Wedding Flowers - Worth it? Fake or fresh? Take it or leave it?

[BriarRose0708]

Now that I have the Take it or Leave it theme song in your heads, I gotta pick your brains, INTERCOT. Think back to the last wedding you attended. Maybe it was your own. Maybe it was for someone you didn't even know. How well do you remember the flowers and decorations? Did you notice if the bride or bridal party carried real or fake? Did the men's boutonnieres make you think of the prom? Was it a problem for you if little to no decorations were on the tables with flowers?

This is the line item in my wedding budget I am most clueless about. There are so many choices, so many options, and the price ranges make my head spin. Here's what I am thinking -

We have an early May wedding in central NY state. It's too early to buy flowers in bulk from a local grower unless all I wanted was succulents, which I don't. So, florist it is. I'm going to get a couple buckets of the cheapest flowers the florist has and make my own center pieces by putting a couple stems in a wine bottle the day before the wedding, and put those on the tables. For my bouquet I am willing to shell out the money for mine to be professionally done. My budget for flowers is about $400-500. I was quoted $75 to $100 per bouquet! I just want tulips with a ribbon, WHY is this so expensive??? We are getting married on a stage in the theatre where we met (awwwwww!) so I have a blank canvas to play with when it comes to decorations. We want to keep it simple, so I am thinking of getting wire stands, spray painting them gold (colors are plum purple, gold, and silver) and buying hanging baskets of purple flowers (since Mother's Day baskets are available on the cheap) and putting the baskets at center stage where we are going to stand for the ceremony.

That's it. We won't have fountains of flowers, but will it still look nice? Should I forget fresh altogether and go to the dollar store for fake ones? Are there other things you've seen at weddings that are cool?

Thanks!

[Zippy 1]

My best advice is to look on pintrest. I was able to find lots of ideas for my sister in laws bridal shower there. Was able to keep things fairly cheap. Also borrowed things from friends. I t is a way to do it on a budget and still have a beautiful wedding and reception.

[VWL Mom]

Rather than flowers on the table you could do votive candles in vases (from the dollar store). Depending on the shape of the table you could mix high and low. Maybe tie a ribbon that matches your colors around the outside.

[NewDVCowner]

I always like live flowers. I've purchased pots of flowers from Trader Joe's that I uses both as center pieces and party favors. You can pre-order them a few weeks before (though I would call them a few days prior to when you're picking them up to make sure they've placed the order) and then just pick them up the day before. TJ's often has very decorative pots that the plants are in so it's not like a black plastic tub sitting on the table. Then guests can take them home at the end of the evening.

[Tink1]

We bought flowers from Sam's club online and had them delivered a few days prior to the wedding. We did the bouquets, boutonnieres and bought bulk flowers for center pieces. They were gorgeous. I can send you pictures of the brides bouquet if you want to see what came.

oops, just saw you wanted tulips. I know they had bulk tulips. You could really just tie them together with a ribbon for the bridesmaids.

Nanci

[Dulcee]

We bought flowers from Sam's club online and had them delivered a few days prior to the wedding. We did the bouquets, boutonnieres and bought bulk flowers for center pieces. They were gorgeous. I can send you pictures of the brides bouquet if you want to see what came.

oops, just saw you wanted tulips. I know they had bulk tulips. You could really just tie them together with a ribbon for the bridesmaids.

Nanci


We did bulk flowers through Sam's as well. Can't speak highly enough of them. They were gorgeous (sunflowers and assorted fillers), delivered as promised and we couldn't beat the price! They lasted for probably a week and a half after the wedding.

[Tink1]

We did bulk flowers through Sam's as well. Can't speak highly enough of them. They were gorgeous (sunflowers and assorted fillers), delivered as promised and we couldn't beat the price! They lasted for probably a week and a half after the wedding.

My sons wedding was over 4th of July weekend so we had to get delivery an extra day early, I was sooo worried! It was the hottest it has ever been on the mountain so we borrowed a window air conditioner and basically turned a small bedroom into a walk in cooler. LOL

But the flowers were gorgeous, with the buds opening just enough for the wedding and like yours, they lasted over a week afterwards.

I just looked at pricing and the wedding packages have increased in price quite a bit since we did it 3.5 years ago.

