When you go into your florists office to tell her (or him) what you want your wedding flowers to look like, it is important to be prepared. Showing your florist a picture off Pinterest will only do so much. Likely, you’ll get the quote for those “Pinterest Arrangements” and pass out! So few people can actually afford exactly what is in those photos, you are not alone! If your decor budget allows for a variation on the elaborate floral sculptures you were hoping for, it will be SO important to know what kinds of flowers will create the mood you are looking for, so you can still keep the same feeling you had when you saw that arrangement done on Pinterest which is pretty much run over by people that have “1-Million Dollars” to spend on their decor alone!

So when FTD flowers asked me if they could create a blog post for my readers, I said um, OF COURSE!!!

Whether your favorite flower is the romantic rose, the lush peony, or even the exotic protea, there are many creative combinations that you can create using both popular classics and exotic rare blooms for your wedding centerpieces. Since flowers are such an essential part of any wedding, it’s important to know which flower types and colors complement each other well.

That’s why FTD created these 7 wedding centerpiece ideas inspired by different color palettes to fit the theme of your wedding. Whether you like bold and bright colors, or if you are more of a chic and effortless bride, we’ve included mood boards that feature the different flowers included within each centerpiece. We’ve also provided a helpful list of the flowers so that you can recreate them! You’ll be sure to get inspired by these ideas and find a wedding centerpiece that will fit your style and include your favorite blooms!

Created by Foster’s Flower Shop, Captured by Tina Jay Photography

• Ranunculus – Ranunculus are popular for their bright blooms and delicate, layered petals. They do best in hardiness zones 8 to 10, and bloom in the summer. They’re great for adding texture to a bouquet or centerpiece, though they only last about a week as cut flowers.
• Tulips – Tulips are popular because of their unique shape and wide variety of colors, from bright reds and yellows to nearly black purples. They bloom from spring into early summer. Red tulips are great for weddings because they symbolize true love.
• Clematis – The Jackman clematis is the most popular type in North America. The flowers grow on a vine and bloom in mid to late summer. These purple blossoms do best in hardiness zones 4 to 8, and can grow in full sun to partial shade.
• Hydrangeas – Hydrangeas are great statement flowers because of their voluminous, round clusters of blooms. They bloom from summer into fall in shades of white, pink, purple, and blue. For some species, the color is determined by the pH of the soil.
• Garden roses – There are two types of garden roses — Modern Garden Roses and Old Garden Roses. Modern Garden Roses are the most common. They bloom continuously and have a long vase life, making them good for centerpieces.
• Ginestra – Ginestra are great accent flowers, because of their many tiny buds attached to a long stem. They are known for their strong, sweet fragrance and typically come in shades of pink, purple, yellow, and white.
• Anemone – There are many species of anemone, which are also known as windflowers. The fall blooming varieties are taller with cup-shaped blossoms, while the spring blooming varieties grow lower to the ground. They grow in a variety of colors including pink, red, purple, and white.

Created by LVL Events and Florals by Jenny, Captured by The Big Affair

• English Roses – English roses, also known as David Austin roses, are famous for their pleasant fragrance, repeat flowering capability, and wide range of colors. Their flowers have a cupped shape and many petals. They grow best in hardiness zones 5 through 10.
• Succulents – Succulents are available year-round, but are an especially good addition to warm weather weddings because they can stand heat well and won’t wilt. Their soft greens, blues, and greys are great accents to light-colored centerpieces like the one above.
• Dahlias – Dahlias can be used to add texture to a bouquet because of their many small, rounded petals. These flowers bloom in mid-summer, and will continue to bloom into the fall until the weather gets cold.
• Lisianthus – Lisianthus flowers are great for centerpieces because of their long lifespan as cut flowers — many can last in a vase for two to three weeks. Their loose, ruffled petals are a welcome contrast to more structured flowers like dahlias.
• Dusty Miller – Dusty miller can grow year-round in hardiness zones 7-10. It produces yellow flowers during the summer, though people are often most interested in its lacey, silvery foliage, which is commonly used in bouquets and centerpieces.
• Passion Fruit Vine – The passion fruit vine is a unique addition to the centerpiece above. It grows best in subtropical environments, and produces aromatic purple or yellow fruits. The vines grow quickly and should be guided along a fence or trestle.
• Eucalyptus – Eucalyptus’ long stems and many leaves are a great way to add depth to your centerpiece. The trees grow quickly, and are hardy and adaptive. Most species are evergreen, making them a good filler for bouquets and centerpieces year-round.

