Everything's coming up roses—orchids, calla lilies and hydrangeas, too!
Flowers are a huge part of any wedding. You can spend a little, you can spend a lot. It all depends on how important this is you, as well as what your budget will allow. This is where your wedding consultant will assist you coming up with a design that works best for you. Here are the key parts of the wedding that need flowers, with some great options I'd like to recommend for any budget.
Personal flowers are the first thing you need to consider. Brides can go with a traditional hand-tied round bouquet of all tight blooms, which has been popular since Martha Stewart made this vogue 20 years ago. It's timeless and simple. Or they can go with an interesting cascading shape of a crescent or oval. I just had a bride recreate her grandmother's bouquet from 1928. They were HUGE back then.
For bridesmaids, I'd recommend something smaller, or, to save money, even one grace single stem. Moms lately seem to not want to wear a corsage so I have been doing small bouquets for them to carry, or even just a small vases of flowers at their place settings. As for men's boutonnieres, I suggest keeping it simple so it doesn't like a corsage or an '80s prom; they can use spray roses, dendrobium orchids or, as I wore at my wedding ( back then it was just a commitment ceremony ), a mini calla lily. I suggest having backups for the grooms as after the ceremony, with lots of hugs, they tend to get crushed; this way you have a fresh one for the reception. Also consider non-flower bouts of berries or herbs—or go a completely different route by wearing a brooch.
The largest expense will be decor flowers. Let's start with reception. Centerpieces are where the costs add up big time. When selecting these, think about the overall feel of the wedding, and where you are having it at. If it's a hotel ballroom, I'd recommend a mix of elevated arrangements and complimenting lower arrangements. By mixing these formats with the same flowers, it will not only add interest to the room, but save you money as the lower will be less expensive than the elevated, as you need a lot of volume.
If you are in a more casual environment such as a loft or even your home, think about one single vase or even a collection, with each vase having a different type of flower in it. ( Having the same color is called monobotanical. ) You can tell your florist—if you are not picky—to set a price point, and to just the "the best of market" and have them decide on what type. Also consider a grouping of small vases with a single stem that will double as a favor for guests to take home. You can go entirely with candles, but make sure the flames are in glass to meet fire codes. Also, using non-floral elements such as props or edible centerpieces ( such as a small wedding cake ) saves money. Again, this must fit your theme and or overall feel of the wedding. I love the words "unexpected" and "out of the box," which are my calling cards.
When selecting flowers and decor for your ceremony, I have one word I keep in mind: REPURPOSE. Think "How can I use these at the reception, to save money?" Centerpieces on rented pedestals create an amazing aisle. Large statement pieces flanking your ceremony can be relocated to each side of your orchestra or head table or can be used as centerpieces for your escort card or sweet tables. If you are using an archway, chuppah or mundap ( for a Jewish or Indian ceremony, respectivey ), ask if these items can be repurposed for you to have a sweetheart table for two to dine at—or would your wedding cake look sweeter under this structure? Pew flowers in church can be repurposed on the backs of chairs at the head table.
Again, try to use whatever you use at the ceremony in the reception. If your ceremony and reception are not at the same venue, there will be an extra delivery/set-up fee, but much less than purchasing separate floral all over again.
If the budget allows, I love to place a bud on each napkin. Small arrangements for the restrooms and bars ( as well a bowl of nuts for guests to munch on while waiting for a drink ) are nice touches as well.
One more thing to consider is lighting. You have these beautiful flowers, and once the room gets dark you will lose the beauty. I highly recommend pinspotting each table, with a light focused directly on each centerpiece. This makes a huge impact, and I feel is money well-spent. Then, if the budget allows, I love to do a pattern on the dance floor created with light. Also, a lit room perimeter creates a dramatic feel, and can change color during the evening.
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