having a really hard time swallowing spending this much….advice please

Re: having a really hard time swallowing spending this much….advice please

• kisskiss30

  

  September 2012 edited September 2012

  I completely understand.  My budget was liimited as well and a friend told me about an Etsy.com store called lovetheblooms (one word).  She does amazing work with silk flowers, not sure where she gets them and dont' care.  She did the work, had it delivered two weeks before my wedding and they were absolutely gorgeous and were very reasonable!  She offers bridal party packages for under $300.  For the centerpieces since you're having it outiside use candles on your table instead and forget the floral centerpiecs.  Hope this helps.

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• NurseCassie88 member

  

  September 2012

  well our ceremony is outside but our reception is inside the ballroom, but thanks for the advice!

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• fallbride1109 member

  

  September 2012 edited September 2012

  I don't really understand having fake flowers except for maybe the bouquet--it's not like you're going to use them again either.  If I went to a wedding in a garden, and then came in and saw silk arrangements on the tables, I would think that was weird.  I would rather pay the same money for real flowers, personally.

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• mabapunta

  

  September 2012

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_flowers_having-a-really-hard-time-swallowing-spending-this-muchadvice-please?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:28Discussion:c2fbb506-2fba-4718-b997-285249721479Post:358a7ab4-ec7a-49af-b179-482b8240b3b5">Re: having a really hard time swallowing spending this much….advice please</a>:
  [QUOTE]I don't really understand having fake flowers exept for maybe the bouquet--it's not like you're going to use them again either. <strong> If I went to a wedding in a garden, and then came in and saw silk arrangements on the tables, I would think that was weird.  </strong>I would rather pay the same money for real flowers, personally.
  Posted by stephiehall[/QUOTE]
  
  Agreed. I would expect real flowers in that setting as well.
  
  OP - I totally agree that flowers are crazy expensive for weddings! I'm really not a flower person - I just don't know much about them and really don't care either. I just told our florist our $1500 ideal budget, wedding colors and general bouquet size, and said to use whatever was in season and that would look nice. We will be doing my bouquet, 3 BM bouquets, 4 corsages (moms, grandmas), 7 boutieniers (FI, groomsmen, dads and grandpa), 19 centerpieces and then one really tall arrangement for the ceremony venue. We are still waiting for an exact quote from him, but his original guess was that we'd probably be more like $1600 or 1700 for that much. BUT we are doing double duty with the bouquets to be used on our head table, and then apparently the tall arrangement will be broken down into smaller ones to be used for the cake table and maybe the gift table.
  
  Sooo...I guess I'm saying that yes, your figure seems to pretty standard with what I've been quoted - especially if every centerpiece will have flowers. Are they throwing in the vases to use and such? Are you flexible with the type of flowers and bouquet size? Maybe even see how you can reuse your bouquets, or move arrangements from the ceremony venue to be used in the reception venue.
  
  And I feel guilty for paying a lot for flowers that will die quickly as well, but I figure it's my one day to really splurge on something like that. I want to have the natural beauty of real flowers with me!
  
  I also had an idea to bring cheap vases (like from Goodwill) to the reception venue, like on the favor table, and beg friends and family to take the flowers home...but I think our flowers will be set underwater so it won't work for us...but it's a thought for your day, possibly? :)

  

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• flower_diva member

  

  September 2012

  as a florist I have a hard time understanding why the flowers are always thought of as an unecesary part of the wedding and wanting to spend nothing on them........Did you not buy a special dress to wear?   what about special shoes?   are you hiring a professional photographer because you want beautiful pictures to look at in the years to come?    This is probably the most important day in your life.....your flowers will be in those pictures for ever also.......I just don't get it........really I don't.....

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• mrsmahe

  

  September 2012

  It sounds like your wedding is a spring wedding. I didn't want to spend a lot on flowers either so for my wedding I made some centerpieces using moss, mossy rocks and some small grapevine wreaths (dried vines). I also used birdhouses. It turned out really nice and looked very outdoorsy. I can e-mail you pictures if you want. My e-mail is rebeccaacosta25@yahoo.com.

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• bburkel

  

  September 2012

  I just met with a florist last week who was able to really walk me through everything we needed, and also took my suggestions.  I worked at a flower shop in college, so I have an appreciation for flowers, but I have a hard time justifying some of the "fancier" flowers that don't last as long.  I realize that all the bouquets will eventually die, but they do make the day look that much nicer, especially with a spring wedding that is outdoors.
  It sounds like your quote was fairly reasonable.  Ours came back around $1000 for 6 bouquets, my bouquet, and a lot of corsages and boutineirs.  That is not including any flowers for the reception, but we're thinking we'll go fairly simple with that.  Either using craft beer bottles with a single flower and filler, or maybe small plants. 
  It probably wouldn't hurt to get a second quote to find out if the first one is way-off base for your area.

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• Anorden member

  

  October 2012

  I have had several brides use potted plants or mixed planters in decorative containers as centerpieces. I think this would go great with your location, could be less expensive, and being plants they could be given to friends and family after the reception as a thank you for all of their help with your big day. Be upfront with your florist on ways to have beautiful flowers in a price range you are comfortable with.

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