did you do your own wedding flowers??

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logan

logan

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Jul 22, 2007
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I was just reading a thread by Coryleeann, she is getting married in June and wishing her all the best. As I read her thread, I wondered if she would be doing her own wedding flowers? (hopefully she will have time to answer too or perhaps share pics) This is a question that actually does come up in conversation at work and among florists socially. Did you do your own flowers, if yes, was it stressfull, great, perfect, a good idea or if no, who did do your flowers, probably and if not the most personal thing for a florist. Did you as the florist turn into a bridezilla??? Would love to hear your personal choices if you care to share them.
 
A good friend of mine, just starting in the business, did my flowers. He did a wonderful job! There is no way that I would have done my own flowers. There were too many other things to do. I opted for the most relaxing time that I could achieve, and it was great!
 
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Yes I did, ten years ago. The owner of the shop I worked graciously allowed me to order what I needed, and make centerpieces & altar flowers after hours. One of the designers came in on her day off to make corsages for me. The only bouquet was mine, so it wasn't too bad.

The challenge was in the execution of delivery - up at the crack of dawn headed to the venue to drop off everything & decorate, then rush home to do make up & get my hair done. Have a glass of wine & wait for dad to show up to drive me there. Rush rush rush, then sit & chill.

We had a very low key outdoor wedding in a state park, laid back, almost casual. If I had a "bridal party" and a more traditional day w/photographer at home, etc etc I would have asked the shop to do it all.

The shop owners ended up gifting me the cost of the flowers as a wedding present - which was the perfect gift for a florist!

The hardest part - choosing the flowers. I thought I knew just what I wanted, but we started buying from a new source and I learned all about the wonder of Holland flowers (incredible gerbera at the time). I think as a designer, choosing a style & color was the hardest. Like the kid in the candy store, I wanted it all. :)
 
I did my own flowers for my second wedding. It was a smaller affair so wasn't to hard to do. I agree with you Tracy, I thought I knew just what I wanted, but then having so much to choose from, I kept changing my mind. One thing I did know for sure though was that I hated corsages, and no one wore a corsage except the Mothers, they wanted one, so they got it, but otherwise No way. Lots of centerpieces, and decorating at the party afterwards. It was beautiful! But I was late to my own wedding!!

I also did my daughters wedding, it was huge, that was very stressful!!!!
 
No way. It was in '99 and I did work in a flower shop but didn't feel confident enough in my design skills. I might not do it today either (well maybe my bouquet) - it's a lot of work and I think brides should concentrate on relaxing and getting pretty right before the wedding.
 
vikki said:
I also did my daughters wedding, it was huge, that was very stressful!!!!
Click to expand...


I did my stepsons last summer and it was also pretty large and 2 hrs. away in Chicago. Boy was that a lot of work. It came out great but I am hoping the other stepsons elope. :thumbsup
 
No! Phil & I both had family and friends in from out of town and wanted to enjoy that special time with them.

Our staff and several of our florist friends did the flowers. We had no clue what they would do. I just gave them a wholesale budget and the colors of the linens and the room.

The only thing I did request was a bunch of fresh violets for each guest (my Mom had carried them when she married my Dad and I wanted the tradition of the flower to continue.) It wasn't easy tracking them down since our wedding was Dec. 28, but our wholesaler came through.

Walking into the reception was a moment I'll never forget.

My advice to all brides is to relish the day and let some other pros sweat the details.
 
My mother did my wedding flowers, she wouldn't have it any other way and I knew better than to try and argue with it. We had a friend who decorates halls help with that part, all and all, it turned out very well.

Audra
PS. Mikey, Luc - can you believe it'll be five years in June?
 
I did my own flowers....all 20 centerpieces, the cake, bouquets, corsages, bouts, hall decor....It was a breeze and I knew just what I wanted.
 
I had a combination of three different shops do our wedding flowers. My Lead Designer (at the time) did the bouquet off the clock for us. Bought all the flowers for it too. Another shop did all the personal flowers, and a good friend, who is no longer in the biz, did ALL the reception work. I would estimate about $5k retail. She would NOT let us pay for one stem. Nothing. She was insistent! My Dad sent her a check for 1,000 and she returned it.

- Herb
 
Boy Audra... that hardly seems possible. :) I remember the pictures very well.

V
 
My father in law did our flowers back in the day. We were both musicians and we had an arrangement that had my flute and my husbands trumpet in it. We even had the band from Mr. Rogers neighborhood play at the receiption. All white and red roses w/orchids. Absolutely awesome!!!
 
I did my own flowers back in 1999 what in the world was I thinking? looks like a bush! could I have gotten it any bigger??
I guess back then HUGE was in!!!LOL

 
Tracey, it's lovely but did you need a wagon to get it down the isle? ;)

V
 
I didn't do my own. But soon after the wedding, my florist took me under her wing and taught me a bit about designing with fresh flowers and gave me private lessons.

When I did my Daughter's Wedding in 2002, I had a bit of help. One friend from a small town 45 miles South of me closed his shop to come help. Another from the North, sent one of her employees (and paid her too). Neither one would accept any payment for their efforts. Also, the wedding was on Sunday, so the owner of the shop North (about 85 miles away), came and they all helped to deliver all the flowers to the venue. I figured it would have been about a $30,000 wedding if someone else had been footing the bill. No wonder I was tired! But I have to say, everything was Georgeous!!
 
Did my own flowers 3 years ago...also cooked the entire meal for guests...What was I thinking???????

At about midnight the night before, still making centerpieces, I was crying...

Very overwhelmed...I am like that...think I can take on the world sometimes...

Never again. I think "Florist Brides" should be the Bride before the Florist and take the help.

That's my story & I'm stickin' to it.....LOL
 
yes, I did my own, But we got married in Vegas, and the reception site fell through, 12 centerpieces with no where to live.

But we sure had fun!!

White dendros, saraha roses, beargrass and italian ruscus and I think thats it.
 
Neat stuff everyone, lots of fond memories and fun, interesting to hear all the different stories. I think all agree how much work is involved even as a florist to do your own. Next time I hear a non-florist bride say she is doing her own wedding flowers, venue etc, I don't think I will be able to contain my laughter...but I shall politely tell her the majority of real florists don't even attempt to do their own.

I did do my own, no stress though, no fuss no muss, we eloped, thought I would find white tulips, my favourite in Gibraltar in Feb, surprised none available, but noticed some fully blown Leonidas roses sitting on the back shelf in a florist shop, rubbish she said, opened too fast, but that is my favourite rose, so I made a simple compact little posy of them for me and a buttonhole for my hubby, perfect day!
 
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