People are often caught off-guard by the high costs associated with flowers. However, when you consider that each flower in the bouquet, corsage, boutonniere, and centerpiece needs to be carefully chosen, prepared, arranged and then transported, it's no wonder the bill tends to be steep. Here are some helpful hints to prune your flower budget.
- Greenery: Not all beautiful flower arrangements have to include exotic blossoms. Stick to a tight budget and still go for grandeur by opting for bouquets and centrepieces featuring an abundance of lush greenery accented with seasonal flowers. Even in the middle of winter, striking arrangements can be created with a variety of evergreens sprigged with roses or carnations.
- Dried: Instead of fresh flowers, choose dried. They're cheaper and easier to work with if you're doing your own arranging - they don't need to be refrigerated or spritzed with water. If by chance you've dried flowers given to you by your husband-to-be throughout your time together, use them - together in a bouquet they'll represent the culmination of his love for you.
- Seasonal: Flowers in season are usually the least costly option. Chrysanthemums and poinsettas in the fall/winter season, tulips and lilacs in early spring, and roses are most popular for the summer season.
- Double-duty: Flowers can appear at both the ceremony and the reception site. Maximize your flower power by having vases at the head table to hold each bridesmaid's bouquet or have a potted plant placed at every pew during the ceremony double as a centerpiece at the reception.
- Wholsale: Purchase flowers from a wholesaler, choose flowers that are in season or grow a garden (or greenhouse) to save money and still be petal proud.
