Getting Married? How to save money!
Getting Married and want to save money on Wedding Flowers? Read on!
Getting Married usually happens at the same time as you are trying to save for a house, as well as save for a honeymoon as well as your usual bills.
So it is important to be smart about what all aspects of your Wedding. This simple checklist will help you save money, as well as still have a beautiful Wedding.
Less is more
We have all been to over the top Weddings, that ended up looking tacky as there was just too much decorations. When you are planning your own Wedding, make a list of things that are important to you and your Partner. If for example, music is important, you may chose to spend a bigger part of your budget on the Band, DJ or Entertainment. Do you need a floral ceiling installation as well as 360 photo booths, white glossy embossed floors, smoke machines, as well as fireworks? Sometimes less is more! A lot of money in the Wedding Industry is spent on delivery fees, Can one supplier do most of your florals and hireware so you save money on delivery and set up?
From a flower perspective, the best way to save is to go FRESH for your Bouquets and ARTIFICIAL for Centrepieces -
Rent the Wedding Flower Centrepieces, so they are far cheaper than fresh - better for your wallet and better for the environment = less wastage!
Artificial florals are now, very lifelike and you can only tell by actually going up and touching the flowers. We have artificial, real touch flowers in all colours to match your Bouquets, and can cater for all types of Centrepieces as well as the Bridal table and Ceremony flowers.
Repurpose your Ceremony florals
We were one of the first Florists in NSW to tell our Customers to re use their Ceremony flowers for their Reception Wedding Table or Fireplace. It can save you $1000s! The flowers from your Arch are cut down after the Ceremony and re used as Bridal table florals or on the Fireplace. Most florists charge a moving fee as they need to wait and then fix any flowers that have moved…this fee can be waived, if its possible ask a Cousin, or relative to help do this, so you do not have to pay for the Florist to hang around and move them.
Venue Questions
When you go and visit different Venues - have a list of questions for the Event Manager.
Ask your Venue what is included in their packages - this could save you money on Candles, Wishing Wells and easels. Take this into consideration when you are looking at Venues. Do they have candelabras?
Do they have Preferred Suppliers who offer special deals?
Wedding Design & Flowers
We have all been to friends Weddings where there were too many Centrepieces, and it actually detracted from the beauty of the Wedding as it was too OTT. One clever design principle, will help you save money and achieve the same luxurious look. If you like the look of high Flower ball Centrepieces - but have 20 tables at your Wedding Reception, consider having them on every second table, instead of every table. It will save you a considerable amount of money but you will still achieve the same look. For the alternate tables - why not consider lower Centrepieces (usually cheaper) or Bud vases or even just clusters of Candles.
Repurpose your Bouquets - ask your Florist to borrow glass vases so you can use your Bouquets as decoration at your Reception - on the Bar, fireplace, Present table, and even on the Bridal tables.
This is also relevant for your Wedding Bridal table. Use candles between the hedges or just have a large hedge (flower runner) in the middle - this will help with cost, with a very similar look.
Where else can you save money?
Ask your Suppliers (Florist, Stylist) if you can return hire items to avoid them having to pick up after the Event - if possible this can save pick up costs.
When you design your Seating Chart and Welcome Sign - design them with Flowers so you then do not need to add flowers.
At the Ceremony, add chair sashes to every second Row instead of every row. Same look, half the price.
Ask your florist what inclusions they have. Eg free throwaway bouquet, free rose petals for aisle.
Do you need Buttonholes and Corsages?
Can you use your Free throwaway bouquet for the Flower girl bouquet?
I hope this helps with how to save money on your Special Day!
Check us out at www.instagram.com/bellafioreflowers
Regards Clare
Clare Lamata is the Owner and Head Designer at Bella Fiore Flowers, we have been working with Couples since 1998!! We are the Number 1 Florist in the Australian Wedding Awards and we keep winning Awards for our commitment to our Couples. Contact us today for all your Wedding Floral needs crlamata@gmail.com or 0414485749.
