Wedding Flowers – everything you need to know to save money and have a beautiful event
Wedding flowers are more complex than most couples think. Most people don’t purchase flowes regularly, and very rarely purchase the amount of flowers seen at you typical wedding. As a result, there’s a great deal to learn and tips to follow to ensure you get the most for you money!
The average couple spends over $1200 on wedding flowers.
I’ve read a few web posts and magazine articles, and I’m totally confused on where to start. Where do I start?Start at the beginning. Hah! Just kidding. The best way to think through your wedding flowers is to organize them into three general categories: personal, reception, and ceremony.
The personal flowers are the ones that people are either wearing or carrying. Your wedding bouquet and the boutinniere of you fiance are examples of personal flowers. Reception flowers include decorative flowers for the sign-in table or entrance, as well as the centerpieces on the tables (if any). Ceremony flowers are all the flowers used at the site of your nuptials.
What is the general etiquette for wedding flowers?In general, the couple pays for the flowers that will be used in the wedding. That includes the bouquets your bridesmaids will be carrying as well as the boutinierres your groomsmen and ushers will be wearing.
If you’re getting married at a religious site, like a church or synangogue, it’s also customary to leave the decorative bouquet at the site of the wedding for the members to enjoy at the next service. It’s a great way to showcase the love that blossomed recently in their own place of worship!
Who usually pays the bill for wedding flowers?If you’re the type of couple who is splitting the costs of the wedding with the groom’s side paying for the honeymoon, reheasal dinner and other traditional areas, the flowers are another area where a groom’s family often offers to foot the bill. With the costs of weddings continuing to grow – even amidst the downfall of our economy – more and more couples are looking for “clean” ways to divide the costs.
What are the big things to think about as it relates to wedding flowers?The reason for wedding flowers is to enhance the look and feel of your special day. Therefore, good execution of wedding flowers is when they match the other design elements of your wedding. The color of your flowers should match the colors of your bridesmaid dresses, and the other major color decisions of your wedding. The scale of the flowers should be in-line with the size of the venue, so that the reception hall doesn’t look like you got maried in a forest!
How exotic and unique your flowers are will determine the premium you will be charged for them. If you can’t live without an exotic orchid from Hawaii, but you’re getting married in NYC, be ready for a heftier bill! Similarly, you should always try to avoid flowers that are part of a high-demand holiday, if your wedding date is close to that holiday. Ordering red roses for a February wedding, as an example, is a surefire way to triple the pricetag on your wedding flowers.
How far in advance should I order my wedding flowers?Once your venue has been decided, your gown (and your bridesmaids gowns) have all been selected, and you know the color theme for your event, you’re ready to start meeting with florists.
We recommend that you meet with at least three or four different florists. Similar to any craft, florists will differ in their aesthetic temprement. Some will lean on modern/simple arrangements, while others will employ more full, traditional bouquets. Their styling can vary widely, even with the SAME flowers and the SAME budget, so be sure to meet with several before making a decision.
What questions should I ask my florist?As a general recommendation, we suggest that you bring a photo of your wedding gown, the bridesmaid gowns, and color swatches. You should also bring any magazines or photos of arrangements that you find appealing. Any level of detail you can provide will be helpful to your florist. The biggest reason for any issues between florists and wedding couples is usually due to a miscommunication between what the bride wanted and what the florist THOUGHT she wanted! Additional questions to ask are:How fresh are the flowers?How many flowers will be used in the bridal bouquet and all the other bouquets?Have you arranged flowers in my venue before?How much of your business is for weddings?What time will you deliver the flowers?Will you set the flowers up? Or just drop them off?Do you provide the vases? And what is the cost?Can our guests take the flowers home with them at the end of the evening?Will you drop-off at a ceremony site different from the reception site? Is there an added cost for this?
Where do all these flowers come from? Most florists will purchase their flowers from a regional grower, and some of the larger cities will even have a regular flower market operating a few times each week. Skilled florists are always though who not only know how to create stunning arrangements, but they also know how to TIME the purchase of their flowers, so that they’re freshest at the precise time of your event. Too early, and they’re not full bloomed. Too late, and they can look wilted. There’s a lot to consider, and the great wedding florists have the experience to know how each flower will behave on the day of your wedding.
