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Discover our detailed process of creating our own wedding flowers using FiftyFlowers for our special day (complete with visuals). We will delve into the types of flowers and tools we used to craft our bouquets, centerpieces, and decorations. Additionally, we’ll discuss the number of stems utilized, flower preservation techniques, comparison between DIY flowers and florist services, and a review of Fifty Flowers.
After researching options for wedding flowers, I opted for the do-it-yourself approach for our December wedding. Working with a florist was not feasible within our budget, and I was thrilled to take on the challenge of arranging our own flowers!
Surprisingly, the end results were fantastic! Would you believe that the bouquet showcased below was crafted by me and not a professional florist?
Planned Floral Arrangements
For our wedding, we aimed to create the following floral pieces:
- 1 Bridal Bouquet
- 5 Bridesmaids Bouquets
- 14 Centerpieces featuring assorted flowers
- Assorted flowers for the fireplace mantel and side tables
Given the high cost estimates from florists, ranging from $1,000 to $2,500, I was determined to save money by undertaking the floral arrangements myself.
With our wedding budget capped at $15,000, and us shouldering the expenses independently, managing the entire event within this financial constraint in the expensive Boston area required some creative solutions. Doing the flowers ourselves was not only a cost-saving measure but also a fun project!
Quick Overview of Purchases
For easy reference, here’s a quick list of the items purchased for our DIY wedding flowers. Proceed to the photos below to witness the flower-making process and for a contextual understanding.
The Flowers:
- Fresh blooms such as roses, peonies, and baby’s breath
- Greenery like eucalyptus and ferns
The Tools:
- Floral wire and tape
- Sharp floral scissors
- Floral foam for arrangements
Other:
- Large buckets from a hardware store for storing flowers
- Flower food from a local florist to keep flowers fresh
- Ribbon and burlap for bouquet wrapping
- Vases, lanterns, and other decorative items for displaying arrangements
When buying wholesale flowers, it’s important to consider the quality and freshness of the blooms. Many wholesale flower markets offer a wide variety of flowers at discounted prices, but it’s essential to inspect the flowers for any signs of wilting or damage before making a purchase.
Additionally, buying flowers online from reputable suppliers like FiftyFlowers can be a convenient option. By ordering flowers in advance, you can ensure that they arrive in time for your event and have a longer vase life. Some online suppliers even offer bulk discounts for large orders, making it cost-effective for larger events or weddings.
Another option to consider is joining a flower co-op or wholesale flower club, where you can benefit from bulk discounts and have access to a wide range of flowers throughout the year. This can be a great way to save money and ensure that you always have fresh flowers on hand for any occasion.
Choosing DIY Flowers with FiftyFlowers
My decision to go with FiftyFlowers and create our wedding flowers instead of employing a florist stemmed from various reasons:
- You receive excellent value for your investment.
- I was captivated by their blush and burgundy wedding pack.
- I had a supportive group of bridesmaids willing to assist me in arranging the flowers.
- I harbored reservations about the inflated pricing within the wedding industry.
Instead of allocating substantial funds to a single evening, we prioritized our long-term aspirations and financial goals. By collaborating with FiftyFlowers, we acquired a stunning floral arrangement at a significantly lower cost, with a little extra effort on our part.
Moreover, the flexibility of working on the flowers two days before the wedding, as opposed to the day-of, was appealing. Considering the average wedding flower expenses range from $1,400 to $11,000, the thought of DIY arrangements became an attractive option.
Fifty Flowers: A Note on Customer Service
The excellent customer service at Fifty Flowers stood out. Their proactive approach and detailed guidance significantly eased any concerns regarding the floral arrangements for the wedding day.
Relying on their expertise in handling flowers delivered in a box eliminated any uncertainties, allowing us to focus on the creative process without unnecessary stress.
Overall, our experience with FiftyFlowers was fantastic. Not only did we save money, but we also had the opportunity to bond with our bridesmaids while creating beautiful arrangements for our special day. I highly recommend considering DIY flowers with FiftyFlowers for any budget-savvy couple looking to add a personal touch to their wedding decor.
