Services:

C Scott Stevanus has been a trendsetting event designer in the Washingon, DC metro area for over two decades. His primary focus is artistic flower arrangements for Weddings and Special Events but he also lends his expertise to Fundraisers, Sweet 16 Parties, and Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. He has taught college courses on floral design for over 11 years creating a new generation of designers and his portfolio includes many national and international clients including working with acclaimed party planner and TV host, David Tutera. One of his shining moments was being offered to be one of the floral designers of the White House in 2008. Event design is a passion that is deeply rooted in his relationship to his grandmother who was often throwing parties due to her numerous committee chair positions. Her philanthropic endeavors have inspired him to provide his services for those in need such as the Special Olympics, Fashion Fights Poverty, and the Cancer Society. 

Beyond Perfection Consulting, LLC

Exceptional Floral Design with impeccable creativity.

Do you offer special packages for weddings?  
  
Typically every wedding is different so trying to offer prepacked ideas are not condusive. everything we do is custom and priced  accordingly. If you come to us with a budget we strive to meet or come under the budget, however some brides are looking for a million dollar weding on a shoestring budget and that is not something we can do. Be truthful with your budget and have room for compromise and you will be amazed at what I can provide for you. 

What does your average wedding flowers cost?

Generally our budgets are running 2,000.00 and up depending on the size of the event. Figure at least 75.00 for a low centerpiece 125.00 for a tall centerpiece. but do a mixture so it gives the room movement and rythmn.
Again,  because we do custom weddings the price varies widely. for a bride who wants nice flowers but nothing out of the ordinary I tell her to figure 10% of her total wedding so for instance if your wedding budget is 35000.00 for everything you should be prepared to spend 3500.00 on flowers.
If you want something a little different with props and more exotic flowers you can figure on 15-18 % of the wedding total. 
For over the top flowers the sky is the limit I have done flowers that cost 50,000.00 for a bat Mitvah and 75,000.00 for a wedding flower budget .

Have you done Destination Weddings?

 YES! I do travel to do work in other cities around the United States and have also done Destination weddings in the Carribbean. I do love to travel and normally stay a few day after the event to explore as normally  I am so busy doing the wedding I do not get a chance to enjoy the new suroundings. The cost depends on the situation but I normally make concesssions for a nice Experience. Call to discuss your Needs
  

Before meeting with your florist try to do some research to help them figure out what your style wedding will be. Will it be an itimate gathering in your back yard with mostly family and a few close friends, or will it be a grand affair with four hundred of your friends, family, and business aquaintances? You must decide this and follow through with it the whole way through the wedding process. With the economy weighing in on everyones mind and pocket books here are a few things I would like to share with prosective brides.

Ways to save Money-  PICK A BUDGET AND STICK TO IT! If you find you are having a problem finding the budget for your dream wedding here is something I would like to sugguest. This has been my philosophy for quite a few years now. If you are young and you do not own a home ask you parents how much they were planning for your wedding. Most wedding now days for even a simple affair ranges from 20,000.00-35,000.00 dollars. Imagine if you take half of what your parents are going to give you and put it in the bank until after the wedding and use this money for the down payment for a house. Have an intimate gathering in the back yard or at your favorite restaurant. After you have been married for 10 years renew your vows and have a large party you should be able to afford by now and you can enjoy your day now and have something to look forward to in the future. I know, I know You want to share it with all your friends now but imagine how many other friends you will have in 10 years, plus you can show off your New Anniversary Diamond Ring at the reception! Who doesn't like new jewels!!!

OK -So you blow off my original idea and you say "Life is Too Short!" I want to spend money to have my dream wedding and I want it NOW! Well let me start by saying LOVE YOU!!! and please make sure to talk to me before all the money is gone, and it will go quick! One of the biggest mistakes brides do is pic a venue or a wedding dress that eats up most of the budget. I KNOW darling, "You are the Queen for a Day" however when you purchase that very perfect Vera Wang or Ultimatate reception site you need to know exactly how much money you will have left for other things like the Florist that can change your wedding venue in to a once in a lifetime fairytale dream, or the Cake baker whose delicacies you cannot live with out, you may have to, remember, STICK TO YOUR BUDGET. Overspending on one item for your wedding eliminates several items you may want later think long and hard, Besides you would look fabulous in a potato sack on your wedding! 
As a florist, of course I want to give you the most stunning wedding ever however I need money to do that. I am extremely creative but have yet to master the technique of spinning straw in to gold. If you bring me Straw I can throw it on your dance floor at your very expensive Ulimate venue however I can tell you it will not photograpgh well at all! When you look through your wedding photo album think about what you want to remember well the people who were in your life then as that changes all the time. IF you do not have beautiful flowers on the tables 
or a pretty cake, all the photogragher can do is take pictures of people and lets face it you will never forget that "Uncle Herbert" showed up in his Signature Plaid Suit and Check tie because he always shows up at special affairs in the same suit!  Or "Aunt Blanche" who Flew in all the way from Florida in what only can be decribed as a "tropical floral extravagana" nightmare print that looks like it was leftover material from her drapes in the Miami Bungalow. With this economy it just might be, unless you paid for all your out of town guests to come to your wedding chances are it will cost them plenty to fly in and stay a couple of days, a lot of brides plan their wedding over holiday weekends which they feel is convienient since it is a holiday however even if you reserve a block of rooms chances are Airfare is elevated or roads will be congested for drivers and high gas prices. I KNOW, I KNOW, you are worth it. Seriously though, you need to have something nice for the photogragher to photograpgh. Very rarely does he take photos of food so he relies on of course you and your groom to look spectacular, amazing flowers or decor,the beautiful cake and Of course "Uncle Herbert" after his third gin and tonic dancing to "The Chicken Dance" all just a prelude to "Aunt Blanche" clearing the the dance floor with her special dance routine to   "Baby Got Back" PRICELESS MEMORIES all engrained in your head! Do Not Worry we all have Herberts and Blanches in our families and we love them anyway and would not have them miss your special day.