Created by Couture Events and Stephanie Grace, Captured by One Love Photography

• Snow on the Mountain – Snow on the mountain is known for its showy leaves, which have white accents. The leaves are often used as fillers in centerpieces because of their unique appearance. This plant grows best in hardiness zones 3 through 9.
• Curly Willow – Curly willow, or corkscrew willow, is known for its curling branches, which are available year-round. These trees grow best in hardiness zones 4 through 8, and produce beautiful buds in the spring.
• Hydrangea – If you are looking for a classic romantic look, hydrangea is always the way to go. A huge perk of using hydrangeas in your arrangement is that they fill space and allow for the arrangement to appear full and fresh without having to use a lot of stems of flowers.

Created by Arrangements floral, captured by Katie McGihon

• Protea – Protea, also known as sugarbushes, are tropical flowers that are native to South Africa. There are over 2000 species of these flowers, which are known for their large, dome-like center with surrounding spiky, colorful petals.
• Kangaroo Paw – The fine hairs that surround kangaroo paw flowers give them their pollen-like appearance. These flowers are native to Africa, and they grow in a variety of colors including black, red, yellow, and orange.
• Air Plants – Air plants are great for warm weather weddings because they can withstand heat and do not need to be kept in water. Because of this they can easily be placed around the centerpieces or be incorporated into table settings as well.

• Peonies – Peonies are known for their lush, pink petals. Like in the centerpiece above, they’re often used when they’re only partially open to make a statement without overwhelming the arrangement. Peonies bloom from spring into early summer.
• Hybrid Tea Roses – Hybrid tea roses are one of the most popular cut flowers because of their long, upright stems and sweet fragrance. They bloom in a wide variety of colors including pink, purple, red, yellow, and white.
• Tuberoses – Tuberose is known for its strong, delightful fragrance. Many small clusters of flowers grow along one stem, making this a great accent flower. Tuberose blooms in summer, and is commonly found in shades of white, pink, and yellow.

Created by Two Birds Events, Captured by Kenzie Packrall Photography

• Calla Lily – Calla lilies are best known for their white blooms, though they also grow in shades of purple, pink, and yellow. They’re great for centerpieces because of versatility, as they can be dyed to fit your color scheme.
• Stock Flower – Stock flowers are popular for wedding arrangements because they symbolize a happy life. They’re known for their strong, clove-like scent and clusters of small, delicate flowers. Stock flowers bloom from late spring into summer.
• Orchids – There are over twenty thousand types of orchids, the most popular are phalaenopsis, dendrobium, and cymbidium. Because these flowers are so elegant, and there are so many different types, they are very popular for bouquets and centerpieces.
• Magnolia leaves – Magnolia trees and shrubs can be deciduous or evergreen. Evergreen varieties allow the bold, green, waxy leaves to be available year-round. They’re commonly used as filler in centerpieces and bouquets.

