It doesn’t matter whether you’re planning a beach theme for your indoor ceremony or you’re having an actual beach wedding; beach flowers are a must. You have endless types of flowers to choose from, and they come in colors, shapes and sizes to suit everyone’s taste and budget.
All you need to do is invest a little planning time and you can treat yourself and your wedding guests to a beautiful display of flowers without spending more than you can afford.
The Strategies Below Will Help You Choose The Perfect Flowers…And You Won’t Strain Your Budget:
1. Different Types Of Flower Arrangements
The first step is determining the number and type of floral arrangements you’d like for your wedding. You can have loads of flowers, no flowers at all or something in between.
Traditional weddings usually feature these types of flowers and floral arrangements: floral arches, the bride’s wedding bouquet, the flower girl’s basket of flowers, bridesmaids’ corsages, boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen, and flower arrangements for the reception tables.
Corsages or boutonnieres for the couple’s close relatives are also common. Some brides use wedding beach flowers to create an aisle or path leading guests to the ceremony.
2. Cost
The average floral budget is $2,000 for a US wedding. Beach flowers can cost much less because you don’t need as many unless you want to splurge.
When you’ve added up the number of flower arrangements you want, decide whether you want tropical flowers, non-tropical flowers or a mixture. After you know this, you’re ready to ask florists for price estimates so you can lock in your budget.
3. Interview Potential Florists
Unless you have experience arranging flowers, this job is best left to the professionals. Ask wedding planners, hotels or other recently married couples in the area to recommend florists. Try to identify at least three potential florists. Meet with each florist in person. If this is not possible, interview them by telephone.
What services do you offer for weddings? Are your designing services included in the cost of the flowers? What experience do you have designing floral arrangements for beach weddings? Can you show me examples of arrangements you have designed specifically for beach weddings? Beyond the cost of the flowers, what additional charges should I expect (delivery, setup, etc.)? How far in advance do I need to place my order? Can you give me a firm price quote instead of an estimate?
Compare the florists’ answers and prices. Choose the one which has the best answers and a reasonable price when compared to the others.
4. Some Other Money-saving Ideas:
A. Use Flowers That Are Grown Locally
If you stick with locally grown flowers you’ll save money. They don’t require refrigeration or shipment over long distances so florists usually sell them for lower prices. This lets you have a more lavish wedding on a smaller budget.
Describe for your florist the color palate you plan to use for your wedding. This includes the color of decorations, the brides dress and the clothing to be worn by the groom and wedding party. The florist can then recommend local flowers that best complement your wedding theme.
B. Use Floral Arrangements For More Than One Purpose
To cut your budget, use the same flowers for both the wedding ceremony and the reception. Arrange ahead of time for your florist (or a few close friends) to immediately move flowers from the ceremony site to the reception location.
If you decide to go this route, choose flowers with strong, waxy blooms such as antherium, heliconia, orchids and calla lilies. These hold up best in heat and will look fresh through the ceremony, the reception and for a few days beyond.
C. Plants And Greenery Can Supplement Blossoms
Cut flowers are more expensive. Instruct your florist to stretch your budget by using potted plants and local greenery extensively in your flower arrangements. Palm fronds, for example, are quite attractive. They’re plentiful and they’re also dramatic. You might even be able to find some free local greenery, depending on where your wedding will be held.
You can also make your floral budget go further if you use potted plants such as smaller orchids, tillandsia and African violets and give them out to guests as wedding favors.
