| Wedding flowers and decor are one of the | | | | If you have 15 tables, you're looking at $150 total. |
| easiest ways to save on your wedding without | | | | *If you have about $5 extra dollars per |
| anyone noticing. The price of flowers these days- | | | | centerpiece, go ahead and add 3 votive candles in |
| especially when you add the word "wedding"- can | | | | glass holders as accents around the centerpiece |
| go through the roof in a blink. Once factoring in all | | | | with the rose petals. |
| centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres, ceremony | | | | Ceremony and buffet table arrangements: $35 |
| arrangements, buffet table arrangements, pew | | | | each |
| pieces, and accents, you're easily looking at | | | | Buy large 24" tall glass vases with footing (around |
| $1,500. What if you could spend under $500 on | | | | $30 each online), fill each with 8 gladioluses |
| your flowers, knowing it would still look fabulous? | | | | (around $4 per arrangement). Gladioluses come |
| Here are some do-it-yourself flower ideas that will | | | | with palm like grasses that you can use as an |
| help you save a lot of money on your wedding | | | | accent. Either wrap the palms around the |
| flowers: | | | | perimeter of the vase horizontally or manipulate |
| Centerpiece: $10 each | | | | them so that they are sticking out with the |
| 2 stalks gladiolus | | | | gladioluses. With all of the palms from the |
| Gladioluses are beautiful, tall, majestic flowers that | | | | centerpieces that you won't be using, you'll have |
| come in a variety of colors. They are about $4 | | | | plenty to work with. If you are using 2 ceremony |
| per bunch (8 stalks) at your local grocery store. | | | | arrangements and 2 buffet table pieces, you're |
| This will be able to cover 4 tables for $4 ($1 per | | | | looking at around $140. |
| table)! | | | | Bridesmaid Bouquets: $18 each (max) |
| 3 Lemons | | | | 3 camellias, 3 daisies, 6 cornflowers, palms from |
| Cut the lemons into ¼ inch slices and then | | | | gladiolus as accents (can bend them over to be |
| cut them in half (like half moons). Lemons are | | | | upside down tear drop shapes). Wrap in florist |
| about 60 cents a piece. | | | | tape and ribbon. One person hold the bouquet |
| Vase | | | | together, the other person wrap in tape and |
| Buy 8 inch tall, 3-4 inch diameter circular vases | | | | ribbon. |
| from a craft store or online discount store. You | | | | You can add a few flowers to the maid of |
| should be able to get these vases for $4 each. | | | | honor's bouquet to make it stand out or make |
| Mirror | | | | her flowers a different color. |
| Buy circular mirrors from a craft store or online | | | | *Both of these flowers are available in some color |
| discount store. You should be able to get these | | | | in each season- not always available in all colors. |
| for $1 each. | | | | These are cheap but beautiful types of flowers. |
| Rose Petals | | | | Have a bridesmaid luncheon the day before the |
| Buy silk rose petals to sprinkle around the | | | | wedding and include bouquet making/ centerpiece |
| centerpiece from a craft store or online discount | | | | assembly. Each bridesmaid will assemble her own |
| store. Think about whether you want to get | | | | bouquet while you are assembling your bridal |
| yellow to accent the lemons or the color of the | | | | bouquet (with help from a couple other people). It |
| flowers. You should be able to get 500 silk petals | | | | may sound like you're asking for a chore from |
| for $8 (you will only need about 20 petals per | | | | them, but it's actually quite fun-- I did this for my |
| table) | | | | own wedding. |
| Directions | | | | Total time: 30-45 minutes per bouquet |
| Buy the flowers no sooner than 2 days before | | | | If you have 4 bridesmaids, you're looking at about |
| the wedding. Assemble the centerpieces the day | | | | $75 total. |
| before the wedding. Each centerpiece will only | | | | Bridal Bouquet: $35 (max) |
| take 5-10 minutes to put together. If you are | | | | 3 large lilies (or other favorite flower), 5 camellias, |
| covering 15 tables, you're looking at 2 1/2 hours | | | | 8 cornflowers, palms and/or other greenery for |
| max for one person. Enlist the help of family and | | | | accents. Similar assembly as above. Don't forget |
| friends and get it done in an hour! | | | | to cut the stamen out of the lilies- they will stain |
| Snip the gladiolus stalks to the appropriate length | | | | your dress! |
| for the centerpiece vase. Rubber band 2 gladiolus | | | | You will most likely have to buy a bouquet of |
| stalks together with a green rubber band (to | | | | lilies- you probably won't be able to just get 2 |
| match the stalk/ stem), so that the flowers are | | | | stems. Use the rest of these lilies to accent your |
| facing outward. Put them in the vase. Fill the vase | | | | cake and buffet table. |
| around the flowers with lemons to hold the | | | | Boutonnieres: $5 each |
| flowers in the center. Fill the vase with water. Put | | | | Wrap a camellia and accent foliage (can be a piece |
| the centerpiece on top of the circular mirror, | | | | of palm from gladiolus) in green florist tape and |
| which will reflect the colors nicely and make the | | | | push a straight pin through it. Wiring may or may |
| centerpiece appear to expand outward. Sprinkle | | | | not be necessary, depending on sturdiness. |
| the rose petals around the centerpiece. | | | | |