Created by Marie Floral Stylist and Captured by Wanderlust Creatives

• Carnations – Carnations are great flowers for centerpieces because of their long life as cut flowers, usually two to three weeks, and their vast color assortment. Red and pink carnations symbolize love and admiration, making them fitting for a wedding.
• Spray Roses – Spray roses usually have smaller blooms than typical roses, making them a good accent flower for centerpieces. Because they grow from small stems attached to one large stem, they’re often used for boutonnieres and corsages as well.
• Kale Flower – Ornamental kale plants, which are not edible, are grown for the vivid color of their ruffled leaves. For optimal color, they must be grown in cool weather and kept well watered. They grow best in spring or fall in hardiness zones 2-11.
• Statice – Statice are used on both fresh and dried floral arrangements. They begin blooming in summer, and bloom into fall. Statice are relatively easy to grow because they are hardy plants that are drought tolerant and deer resistant.
• Veronicas – Veronicas are known for their narrow, spiky shape. They have a long bloom time — six to eight weeks — and bloom throughout the summer. They’re also known as speedwell, and known for their vivid blues and purples.
• Green Trick Dianthus – Green trick dianthus is a unique flower that has a fuzzy, globe-like appearance. It was bred in Japan, and is relatively new to the cut flower market, but works well in bouquets and centerpieces because of its long vase life.
• Cascading Amaranthus – Amaranthus is known for its elegant appearance and vibrant color, which remains even when the plant is dried. It does best in warm weather and is drought tolerant.

Thank you Caroline from FTD flowers for sending me all this great information and fun photos to use!

Happy Planning!    -Juliette 🙂

Tipping wedding vendors can be a tricky subject, and one I get asked about regularly. There is a lot of mixed information on the main wedding blogs. theknot.com, weddingwire.com, loverly.com, all of them have articles on the subject, but nearly all of them contradict each other. And that’s what is confusing! Actually tipping your vendors does not have to be that complicated! So here’s an honest, straight forward approach from someone who has seen all sides of the issue! 

My general rule with the “who do I tip?” question is -Anyone who has provided you a service. The service based industry differs greatly from retail. So if you are simply purchasing a product from someone, that product is priced accordingly. However, services require a variable level of effort, commitment, and skill (especially with weddings) that are not always accounted for in the up front pricing. So if you feel that your service provider did an above and beyond job with your event (including the hours they put in before the actual wedding date), you should make sure that they know that you appreciate their extra effort to make your day awesome!

Here’s a list of vendors with an estimated amount that should be given. (Just like going out to dinner, if you think their service sucked, then tip them less. If you felt like (metaphorically speaking) your glass was always full and your table was constantly cleaned appropriately, then tip them more!)

All about the BAR

How much Alcohol should I buy for my Wedding???

A fellow wedding planner from Massachusetts, Tanya Costigan Events, came up with the following formula! With her permission, I’m sharing it with all of you wonderful Brides/Grooms-to-be.

How much of each type of Beverage?

To this I say, you know your guests best. If you’re family primarily sticks to wine, stock up on that. If you live in San Diego, our Craft Brew scene has exploded, and if you are part of the following- make sure to have more than your typical amount of Stone and Ballast Point on hand for you and your buddies to share!

Typically though:

If it is a full bar (beer, wine, and hard liquor): 50% should be wine servings, 20% should be beer servings, and 30% should be hard liquor

If it is only Beer and Wine: 60% should be wine servings, 40% should be beer servings

You know your guests best though! So if their mostly beer drinkers at parties, adjust accordingly!

If you are having “signature drinks” in addition to the above: estimate that each guest will have just one. Very rarely to people go back to order a second sig. cocktail. And not everyone will be as adventurous to try even one. But don’t stock up on the fixings, because unless it is pre-mixed, it will just turn into shots later in the evening.

At the end of the day, people will drink whatever is behind the bar because it’s free (to them at least)! In my personal opinion, having been to SO many weddings, Beer and Wine bars get everybody happy and almost nobody sloshy! It is a very easy way to keep your guests tamed and have the elegance of your wedding last until the very end of the night! Full bars are, of course, FUN! But there is always at least one person who is a little too ambitious with the amount they consume and they become a burden on the other guests/vendors.

Free Printable!!!!!

For a fun way to help your guests remember to finish their drinks from earlier, and help conserve some of your rented glassware, use these handy little cards!

I print these on colored card stock to match the color scheme of the wedding, usually 4 per 8.5×11 page, then cut. Cut 1 per guest, and place one at each place setting under one of the glasses or at the bar in a stack by the napkins!

Happy Planning!!!

