Budget Centerpieces Part 2

Just to catch you up, my blog post a few weeks ago was about your centerpieces – more specifically – how to save money on your centerpieces. If the three ideas I presented a couple weeks ago weren’t enough, don’t fret, because this week’s blog is a continuation!

We will kick this blog off with a look that is fresh, earth friendly and economical – Wheat Grass! You may have seen this stuff before at your local juice bar where it is juiced and then drank like a shot of whiskey (only stronger). What makes this an awesome centerpiece? Here are just a few of the reasons: it brings the outdoor feeling inside your venue, it’s vibrant, it can be cut to fit almost any container, and because it’s low, it will not block your guest’s view. Then just add a few Orchid blooms, or have your florist “plant” a few water tubes containing a single Gerbera Daisy each to complete the look.

Potted plants make beautiful centerpieces and are less expensive than cut flowers because your florist will not have to spend time arranging them. Your options are seemingly endless when choosing potted plants or flowers for your centerpieces. Two things to keep in mind are the season and formality of your event. Bulb flowers like Hyacinths and Tulips are colorful and can be displayed in a variety of containers such as a clear vase with the bulb and roots showing as pictured below, enamel cookware, or even a lined wicker basket. These spring blooms would be perfect at an informal brunch wedding, or at a laid back evening reception. If your wedding has a more formal feel, try using Orchids in an elegant glass or silver container.

Flowers grouped together “en masse” are wonderful for showcasing the specific shade and texture of an individual flower. Take Carnations for example. These flowers, when arranged tightly together in an interesting footed bowl, go from ordinary to exquisite and have the versatility to go from a ranch house reception to a grand ballroom just by switching out that quaint footed bowl for a tall, slender vase or pedestal dripping with crystals. Hydrangeas are also an ideal flower for an en masse style centerpiece because their florets are already arranged into a gentle cloud-like group. An arrangement of just three stems in a mason jar or simple vase is a sweet centerpiece that your guests are sure to admire. Babies Breath is a simple little white bloom that was once thought of as strictly a filler flower, but now it’s been given new life and stands alone beautifully. It’s fluttery little blossoms are reminiscent of snow flakes, which makes these perfect for a winter wedding. Group together 3 milk glass vases filled with Babies Breath and tie them together with tiny garlands of White Hyacinth Blooms to really make an impact. Think of it as bringing the snow inside!

Personalize Your Bouquet

For many brides, the bouquet that they carry on their wedding day is much more than just a handful of blooms.  In fact, for many brides, their bouquet is largely sentimental.  Carrying the scent of a bouquet that includes Jasmine could evoke the smell of your mother’s perfume, or perhaps you will choose a bouquet that includes the flowers that your grandmother grew in her garden.  What ever bouquet you choose, don’t overlook the details that will make this bouquet - the most meaningful of your life - all the more unique & special to you.

Whitelacewedding.com

Bouquet jewelry is becoming hugely popular with brides this year, and no wonder - it can add some sparkle and glam to any bouquet.  You can find simple rhinestone picks in a variety of gemstone colors, flower shaped rhinestone picks to peek out between your blooms, initials to show off your new monogram & a variety of buckles to have incorporated into your bouquets handle. 

Brides.com

This oh so elegant bouquet holder dates back to the 1700’s and is called a Tussie-Mussie. It’s perfect for the bridal party that wants a small, lightweight bouquet with a formal feel.   Search on eBay to find an antique, or if you prefer new ones talk to your florist about providing them for you .

http://my-biggestday.com/pink-flower-bouquets/

Looking to add a little 1930’s sophistication to your  bouquet?  These white ostrich feathers will add the perfect touch to achieve that fringed feel.  Want to add a rustic charm to your bouquet?  Think Pheasant Plumes.  Or maybe a little Las Vegas show girl glam is the look you’re after?  Layers of brightly colored ostrich drabs will add loads of drama.  Feathers are an inexpensive way to dress up even a simple bouquet while adding a dash of the unexpected.

www.suiteblooms.com

If you are looking for a great way to make your bouquet stand out, than consider using an unusual fabric to wrap your stems.  Getting married in a rustic setting?  Consider asking your florist to wrap your bouquet in raffia, twine, leather, or thin rope!  Looking for something a bit more sophisticated?  Try velvet, embroidered ribbon, or pearls!       Incorporating fabric from your mother’s wedding dress could be the touch that makes your bouquet.  This bouquet of Vanda Orchids, Spray Roses, Calla Lilies, & Billy Balls is wrapped in a scrap of lace and a satin ribbon.

