WEDDING FLOWERS!

 WEDDING FLOWERS!

 

 


This month I will list some of the fabulous bridal bouquets I've handmade this year! It was total of 75!!! 
Each and every bouquet I have ever made is awesome for it's own reason and I think when you see simply bouquet on it's own, it needs a little explanation to really add to the sentimental value! They fit not only the brides personality, likes, dislikes, overall wedding theme & colors and of course, the clients budget overall for all the prices required for their space. So, I wanted to show you each bouquet in the context of it's entire setting, with all the other decor elements to show you how they make so much sense and fit perfectly! 

Katelyn and Shea were married in the end of June, which has a somewhat limited availability for flowers, because it is in between the late summer offerings and after the spring flowers selection has gone. Many brides come to me with restrictions, what they don't like, (that may actually help with their budget or coloring), and what they do like (that's often out of season), creating a challenge and sometimes limited the possibilities of what we could create. The great thing here was that Kately LOVED flowers and LOVED  purple - which is perfect! I was also super excited to do their florals because I LOVE a monochromatic palette (shades and tints of one hue), the flowers really POP - helping the texture to stand out! 

     

Jessica and Mike wedding!

Jessica wanted an elegant, yet garden feel to her flowers. The guys wore tones of purple and lavender with grey and the bridesmaids wore purple tone, long chiffon gowns. 

  

Hannah and Jeremiah wedding! Awesome thing about this wedding  - Jeremiah was a gentlemen and wanted his love to have whatever she wanted! What a guy :-) 

   

  

   Diana and Jason wedding! these two were just adorable, his eyes just sparkled when he looked at her - so sweet! I don't get to meet too many of the grooms (I think they just don;t care for the flower part!), but I did get to meet Jason and I could tell he just adored Diana!!!

Did you get any ideas for your future wedding? Did you like this post? MORE is coming!   




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The Big Issue Seems To be a Budget!

It is very interesting and sad that so many brides are unaware of the cost of real floral design. I chalk it up to their only flowers cost exposure coming from the supermarket/Costco etc. I have noted that many of my prospective clients also come in with $20-$50K overall budgets for their weddings, but then want to spend less than $2K for their flowers while also wanting the full nine yards. I tend to give a lite/gentle lesson on the ways of the flower industry and what they are actually getting for their money at the supermarkets. I ask them whether they want their flowers looking like they came out of a magazine spread or like the flowers they picked up at the supermarket the other day. 
(I want to stress this is not a standard part of my consult, but only comes up when they are showing me photos of lush Martha Stewart magazine type bouquets for example, and want them to cost $50)!  

I tended to undercut myself and my prices but came to realize that even though I was busy because of how low my prices were I wasn't making any money,  and was only getting more and more cheap clients. Now I value my skill and expertise more and price accordingly. Yes, I loose some (my current booking rate is about 80% and I'm happy with that) - I want clients who come to me because they value my talents and passion for creating beautiful wedding day ambiance, not simply because I have the cheapest price. Flowers are indeed the only way to establish the wedding day ambiance and to link all the elements of the day together - and that can't be emphasized enough.

   

Send us your comments, questions, suggestions... 


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Who pays for wedding these days? Why Destination Wedding?

Budget can be such a nasty word can't it?  Who pays for what these days???

It used to be that the man bought the engagement ring and paid for the rehearsal dinner and also bought the wedding band for his future wife. The bride bought the wedding band for her future husband and paid for everything else. Yup! The whole kit and caboodle. That can be a lot of caboodle these days - dress, engagement party, photographers, videographer, music, food, decorations, flowers, transportation...UGH! 

Why a Destination Wedding?

A destination wedding is an opportunity for couple to celebrate their marriage at a gorgeous destination of their choosing away from home! A couple picks a destination that means something to them. It's a way to make the wedding special and intimate and keep it small. Will it really save you money? Do the bride and groom pay for everything? What about hotel rooms and airfare for the guests?...
Here's an easy checklist to help you decide who pays for what! 

Bride and Groom:
- the wedding reception
- a rehearsal dinner
- a welcome party
- a morning - after brunch

Guests should expect to pay for:- their plane ticket to and from the destination
- their hotel room stay
- any meals or beverages that are not part of the wedding festivities
- any non-wedding activities that choose to participate in

Attendants should expect to pay for:

- travel to and from the destination

- formal wear and accessories

- hair and makeup or spa appointments

- food and drinks that aren;t part of a wedding event 

 Now, there are negatives to the destination wedding.
For instance, you won't have as many guests show up. It costs more for each person to get there. They have travel expenses, so you better just invite those that will appreciate getting that invite, otherwise you will be hearing about how selfish you are asking people to go to you and spend the money! Also, your weekend will never be perfect weekend for everyone; so inevitably, someone will end up with his or her feelings hurt or angry for not checking in with them before picking your date.
But, if you pick a destination that's tropical, you honeymoon and wed in one and your guests get a bonus mini vacation out of it and ease of planning is all done by the hotel you choose to have the wedding in and you have the beautiful surroundings as the decor. Most importantly, you will have a wedding that you planned together to start your lives together in a place that mean something to both of you that you paid for together  

Good Luck!!!