Find this helpful??? Please leave a comment so I know that what I do isn’t unnoticed 😉

Simply Elegant Weddings – San Diego

Why would someone want to hire a wedding planner, when they already know what they want and how it should look on Pinterest?

There is so much more to planning an event than just picking out the right color swatches and DIYing all your own decor. There are vendors to hire, money to organize, etiquette to follow (or not follow), and more opinions from your friends/family than you ever thought possible. So here are just some of the things that we will help you with! 

Get you Started:

Beginning to plan a wedding is like trying to clean up a disaster zone. You can stare at the pile for hours before you even know where to start. That’s why looking to someone who has done it before can be so helpful! When you look to an experienced wedding planner, you gain the benefit of our knowledge and past experiences. A good Planner can tell you what you need to know when interviewing other vendors. We can even go with you on those meetings to help screen out the good, from the just okay. An educated planner can look over your contracts with other vendors to make sure you are not paying for things you do not need or fees that were not agreed upon. Most planners have a preferred list of vendors that they have worked with in the past. We know that those vendors are worthy of your money! Planners have also worked with vendors that are not so good (unfortunately)! We remember what happened in the past, the mishaps that they (the planner) had to make right. We can warn you to stay away from these troubled vendors, something that Yelp reviews may not always be able to do.

Save Time:

Time is money, and when there is a deadline, it is a stressor! There is no need to spend 24/7 researching how to’s or stressing over what flowers would make your bouquet pop against your white dress! A planner can do that for you. Save your beauty sleep, and schedule a meeting with your planner. We will research anything that you have a question about! Then we will present you with a few options based on your vision and all you have to do is say “I want this one.”

Rescue your Relationships:

When you are engaged there can be a lot of family input, from both sides. Being a patient and kind bride will help to start your relationship with your in laws on the right foot. It is important not to step on anyone’s toes and not hurt any feelings. Part of a planners job is to act as a buffer, between the couple and their relatives. A planner can help smooth over any differences that you may have with your immediate or your future family. Also, We can help to prevent a case of “Crazy Bride Syndrome” from occurring a week before the big day. Our goal is to keep you as calm and as relaxed as possible, because the last thing anyone wants to deal with is a case of “The Freaked Out Groom”! Grooms: yes, your bride has a lot of things to deal with at the moment. no, they are not going to stay this way once you are married! Weddings do have a tendency to cause temporary insanity. Spare yourself and let the planner be the one to go through it.

Save you Money:

Although it seems counter productive to spend money on someone who can save you money, it really isn’t, I promise. Wedding Planners are expert bargain hunters. Even working with the most outrageous of budgets, a wedding planner is still faced with the obstacle that our clients don’t want to spend more than they have to. It is our job to find the best price possible. San Diego is consistently ranked one of the most expensive cities in the country to host a wedding. In 2014, the average budget in San Diego was $32,941! That’s a lot of pressure for a bride on a tight budget. Wedding Planners have the knowledge of the city and we can give you pointers on where to shop for the best prices! Working with a planner can help you find reputable vendors in the price point that you are looking to spend. Vendors on a planners preferred list will often either give a discount to the couple or will give the planner a kick back for setting them up with the job. **At Simply Elegant Weddings, we ALWAYS pass this on to the client in the form of a discount from the vendor, or a discount on our services to make up the difference! And we never choose vendors just for this reason, they have to be good at their job for us to want to work with them!

Be Happy on your Wedding Day!

Make your day about You:

Wedding Planners are trained to notice (and fix) the details. You want your guests to be focused on you and your partner, not on the boxes behind you that someone forgot to move out of sight. But if you are getting dressed and having your hair and makeup done, who is going to look after these last minute details. This is the job of the Day-of Wedding Coordinator. We are there to make sure that every wrinkle gets unwrinkled, that every stray thread gets plucked, that every piece of glass is fingerprint free! Day of Coordinating is the most affordable form of wedding planning, and in my opinion is the most important. You can not be everywhere on the day of your wedding, it’s impossible. You will be getting hair and makeup done at the same time that vendors will be arriving to the venue to set up. You need to be focused on what is important, the major fact that you are getting married to the love of your life in a few short hours! It is a Wedding Planners job to make sure that the vendors arrive on time and that everything looks the way that you envisioned it would.

