Making my own flower arrangements for my wedding?

[Chicago526]

BF and I are planning a wedding in Oct 2005. I got a lead on a flower wholesaler that sells a wedding package with enough flowers for what I'll need (center peices, alter piece, bouquets, boutiniers, etc...) for $500 plus shiping. This will save me tons of $$$. But of course, I've got to put it all together myself (the flowers arrive on a Wednesday for a Saturday wedding). This whole-saler comes highly recommended, so I know it's legit.

Now, I be able to take a few days off from work to handle all the last minute pre-wedding stuff anyway, so I figure what the heck, I'll give it a try! The trick is to get all the flowers to the reception site, but I'll have help for that!

My local college has a basic flower aranging class that inculdes how to make bouquets and such for $300, that I think will be of great help (plus in the future I'll have the skills to make other arrangments). So for $800 ($500 for flowers and $300 for the class), I can make my own flower arrangements with high quality flowers. I'm looking forward to trying this, but what if I'm getting in over my head?

Has anyone ever done something like this for their own wedding?

 

[TheGottis]

Do you know anyone that works in a flower shop or someone that school could suggest, that would be willing to do the arrangements for you "on the side" - you could pay the $300 you'd spend on the class and have less on your plate to worry about, plus you'd still come in under budget. Just a thought!

 

[kandmwedding]

Lots of brides on theknot.com have done their own flowers - ordering from a wholesaler like you mentioned. Here's a bio for one bride who explains in great detail how to make them. Maybe you could do a practice run using this info, and save yourself the $300 for the class.

http://www.theknot.com/co_profileview.htm?profilename=DIYFlower

 

[grover]

Just curious how much it would cost if you order the flowers from a florist..is it that much more??
Grover in Winnipeg

 

[Chicago526]

good suggestions, and I'll look into them. I haven't priced out packages from a florist yet, but here in the Chicago area, prices tend to be high. I doubt (though I will check) that I'll be able to get the quality and quantity of flowers through a florist for what I'd pay whole sale. Florist's make there money on labor (fair enough!) more than the flowers them selves.

I think the class would be fun, myself! But I'll check into the link you gave me and see if I know anyone that can do it on the side for me.

 

[denisem]

Here's a coupla other thoughts:

1. Split the difference: do the table arrangements/boutonnieres yourself (ahead-of-time) but leave the bouquets, larger altar pieces for a professional.

2. Maybe contact the floral school for recommendations of new graduates who'd be willing to use their new skills for low fees? (Not for the squeamish....but...you COULD be a "class project" ).

While I don't what to discourage you, I worked for a florist and there are sometimes glitches, mainly in the area of "set-up". I.E., maybe there's an earlier ceremony at the church or party at the reception hall...it's not unusual for this to impact the set-up of the 2nd party.

Again, this may have NO bearing on your plans/circumstances. Just throwing out some experienced "heads-up". Give me a shout via PM if you have any questions.

Denise < --- married twice, had enough on my mind without doing flowers, too

 

[diznygirl]

Yikes! Do you really want to stress yourself out before your big day with trying to do your own flower arrangements? You should be using the last few days before the wedding getting manicured, pedicured, and massaged!

That said - they always seem to make it look so easy on TV. I'd be curious to know the price comparison between doing it yourself and having someone else do it. Keep us posted!

 

[soccerchick]

There are some good ideas here. What about fake flowers? They can be done far in advance and just kept protected from dust. etc. Please don't take this the wrong way, but I (me only) personally can't imagine that the payoff of $ saved vs. stress could be worth it for your wedding.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[princesskaelybear]

After going to a wedding last night....and pondering your question, I would suggest finding a friend (or maybe a friend of a friend) that could do the flowers for you if you plan on using fresh flowers.
However, if you really want to make your own arrangements, I suggest going with either silk or dried flowers. They can be just as beautiful (or more) than fresh flowers, plus they make wonderful keepsakes for you and your bridal party. If you would do this, you could catch great sales at Michaels or any of the other craft shops. You may even be able to catch a class at Michaels! Also it can be done ahead of time. We made all of the floral arrangements months ahead of time and stored them in a box with some rose potpourri. They smelled great when we opened the box and the only thing I had to worry about the flowers on the day of the wedding was to make sure they made it to the church!
Good luck on your decision and good luck in your wedding planning!

 

[magic]

I have made arrangements for several family members weddings and anniversary parties and last year did all the flowers for our school homecoming. It is really alot of fun and not hard. I always order my flowers over the internet.

