Is this completely crazy?

fjw2012

I have been struggling with flowers for the bouquets, boutonnieres, and corsages. I can't afford real flowers so I was going to do silk, but I can't find silk roses that I like. I had this thought that maybe I just don't have flowers. I can see how it would take away from the beauty in some pictures, but other than that I don't think it would make that big of a difference. My bridesmaids are being escorted down the aisle by the groomsmen and me by my father so we wouldn't just be walking awkwardly empty handed. I'm pretty sure this is just a crazy idea induced by flower stress, but I thought I'd see what you all thought. So am i nuts? lol

ktelizabeth86

What about using an alternative: feathers, fabric flowers, paper flowers, broochs, etc.?

mrshall1027

You can get real roses for pretty inexpensive from Sam's Club and wholesale flower companies online for most of the imes much less then quality silk flowers.  I would look up some youtube videos of how to do them yourself and maybe that can be an option for you.  It's really not as hard as it looks.

I think you can get away with your bridesmaids not holding a bouquet, but I think you should definitely hold one.  Maybe your bridesmaids can hold a clutch or a parasol or something like that.

Good luck!

mlperkins12

I see what you are saying.  With BM's being escorted down the aisle, I don't think it would be awkward to skip them.  While they do add to the atmosphere, it wouldn't been bad to skip them.  You might consider a small bouquet just for you, maybe you even have a friend or family member with a garden that would let you pick some.  We are getting married about the same time.  Hydrangea's are in season then and just a few stems can make a nice full bouquet. 

fjw2012

I hadn't considered a few of those options. Feathers might actually be very appropriate since our theme is masquerade. Thanks! I'm gonna look into that right now.

fjw2012

My FI stepmom used to work for a florist so she can put flowers together for me were we to buy them. If you buy real flowers for someone to put together how far in advance do you buy them and how soon can you make the bouquets? I'd hate for her to be rushing to get them done just a few days before the wedding.

fjw2012

Oh my gosh. Real roses are cheaper! Like $1 a piece. Silk are $2-3 a piece at crft stores. I was certain they had to be more expensive. Thanks so much, you ladies are the best!

achiduck

Have you considered just giving them one flower each to hold?

LDubHawksFan

I think if you do real, you should probably shoot to arrange them 1, maybe 2 days before.  It is an inconvenience, but could actually be affordable.  I think you should still do bouquets though.  If you really don't want to hurry at the end, fabric flowers are really easy to make.  I'm doing some for my decorations, and made sample ones where you curl the ends and they look really good (I just didn't feel like I could breath if I made a ton of them!).  Check out the diy board; there is a girl who just posted her fabric flower bouquets.  They would be more labor intensive that fake flowers (although you have 4 months to slowly make them), but probably cheaper since I've used maybe 2 yards of fabric with Joanne's coupons. 

Second idea is to not have your BM carry a bouquet, but a single stem.  This was done at a friend's wedding where they each carried one single daisy or something  and it was super cute....and 1 flower is a lot cheaper!

Last thought.  The men don't have to wear bouts....they could just do pocket squares.  Or there are lots of floral alts that I've seen on Etsy.

 Good luck!

mrshall1027

You can arrange an all rose bouquet up to 3 days before the wedding if you keep them refridgerated and the stems in water.  2 days before would be best.  If you go this route, order them so that they are delivered on Wednesday, put them all in water in a dark, cool room and let them drink water for 24 hours.  Arrange them and put them in a vase with a little water and put them in the fridge.  I'm making all of my own flowers and doing it this way.

fjw2012

I'm not very crafty, but I will def look into the fabric flowers. The single stem is a great idea also. I have so much to think about now!.Thanks again ladies, you rock!

Ividian

At my sister's wedding the florist ran late and only had time to actually put together my sister's bouquet before the ceremony, so we all just grabbed our flowers loose, nobody could tell, maybe get a small bunch in inexpensive flowers and have your ladies carry them loose, or tie a single ribbon around them or something...

MelyndaRyan

My very good friend was like you. Each girl had one of 3 colors of roses in her boquet with a ribbon tied around it. Than she had us walk down with a clutch that she bought for us. Something different. Pics turned out nice.

DanaOcNy

I am doing a peacock themed wedding and I'm using peacock feather fans instead of bouquets.  If you are interested I can get you the name of the seller I used from Etsy for them, her work is amazing!

ladydaisy

I am thinking of ordering my flowers from bunchesdirect.com
They have some great prices.  I can get enough flowers make bouquets for myself and my MOH and for all the centerpieces for just slightly more than the florist would charge for just my bouquet.  They also sell boutonnieres and corsages so I dont have to figure them out.

fjw2012

Dana, that feather fan is beautiful!  I wouldn't mind taking a look at her work if you could give me their info.

Ladydaisy, that website does have some great prices. I have A LOT of research to do now...lol

Kari1353

If you're doing a Masquerade theme, why not buy or rent some cheap Masquerade masks with the handle attached.  Similar to this : http://cdhangelball.blogspot.com/2010/10/masquerade-masks-will-be-available-for_22.html
Just and idea.