Here's a quick tip for you; shop the sales areas of discount stores (and regular stores) for great deals!

I will often source items for Wedding decor and floral designs in such places as Value Village, TJ Maxx, Home Sense and Walmart. Even Ikea has further discounts available.

A few weeks ago, while at Ikea, I strolled through their "discount" area (or "as is" section) and found 12 higher quality glass dishes - exactly what I needed for a certain centerpiece design. They were only $ 3.00 each, and had no apparent damage.

When shopping, always head to the "sales" or "as is" section first!

Quick Tip

Did you know that you can save up to 30% of your bar bill at your Wedding Reception by eliminating hard liquor?

Offer your guests a limited (but fun!) drink menu for the cocktail hour - beer or a "couples cocktail" (a drink specifically designed and named after the two of you), then at dinner, offer only wine. The dinner wine can have a special twist to it - maybe it is a wine from Napa, in honor of your getaway last year when he proposed? Or a wine from each of your ancestral countries?

"Wedding Reception Flowers" Part 3 of 9 - Re-Purposing the Wedding Ceremony Flowers

The "Wedding Reception Flowers Series" is posted every Friday in June & July

A smart and economical decision is to re-purpose your Wedding Ceremony flowers, at the Wedding Reception. Floral designers with experience in Wedding Flowers, will have suggestions and ideas on how to best transition the floral designs. This may mean that certain designs are better than others for your Ceremony flowers.

For instance, a flat-backed pew end may be used for centerpieces at the reception. Large and tall floral arrangements (typically on pedestals, flanking the "Altar area") are best suited in focal areas at the reception, or on either side of the head table. If you are using fabric or ribbon or garlands to accent the aisle, these may be used on the edge of the head table, or as an accent at the back of the guest book table.

If you are relying on a using the flowers from your Wedding Ceremony at your Wedding Reception, make sure to go over any extra costs for take down and set up that the floral designer may require.

Check Back next friday for Part 4 of "Wedding Reception Flowers" - List of Flowers Needed for the Wedding Reception

When choosing your Wedding date, look at the calendar, a week each side of your desired date. Are there any major holidays?

If you want to be married in early May, for example, chances are Mother's Day will be looming in the background. In February there is Valentine's Day, and don't forget about Easter, Christmas etc.....etc....

Why should this matter to you? Because high flower demand holidays will reflect the prices you pay for your Wedding Flowers.

Here in Vancouver at the flower auction, the thursday before Mother's Day is one of the biggest and most expensive auctions of the year. The growers know that business will be brisk and the minimums they place on the per stem price can be up to three times the average price! This means that for all us florists and floral designers, we must pass along the cost to all our clients - including our Brides. While some of you may think this is gouging - it is simple economics of supply and demand.

If you do choose to exchange your vows on a date close to a major holiday, make sure that your floral design is guaranteeing your prices so you are not stuck with unexpected costs.

When you are interviewing floral designers for your Wedding, ask them what they would recommend to use twice (or more) during the Wedding day. For instance, typical large arrangements on pillars (usually at the Altar in Church ceremonies), can be used a second time at the Reception - placed on either side of the head table.

Pew ends can be designed to hang while at the Ceremony, but at the reception they can be placed (possibly) as centerpieces, or along the back edge of the sign-in table.

Before deciding on what flowers and decor to have at the Reception, brainstorm the best placement of your Ceremony flowers at the Reception, then go from there.

I touched on this in an earlier post you can find here.

Who is paying for your wedding?

The tradition used to be that the Brides' family paid for most things, and the Grooms' family were responsible for the alcohol, the honeymoon and the marriage certificate. Years ago there were more routine customs. The lines were more defined and the information was obvious.

But nowadays, it seems (talking to some of my Brides), that there has been a shift of how the wedding gets paid for. I have found that more Brides and Grooms contribute financially to their wedding costs, then say, 15 years ago. I believe this is a combination of two things; the increased costs involved in having a wedding, and the desire to have a more elaborate celebration.

As a vendor in the wedding industry, I try to keep the Bride as my client. There have been times when parents' call me (on the sly) and ask for changes in the budget. They believe that since they are paying for it, they can make significant changes. This puts us wedding vendors in an awkward position, and before you know it, I am playing armchair psychologist!

If you are finding that having your parents paying for the entire wedding is getting stressful, try this...Ask your parents if they can be responsible for certain areas of the wedding, such as reception food and drink. The other contributors (perhaps your future in-laws), can then be marked for flowers and cake. It is a simple way of delegating financial responsibilities without stepping on too many toes.

Wedding Bouquets - (Part 3 of 4)
"The Seasons and and How They Effect Flower Choice"

The catch-phrase "seasonal flowers" suggests a non-flexible list of flowers available for your wedding. This may be true in certain parts of the world, where delivery of flowers and growers are limited, but in most cities, you probably have more choice available than you think.

Some Brides want roses, but make a comment on how expensive they are. During Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, yes.

But usually they are an average price compared to other blooms. Of course some flowers are not locally grown throughout the year - in Vancouver, for instance, tulips are available from about October - July at auction. August and September are not great months for tulips. Roses, mums and gerberas are readily grown all year, but lilac and peonies are only around during the spring months. But if you really want peonies in the winter, some wholesalers can order them in from New Zealand.

The great news is that yes, you will always get more bang for your buck if you choose seasonal flowers which indirectly means you are asking for a locally-grown product.

But why not ask your florist more questions on what they recommend? For instance, sometimes the cost per stem is reduced with a pre-determined minimum order amount. If your vision includes an "en masse" design of flowers of one type or colour, ask your florist if a reduced costs is possible if you order greater amounts.

If your floral designer is experienced, innovative and creative they should be able to better determine your choices and think outside the "seasonal box".

Check back next Friday for (Part 1 of 4) March series;
"Corsages, Flower Girls, Ringbearers & Boutonierres"