5 tips For Maximizing your Floral Budget

You found the one​, got the ring and set the date. ​T​he excitement of the proposal​l is just beginning, but​ it’s​ already​ time to start planning your wedding! 

For those brides looking to maximize their budget in every category, we have put together a list of ways to help stretch your flower dollars to get the most bang for your buck on your big day.  

Be Flexible! 
It's safe to say this is probably a good tip for all aspects of your wedding day, but it's always a great idea when it comes to your flowers. Unless you are dead set on using a certain type of flower for some special reason, understand that some flowers are more expensive than others. It will be beneficial to your wallet if you're willing to to allow substitutions. Trust your florist, this is not their first rodeo. Ask for recommendations on flowers that are more affordable so you can get more bang for your buck! As long as they match the color scheme and feel of your wedding, why not save a few bucks by going with the flower flow?? 

Understand the Reason for the Season 
Just like fruit and vegetables have certain seasons they are more easily found in the grocery store, flowers have seasons and times they will be more easily accessible for your wedding. For example,​ i​f you​ are ​getting married in August and peonies bloom in spring, guess who's going to have to get really expensive peonies shipped in from another location? YOU! If you aren't sure what flowers will be in season on your wedding date, check with your florist. If you can work in-season (or locally grown!) flowers into your floral scheme, your wallet will thank you.

Utilize Your Florist! 
The first two tips are much easier to follow if you have an expert on your side to help guide you. A florist works with flowers all day, every day. They know which flowers look best in which colors and which flowers complement one another.​ Florists also order flowers from vendors (some even grow them, themselves) so they understand which time of year certain blooms are the cheapest. If you're only using your florist to deliver flowers to your wedding, you're not using them to their full potential! You're paying for their service you may as well get the most bang for your buck and use them as a sounding board for ​ways to get the most beautiful arrangements your budget allows. It’s always beneficial to give ​your florist a price​ range, so they can​ do the work to​
maximize your budget for you. When you don’t give them a budget and your florist has to rework your quote, it is not uncommon for them to charge an hourly fee to do so. ​T​here are many extremely talented florists out there​ - ​make sure to research the ones that have a style that match what you’re looking for​ to eliminate any issues with a florist not feeling comfortable creating an arrangement you love.​

Watch Out for DIY
We know what you're thinking, we are a floral shop so why wouldn't we try to steer you away from doing flowers yourself?! Our business aside, the truth is, DIYing flowers at your wedding can end up costing you more than if you'd hired a florist and here's why: florists know what they are doing! Your florist will know exactly how many flowers to order, when to order them, where to order them from, how to make them last AND how to get them at their best stage for your wedding day. If you (or a friend or family member) order too many flowers, your budget was wasted on extra blooms. If they order too few flowers, you'll spend extra time and money scrambling to get more. Not to mention, the care and attention that is needed to keep flowers looking their best is not something you want to be spending your energy on in the final hours before you say 'I do'. Leave the stressing to the professionals... you have enough to worry about (like when your Great Uncle Larry heads out on to the dance floor to show everyone his impressive chicken dance). This tip will not only help you save money, but it will help save you stress, which should be even more valuable!

Pick a Focal Point 
Whether you decide to utilize a florist or DIY, this tip is super important to understand and accept early on in your planning process. When you're trying to stretch your budget you need to prioritize your floral focal points. If bouquets that look amazing for your photos is important to you, then maybe it's time to find a different type of decor for your aisle. Or, maybe you fell in love with a gorgeous floral archway for your ceremony (thanks a lot, Pinterest), so you choose to keep your centerpieces more simple. Most brides ​choose to have​ their bouquet be the center of the attention​, but no matter where you want your flowers to go, decide on one or two focal points and decide on them early! Wouldn't you rather be THRILLED with the outcome of a floral focal point than be disappointed that all your flowers are underwhelming? We'd rather have that, too. 

Now, stop stressing over your wedding plans and go enjoy your love​, your ring and your sanity​ ... ​Take a deep breath and have fun planning your special day!​​

xoxo