What is your opinion of...POLL

MsKitty1274 Posted: Oct 14, 2004 03:56 PM

What is your opinion of...POLL

Silk flowers? Renting Flowers?

We are trying to save money on EVERY possible aspect of this wedding. I have contemplated renting flowers or even doing silk flowers. Any ideas?

Here are the flowers I need...
1-My bo-k
4-BM bo-k
10-Bouts
17-18-centerpeices(preferably tall)
3-coursages
1-flowergirl flowers

I have given up pew bows (I can do them) and ceremony flowers.

TIA!
-Jill

eogara Posted: Oct 14, 2004 04:02 PM

Re: What is your opinion of...POLL

How do you rent real flowers?

o17range Posted: Oct 14, 2004 04:04 PM

Re: What is your opinion of...POLL

Well, just in terms of your centerpieces, low pieces are the less expensive way to go, since you wouldn't incur a rental fee. If you think purchasing real flowers is just too much, and you can rent real ones, I'd say that might be the way to go.

Some silk flowers can look fabulous so if those end up being the most feasible thing for you, be sure to post the pictures! Good Luck!

Vicky1706 Posted: Oct 14, 2004 04:06 PM

Re: What is your opinion of...POLL

Some silk flowers are not as inexpensive as you may think. I was surprised when I saw some prices on nice ones in Michael's. I don't know wnything about renting flowers but I know that nice (not cheesy looking) silk flowers can be costly so silk over real may not save you as much as you think.

Good luck!

bridget&jimmy Posted: Oct 14, 2004 04:12 PM

Re: What is your opinion of...POLL

I original looked into renting fake flowers and it was just as expensive as real in most cases. Check out Expression Floral Design her prices were the best I got.

Bridget

MsKitty1274 Posted: Oct 14, 2004 04:18 PM

Re: What is your opinion of...POLL

Posted by eogara

How do you rent real flowers?

I am not sure, but I am keeping all my options open.

dpli Posted: Oct 14, 2004 04:29 PM

Re: What is your opinion of...POLL

I got lanterns with floating candles and have a candle ring to go around them that has silk leaves, gourds and pinecones on them. They ended up costing about $20 a piece, but I think I got lucky with the candle rings. I found that if I went with modest centerpieces, real flowers would not have been that much more and the florist would have delivered them, instead of me having to arrange to get them to the hall myself.

I suggest looking at a bunch of different ideas and then see if you can negotiate prices with a florist for something you have in mind if you want real flowers.

Janine24 Posted: Oct 14, 2004 04:32 PM

Re: What is your opinion of...POLL

I would just look at alternatives to flower CP... candles are a beautiful way to go...

o17range Posted: Oct 14, 2004 04:46 PM

Re: What is your opinion of...POLL

Oh yeah, that's another idea! Candles, mirrors and rose petals! You can probably buy everything in bulk (esp the petals and candles) to get good prices. A friend of mine placed small mirrors in the center of each of her tables, put a bunch of votives around and sprinkled the rose petals. She also put a long stemmed rose at each place (as her favor) and I know it saved her a bunch of money.

RobNette Posted: Oct 14, 2004 04:51 PM

Re: What is your opinion of...POLL

I would say to rent silk. That sounds like the cheapest option.

My florist (Designer Florals) works with Silk a lot, and she told me she prefers it;
It is cheaper overall...as they last forever and they can be made MONTHS in advance. This make a LOT less work for the florist. If you rent them, you don't have to pay for the ownership, where if you buy them, you are stuck with a bunch of flowers after! (This might not be bad if you are crafty..but then; why don't you make the centerpeices to begin with?)

I was told that contrary to what many believe, silk flowers will cost less for all of the reasons that I listed. Plus, you can get any flower you want, and not have to worry about 'seasonal' issues or color accuracy!

Personally: I went with a mix. We bought REAL and SILK, and then rented some SILK for the ceremony decor.
FM me if you want the $$ Stats..and i can tell you what it cost and what i got.

best of luck,

marymoon Posted: Oct 14, 2004 05:24 PM

Re: What is your opinion of...POLL

I would see how much REAL flowers would cost for a low centerfpiece, maybe something non traditional, something mixed with candles. Sometimes 2 dozen cabbage rose sin a bubble vase can be really gorgeous, and not as expensive as big centerpiece. One good thing with teh cabbage roses that I've seen done is the staff at the reception hall took them off the tbale before cake, and wrapped up 3 each and gave them for all of the women to take home, so that's even an added favor.

Another cute idea is a seasonal plant in a pot for each couple, *suflowers for summer, mums for fall, poinsettias for winter, etc)< and have them at the center, wrapped in tulle or foil, sor set up in soem way to look like one unified centerpiece, and then each couple can take home a plant at the end of the night. That'll be a nice surprise, and you can get away with that as a favor, or having a less expensive favor if you double the flowers as part of the favor. I've also seen some ebautiful centerieces on this site that were candles and rose petals.

I'd go to a florist and tell them you want something beautiful, but simle and inexpensive and see what they come up with. In season flowers will always be cheaper, too!

MsKitty1274 Posted: Oct 14, 2004 06:10 PM

Re: What is your opinion of...POLL

Thank you all for your opinions and advise. I am still trying to decide what to do on the centerpieces, but did get in touch with Trina (thank you Bridget) from Expressions Floral, who gave me a reasonable price to start at. I may do my own centerpieces from ideas I have received from others (thank you kelleherkm and Bride's-Reception's Magazine).

-Jill

RedHead Posted: Oct 14, 2004 06:10 PM

Re: What is your opinion of...POLL

Posted by Janine24

I would just look at alternatives to flower CP... candles are a beautiful way to go...

I agree....the bulk of you money is going into the 18 tall CP's..

BriBri529 Posted: Oct 14, 2004 09:16 PM

Re: What is your opinion of...POLL

Posted by oct.2004bride

Posted by Janine24

I would just look at alternatives to flower CP... candles are a beautiful way to go...

I agree....the bulk of you money is going into the 18 tall CP's..

I agree

ravens_bride Posted: Oct 14, 2004 09:22 PM

Re: What is your opinion of...POLL

I've been finding the cheapest price with Candles. even some really nice Candelabras. Or go simple with the flowers.

jennandrob Posted: Oct 14, 2004 10:28 PM

Re: What is your opinion of...POLL

I'm siding with most of the ladies on this subject.....that you should maybe re-think the tall CP idea (where most of your $$ wil be spent) I'm also having my wedding at Jericho...you must be in the Dome Room to want the larger CPs, right?

I actually decided up front to forego that idea, and come up with my own for less $$.

Best of luck!

DecBride04 Posted: Oct 14, 2004 10:38 PM

Re: What is your opinion of...POLL

You might find that Silk is just as expensive as real flowers. Do your shopping around. Honestly look into Burton's Florist in Huntington....they really work with in your budget... Also, Can you really RENT 'REAL FLOWERS'??? I find that silly, because wouldn't they die in a day or two...