Custom Crystal Bouquet -- An Offbeat Option to Flowers

All Photos courtesy of Refinerii at Etsy.com

Etsy seller Refinerii offers the bride who is looking for an unusual option for flowers a custom aluminum bouquet decorated with your choice of Swarovski Austrian crystals, fresh-water or crystal pearls, glass beads, vintage rhinestones, etc. You can color coordinate your bouquet with the rest of your wedding if you want something other than just white or crystal. Not for the faint of heart but perfect for the bride who wants something just a little bit different or who wants a bouquet that lasts. Refinerii suggests repurposing your bouquet as a Christmas tree topper. Nothing like getting more bang for your buck!

But I suggest getting a different bouquet if you're planning on tossing it, this one could do some serious damage to some unlucky single girl! 

Saving Money on Your Flowers

Photo courtesy of Designs by Ahn

At a recent bridal show I talked to a bride who passed on this tip.  She bought her flowers in the Flower District in NYC.  The public aren't allowed in early enough to get the top notch blooms but you can still get great flowers if you go later in the morning.  She reported spending $200. for her flowers which included her vases and supplies to arrange her flowers and make bouquets, some rented candelabras, and a combination of roses, dahlias, irises, sunflowers and greenery/fillers.  Roses can often be purchased for under ten dollars for a bunch of 25!  So check your city and find out where the florists buy their stock. 

Another great option is to buy your flowers at a wholesale club like BJs or Costco.  Check out their web sites for prices and availability or stop in and talk to the manager in the store.  Why pay florist prices if you can cut out the charges they add for the flowers? 

How to Create a European Wrap Bouquet

           Photo courtesy of: http://flowerduetblog.blogspot.com/

If you know a bride who wants to learn how to make her own wedding bouquet, consider ordering a copy of "How to Create A European Wrap Bouquet". This DVD is a great gift for the newly engaged bride. Having the DVD will take the mystery (and terror) out of designing your own wrap bouquet. You can see a preview of the flower arranging DVD on their homepage or just go ahead and order it from the order page.

Inexpensive Orchids?

Photo of Orchids from Whole Foods

If you want to use orchids in your wedding bouquet or even for your centerpieces, consider buying whole plants at Home Depot or Whole Foods.  This will often save you quite a bit of money over ordering them by the stem. And this way you'll have the plants to enjoy as they bloom year after year. 

Bridal Bouquets Sporting Succulents

Succulents and Rose Bridal Bouquet Courtesy of FlowerDuet.com

Succulents have become one of the hot additions to bridal bouquets.  Whether they are green, brown, coral or purples they all offer that little something extra to the look of your bouquet.

Thistles, hydrangas, iris.  From: www.shady-grove-garden.com 

Cherry Blossoms for Your Tabletop Decor.

Photo and Item courtesy of ABespoke Touch's Etsy.com Shop

The artist describes these as "carefully created little cherry blossom flowers" that  "can be used to scatter on your wedding table for decoration, very sweet alongside tea lights. Perfect as a substitute for rose petals!
If you need something for your flower girl to carry in her basket these are ideal! Some venues won't allow you to scatter rose petals as they discolour and stick to carpets but these fabric flowers are perfect for scattering down the aisle!"

Contact the artist if you need different color combinations or different center beads. The item has matching jewellery, bookmarks, napkin rings, Invitations and other accessories. 10 flowers for $5. The artist recommends using "at least 30 flowers per table of 8-10 people, for my own wedding I used 30-50 per table and it seemed perfect." See web site for bulk discounts.

Cherry Blossom Weddings

Photo and Item Available at: http://www.myweddingfavors.com/cherry-blossom-stems.html#

Looking for a simple yet romantic accent for your tabletops?  These artificial cherry blossoms in simple white vases are an easy DIY project for the bride.  Since they aren't alive, no watering required, so you can put them together well ahead of time.  Consider sprinkling some pink 'diamonds' on the tabletop or adding some pink votives if you think it looks a little bare.  $10.99/set of two.

Wreaths for Weddings

All photos and designs courtesy of: http://www.organicbouquet.com/

For your wedding why not consider bringing the warmth and beauty of nature indoors and compliment any room with Organic Bouquet's eco-friendly and sustainable wreaths and swags. Simple yet attractive designs. Great on walls, doors or windows. Around $50. each. Organic Bouquet also ships large quantities of flowers, just check their web site for which flowers are available and for costs.

Alison Bucholz-Ellis' Flower Designs For Your Wedding

Photos and Design Courtesy of the Artists at: Floral Artistry by Alison Bucholz-Ellis at http://www.floralartvt.com/

Alison once again strikes gold with her gold medal worthy designs for both ceremony and tabletop.  It makes me wish I lived in Vermont so she could do my flowers! So instead I will just have to admire from afar and hope she trains some excellent interns and sends them south!  These designs show the range of her artistry, or at least attempt to. 

Balsa Wood Bridal Bouquet

Photos from: http://www.lucydylanweddings.com/

Balsa wood bridal bouquets? Who would have thought? They are handmade from tapioca wood peel, also called sola wood, a naturally derived paper product. Since they aren’t technically a live flower, they never die making them the perfect eco-friendly alternative to a floral bouquet.

Contact your local florist and see where you can get them. If for some reason your florist can’t find them check out Save on Crafts, they offer art and craft supplies at discounted prices!

