TWELVE TIPS FOR WOW FLOWERS
Yes, we can order flowers off the phone, the internet and/or ask friends/family
to arrange displays and bouquets, but this is a precious day to you
and unless they have been a professional service for several years,
it is not advisable. Its so easy, but have you actually done this?
Well don’t get superior and take a chance on your wedding just
because it is easy to do. Flowers, set the tone, key the colors and
are important to the beauty of your photographs throughout your wedding
day. Who’s going to set them out, making certain the right
person has their correct bouquet, etc. Disaster reigns when you personally
try to complete the flower arrangements and corsages yourself. This
is last minute work that can ruin your hands and be exhausting.
I Want - What I Want - When I Want It
We all get a bit cheeky about it being “our day” and “we
can have what we want”, but with everything there is a plus and
a minus. Your mind may dance with a composite of dreams, memorable
weddings profuse with flowers, but you cannot always get what you want.
Violets are a visual delight but don’t hold up well. White is
not pure white against the dress, but the photos were wonderful because
of the contrast. And what do they mean by “costs more because
they are out of season?” It means you can still get them, but
you will pay double the costs -- because they are not the local growing
season. Also be warned higher prices and non-availability will surround
the holidays and Valentines Day, order early, and you’ll get
them.
What Am I Paying For When I Hire a Florist or a Floral Designer
Your girlfriends may tell you it is possible to do this cheaper yourself,
but is this what you want to be doing the day before your wedding.
Personally, I’d rather be at the spa or packing my honeymoon
case full of fillies instead of getting my nails dirty. When you hire
a designer or florist, you are paying for:
· the florist’s
education and training - colors and use
· their design skills and creativity
· knowledge when flowers bloom and the economics of each
· the flower’s perish ability in holding up to hugs, heat,
etc.
· their personal trip to the flower market at 4:am to choose
perfect blooms to open the day of your celebration - not the day
after
· the knowledge to calculate the blossoms you require
· the
hired extra staff to assist in completing everything at the last
minute
· and delivery and set up and into your hands at the correct
time
Florist must work quickly with many hands and have a cooler for
storage of the completed work. A floral designer will create a
setting for the ceremony or the reception site. This may consist
of completing the aisles for the ceremony, the draping of tulle
and swags, columns, arches, huppa, pedestals, chair decor and linens
with your keyed colors. They may only be hired for the ceremony
or for the reception or both. This type of florist will have drawings,
theme ideas and work with you or alone to achieve the desired effect
you both agree upon. Along with this they complete the basic list
of flowers for the wedding.
It is important that you interview with several professionals and
see photos of their work from their portfolio. Once you have decided
on two you prefer, give them your list and ask for a line bid from
each. This can make it easier for you to see your costs on each line
item as you compare your bids. Bids or proposals are especially important
to show how and where you can cut your costs to lower a budget. Always
keep alternate ideas in mind and ask for the florist’s advice
on lower priced substitution if you must cut the costs. Finally, it
is important to call them back to advise whether you are using their
services. As with other services, you will be required to pay a deposit
for reserving their time and services. While some florists specialize
in a particular style, most florists or designers can offer you flowers
of every description [from around the world] plus a variety of silks,
herbs, potted plants, unique containers and display or centerpiece
items. They will fill out an itemized list with you on what is required
throughout the celebration. They formulate décor for the
rehearsal dinner tables, ceremony area, bridal party, the reception
room and joyful petals strewn down the aisles.
We all like saving money, so use these proven methods to continue
using your ceremony flowers and cut costs.
· Make certain the
ceremony flowers are transported to the reception They can be re-used
at the head tables or around the cake table.
· Give remaining flowers to nursing homes to brighten a shut-in’s
day.
· Learn what flowers are in season. Ordering flowers out of
season will increase your price by a third or half.
· Save on blossoms by increasing the greenery and use less flowers
in every bouquet or centerpiece.
· Rent silk flower displays
for the reception and use fresh for the ceremony - or complete
this in reverse.
· Have the bride and attendants carry a single flower; long
stemmed roses or calla lilies are often used. [Caution! remember to
de-thorn roses and the stem juice from any lily can give quite a rash.]
· Rally
in the greens, ivy and such from your friend’s gardens to be
used on the reception tables or in the garlands. Check for snails or
other travelers.
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