Planning for your wedding flowers
needn’t be daunting with lots of inspiration now available
at hand. If anything, there’s now too much information
and the choice can be overwhelming. And since you haven’t
decided what flowers you might like, how on earth will you know
how to set a realistic budget? Here’s how to make some
headway:
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| Industry statistics show that in
the UK, brides spend an average of £550 for their wedding
with their chosen florist, for an average party size of ca.
80 guests, but this can range from £200 to £8,000.
An average £75 is spent on the bridal bouquet, which can
range between £50 and £200 depending on the style,
the flowers and the amount of intricate wiring work or added
details. |
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| If you are having a more extensive
guest list, you will need more guest dinning table centrepieces
and also more focal arrangements throughout your larger reception
venue to dress it adequately. Never compromise on your bouquet
as this will be the one item which will appear throughout your
wedding day album. |
| Why not? Add details such
as crystals or diamante to your bouquet flowers to add a magical
sparkle in all the wedding photos? |
| |
| In most cases the costs above don’t
include the cost of the church flowers, as most churches prefer
to use a member of their own congregation to arrange wedding
flowers in the church. |
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Due to the modern reality that church attendance
amongst the very young and trendy is lower, the style of flowers
you’ll get in this case is in general a little more traditional
and the flowers will be more mainstream. On the plus side, this
is often cheaper than a professional florist and supports your
local church. |
| If you really want a particular style
for your church flowers, ask your vicar whether they would be
happy for your florist to carry out the work or at least work
alongside the regular flower arranger. |
| Why not? Hang a welcoming
arrangement such as a wedding wreath to your church door for
a traditional touch with a twist? |
| |
| Start planning at least one
year in advance and look at florists displays at the time of
year when you plan to get married to see what’s in season.
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This way, when you are ready to discuss
your wedding flowers with your florist, you'll know what the
main choices are. It’s unlikely that through this exercise
you'll become an expert on all the flowers and colours available,
but you'll make a excellent start at selecting your venue flower
designs without breaking the bank.
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| The more detailed meeting
with your florist can then help you select finishing touches
to make your wedding flowers truly your own, customising designs
to arrive at a really bespoke bouquet and bridal party flowers
as well as distinctive venue flowers which are most appropriate
for your reception. |
| Why not? Make every guest
feel special with their own buttonhole? These can be used as
additional table dressings, placed on each napkin. |
| |
| As a guide when setting your budget
remember that your venue flowers will usually account for over
half the budget, and most of this will be for guest table centrepieces. |
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Using this as a benchmark,
have a look at what a similar design using the main flowers
of your choice as the focus, would cost if it was available
to order through on-line department store retailers such as
M&S, Debenhams, John Lewis. Consider the size it would
need to be, whether it has the right balance of flowers to
foliage for your tastes, and remember to check whether it
includes glassware. |
| Your florist will be able to advise
you on how to fine tune this provisional cost in line with your
budget by suggesting the most appropriate container, the balance
of main flowers to filler flowers and the balance of flowers
to foliage. |
| Why not? Place one or
a few classic blooms such as roses, tulips or orchids, in a
pretty tea light votive and give these as favours? |
