Post # 1

Member
3997 posts
Honey bee
I’m not loving the idea of spending a billion dollars on flowers for our June wedding. I haven’t even spoken to a florist yet because I don’t wanna hear that the beautiful flowers I dream of will be WAY WAY WAY out of our price range…
Buuuut, it’s worth a try. Before I do go, I wanna be armed with a few good ideas for centerpieces (don’t ask me why but this is the aspect I think most about lately, probably because its the only thing I have no idea about… not to mention our guests will be spending some time with these centerpieces… some more than others).
I think simple goes a long way, I’m really not going overboard. I don’t want to spend more than $1300. Less than that would be perfectly find. This is so selfish but my bouquet and the head table flowers are the most important to me ulitimately.
Do you guys have any ideas? Is it crazy to try to do the centerpieces myself? I saw this pretty rectangular vase with a thick ribbon wrapped around it, a few gerbera daisies and some green "fluff", for lack of a better word, around it. I thought it was sooo pretty. I feel like I could handle that, but do I wanna deal with that or just pay to have someone else deal with it? Hmmm….
Post # 3

Member
2204 posts
Buzzing bee
I think DIYing flowers is totally possible (especially since you have plenty of time to practice!)
We’er DIYing everything but the boutonnierres because it’s just not something I wanetd to worry about last minute. Cetnerpieces are big fluffy hygrandgeas and we’re using white roses, tulips, orchids, ranunculus for bouquets and other decor. We are also using a lot of baby’s breath.
Check out the Flowers board (http://boards.weddingbee.com/board/flowers) for more info and pictures of those who DIYed their wedding, and check out the super-talented florists over at Weddingbee Pro (http://www.weddingbeepro.com) for tons of inspiration!
I will say this: don’t DIY your flowers alone! Make sure you have plenty of [talented] help if yuo can find it…you dont want to have a flower melt down two days before the wedding!
Good luck!
Post # 4

Member
208 posts
Helper bee
My centerpieces are costing $25 each. which I think it really good, but I’m also in Boston where prices are $$$$$$$$.
Anyway, we’re doing a short cylinder glass filled with water and hydrangea with a floating candle on top. There will be 2 different colors of hydrangea, and the tables will alternate colors. Around it there are 3 votives, and then 3 mini glasses with water and more hydrangea. Very simple and clean. And you can see above it so you can talk to people at the table, which was important to us.
GL!
Post # 5

Member
199 posts
Blushing bee
I got some for about $12 a piece that are candle holders with some silk flowers from gafgifts.com http://www.jafgifts.com/pictures/ImagePixels300/61685.jpg
I took the flowers and changed them for my colors and made a nice base with pink fabric.
Post # 6

Member
3997 posts
Honey bee
Thanks ladies. I think I’m gonna call my Mother tonight and let her know we have a project… in 399 days lol. I’m sure it’ll be fine, we’re kinda crafty people.
Lattelove, you’re right- I have plenty of time to practice and I will.
Futuremrslerman- I love hydrangeas, I might try that out. The little vases sound like a really nice touch.
Follow up question, now that I’m super excited to do my own centerpieces- Any good floral wholesalers? Oh man, also, how far in advance can you get the flowers sent to you??
Post # 7

Member
31 posts
Newbee
I purchased candelabras for my wedding and plan to recover some of the cost by selling them afterwards. It was also hard for me to spend tons of money on something that would die in less than a week haha.
Post # 8

Member
119 posts
Blushing bee
I’m DIYing my flowers. I’ve actually planted flowers this year, to see if I like them for my wedding next year. If you want something simple, you can order your own flowers to arrive a few days ahead of time, and then put them together. Granted you do want to practice with some things before you try to do your wedding flowers, but from just getting flowers at the grocery store and arranging them, I have been able to figure out what it is I like together and how it’ll fit together best.
Take a peek at these websites, they have really great prices on wedding flowers:
http://www.fiftyflowers.com
http://www.growersbox.com
or just try to google "wholesale wedding flowers" The results are amazing!
Post # 9

Member
246 posts
Helper bee
You might be surprised at how far your money might take you! We’re doing my bouquet, six Bridesmaid or Best Man bouquets, flowers for the flower girl, two mother’s corsages, my toss-away bouquet, flowers for the head table, and 13 bouts….through a florist…for $450!!! I’m also gonna buy petals through fifty flowers for table decor, so that will cost about another $130. So yeah, all of my flowers for less than 600 bucks! Pretty sweet 🙂 Our florist is incredible!
Post # 10

Member
62 posts
Worker bee
I did DIY flowers with my good friend last year when I was her bridesmaid! She got wholesale sunflowers, not super expensive, and her family and bridal party had a pre-wedding party where we drank wine, ate, talked, and made simple sunflower centerpieces. It was so fun and one of my favorite wedding memories! Just a thought if you want to bring help onboard!
Post # 11

Member
10 posts
Newbee
We’re using a florist for the ceremony flowers, but doing our own centerpieces. We bought lanterns at Kohl’s for $8 apiece (mega mega clearance), and we’ll use them with pillar candles, leaves, bittersweet and maybe some gourds since we’re getting married in October. It also helps that I have an amazingly crafty mother-in-law-to-be!! We found our florist at a bridal in show in Rochester, and she’s working well within our budget.