Nanc

[disney obsessed]

My eldest had a huge (read expensive) wedding and regretted it. moving forward our motto is keep it simple. Its about celebrating the marriage....not a style competition. Just do what you think is best and everyone will love it!
My second is engaged and she is so easy to plan with. She is having her wedding at the local aquarium and is letting that be the focus. We will only have a candle on the table. I think she has found an artificial bouquet on line made out of seashells for herself. Her bridesmaids are carrying a bouquet of dusty miller with a ribbon wrap. because it looks like coral and is in her color green.
Have fun with it.

[BrerGnat]

I would spend your money on the bouquet for yourself and have the rest of the bridal party carry a single tulip tied with a ribbon. Pin a tulip bud to the men's jackets. You can do those yourself. I would have the bride's bouquet made professionally, because it will be photographed prominently and you want them to look nice.

I would skip flowers on the tables. Figure out another centerpiece that doesn't involve flowers, like a shallow dish with some floating votive candles and maybe a few flower petals. I think that would look cool.

I wouldn't use fake flowers.

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[disney obsessed]

When i was married 30 yrs ago i had my bridesmais carry a single red rose and a lit candle. It was an evening wedding. I like the single tulip idea!

[Cinderelley]

Since you are getting married in a theater, perhaps you could do theater themed centerpieces for the table. Those white masks (sorry, idk the names. I'm not a big theater person.) maybe or copies of plays. (my nephew had his wedding in a library, and the centerpieces were books). Then you could concentrate your money on flowers that you really want. I do really like the single tulip idea. The maid of honor could have a group of 3 instead of just 1.
In the end though, it's more about what you want. I am sure the people you invited really love you and are more interested in your happily ever after than what flowers you have at your wedding. Get what will make you happy when you look back on your memories.

[lawgirl]

My sister lives in and got married in Hawaii. We wanted to keep things as simple as possible and had a very limited budget, but honestly it was one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been to. We ordered these gorgeous silk orchids from www.save-on-crafts.com. They made the most beautiful bouquets and were about $15 per bridesmaid. You really couldn't tell they were faux...I do think it probably depends on the type flower. Orchids are almost better faux then real. The wedding venue had a huge white tent, so we strung twinkle lights everywhere. For the centerpieces we ordered white Moroccan lanterns from that same website, and just white pillar candles from the dollar store. It was honestly stunning and on such a low budget too. I think if you can focus on the big picture- how all the pieces work together when someone walks in the room, and shoot for more bang for your buck, as opposed to costly floral arrangements for each table.

[Donald]

I love the idea of fresh tulips, but worry if they would last long. Tulips will wilt quickly. You may need to add a wire up the stem for support (if that will even work).

I like the idea of creating a centerpiece that correlates with your venue. Movie reels? Those black and white movie boards they use to start a scene ..."action!" You could write your favorite movies on the board. Popcorn! Maybe not popcorn...I think I'm just getting hungry.

Good luck with all of your planning. Enjoy your wedding!

[Tink1]

Popcorn! Maybe not popcorn...I think I'm just getting hungry.

Good luck with all of your planning. Enjoy your wedding!

I think popcorn would be a great centerpiece!

or even one of those red and white plastic popcorn buckets with a white hydrangea (silk) in it

Nanc

[Cinderelley]

lol I was thinking of a Broadway type of theater. If it is a movie theater, popcorn could be brilliant. It could double as centerpieces and the things that guests take home. (can't think of the proper term atm).

[BriarRose0708]

Everyone's suggestions are great, thank you! The theatre is a performing arts space, not a movie theatre. I don't like themes (I know, I'm weird) so just plain and simple decorations. Unfortunately I don't have a Trader Joe's or Sam's Club around me. But I will look into BJ's and Wegmans for the bulk flowers and talking to a florist for bouquets.

[Cinderelley]

How many tables do you have? Are they round or long?

I was thinking maybe some greenery from Michael's with some tea light candles.

[SBETigg]

I would love to tell you to save your money, but I always notice wedding flowers and I love them. I think they can make a big difference in the look of a wedding/reception. I've never seen fake flowers done well. I would go real, and you don't necessarily have to get lots or the most expensive kind. But do use them to complement your theme and in a way that makes an impact, even at a low cost. Pinterest is a great place to find ideas, as a previous poster suggested. Your ideas so far sound good.

*What I mean by theme isn't necessarily a theme, but your colors and the look you're going for/overall effect.

