Thrifty Flowers

If you’re feeling the pinch of George Osborne in your bridal purse then why not think about ways in which you can save when planning your wedding flowers?

It’s perfectly possible to have a really stunning wedding and not spend the current average of £18,500.

£18,500? Wow! That’s a deposit on a house! Cutting cost on your flowers and styling on the day is a really good way of bring the total cost down. Here’s how to do it...

1) Go seasonal!

It’s common sense! If you want Peonies in November then they’re bound to be expensive! And they’ll have been flown halfway around the world. Think of your carbon footprint! In England we have such a good array of home grown blooms that you’ll always have an excellent range to choose from. Going seasonal will massively cut your costs. Just imagine huge displays of narcissus and tulips in spring, old English roses in summers and dahlias in autumn, without forgetting the lush dark greens and bright red berries of winter!

2) Think impact!

Quite often brides want lots and lots of different displays covering every surface. This is not necessarily the best way to decorate your venue and it can drive the cost up considerably. Each vessel comes with a hire charge, there’s the cost of the blooms in each one as well as labour time to consider. It’s often better to splash out on some really lovely impact items that take your guests’ breath away, such as large urns of flowers in the corners of the venue which can be combined with simpler table arrangements!

3) The Vessels!

Choose interesting vessels! At Vintage Floral Teas we have a massive range of gorgeous vessels to choose from and once flowers are added to them they are like individual works of art. Think of a teapot with masses of cow parsley and snapdragon flowers, surrounded by a stunning old milk jug and teacups. With contemporary vessels such as goldfish bowls you’ll often have to use a more expensive bloom to create visual impact on your tables. The right vessel can really set the tone for an event.

4) The hand-tied bouquet!

Wired bouquets are beautiful and look great for a really formal wedding with big skirted dresses. They are very reminiscent of bygone days. They are beautiful and I love them. But they are also expensive to produce. They have to be made on the morning of an event and each flower and leaf is wired by hand. You can pay anything from £100 - £150 for a wired bouquet. They also don’t last as long as a hand-tied bouquet as they can’t be placed in water! So why not opt for a hand-tied bouquet instead? Beautiful hand-tied bouquets are a far more budget friendly option.

So there we have it. The Vintage Floral Teas’ guide to keeping costs down! No need to let on to your guests that you’ve spent less than anyone else – especially since the flowers will look, at the very least, every bit as gorgeous as those dearer, less imaginative options! More soon!