Designed To Order Florist

THE WORST VENDOR AT MY WEDDING. My experience with the owner and her husband started out fine. She was a little demanding and curt with her requests but I thought that it was based on her expertise since this was my first big event planning and I was out of state. We had a contract, agreed upon the price, and arrangements which included floating candles all for a wedding of 120 guests or less. The contract was extremely detailed which I thought was a good thing for both of us. The deposit and final payments were paid on time and it wasn't until two weeks before the wedding that everything started to fall apart. She would call with anxiety and stress and rude comments towards me over the agreed upon plans. Then she called two nights before the wedding at 10pm to tell me that they took it upon themselves to pre-fill the vases because THEY INSISTED they wouldn't have enough time the day of the wedding I needed to exceed my budget by several hundred dollars for unprofessional help from their family members because they no longer had enough room in their truck for the arrangements. To that, I declined the additional people and funds and said that I couldn't extend my budget any more and to simply do her best and bring as many candles as she could and that I trusted her. Despite me declining additional funds, telling her to stick to the contract of what we had agreed upon (which a large percentage included her own labor), I received a bill AFTER my wedding for pre-filling vases and unrequested driving costs made by her husband with passive aggressive all caps letters saying "PAY ASAP" all under the pretext of "implied contract" which I now realize basically means that they can bill you for anything that they feel like after the event and call it "implied". The amount of stress and angst that this shop brought me during my wedding process was completely unnecessary and unforeseen. She has no control over her own stress and will put it on you in a second. It was exactly what I did not need during the weeks leading up to my wedding or afterward. I hope my review of this shop is helpful to people thinking of hiring them for events because after my experience, I would never recommend them.
8 years ago (14-03-2017)

While their flowers may be no less special than any Stop & Shop flowers, it should be noted that they employ individuals who keep believe it is acceptable to leave pets unattended in company vehicles in 100 º F temperatures. A vehicles air conditioning system relies on the engine running. Much how your terrier relies on water for hydration. Judging by your reaction when you returned, I'm not certain whether you're aware of this or not. In those 32 long minutes I saw the poor little fella acquiring what little hydration he/she could obtain from the otherwise beautiful misted pedals of the floral arrangement.
9 years ago (11-08-2016)

Beautiful arrangement, great for simple request. I really wanted to work with them for my wedding because of the beautiful arrangements I've seen come out of there. The experience was less than pleasant. I live out of state but we are getting married close to DTO's location. I made a trip from CA to CT and had an appointment (booked weeks in advance) to sit and talk design- the owner Donna was 30minutes late. No big deal I was patient as she sent me a text explaining, she arrives, we talk design. I was guaranteed an estimated cost by 10/1, I didn't receive it till 10/19... Ok late again, no big deal the wedding is next year, I have time. The quote was twice as much as we wanted to spend, nearly $5000. Feeling discouraged I replied thanking Donna her for her time and letting her know though I really wanted to work with her, I didn't know how I could possibly get the look I wanted while cutting the cost in half. She proposed we have a phone conversation and talk about other options, which we did. I tried to convey I thinks she's a great artist and really wanted to work with her, but I didn't want to comprise the look I was going for.. She offered similar options that were less expensive, I proposed simplifying the bridesmaids bouquets and other things I didn't feel would compromise the look. We wrap up the call and based on my notes where we cut cost we were close to my $2500 budget. Then I receive the new quote... It was roughly $3300. I reply defeated and sad thanking her again for her time and expressing my concern with the cost being out of our budget still. As a mathematical thinker, I this time share more specifically what we can spend and where to achieve our budget. I believe $2,500 on wedding flowers is by no means being cheap, especially considering we are only looking for your basics- bridal party, table arrangements, and 2 bouquets for the ceremony site. My fiancé and I work hard and have saved up to afford the wedding we want. I was extremely offended by the final email I received stating I was "devaluing her expertise and work" and that "it's time I look elsewhere". I manage a retail shop, and I do truly enjoy DTO's work. I never once tried to "devalue" her work, I said lots of thank you's and kept asking for her expert advice. I was patient with all of the tardiness and now nearly 2 months later I'm back at the drawing board "looking elsewhere". $2,500 is nothing to scoff at and I will take my business elsewhere since it's apparently under DTO to work with such a budget.
11 years ago (24-11-2014)

Awesome florist. Created a gorgeous fall anniversary arrangement per my husband's suggestions and on short notice. Went out of their way to make sure I was home and received delivery (I was in the basement doing laundry and didn't hear the knock/doorbell). Would definitely use them again. Very highly recommended.
14 years ago (28-10-2011)

A friend who lives in Manchester had to undergo emergency surgery. I contacted Designed to Order to send her a get-well arrangement since I'm out of the area, basing my choice purely on their website. They are not your standard FTD warehouse, the flowers they provided were beautiful and unique. The delivery was to a hard-to-find apartment and was precisely when they said they would arrive. The color combination was lovely and upbeat and the overall effect just stunning. I could not be happier with their service or product and will definitely use them again whenever I need flowers in Manchester. Thank you so much!
18 years ago (10-10-2008)