first serve and you don't want to be disappointed.

2. Get there as early as possible to ensure you have the best choice.

The market was perfect for me as I wasn't fussy about what kind of flowers, I just wanted flowers in season.

That's great! I will no exactly what I need next week as going a wholesalers and will ask about in season etc. TBH I don't think I will get cheaper than €1 per sweet avalanche rose!

beltzar

My two sisters went up the day before. I gave them a photo of an example of a bouquet with olours that I liked.
And off they went. They got enough to make 2 bouquets and 4 large vases full.
All flowers were seasonal so I got the lot done for €200. And then we had lavendar in the garden, so we ut up loads of that and stuk the lavendar to the end of the pews.
Best €200 spent.
Oh yeah it also covered grooms button hole, best man and 4 other button holes.
Good Luck!

Millem

beltzar wrote: »

My two sisters went up the day before. I gave them a photo of an example of a bouquet with olours that I liked.
And off they went. They got enough to make 2 bouquets and 4 large vases full.
All flowers were seasonal so I got the lot done for €200. And then we had lavendar in the garden, so we ut up loads of that and stuk the lavendar to the end of the pews.
Best €200 spent.
Oh yeah it also covered grooms button hole, best man and 4 other button holes.
Good Luck!

Got sorted I managed to wangle a card for the cheapest wholesaler so happy days!

SE160813

Hi there,

I see from previous threads that there are separate retail and wholesale prices at Smithfield Market. Does anyone know how to get the best wholesale price? Im hoping to buy ~500 flowers for my wedding in August,

Thanks!

SE

The Duk

That area is called the markets area and is nowhere near Smithfield so shouldn't be called the Smithfield market having live there for over 20 years it’s a pet hate of mine, I think it was just made up to gentrify the area .

Anyway I've had dealings with Joesph M Duffy and Sons give someone here http://www.weddingsonline.ie/discussion/viewtopic.php?t=181928&sid=c881244c7918deab4c8eda61df621aa4 found them really good too.

I'm not linked or have any interest in Joesph M Duffy and Sons myself just know from experience they have very good quality flowers.

SE160813

The Duk wrote: »

That area is called the markets area and is nowhere near Smithfield so shouldn't be called the Smithfield market having live there for over 20 years it’s a pet hate of mine, I think it was just made up to gentrify the area .

Anyway I've had dealings with Joesph M Duffy and Sons give someone here http://www.weddingsonline.ie/discussion/viewtopic.php?t=181928&sid=c881244c7918deab4c8eda61df621aa4 found them really good too.

I'm not linked or have any interest in Joesph M Duffy and Sons myself just know from experience they have very good quality flowers.

Thanks The Duk, Thats really helpful and I'll definitely look them up. Sorry for mis-naming the market-it seems that name has really stuck!