Do Not Attempt This Yourself!

Me preparing the day before for a big wedding all the table centerpieces using chicken wire environmentally friendly floral artistry.

You know those stunt programs or commercials where they put some sort of disclaimer on the screen? I remember watching a couple guys do an experiment of putting certain things that shouldn’t go in a microwave, in a microwave. And then the sentence “Viewers should not attempt this at home.” 

I want to have the same disclaimer for wedding flowers and the DIYers that want to save money by doing your wedding flowers yourself. Before even considering this, the schedule you as the bride will be keeping does not allow for you to do your own flowers.

For example, getting ready? If you want fresh flowers, when are you getting your bouquet done, the attendants’ bouquets, boutonnieres, table decor and that fantasy about arch you dreamed about when you also need to get your hair and makeup done, maybe write your vows AND dress!

When do you go and pick up these flowers? When will you clean the stems, put them in water and arrange them BEFORE even beginning to design. What about tools? Buckets? Structures? Will you be spending for these tools anyway? Not saving much then. And this doesn’t take into the account the hours of Youtube videos you may have watched.

Saving money on your flowers is not where the money saving should come from. Instead consider doing your own hair and makeup! Radical? You’ve been doing your hair and makeup I’m sure up to this day by yourself. How about skipping party favors? Limiting the bar bill? Cutting down on the canapes for cocktail hour? There are many areas that money can be saved for a wedding but your flowers should NOT be the money saver.

All in all, even if you can do it yourself, flowers might be less expensive, but not as fresh and beautiful as they should be. The reason is that wedding floral arrangements can’t be prepared too far in advance otherwise your flowers will be wilted on your wedding day.

Even if money isn’t the main concern, customized flowers you pick and arrange are still not beneficial as there are florists who are there to create FOR you and design flowers that you and she have discussed in advance based on availability, season and colors, etc. Leave it to an expert in this area.

There is an endless list of so much to think about, flower arranging should be the last thing on your mind just a few days before the special day. In other words, brides should not attempt this alone at home.