www.Feedage.com

The ocean is a place full of joyful memories for couples all over the world, which makes it a great source of inspiration for many couples on their wedding day.  This bouquet features a variety of pastel roses, and is accented with seashells and starfish.

www.suiteblooms.com

This elegant bouquet of Mini Calla Lilies was given a refined sparkle when each stamen was studded with a faceted lavender Czech bead and pearl.  After the wedding, the bride can simply remove the beads and string them together to create a necklace that has a unique story.

weddingwindow.com/blog/2010/07/12/making-your-bouquet-more-special/

This simple bouquet of white roses is personalized by wrapping the stems in a monogrammed handkerchief edged in glass beads.  The lovely handkerchief will forever be a keepsake from your wedding bouquet long after the blooms have wilted and died. 

http://blog.i-do-weddings.com/?m=200902

This bouquet highlights a very special way to celebrate the love of past generations.  The bride provided photos of her grandparents to her florist who shrunk the pictures & hung them from her bouquet.  What better way could one say thank you to the family that has paved the way and taught her how to love?

http://blog.upscaleandposh.com/wedding-flower-bouquets

This bride is carrying a simple bouquet of succulents and flowers as an addition to her family Bible.  This tradition was common during our grandparents time - and what could be more sentimental than carrying an heirloom that goes beyond 66 books and a leather cover.  This book has been the basis of many of those marriages, and this is a beautiful way to honor your history.

Wedding Flowers: All out vs. Budget

Price Line Guide:

*          = $100 - $149

**        = $150 - $199

***      = $200 - $249

****    = $250 - $299

*****  = $300 +

Price line guide is only an approximation.  Actual costs will vary with different regions and seasons. 

Comparison # 1: Pink Hand Tied

floraldesignbyjacquelineahne.wordpress.com

Price: ****

This beautiful mix of color pattern and texture is created using Phaleonopsis & Cattleya Orchids, Sweet William, Cocks Comb, Gomphrenia, Ti Leaves, and Feathers.  This arrangement's expense would stem from the high cost of its main flowers - the orchids.  Additionally, orchids grow with several blooms on one long stalk and therefore do not have stems long enough to reach the handle of the bouquet.  Each bloom must be wired into the arrangement by hand, which is time consuming and labor intensive.  The charge for the labor is then passed on to the client resulting in an almost shocking price tag.

  

thefrenchbouquettulsa.com

Price: **

This sweet bouquet is much simpler than it’s more expensive counterpart.  However, notice that the colors are similar, and this one is also rich in pattern and texture.  The white Sedum in this grouping has a similar affect as the Sweet William in the other.  It creates the balance between large focal flowers, and simple supporting flowers.  Zinnias provide an intricate pattern with their unique layers of petals, and the deep pink roses add elegance.  The price here is kept down by limiting the selection of flowers to 3.  These flowers are also available to your florist from growers that are close to Wyoming, which cuts down on the cost of shipping them in.  Choosing flowers that are in season and from local or nearby growers is both economically smart and environmentally friendly. 

Comparison # 2: Classic White

Marthastewartweddings.com

Price: *****

A classic all white bouquet… kept simple with just 2 beautiful types of flowers.  Many people have fallen in love with the bouquet that Princess Kate carried at her wedding to Prince William just weeks ago.  Her bouquet was mainly Lily of the Valley, and she took her style cue from Hollywood icon (and Princess) Grace Kelly.  Although this bouquet of Lily of the Valley and Gardenias looks simple, be assured that the accompanying price tag is not.  Here are a few reasons why:  Lilly of the Valley is one of the highest priced wedding flowers due to the care and attention required in growing and in caring for them.  It’s growing season is very short, usually only available in May.  Gardenias are also very expensive flowers.  They require warm weather and a large amount of attention. 