[Hammer]

Coming into this discussion late, but definitely look into Wegman's. I know people who have used them to create flower arrangements for events and their flowers looked fantastic. I agree with Sherri about using fake flowers. Not a fan.

[Mickey'sGirl]

We got married 24 years ago in April, and we had fresh tulips as our flowers (I am allergic to everything). The bridesmaids had coloured tulip bouquets tied with ribbon, and mine was a white tulip bouquet tied with ribbon. Wedding was at 3 pm, and the flowers held up until after midnight. Very simple and very beautiful. It was a small wedding, only about 175 guests. Centerpieces were candles, but a friend of mine created little name "fences" for everyone. He built miniature picket fences as seating cards, and had tiny paper tulips at the base of them on a patch of green, and then the guest's name was on a little plaque on the fence. They were fantastic, and added a little more colour to the tables.

Good luck with everything!

[deedee73]

Here is my take on the flowers - you can do beautiful flowers cheaply if you get help. Avoid fake - they really do leave an impression and not the best one. You will be too overwhelmed to do them all yourself so get help from trusted friends/family friends. KEEP IT SIMPLE! Definitely get your bouquet professionally done - it is worth it. As for the others, I would see if you can order them wholesale from a small florist or a grocery store/Sam's Club, etc. It would not take much to make small bouquets for your bridal party. Tulips are best shown tied with a ribbon.

I like the idea of the hanging baskets. Also perhaps you can rent an arch and use ivy or greenery (fake is ok here) to dress up the focal area. Twinkle lights are great accents. Centerpieces - definitely check out pintrest. It is a life saver for me.

I have seen wine bottles (indigo blue) with small sets of battery powdered lights inside them and dried flowers coming out the top made by the bride and her mom at a wedding a few years ago. They honestly looked so elegant in her space. I second the idea of high and low centerpieces.

Also have you considered some Marquee letters of your first names or last name with just flower petals as accents since you are being married in a theatre? Maybe utilizing a glass mirror. If you shop slowly or with coupons these could be purchased very reasonably. For example - Michaels & Jo Ann Fabrics both sell the letters & run coupons for 50-60% off almost weekly. Buying several different styles could make it that more unique. The mirrors can usually be found at dollar stores and the petals - buy cheap bunches of flowers from grocery stores - Aldis sell 6 pk of roses for $4. Another option instead of petal would be crystals or colored rock ($ store). Don't break the budget for what you can do some much cheaply and easily with some prep and some good friends.

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[BriarRose0708]

Flower update - I have met with the florist and we came to a really good plan for flowers. We are doing just one stem per wine bottle instead of 2 or 3, and the bouquets will be under $100 each so I am really happy with that. My friend stage manages the theatre where our wedding will be and she's been an amazing help with creating a vision for the whole look of the event. I struggle with decorating my own house so she has really helped me get around my mental block. I think in the end I won't regret going with fresh flowers for the day. Thanks everyone!

[deedee73]

Glad you were able to rectify a cohesive vision and the budget to include the fresh flowers you desired. I am sure it will be beautiful. I hope you post some pics from the venue so we can see your vision.

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[Cinderelley]

I am so happy you found something you like. :)

[RedSoxFan]

Nikki -- Your wedding is coming up quick. I sure hope the weather cooperates as we know how Ithaca weather is. Are you getting married at the Hangar Theatre?

[BriarRose0708]

Nikki -- Your wedding is coming up quick. I sure hope the weather cooperates as we know how Ithaca weather is. Are you getting married at the Hangar Theatre?

Tracey, only 34 days to go! Yes, we are having the ceremony and reception at the Hangar. Jay from Corssroads is catering and our cake is from Dottie Munson. Flowers from Bool's. It is going to be a celebration of us, as well as Ithaca and all things Tompkins County!

[RedSoxFan]

I have never heard of Bool's; but Crossroads is a great place to eat. I'm so happy for you and Jamie and look forward to seeing pics on FB.

[DisneyOtaku]

I got married in Jan. '16, and I had a real bouquet of flowers, and my husband had a real flower. My bridal party had flowers made out of book pages (we are both avid readers). Everyone thought they were awesome and loved keeping them as gifts. Center pieces were lanterns with candles inside, with fake red rose petals sprinkled around for a dash of color.

If you want real flowers, I HIGHLY recommend looking at a grocery florist. They are considerably cheaper then any of the quotes I was given by "specialist" (I paid $50 for my bouquet).