I had my first wedding flower consultation today. Why did I think it was going to be quick? Or simple? Or remotely within the budget? It was all so much more than I thought. I was just thinking of centerpieces - but there's corsages, and boutonnieres, and the bride's bouquet, and bridesmaids' bouquets, and flower girl gear, and ceremony arrangements, and cake flowers.....and about a million choices for each one. And wouldn't you know it, all of my favourite flowers are the pricey ones. And when I asked her about peonies in September. Her answer: "mortgage your house", and my answer: "what house?" The verdict: we were over budget before even discussing the centerpieces or large ceremony arrangements.
It wasn't until the end of the appointment, when I was actually contemplating carnations to save money, that I realized I was completely overwhelmed and we had gotten off track. Needless to say, I won't be walking down the aisle with a bouquet that looks like a high school Valentine's gift, but there's much more work, number crunching and deciding to be done.
5 years ago
We could go to the VanDusen Gardens the day before your wedding, pilfer a few bunches of flowers and make our own bouquets? Then we'd just have to pay the $11.50 per adult entrance fee and you'd have the nicest flowers around!
ReplyDeleteI had a similar experience during my first consultation. My MIL actually decided after that appt. to do the centerpieces herself to save us money. I'm doing peonies but only for the bouquets also, to save money. I'm getting married in May which is when they are in season so it's a tad cheaper. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI picked the anna rose for our flowers. The blooms open up HUGE so we didn't need a lot to make the bouquets. The groom had a rose in his boutonniere, but the other groomsmen had just stephanotis flowers (men don't care about wearing flowers).
ReplyDeleteAnd for the ceremony arrangements, I picked large potted plants. And after the ceremony, each of our parents and we got to take a plant home. It's a nice remembrance of our wedding day, still thriving in our home.
Think simple to keep costs down. But if you want peonies, use them tastefully and conservatively - you'll forget all about those cheap carnations.
Good luck!
What about going for peonies in moderation? I would think it would be better to have a few of want you've really got your heart set on rather than a ton of something you don't. And for heaven's sake, DON'T have carnations at your wedding. you're far too stylish for that!
ReplyDeleteI've nixed the peonies but I'm still doing different shades of white roses, and vermeer calla lilies (cream with dark purple centres) - the callas are my expensive must-haves! And little dark purple orchids....and lime green kermit mums! I hope they turn out as pretty as they look in my head!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea about the potted plants...