Many major wedding venues (like hotels and catering halls) come with the service of an ‘Events Manager’ or ‘Venue Coordinator’. These guys are great, but they are not your personal wedding coordinator. The role of an events manager or venue coordinator is to take care of what the venue is in charge of (tables, chairs, linens, place settings) and to make sure that your event stays within the rules of the venue. Often times, that is where the service stops. They do not coordinate activities during the event and they do not set up (or clean up) any personal decor that you have to incorporate in your wedding or reception.

Fix what needs Fixin’:

JLo had an utility belt. I have a Mary Poppins bag full of last minute emergency fixes. I am sure that I haven’t seen it All, but I have seen a lot! Everything from blood on the wedding dress to broken boutonnieres, suit coat buttons that are missing to wipes for your face after a good cake smash. I’ve got you and your guests covered, all day long. Think of me as hands-on insurance! But we don’t just fix things on the wedding day, If you have a tiff with your future mother in law and you need to be reassured at 2am that going through with the wedding is the right thing to do, I’ll answer your call! If your DJ makes you angry by playing a song that you hate, I’ll take care of that too! My job is to make sure that you enjoy getting married and that you celebrate it with no stress attached!

Wedding Planners are a necessity for weddings. Maybe I am biased, but I really do think that hiring someone to take care of plans and logistics is essential to being able to relax and enjoy your special day. I think that the idea of hiring a planner or even a Day of Coordinator has become associated with being a Luxury expense when it comes to your wedding budget. However, when you factor in what a planner can save you, through connections with other vendors and shopping for the best deals, it can pretty much even out the price of their services. Plus, you get all of the other perks of having a planner, an extra set of hands, and the knowledge from their previous experiences.

So are you are still on the fence about whether to brave the process yourself or hire a planner? If so, I encourage you to schedule a FREE start up consultation! This is not a commitment ceremony, it’s Just a meeting. There is no charge, and it will help get you organized and focused! We will go over the different services that we can offer you and different ways that we can help that will fit into your specific budget. It’s not just a sales pitch though! We will also give you checklists and worksheets that will help you throughout your planning process, whether you decide to hire us or not!

Happy Planning!

-Juliette

Wedding Planning can get overwhelming! There is no way around that truth. But it can be less stressful when you know a little bit about what you’re doing! With many of you just starting your wedding planning journey, I thought it would be helpful to share some ideas that I’ve learned to make your wedding planning and wedding day easier! So today, and next week, I am sharing some of the best advise and “wedding hacks” that I’ve learned over the years, so that you can be happy and mentally sane on the biggest day of your life!

Follow us on Instagram for daily helpful tricks, and extra special (not so secret) ideas that won’t be shared here on the blog!

Don’t forget to Follow us on Instagram!

With many of you just starting your wedding planning journey, I thought it would be helpful to share some ideas that I’ve learned to make your wedding planning and wedding day easier! So over the next week or so, I’ll be sharing some of the best advise and “wedding hacks” that I know, so that you can be happy and mentally sane on the biggest day of your life!

Follow us on Instagram for daily helpful tricks, and special (not so secret) ideas that won’t be shared here on the blog!

Happy Planning!

-Juliette

DIY weddings have been common lately, and I absolutely love the control it gives a bride and groom over their own celebration. Many choose DIY in order to add a more personal touch to their event. Others choose to do a DIY wedding in order to cut costs.

However, after a trip or two to Michael’s, DIY can seem like you’re spending more than you’re saving! Here’s a list of a few ways to make sure that your DIY wedding stays within your budget and makes your big day extra personal.

1. Use a Wedding Resale site

Why buy new materials when you can get gently used supplies at a fraction of the cost? Wedding resale sites are places where newly married brides sell their wedding decorations, dresses, and more to people who are planning their weddings now. You can find anything from 100 mason jar glasses to 100 yards of pink ribbon at discounted prices!