Roses and Greenery
My preference for blush-colored roses dictated the color scheme for our winter wedding, complemented by eucalyptus greenery to achieve a romantic ambiance. Apart from the aesthetic appeal, utilizing greenery acted as a cost-effective strategy to enhance the bouquets and centerpieces without overspending on additional blooms.
Our pre-purchased items included various tools necessary for assembling the flowers, with Home Depot buckets serving as a practical storage solution. These buckets were essential for maintaining the flowers’ freshness until the wedding day.
Selection of Floral Packs
We opted for the Burgundy Blush DIY Wedding Flower Pack and a Eucalyptus Greenery Pack from FiftyFlowers, ensuring an ample supply of blooms and foliage for our wedding arrangements. Supplementing the floral pack with extra greens enabled us to achieve a lush and visually appealing design while adhering to our budget.
The outcome mirrored the images displayed on the website, providing a faithful representation of the products received.
Quantity and Sizing
The Medium-sized pack, containing over 200 stems, sufficed for all our floral requirements, covering the bridal party and table centerpieces. Despite my initial inclination towards the Large pack, cost considerations led me to stick with the Medium pack, supplemented by additional greens to achieve the desired look within a budget-friendly framework.
Considering our guest list of 90 individuals, with plans for modest centerpieces at each table, the floral arrangements adequately met our needs. Refer to the photos below for a visual depiction of the offerings within this price range.
Explore the Burgundy Blush package here.
Supplementing with Greenery
Including extra eucalyptus greens not only enhanced the visual appeal but also extended the longevity of the arrangements. The supplementary greens contributed to a fuller appearance, elevating the overall aesthetic quality of the bouquets and centerpieces.
If apprehensive about flower quantity, investing in additional greenery provides a viable solution, ensuring peace of mind amidst the wedding preparations.
Timely Delivery and Storage
Following the guidelines recommended by FiftyFlowers ensured the flowers arrived fresh and preserved for the wedding day. Their proactive communication through phone consultations reassured us about the handling of the flowers, alleviating any logistical concerns.
Based on the flower type, the delivery timeline varied, with specific flowers requiring different lead times for optimal bloom on the wedding day. By scheduling the flower delivery two days in advance, we ensured the blooms had sufficient time to open up and showcase their full splendor.
As we delve into the tutorial section outlining the flower assembly process for bouquets and centerpieces, please note that the images below were captured in my parents’ living room.
Prioritize adequate storage space for the flowers before the wedding day. In the event restrictions are in place, consider alternative arrangements for flower assembly.
Receiving Boxed Flowers
Upon delivery, be prepared to receive the flowers in boxes, a unique experience that facilitates their preservation and handling.
Hydrating the Flowers
As the flowers arrive dehydrated, it’s essential to promptly immerse them in water post-unpacking to revitalize and ensure their longevity.
Utilize Home Depot buckets filled with water for your flowers.
Do not panic if the flowers are closed upon arrival; they just need water to bloom.
Prepare by removing leaves and thorns below the waterline and cutting stems at an angle.
Use gardening gloves and pruning shears to protect your hands.
Check out the photos of flowers in the parent’s living room below.
Although not a florist, I planned bouquets and centerpieces, focusing on color schemes and preferred looks.
Add extra greenery to bouquets to make them fuller without needing more flowers.
Wrap stems with floral tape and add more stems to create beautiful bouquets.
For the bride’s bouquet, follow the same process as with the bridesmaids, but use more flowers.
Consider using burlap instead of gold sparkly wrap for the finishing touches on the bouquets.
Keep the bouquets fresh by wrapping them with ribbons and securing them with pins before the wedding day.
Remove leaves and cut stems with the help of others, and get additional assistance with the flowers the next day.
Take necessary precautions to keep the flowers fresh, and don’t refrigerate them.
Make sure to add ribbons to the bouquets before leaving for the venue and delegate someone to handle the flowers on the wedding day.
Invest about $450 in materials for making bouquets and centerpieces, and consider skipping boutonnières and corsages to save money.
Explore sales on flowers and materials, and remember that weddings don’t need to be extravagant to be beautiful.
Monitor the flowers and change the water regularly, use flower food for longer preservation, and avoid refrigeration to maintain freshness.
Engage in DIY flower arrangements to save money and add a personal touch to your wedding.