Wedding Flowers

According to Conde Nast Bridal Infobank, wedding flowers cost, on average, $1,100. Is this cost not sounding too rosy? Try these money saving tips when selecting your wedding flowers:

• Some brides purchase two identical bouquets – one to toss and one to preserve as a keepsake. Unless you plan on preserving the bouquet, purchase one. Or, consider purchasing one, removing one flower from it to toss then preserving the rest of it.
• Be sure to choose flowers that are in season and grown locally. It will be cheaper if the flowers are easily available to the florist (and find a flower wholesaler!).
• An even less expensive option is silk flowers which could be used for centerpieces, decorations or large altar arrangements. Some florists and garden centers even rent plants.
• Decorate with greenery. Use greenery such as trees and garlands of ivy to fill large areas. It can give a dramatic impact for relatively little more money. Small trees can usually be rented.
• Have a garden wedding. Consider having the ceremony and/or the reception in a beautiful garden, surrounded by natural flowers.
• Share floral costs with another bride. Find out if there will be another wedding at your church or synagogue on the same day. Possibly you can arrange to share the cost of floral decorations.
• Don't plan your wedding to be held near a holiday. Flower prices escalate dramatically around Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Planning your wedding around Christmas, on the other hand, might save you some money because many receptions will already be decorated for the holiday season.
• Consider a smaller bridal party. Smaller wedding parties require fewer bouquets. Or, make smaller bouquets.
• Balloons can be an inexpensive way of adding color to a reception site.
• Ask your florist ahead of time how the wedding flowers can be used for both ceremony and reception sites. This way, they're not just used for one hour.
• Ask if your florist if he/she would be willing to transport the wedding flowers from the reception site to the ceremony.  If they are not willing to include this in the price, ask a friend to transport them and place them appropriately at the reception site.
• Don't over-decorate. Put your most expensive floral arrangements where you want to make the biggest impression or where they will be seen the most.
• Do it yourself! There are many online resources for learning how to make topiary centerpieces.