Candles -- Easy and Inexpensvie DIY Centerpieces

Photos and ideas courtesy of: http://www.surroundings.com/

Surroundings.com offers you a large selection of floating candle kits and craft items needed to make DIY centerpieces for your wedding. Candles offer an inexspensive alternative to large floral arrangements and add to the ambiance of your day. This is a go to place for candle kits, accessories, and centerpiece ideas for you wedding day.

  

Mint Green and Chocolate Brown Wedding Theme

Photos and Ideas from:  http://www.mustloveweddings.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12266

Mint Green and Chocolate Brown Kissing Ball is a great accent for your wedding, add to it the great coffee bean centerpiece at the top! Not too expensive, but really pretty.

                            

Photo and item avaiable from: http://www.weddingthings.com

This mint green gift box with a pretty pink ribbon can be filled with your favorite candy or a pretty cookie.

Green and White Weddings From Must Love Weddings

Photos courtesy of: http://www.mustloveweddings.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12266

If you're going green for your decor, consider using some of these ideas to accent your tables and venue.

Orchid Vases From Areo Home Website

Photo and vases courtesy of Areo Home at http://www.areohome.com/orchidvase.html. 

Use these for your own use or as centerpieces at your wedding.  They are inexpensive ($16.00) and would also make a great shower present.

More Special Flowers For Your Ideal Wedding

All Designs and Photos from: http://www.floresmantilla.com/weddings.html

Spring brings us a huge choice of fabulous flowers for weddings.  From outdoor extravaganzas like the one above, to indoor but just as exotic indoor weddings and receptions.

  

Personal Flowers at Your Wedding--Boutonnieres, Corsages, Bouquets

Photos courtesy of: http://www.floralartvt.com

Wedding flower decisions are pretty straight forward: a bouquet for the bride and her attendants, flowers for the ceremony, table centerpieces, but the personal flowers such as boutonnieres and corsages tend to be more of a personal choice and are up to the bride and groom. Some opt for no boutonnieres at all.

In general boutonnieres are worn by the groom, groomsmen, fathers, grandfathers, ushers and ring bearers as well as your officiant if you are not having a religious ceremony. Corsages are traditionally given to mothers & grandmothers, although you can substitute a small bouquet for the mother of the bride/groom.

You may also want to include any siblings that aren’t in the wedding party and their spouses, readers, singers and other important family members including step-parents.

Personal flowers are a perfect way of acknowledging people close to you on your wedding day.

Yellow Flowers By Moss and Rose

Photos and designs courtesy of Moss and Rose

Moss&Rose is one of the few “green” event design companies in New York City. The company was founded on a belief that event design can be beautiful, eco-friendly and affordable at the same time.  They certainly managed with these designs and check out their website and talk to them in person for more ideas.

They specialize in high quality unique floral arrangements and decorations with a personal touch for your special occasions.

Alison Bucholz-Ellis Floral Artistry Wow Vermont Brides With Their Floral Designs

Photo and Floral design courtesy of Alison Bucholz-Ellis Floral Artistry

Alison Buchold-Ellis and her husband David design wonderful flowers for weddings.  They are located in Vermont.  Alision's background in floral design started as a teenager when she first got a job working with flowers.  She later graduated from Bachelor of Science in Plant & Soil Science and a minor in Small Business.  She runs the business with her husband, David.  As you can tell from her designs, Alison is a natural when it comes to flowers.

    

Barbara Vakassian Florals Designs In Orange

Photos courtesy of: http://bvflorals.com/weddings.html

Barbara Vakassian Florals designs wedding flowers and bouquets that grab the eye.  Her designs for fall include some great orange and green designs that are perfect for fall weddings or weddings with an orange or lime green theme. 

  

Decorating Your Tent

Photo courtesy of http://www.hollywoodpop.com/

Looking for a different design for the interior of your tent?  Consider using regular furniture for a relaxing reception outdoors. 

White Bouquets from City Blossoms in New York CIty

Photos courtesy of: http://www.cityblossoms.com/

City Blossoms in NYC has a wide selection of floral designs for New York City brides to choose from.  From all white bouquets, to bright colors, they offer it all. 

Sunflowers At Your Wedding

Photosand designs are courtesy of: http://bvflorals.com/weddings.html

Sunflowers are a great option for a summer wedding, especially if you have a rustic atmosphere or an outdoor wedding.  Barbara Vakassian Florals creates stylish, sophisticated Wine Country inspired designs

which make use of the highest quality of fresh flowers. Her personalized service and designs make a great accent to your big day.

Fabulous Flowers

Photos courtesy of http://www.fleurishes.net/ 

If you are looking for some fantastic floral design you can't go wrong ordering your flowers from Fleurishes in Madison Wisconsin.  The designs are strong and romantic and will offer a perfect setting for your wedding no matter what season you choose to have your wedding in.  No FTD arrangements here! 

White Floral Centerpiece Ideas or White Centerpiece Ideas

Photos courtesy of: http://www.wholesaleglassvasesint.com/

Wedding centerpieces consisting of basic white flowers are classic.  Here are a few suggestions from Wholesale Glass Vases' website.  They have a whole section of ideas to help you visualize how to use their vases for your centerpieces whether you are a professional floral designer or a bride who is planning a DIY Wedding.