The Truth About Your Wedding Flowers

Greenery is not always cheaper

Greenery garlands and bouquets have become more popular in trend in the last few seasons. Partly because it has been suggested as a way to achieve a lush look under a budget. While I personally do like this style for its organic, crisp, and still romantic gardenesque, I would have to say it being cost effective is a myth. Yes, the greenery we purchase from our wholesaler is less expensive than a flower itself, but it takes more of it to achieve the fullness you see in those photos you're showing to us as inspiration. 

The amount of labor it takes to create these garlands is also very tedious and time consuming. It is not like when we arrange a centerpiece or bouquet where we are just creating centralized art. A garland covers a wider surface area taking more time. 

Flowers are natural elements

As a designer, I understand and strongly encourage the importance of having a color palette for your event. It is the base and sets the tone of your entire design. As I've said above: flowers make your event so you should be specific with your florist about what you really love and don't, but do try to be flexible. Flowers are natural elements and their exact colors cannot be controlled. There are a wide range of shades within one bunch of flowers we receive alone. Of course if you have a purple color scheme, but receive an orange bouquet on your wedding day, that is something to absolutely question.

I do want to highlight a specific color we all know and love and that is "blush". I think we can all agree this is easily the top wedding color for most brides. Rightfully so because it is a perfect wedding color- a great neutral, romantic, soft, and very bridal. What you should be aware of is that it covers a very wide spectrum. When a bride tells me blush, I ask if they mean light pink, taupe/nude, or peach. See how all of those are so very different? Be most specific about what shade you are wanting. 

Why do flowers cost so much?

This is something that many don't quite have an understanding of and likely should be a post itself, but I'll highlight some of the big points. For a more in depth explanation, I highly recommend hopping over to my dear friend from Stone House Weddings and read her series about flower pricing. Excellent information! A single floral order takes days of hard, laborious work. When the flowers arrive, we process and condition them to open up or revive from their travels. Then it takes days to arrange and create the beautiful design you've trusted us with. When wedding day arrives, we take great care in delivering and setting up this vision which could mean a special vehicle to transport and extra staff to execute in the time allotted. We also come back at the end of the event to breakdown which calls for staffing odd hours. After putting in all of the time, we have to take into account the special coolers it takes to store the flowers, our vase inventory and the staff we have to hire to help us.

Something to also keep in mind when shopping around for your florist and comparing prices is that you are paying for a specific style and design of their brand. There is always some kind of specific training one may go through to create her signature look. Be sure to find the right florist for your design style. 

I think all florists can agree with me that we do not choose this profession to be millionaires ;) It's because we truly enjoy and have a passion for the natural art of flowers. What I can suggest to you as a bride is to educate yourself (not only with wedding magazines), but ask your florist for her opinion and what options she can create or offer you. Trust your florist, it will make your wedding planning experience much more enjoyable!