Even with the tightest budgets these are A NO! NO!        

If you are having a  Backyard affair DO NOT ask anyone to bring a side Dish
Ask for MONEY in LIEU of Gifts "So we can go on a nice honey moon"

Have a CASH bar.
There are ways around not serving alcohol without looking cheap. Here are some tips
Have a luncheon reception- Most people will not drink before 5:00 (AA listing is in the Front of the phone book)
Serve only beer and Wine most can afford this option.
Serve a signature drink without alcohol created just for your day
Do a consumtion Bar unless you have a lot of drinkers coming to the reception. Even then it is not in Vogue to drink yourself into a stuper as in years past. New Drunken Drivers Laws and public opinion will curtail someones behavior although there will always be one or two that get plastered it will not break your bank.

DO NOT Try to do your own arrangements! Not that you can not have a family member do it however refer back to what is photogragher going to take pictures of. If you have someone who does great flowers in your family that is wonderful and by all means if they are willing let them have at it, however for you and your Bridal party to make the decor the night before the wedding is unfeasable. You will have rehearsal dinner, family and guests from out of town and you should be hosting them not trying to de thorn roses that you got at a Costco or Sams Club
I KNow, I KNOW 100.00 for a 100 roses sounds good IT IS NOT. You Will be Stressed out and  your bridemaids no matter what they say do NOT want to do this "FUN" Project did you not see the lust in their eyes over your Fiances friend "CHUCK" who came in from Conneticut. They would rather have bags under their eyes from doing.... Well "Chuck", than working on your Centerpieces. Besides are you not asking enough that they wear that stunning Bridesmaids dress in Chartruese and Chocolate since they are your wedding colors? Let the girls have fun and you too it is your last night as a single girl go out and do something crazy...FYI this Does not Include "CHUCK" I Know, I KNOW, those Eyes!  

For Centerpieces another way to defray cost and help to the less fortunate is to again buy rent or barrow baskets from friends or families, fill with fruit such as apples of different varieties, pears, grapes etc and then use roses or orchids that can stay out of water for a while without wilting and gently lay them amongst the fruit with some nice ivy and you have a centerpiece that after you can take and put the fruit back into boxes and drop off at the local "soup Kitchen" that serves the homeless or bedridden. you can deduct teh cost from your taxes as a donation as well. YOu should also make sure the caterer does teh same thing with the food left over from the Buffet no sense in letting it go in the garbage. I have been in the back Kitchen when I see bags of rolls or whatever being tossed in the trash Just because your guests did not eat it does not mean someone is not hungry.  
    
 
The Same goes for The wedding cake do not try to make this at home either.

You can always do One layer of real cake and the rest of the cake can be decorated styrofoam. Sheet cakes can be in the back of the reception space only you know that it is a fake cake. You will also save money as most reception sites or caterers charge you to cut the cake. Sheet cakes are simpler to cut and most caterers will not charge for this style cake.
If you cannot afford a couture cake simple ask A grocery store to do it but do not let them decorate it tell them you want NO Frosting Roses, NO Fountains between layers, and above all NO Figure of a bride dragging a groom. Ask them to do a simple swiss dot or border and let your florist decorate with fresh flowers.
Another idea is to have the cake at each table serve as the centerpiece and dessert. Fresh flowers can be put on the top of the cake or buy, rent, or barrow Cake stands from friends and families and fresh flowers can be placed under the stand. A waiter will cut the cake at the table or take it to the back and place on plates and return to the table.

Check Back Often For More Advice Like or Not It Will Be Here!
Thanks for Reading I hope these tips help
SCOTT