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When you are planning your wedding – many girls have been looking forward to it since they played with dolls.  Me personally I did not – nor did my daughter.  But my soon to be daughter in law has!  So what do you see with your flowers?

Rose petals down the isle as you enter to church, or venue where you are getting married? Huge 6′ tall center pieces? Specialty arrangements?  Well, you can have it all and I don’t care if you have a large budget or small.  

With an unlimited budget, your florist can get you almost anything at any price.  So what’s the worry you might ask?  Can they really get what you want?   Do you know what you want?

I went looking for blue flowers and was told they are expensive because there are so few varieties, so the florist suggested that instead of blue flowers, we use green roses with a few accents of blue flowers; the arrangements they showed us were beautiful.  Understand that the wedding colors are Sand, Turquoise and white.  The green went really well with a touch of blue and not alot of wasted greenery either.

Here are some ideas for the more budget minded wedding:

Do you or someone you know have a rose garden?  Of course the White House does, but they probably won’t let you pick flowers and remove the petals, but a friend, neighbor, grandmother, or someone else you know or who you’ve been referred to probably will.  Find out if they will let you pick the roses and then save yourself money by making your own isle of flowers.  I know the florist out there are not going to be happy with me, but in some cases it’s necessary for brides and families to be resourceful.  If you like wild flowers, find someone who has a wildflower garden – Don’t go pick-n them from places you will get in trouble for, like poppy’s here in Calif. you can get arrested for that and we don’t want a bride and groom in jail.

Ok, so you want the BIG 6′ tall center piece.  Do you want a vase? Glass, ceramic, wood or whatever.  Check online for discount outlets, check flea markets and local flower growers.  What do you want it to look like?  All flowers, twigs, tumble weeds?  It’s your choice.  Do want crystals hanging from branches, candles?  Find pictures of what you want and hang onto them.  If you are working with a florist this gives them a visual of what you want and expect.  Who knows you may convey something and when you get to your reception it’s exactly opposite of what you want.  Don’t take that chance.

If you want to make the center pieces yourself, then do so – my advise, make several different styles over time, live with them and make sure you like them.

Do this with your place settings too.  Make up a small table at home to see where you want to place your napkins, menus, favors etc.  That way when you talk to the venue they will know.  Take a picture also for again a visual reference.

For the do it yourself-er – check out your local flower mart, farmers market, retail stores.  Look for growers in your area and see if they will sell to you. Do your homework online, in stores and with florists to see exactly what you want.  Flowers can be expensive – especially if you import them from other areas, so be aware of what you can afford, what’s in season at the time of your wedding, listen, listen and listen more to your florist and go from there.

 Have fun and happy flower hunting – It will be Spring on March 20th, so flowers are upon us.

Tis the season for Bridal shows.  When you have found your true love and said “yes” then what is next.  Simply put – you start planning for the BIG day, yes your wedding.  But what to do first.  If you don’t have the Simply Elegant Wedding Planner, then start with bridal shows.  There are bridal show that started in January in almost every medium to large town or city area.  They might be big or small, in a mall or a hall, (ok almost sounds like Dr. Seuss ), but they come in all sizes, shapes and designs.  Some are HUGE productions, some not so much.  Here are a few tips you can use when attending a bridal show that will help you navigate your surroundings:

Tip #1: Pre-print address labels so that you can quickly place them on all the FREE drawing cards or give aways the vendors offer.  Put your name, email and wedding date – that way WHEN you win they can contact you.

Tip #2: Wear comfortable shoes.  You will be doing alot of walking, talking and standing.

Tip #3: Take a tote bag or pull cart (piece of luggage) with you to put all those brochures, cards, samples and information in.  Don’t rely on the venue giving you one. 

Tip #4: Visit each vendor, even if you’ve already choosen a photographer or Dj, look at their portfolio, maybe you will get ideas from them for the vendor you have already hired.

And Last – Tip #5: This is girls day!  Give your groom the day off, let him have a guys day.  Unless he is really involved in the planning process, really ladies – he doesn’t care – let him be with the guys and you go with your mother, mother-in-law to be, brides maids, sister and other girls.  Go enjoy, be giddy and have fun.  Eat lots of cake and other samples too.

Happy Planning