| The
most important thing to remember is that
careful planning is essential if you hope
to get the most for your money without
compromising the beautiful, romantic
setting that flowers can add to your
wedding day. Floral designs created
from silk flowers may help you stay within
your budget, or choose arrangements that
can serve more than one function.
Standing baskets filled with sprays of
fresh or silk flowers that decorate the
ceremony can later be moved to the
reception site. A swag or
centerpiece made from silk flowers can be
a lovely decoration for a new
home. Another great idea is
using the bride's and bridesmaids'
bouquets to decorate any of the tables at
the reception. The guests will love
to see the beautiful floral display up
close!
Discuss
with your florist your budget and what
type of arrangements you would like to
have. A good floral designer will be
able to find flowers and decorations to
match your style and budget. The
more labor intensive the arrangement, the
more expensive so listen if the florist
suggests alternatives that will create the
same effect. Also, some florists
will offer a "market buy" option
where the florist purchases flowers that
are on special the day before the
wedding. This may limit your
choice of specific types of flowers, but
you could save a significant amount of
money and still have beautiful flowers at
your wedding.
Focus your
attention on where your guests will be
looking, the altar at the ceremony for
example. If you would like to
decorate the pews, remember this can
typically run between $6 and $15 each or
more depending on how elaborate they are
and the cost can run up quickly. To
save money, consider decorating every
other pew, adding some hurricane lamps, or
using ribbon and bows mixed with lots of
greenery. Tall candelabras, which
most churches already have on hand, look
stunning at the altar decorated with
greenery and ribbons and provide a very
economical decoration.
When
choosing corsages, keep in mind what the
mothers will be wearing. A
lighter, simpler corsage is not only
usually less expensive, but will also
provide less wear and tear on their
dresses. An alternative - have the
mothers carry a single rose wrapped in
tulle and tied with a ribbon. A very
special touch that has become very popular
is the bride giving each mother a rose
from the her bouquet as she reaches the
altar.
More
special touches: small white lights
delicately placed within greenery or large
potted plants; fresh cut flowers in a vase
not only look beautiful but also give a
wonderful aroma; and lots of ribbon,
candles, and greenery. With a little
thought and planning, you can have a
spectacular setting! |
