The way to save money on flowers

When budget savy brides first come in for a consultation they normally know what the cap is for their flower budget.  I do not go along with the old addage of 15% of the budget should be earmarked for flowers.  I believe that with a knowledgeable florist and a bride that is willing to let substitutions happen then you can get that chic boutique look for less.  The average bridesmaid bouquet for our weddings cost between 70.00-90.00.  This does not mean that you cannot get a smaller bouquet for less.  You may even spend more depending on the flower choice.  Here are a few tips to help save extra money on your floral bill.

• See if there are rental table centerpieces available.  The curly willow fall centerpiece shown above was done as a rental item.  It went very well with the natural fall colored decor at Bear Creek in Macungie.  It also saved the bride and groom hundreds if not close to 1,000.00 dollars in expense.  They had a high look adding interest to the room, great candlelight and exactly the look they were going for.  Originally they had thought about trying to do the table centers themselves but my colleague and I showed them how it was a huge savings $$$ wise and TIME wise.  
• Make some flower changes with the bridesmaids bouquet.  NEVER change the bridal bouquet...Get what you want for your special day!  The girls bouquets should be an accent to yours.  Save the higher priced stems for you and choose some specialty stems and more general flowers for the girls.  This does not mean carnations...  I am not a fan of the lollipop look...That should be reserved for people who adore carnations...can they be used tastefully?  Absolutely...and spray carnations and sweet william are wonderful additions to bouquets and arrangements.  Roses are purchased in pack amounts as most flowers are.  Add some spray roses to the girls if you want all roses.  A mix of Standard roses and spray roses adds great dimension to a bouquet and helps keep the cost down a bit.  Bouquets made of 7-8 flowers can sometimes cost more to create than sticking to 3-4 blooms.  Buying in bulk amounts helps save $money$.  

Try and stick with blooms that are readily available.  The wonderful thing about the internet and magazines is that they can give us wonderful ideas for color combinations and general information about flowers....Be cautioned.  Just because a bouquet is shown does not necessarily mean that every florist can get that exact peony, scabiosa, or anemone at that time of year.   If you love a flower research it's growing season before you make up your mind.  Having lily of the valley can be a costly adventure outside of it's may growing season...Stephanotis may be an alternative...even thoughs it is still costly it is more readily available.  Some dahlia's are pretty cruddy looking in fall..some are still picture perfect.  Your florist and or their buyer can help determine the better varities from overseas or local growers.  Let me guess...You love lady slipper orchids....Ask your florist what he or she would do in the event customs will not allow them to be delivered.  Have a back-up plan or second choice whenever possible!