Soirees Southern Events — Local services in Gainesville

TL;DR The flowers I chose were pretty even though the florist didn't fully execute my vision that was communicated prior to this. I respected the effort the florist put in despite the relationship was rocky. +1 star for being able to source requested flowers. -1 star for not being able to uphold what was written in the contract regarding requests for MULTIPLE STEMS per vase for the bud vases (attached picture taken by guests). Lack of artistic imagination. -3 star for the lack of professionalism and time management (Yelled at by Sherri, Florist showed up without flowers on the day of the wedding and was being rude to other vendors, prices weren't consistent). Highly Recommend AGAINST hiring this vendor.

Full comment: I worked with Soirees Southern Events for my wedding and it wasn't a pleasant partnership. Susan, the sale representative, was a champ in keeping the communication professional but Sherri was short-tempered. As a bride, imagine being yelled at by your florist, Sherri, someone who you paid to work with you on your special day. She asked for inspiration photos and then got frustrated because I sent her "big ticket items". She yelled at me saying that "this is already $800 for just the leaves, extending your budget wouldn't even cover these". She didn't stop raising her voice in the call. I had to calm her down by reassuring that I wasn't asking her to materialize things from thin air. I said that the phone call was to for her to tell me what I could and couldn't do within my budget, because Pinterest doesn't have a price tag. She sighed and shortly ended the call but promised to help me find the best arrangements in 3 days. She then disappeared for 3 weeks. After a few follow-up emails, she managed to update the proposal with different prices. The $800 arrangement became $950 for just leaves. She didn't help "find the best arrangements", she just attached the prices to the "big ticket items" I sent and called it a day. There was no help with "working with your budget".

At the day of the wedding, the florist showed up late. We agreed on having the flowers delivered by 11:30AM but the florist showed up at 12:30pm without flowers, then annoyingly told my other vendors that the flowers will come in an hour. We needed the flowers for the detail shots and they didn't have the flowers. This delay costed me thousands of dollars in term of photography, and videography. Everyone was waiting for the flowers so we could take pictures.

The flowers (chosen by me) were beautiful on its own. But I wasn't happy with the arrangements on the day of. While flowers were beautiful on its own, there were specific instructions I mentioned in how I wanted my flowers to be arranged. See attached photo for more details. I was pretty upset that I explicitly told not to do a SINGLE stem per vase but they still ended up doing so.

Since the contract and proposal are the same document, I downloaded a new copy after each interaction with them just to be safe. Each time, a slight increase in prices somehow got snuck in without any announcement. Whether it's a mistake, it's just a shady practice. I booked them a year in advance like any other vendors. Any quote I received in the email chain, unless they explicitly listed in the proposal, was not the real price. I was not aware of this and functioned under the assumption that any written discussion is a part of a proposal. SSE controlled what to be put on the proposal, and in the beginning, they put everything we discussed in the email chain until one day they stopped. By the time that we finalized the design, the final price increased by $50 for EACH item. My initial budget was $3k and I extended it to $4.8k (this includes...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ As a wedding photographer with nearly a decade in the industry, I've had the privilege of working alongside countless vendors, but Sherri and her team at Soirees Southern Events are truly in a league of their own. For years, I’ve told my couples, “One day, she’ll be doing my daughter’s wedding.” When that day finally arrived, and my daughter Macy got engaged, there was no question who we’d call.

WOW. Just WOW. Macy’s wedding at Blue Mountain Vineyard was a masterpiece of elegance and romance. Her vision was a blush pink and sage green theme, and Sherri brought it to life with breathtaking creativity and impeccable attention to detail. Macy dreamed of bud vases lining the long tables, creating an intimate and graceful ambiance. Not only did Sherri make this vision a reality, but she elevated it to new heights.

For the round tables, Soirees Southern Events designed two distinct centerpiece styles, perfectly curated to complement the theme while adding depth and romance to the overall decor. Each piece felt thoughtfully designed and harmonized beautifully with the venue, transforming an already stunning space into an unforgettable dreamscape.

Beyond their unparalleled design talent, Sherri and her team delivered an experience that was second to none. Their communication was flawless—every question answered promptly, every concern addressed with care. The team radiated joy, professionalism, and a genuine passion for their craft, making the entire planning process a delight.

If you’re looking for a luxurious, top-tier experience for your wedding or event, look no further. Soirees Southern Events is THE team to trust with your most precious moments. Sherri, thank you for giving my daughter the wedding of her dreams and for once again proving why you’re the best in the business. My heart is full, and my highest recommendation is...

If you’re searching for a vendor who will make your wedding nothing short of magical, look no further than Sherri and her team at Soirées Southern Events. Trust me, you want them on your side. My wedding planner, who has worked with countless vendors, couldn’t stop singing their praises—and now I understand why.

From the moment I reached out, Sherri was an absolute delight. Every question I had (and there were many!) was met with a prompt, thorough, and kind response. It felt like she truly cared about making our day as special as possible. Her talent is unmatched, and her eye for detail is absolutely breathtaking. Every single element of our wedding—from the florals to the décor—was a work of art.

The entire team radiates joy and professionalism, creating an atmosphere that put me completely at ease. On the big day, everything came together more beautifully than I ever imagined. Guests couldn’t stop raving about how luxurious and seamless everything looked and felt. It wasn’t just a wedding; it was an experience.

If you want a wedding that feels like it belongs in a high-end bridal magazine, Sherri and Soirées Southern Events are your only option. They don’t just deliver—they exceed every expectation and then some. Choosing them was the best decision I made, and I will forever be grateful for their dedication, artistry, and passion. Thank you, Sherri, for making our dream day...