 

Send us your comments, questions, suggestions... 


Call us at 917 603-8973
info@weddingflowersdesign.com
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www.allurefloraldesign.net 

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How much do submerged centerpieces cost?

I just had a consultation! Bride was looking for submerged centerpieces and asked me 2 simple questions, which we hear aaaaaalll the time: 
- how much should I expect to pay per table?
- I had one florist quote me at  ~$65 for 3 vases. This seems awfully high for a centerpiece that uses a minimal amount of flowers...

Lets talk about it!!
The type of orchid can definitely change the price. Cymbidium orchids tend to be on the expensive side. Maybe ask the florist if there are other orchids similar in color and shape for less. $65 sounds like a lot considering all the florist has to do is providing the orchids and assemble them.
Cymbidiums ARE expensive! $65 is the retail value of the flower stem itself (there are 8-10 blooms on each stem), without the florist doing anything. Remember, when you are paying for a centerpiece, you are paying for the florist's skill (we went to school to learn floral art), we have over head (cost of our showroom rent, insurance, workers, electricity, advertising). Before your wedding day, we have spent hours usually working on your estimate (we have to make 'recipes" to figure out how many flowers are in each centerpiece, times the number of centerpieces, to know how many bunches/boxes to buy), we have to order your flowers (many times from different sources), when the flowers come in, we 'process' your flowers (we inspect them to make sure they are fresh, they re-hydrate them, sometimes we have to force them to bloom, we clean them of foliage, dethorn each rose etc.). Then we spend many many hours assembling all of your flowers. We have to pay for our refrigerated coolers to keep your flowers fresh. Then on your wedding day, we have to load everything into the vehicles, pay helpers, continue arranging and fixing when we get in to the venue (putting sprays on arbors, cakes, fixing things, handing out personal flowers etc.) Sometimes on very tight schedule if there is a wedding before you or venue only gives us 2 hours for setting up! 
The labor on submerged orchids? Cleaning and preparing the vases. Weighting the flower. Filling with rocks. At the venue we have to find a sink somewhere to fill up a watering can to get the water in the vases; get the vases to the table, get them on the table without messing up the dishes and silverware, as they heavy and messy filled with water; cleaning up; lighting candles. Hanging around  or coming back to pick up the glassware (most of the time around 12AM!); prepping glassware and loading glassware into vehicle; bringing the glassware back to the showroom/studio; unloading; cleaning; putting away.
I just wanted you to be aware that there are other costs besides the cost of the stem, and that there is more work involved besides just setting out some glasses and candles. You are paying for labor and experience, AND the expensive orchids.
For less expensive orchids, with the orchid look, try dendrobium orchids. MUCH less expensive. If you want a certain color, get white ones and tint them with floral spray. Dendrobiums are about $3.50 per stem retail price, with multiple blooms on stem. You could put 3 dendrobium stems in a glass vase, you've go your orchids for a lot less money! 

I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade here. I just want you to be aware of why some prices seem to be high, and to know that florists can work with you if you are willing to work with the. If you're on tight budget, it's understandable, you can do it yourself, but be aware of all of the time involved...will you have time to do all that listed above on your wedding day?!

Have a lovely wedding day ladies!!! :-) 





Send us your comments, questions, suggestions... 


Call us at 917 603-8973
info@weddingflowersdesign.com
allurefloral@ymail.com


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www.allurefloraldesign.net 

Bouquets and Flowers that Stand Out in Autumn Weddings!

I love flowers!!! I can never get enough of real girly and frilly things like blush, pink, peach and cream roses, peonies, ranunculus, lisianthus and you name it! But this time of the year when cool weather is sneaking up and fall is upon us, I am beginning to think about blooms that are in warm, bold and melting colors. Blooms or even dried flowers that bring out the fall  foliage elements can be really spectacular in your event. Here are some flower ideas for your fall wedding all designed by Allure Floral Design!

Your bouquet and the bridesmaid bouquets are  a perfect place to be creative with colors and texture that match your season and style. Use deep reds and oranges alone or highlight with yellow and softer colors.    

And don't forget about boutonniere! There is so many ways to coordinate what the guys are wearing with the rest of the party in creative ways.

The  ceremony space itself can be resplendent in flowers. Echo your color scheme in the flowers that surround you during your vows.

 And be sure to have someone move the magnificent vases to your reception so that you can enjoy the blooms as long as possible. 

At your reception, continue your fall theme with lots of options for beautiful centerpieces to decorate your table. Be  bold and creative!

And don't forget to tell your celebrant what flowers you will have in your wedding. There are many ways to bring in the symbolism of the flowers into your ceremony that will reinforce the importance and beauty  of the moment.

What creative ways are you planning to use flowers in your wedding? Share below because we want to hear from you!!!   

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