Heavenscentfloralshop.com

Price: *

This bouquet of Baby’s Breath and Freesia is comparably beautiful, simple and is richly fragrant like the Gardenias in the previous bouquet, but this one will not break the bank.  The flowers on the Baby’s Breath are white and delicate like handmade lace.  These are often overlooked as a filler flower; recently however, they have gained attention as a flower to use by themselves en masse or as a collar or border for a main flower.  The Freesia are a heavenly scented flower that has a unique growing flower budding pattern – growing up one side of the stalk and curving from medium sized open blooms to tiny unopened buds. 

Comparison # 3: Spicy Yellow

brides.com

Price: ****

A Bright Yellow Calla Lily & Orchid bouquet is given a unique spicy feel with Navy Peppers, and is finished with Yellow Ranunculus, Silver Brunia, Tiny Yellow Chrysanthemums, Dusty Miller and Fiddlehead Ferns.  Its main cost comes from the Cymbidium Orchids, and the Callas.  These pricey blooms are the main flowers, and give this bouquet its size.  Additionally, the large number of different fillers add to the cost.  

http://mmdevents.blogspot.com

Price: **

This bouquet is a bit smaller, and a bit simpler, but offers the same color palette and feel.  Notice that the Calla lilies are in this bouquet as well, but the main flower is a bright yellow tulip.  Tulips are an inexpensive option throughout a large portion of the year.  The fillers have also been simplified by limiting them to the Peppers & the Dusty Miller.  

Budget Centepieces

             The centerpieces at your wedding may be the most important element of reception décor.  Each centerpiece will be in your guest’s view for a large portion of the night, and naturally you want them to be perfect.  So you begin the search through bridal magazines and find a few that you like… they are so creative, so magnificent, so stunning, soooooo pricey!  It is easy to get your heart set on a specific centerpiece, only to find out that it is beyond your budget.  So now what do you do?  Rework your whole budget?  Give up and forego centerpieces altogether?  I’m Sarah Merrill, owner of Suite Blooms & Designs, and I’m here to help you fulfill your dreams of having a beautiful reception with amazing centerpieces without breaking the bank.  I’ve gathered 3 great ways to stretch your floral décor dollars!

Submerged flowers:

                Blooms submerged in water make a striking impact.  This unexpected display is truly beautiful.  The water in the vases will magnify the blooms making them seem larger, and displaying the flowers behind the glass makes even simple blooms seem exquisite.  A grouping of cylinder vases at different heights with one type of flower in each is very effective, and will work at round or banquet style tables.  Try placing the grouping on a mirror to double the impact, and place a floating candle atop each arrangement for a subtle glow.

Pictured above: a grouping of Tulips, Cherry Blossom Branches & Cymbidium Orchids in 3 Cylinders 

Make your Centerpiece do double duty:

                A single flower in a vase may seem dull at first, but group several together and you have a beautiful informal centerpiece.  By using a mixture of flowers and types of vases, your florist can create this impressive, yet down to earth look even on a strict floral budget.  Are you having a Graphic Modern  reception but like the single-flower look?  Try using only one type of structured flower such as Bells of Ireland or Gerbera Daisies in clear glass vases.

                The best part is that you don’t have to wonder what to do with 60+ bud vases after the wedding - just send them home with your guests as favors! 

     

Pictured above: Blue Delphinium, Corn Flower, Grape Hyacinth & Anemones. 

Pictured above: Bells of Ireland

Think beyond flowers but don’t forget them:

                If you have been dreaming of large showy centerpieces all your life (or at least for the last 6 months), but know that your budget is already stretched thin, then maybe it’s time to think beyond flowers.  A large floral centerpiece will often cost $170 or more!  But don’t worry, achieving that grand look on a budget is not impossible!  Discuss with your florist how substituting fruits and or vegetables for flowers in your arrangements will affect their cost.  Its easy to find fruits and veggies that will work with your color scheme and add texture to the arrangement.  Fruits and vegetables are much less expensive than blooms and offer the same live, vibrant feel as fresh flowers.  Most are also substantial in size and therefore take up room in your centerpieces that would otherwise have to be filled with pricey flowers.  Here is a short list of some that can look great: lemons, limes, tangerines, kumquats, apples, cranberries, pomegranates, grapes, pears, cauliflower, kale, and artichokes.

      

Pictured above: Mango Callas, Kermits, Ranunculus, Variegated Aspidistra, Salal with Kumquats and Tangerines.

Pictured above: Submerged Green Apples surrounded by a few stems of calla lily per vase.