The main problem you will encountered is a time limitation. I agree with the other post that you need to get some help so you will not be so stressed out. Also, several of my neices have recently been going to a party a couple of night before the wedding where the bridesmaids and mothers get together for a bouquet arranging party. They say that this has been a blast and is kind of part of the wedding party. (alot of times the mothers of the bridesmaids are very talented and are glad to help)

My main suggestion is get flowers ahead of time and practice. The website someone sent you to above was very detailed and I thought good. I have ordered from several on line vendors and have been very pleased with the products. Sams web page has bridal packages which we have used before when we want to do more than just roses.

I am sorry this post is so long. The best advice I can give you is make it fun and get some help. You will be surprised at the friends and family that will be happy to help you.

 

[doxdogy]

When DD was married we did exactly as suggested below. Except for the table arrangements, that was included in the cost of the reception. We also did the corsages for myself, her grandmother, her biological mother and mother-in-law. I think the total cost (including the book) was about $50.

Originally posted by denisem
1. Split the difference: do the table arrangements/boutonnieres yourself (ahead-of-time) but leave the bouquets, larger altar pieces for a professional.

 

[revrob]

I agree, I think the technique from the knot is pretty much right on. However, have you considered purchasing your roses from Sam's? Yes, the wholesale club. I know it sounds crazy, but I purchase all of my roses from them. I have found them to be very good quality, and very reasonably priced - plus no shipping. You may just want to check them out and see what you think. If nothing else, you may want to purchase you dry run flowers from there.

 

[Chicago526]

Thanks again for all the advice. I'm lucky that this is a rather small wedding, only about 80 people will be invited, so we are talking about 10 center pieces plus an alter piece, then 4 BM bouquetes, 1 brides, about 9 boutoniers, and 3 or 4 corsages. So while it's still a bit of work, it's not as bad as a 200 plus guest list plus a bigger bridal party. I'm also keeping the center pieces simple, no fancy stuff-I won't have the time or tallent, and I may "farm out" the corsages and boutoniers and just to the centerpieces and bouquetes. I was planning on having my mom and MoH help, but a flower party will all the attendants isn't a bad idea, either. Also, I'm taking Wed., Thur., and Fri. off from work, so I'll have time.

I was planing on ording a test bunch, not only to compare colors but to make sure I know what I'm doing. Really, I think it will be fun. My only "glitch" is transportation of the flowers to the reception (we are leaning towards having the ceramony at the reception site, as neither of us are religous.). This may be the way to go, as we'll save the church "donation" (i.e. rental fee) and some limo expenses as well. We aren't trying to do a super low-budget wedding, but if we can save a thousand or two, we aren't opposed to that, either.

Thanks again, everyone! You've all been so helpful, I knew I could count on my DISer friends!

 

[TheGottis]

Do you really have your heart set on flower center pieces for the tables? We had a military ball last year and decorated each table with a 12x12 mirror, glass bowl (big lots $0.98), colored stones, few drops of food coloring and floating candles. The effect was great with the dimmed lights and reflections bouncing off the mirrors... you could also sprinkle some sparkly confetti around. I think we came in at about $6-7 per piece. Of course, if it's a day wedding, the effect might not be the same. You wouldn't have to worry about transportation, because you could just go earlier in the day and do the prep right at the reception site...

Anyway... just throwing another option out there.

Ultimately, it's YOUR day, do what is going to make YOU happy and stress you out the least!

Good luck!

 

[TN Traveler]

Chicago526--You have rec'd alot of great ideas and suggestions here I feel inadequate to make any more! However, I will say this, a very good friend of mine got married for the first time Saturday at the age of 37. Her bouquet consisted of white and lavendar roses, purple carnations, white tube roses and some greenery (sp?). The bridesmaid's were similar to hers. The alter had 2 large Boston ferns, 2 tall palm like plants toward the bank where the Baptistry is w/some kind of ivy/greenery there. Fairly simple but very, very pretty. The groom and ushers had 1 white rose as their boots. At the reception the tables had clear vases
w/purple flowers in them sitting on square mirrors and a few flat pebles "sprinkled" over the mirrors. Purple mums were set up in front of the buffet tables and other areas. Was very nice. Something like this would be easy for you to do ahead of time. As
somone suggested, check w/a school to see if a new student would be willing to work w/you at a reduced cost. Personally, I wouldn't want the headache and stress but YOU have to do what's right for YOU. It is YOUR day.

Now, if you're looking for a travel agent and need help w/a honeymoon, give me a call.....I specialize in honeymoons!!
Good luck to you!

TN Traveler

 

[safetymom]

I did all the flowers for my daughters wedding several years ago.

Here flowers were fresh roses and I made the arrangement the day before.

The alter arrangement and the bridemaids and ushers were silk too.

Everyone commented on how beautiful they were.

I think if you try to do it all yourself you are going to stress yourself out.