> low budget? fret not!
>> I have an itsy-bitsy-teenie-weenie-yellow-polka-dot-budget-ee; will you still talk to me?
Of course! Who says tiny budget can't make an awesome wedding?
The 2 very important keys are flexibility and reasonable expectations.
If you come to me and say, “Tanti, I have $ 500 flower budget and I want to have calla lilies for all the bouquets and I want to have topiaries for the centerpieces…” Then I would have to say, “Errr… Houston , we have a major problem.”
>> So that brings up the question: “How tiny is tiny?”
To answer this, the first thing you need to do is ask yourself how important it is for you to have wedding flowers.
If you don't care much for it, then I would suggest the following super low cost saving tips :
** For your bridal bouquet **
(1) Stop by your local farmer's market and purchase a bunch of fresh, organic, mixed flowers.
It has good quality and most of the time it's less pricey than buying from the flower shop. Plus, you support the local farmers!
(2) Ask if any of your family and closest friends have a flower garden.
If you find one, you can perhaps ask if they are willing to give you some of their flowers as a wedding gift. It brings a sweet sentimental value and to me, at least, it's as meaningful as wearing an heirloom brooch or gown. Remember the British wedding custom:
Something old, something new
Something borrowed, something blue
And a silver sixpence in her shoe.
(for a more detailed info on this sonnet, check out (http://ask.yahoo.com/20031027.html )
(3) For Philadelphia and its surrounding areas:
You can certainly visit the closest Produce Junction to your area and shop for your flowers there. Though the selections and quantities are often minimal, but their prices are very good.
If you are on a super tight budget, skip the rest of the bridal party bouquets and boutonnieres. Trust me, nobody is going to sue you for not giving them flowers. Plus, it's your party, your call!
However, if you have a little bit extra $$ to put in for the bridal party bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages, check out my “tricks” videos. You'll learn how to do a simple hand-tied bouquet, boutonniere and corsage.
** For other decorations **
Few things that you might want to consider when designing the decoration for your ceremony/reception sites:
(1) “Simply Fantastic”
Simple is the key to a big bang event with low budget.
(2) “Double-Happiness”
- Reuse your bridal and bridesmaids' bouquets as centerpieces
- Double up your centerpieces as favors.
(3) “Think outside the Box”
- Opt for dinnerware and glassware instead of vases.
If you go to Wal-mart, Target, IKEA, and alike, they usually have a good range of cost effective dinnerware and glassware that you can use to decorate
- How about using cleaned empty soup cans? Why not?
> For more ideas, check out my “tricks” videos! ^_^ You'll be surprised how a little work can do magic on very ordinary things around you.
** Get your family and friends involved! **
Do you know of a TV show on TLC channel called “For Better or For Worse”?
The premise of that show is to throw an awesome wedding under $ 5,000 budget. Yeah, no kidding! Most of the time they even make it under the budget! One of the main suggestions that show gives is to have your family and friends be involved as much as possible in the production of the wedding. And I absolutely agree with that. It'll help make your wedding more than just a party; it'll definitely be a fun family affair, just like it should be!
Now, you're probably asking yourself: this chick is crazy! Isn't she supposed to be promoting her service?!
First, you're right. I'm a bit crazy, but in a good, fun way! J I know that some marketing experts probably find my approach a bit unhealthy, but hey! I am not a big corporate nor do I want to operate like them. I'm proud to be a “mom-n-pop” kinda studio and would like to keep it that way.
There are many ways to Rome , they say. I believe that philosophy also applies for weddings. There are many ways to celebrate your wedding day! I'm glad that I can help even if it's just simply by giving you tips and tricks. It's all good karma anyways.
> So…can I still have you do this flower thingy majigy for me with this small budget?
Of course! I will be more than happy to help you out further.
I'm not sure how brides set their wedding budget in general, but I do have this suggestion: Put the wedding flower on the bottom of your list.
The reason is quite simple actually: There's no point of having $ 3,500 worth of wedding flowers when you can't even feed your guests with decent meals. After you're done with the rough calculation, bring that number in and we can then start our discussion.
I'd also suggest that all of us be as real as possible. We all agree that most of us do not have platinum wedding budget. However, like I said earlier, small budget should not stop you from having an awesome wedding. On the other hand, to make things happen with that small $$, you have to be more flexible, more reasonable, and do a little more work compared to those with gazillion dollars wedding budget.
> How do you define “flexible” and “reasonable expectation”?
Being flexible means you have to be willing to have substitute flowers, willing to adjust colors, willing to accept alternative ideas. The more open minded you are, the easier it is for me to help you design your flowers and décor that are within your budget.
Case sample: Calla lilies, Phalaenopsis/Butterfly orchids, Magnolias, Gardenias, Lily of the Valleys, Peonies: these flowers are drop dead gorgeous but they will kill your budget. Confirmed Daichop (=100% Confirmed), just like Singaporeans would say.
My alternative suggestions (again, it requires your open mindedness and flexibility):
(1) “Use the Bench Players” a.k.a. Substitution
I will suggest that we substitute calla lilies with tulips. They have that similar “trumpet shape theme”, available in more colors, easier to get and kinder on your wallet for sure.
Same goes for Phalaenopsis/Butterfly orchids, I'll probably switch them to their cousin Dendobrium orchids instead.
(2) “Go Scrooge” a.k.a. Use expensive items at a minimal level
Meaning, use those expensive flowers only for your bride's bouquet.
It's the most special item on the list and therefore, it absolutely deserves every single attention. The rest can stick with roses.
(3) “Green is Sweet”
Put more greenery! Just like flowers, they come in many different shapes and forms and different shades of green, too. Sprinkle some imaginations and creativity, they can be just as beautiful! Plus, it usually doesn't' take a lot of greens to make everything seems fuller.
(4) “Let There Be Light”
Yes, drop the flowers, go get candles instead. Candlescaping can provide a striking décor and it absolutely helps set the mood. Play with different size of candle holders and place petals and/or colored sand around them. At the end of the day, give them away for favors!
Being reasonable means you need to have a decent understanding of what's available out there, how much they might cost, and yes, I'm operating a commercial business, thus, I need to make a profit out of the order. Having a general understanding of the industry will help you set a reasonable expectation when looking at your budget.
Case sample: You absolutely love what Colin Cowie did in one of his samples in his website and you would like me to do a similar design for under $ 500.
I can tell you right off the bat without seeing any pictures: it's not happening.
$ 500 probably can only cover some of your personals flowers. Not including my labor fee. Not including sales taxes. Not including the rest of the stuff for the décor.
There is a huge difference between what you want and what you can get. So if you absolutely love that design and can't live without it but don't want to pay $ 20,000 cost, then you would need to at least shed $ 3,500 if you want me to create a similar design. Again…This price tag requires giving a lot of room for flexibility.
Looking for more tips and tricks?
I would like to invite you to visit my website: www.papertini.com
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visit my blog at http://cchrys.livejournal.com
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simply drop my an email! ^_^ papertini@gmail.com
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