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Flower Power Savings

10 Ways to Save BIG on Your Wedding Day Flower Costs

Author: Kristi Richardson

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Flowers are an integral part of any wedding. They can transform any space from dull and boring to chic and dramatic. They help the bridal couple express their personal style and taste. They inflect color in a variety of ways and can run the gambit in costs.

According to most wedding day budget guidelines, 5%-10% of your total budget should be allocated to your floral décor. So, that means if your overall budget is $20,000 (less than the Chicago area average) flowers could cost you $1,000 to $2,000. How can you have beautiful flowers without the luxury price tag? That’s easy. Here are 10 ideas to help you save.

1. Select Seasonal Flowers – Most planners and florists will tell you to select flowers that are in season. This helps save on shipping costs and because they are easy to acquire they tend to be less expensive.
2. Think Double Duty - Make sure floral decorations can double-up on their duties. For example, pew flowers for the church can double to line the staircase or balcony at the reception. Flower bouquets can double to serve as centerpieces or be used to decorate the head table. Your altar flowers can be used on your placement table and/or gift table.
3. Go Silk – Silk flowers have come a long way in style, texture and color. Nowadays they look and feel very similar to their fresh counterparts. Most silk wedding flowers and bouquets are 25% to 50% less than there fresh flower designs. Much of this savings is due to inexpensive shipping rates (because they are lightweight), no refrigeration costs and reduced last minute labor costs. They can also double as gifts and keepsakes for family, attendants and friends. Visit my website Bloomed To Last for examples and photographs of lifelike, affordable silk bouquets and arrangements.
4. Go with Greenery – By just using pots of greenery instead of flowers you will save approximately $5 - $10 a centerpiece. Create groupings of 4 small greenery pots to vary texture and color and to save even more, have them double as favors for guests.
5. Go Big and Few – If you can’t afford to have centerpieces on the all the tables, then skip it and have 2 or 3 larger pieces created for the sweet table, place card table, buffet table and/or gift table. Choosing 2 or 3 larger pieces will create dramatic focal points and reduce your overall costs. Guests will never even notice the table centerpieces are missing!
6. Be a Minimalist - Instead of having complex arrangements created, select a single large bloom. Place it in a bud vase and surround with candles. Make sure the flower heads are at least 8” in diameter. This style of centerpiece will create a whimsy, hip look that your guests will love.
7. Mix and Match – Today’s trends encourage couples to mix it up, so have a few more intricate centerpiece created and have the rest be greenery or a single floating flower in a clear bowl. You will create a fabulous look and still save on your overall flower expenses.
8. Skip the Flowers and Go for Lights – No one says you have to have flowers. Have your bridesmaids carry colorful parasols (that can be purchased from party or craft store for under $10 each), dress up your tables with colorful paper lanterns anchored to a piece of covered Styrofoam and place a battery operated tea light in the center of the lantern for illumination (a great look for under $10 a table). Use lots of candles, however be careful. They can be very expensive unless purchased in bulk. A good grouping for a centerpiece is (1) 3x9, (4) 3x6, (6-8) 3x3 and (12) votives. Have your bridesmaids carry a single 12” taper in a decorative candle holder for under $20 a piece. Be sure to check with your ceremony and reception venues for their fire safety codes and policies on using candles.
9. Do It Yourself – Consider making your own flowers. This will save you hundreds of dollars in labor cost. Go with simple hand-tied bouquets, fresh or silk flowers. Silk will allow you the freedom of making up your flowers way in advance and are lightweight to transport. Create simple centerpieces in small clear bowls with 6 cuts stems. (Easy and inexpensive.) To buy fresh flowers in bulk check your local discount clubs (Sam’s / Costco). Many of them will allow you to place a large order with your specified delivery date.
10. Rent Them – A great way to save without all the hassle is to rent your flowers. There are a variety of rental companies that will let you rent everything from bouquets to centerpieces, to pew bows and altar flowers. Most of these companies use silk flowers in their rental designs. Save money by mixing and matching fresh flowers with rental silk flower pieces. Just make sure you read the contract thoroughly for return dates, delivery fees, etc.

By following these 10 tips you can have wedding flowers and decorations you have always wanted without breaking the bank.

About Author

BIO:Kristi Richardson has created more than 12,000 floral arrangements in her years as a professional bridal/event consultant and silk floral designer. Visit my website Bloomed To Last to learn more tips, see floral examples or to sign up for Kristi’s free and informative monthly e-newsletter.

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