There are several national sites where brides can shop for these items. However, there are also many local sites that allow brides to score great wedding necessities and save on shipping costs! In addition, make sure to check Facebook and other social media sites for pages that are dedicated to wedding resale. Check out this Facebook page for San Diego weddings!

2. Use Video to Create the Perfect Photograph

Want to save money on a photographer, but don’t want your friends and family on their phones during the entire ceremony? Try setting up a video camera (or two!) during the ceremony and recording your wedding. This way, you will have your own wedding video. From that, you can take stills from the video to create stunning photographs. For the group shots after the wedding, have a friend or a planner set-up and take the shots. This way, you don’t need to spend any additional money on a photographer and you will have your photos and video right away!

To avoid disaster on your day, make sure to test this technique before your wedding. There are many online tutorials that show you how to take stills from a video camera. Make sure to read these through and do a test run of the ceremony to make sure that the lighting and focus settings will yield the best possible photographs!

3. Send Invites on Social Media

This may seem like a cheap and cheesy idea, but hear me out. Instead of spending money to have engagement photos taken and then paying to have an invitation designed, printed, and mailed, use social media to your advantage! Take your engagement photos and make a flipagram set to your favorite song, or film a more personal invitation from the bride and the groom.

Once you have your video, flipagram, or photo designed, send it to your friends and family using email, Facebook, or any other electronic medium you’d like! This is a nice way to add a personal touch to invitations while saving money on printing and mailing. You could do the same thing for thank you’s, and personally thank each person in a short video from the newly married couple! This site has lots of options for evites, including animated messages that look like you are opening a real card. Additionally, they make paper invitations as well, so if you wanted to send a real invitation to the traditionalists in your family, you can!

4. Make Your Own Favors

Wedding favors are little gifts given to guests to thank them for celebrating your special day with you. While these are a nice thought, the cost of giving even a small gift to each and every guest can add up very quickly. One way to cut these costs is to make your own wedding favors!

Edible favors are always a hit, and are more likely to be used rather than thrown away or forgotten. You could make your own tiny treats for guests, like cupcakes, brownies, or cookies. Or you could try something more non-traditional like these spice jars from The Knot.

Other ideas that could save you money on favors include setting up a candy bar where guests could make themselves a goodie bag, or boxing up the remainders of the wedding cake for a late night treat for guests! If you’re interested in having us provide a candy bar for you and your guests, check out this page! Any of these ideas are sure to make sure your friends and family feel appreciated while not blowing the budget.

5. Cut Back on Greenery to Save Some Green

A wedding budget breakdown usually devotes between 5-15% of the wedding budget to flowers and centerpieces. That’s a huge chunk of change! By making a few adjustments to your floral plan, you can save that money for other splurges, like your honeymoon! The most important thing to do when deciding how to save money on flowers is to talk to your florist. They know how to cut the costs of wedding arrangements, and may have some out-of-the-box ideas to help you save money! In the meantime, think about these tips to save a bunch on your blossoms:

Ask your florist to reuse flowers from the ceremony for your reception as well. This will require some extra labor in between the two spaces, so be sure to factor that in when talking to your florist and your planner. However, reusing the flowers means reducing the number of flowers you need. How resourceful!

Try using items other than flowers! Some brides have been carrying bouquets of brooches, which is a fun way to add a very personal touch to your arrangement. For centerpieces you could try using lanterns, wooden décor, candles, or anything else that catches your eye!

If you’d still like to have large, cascading arrangements, try reducing the number of flowers and using greenery and herbs instead. These stems cost a lot less than flowers do and can do wonders to fill out a smaller bunch. Try using only one or three flowers with a whole lot of greens for a statement arrangement that will really wow your guests!

Happy Planning!!!

-Juliette

I recently found this article from Huffington Post. It is great at explaining what to expect from a florist quote! Working with a professional florist who is experienced with weddings is SO important to helping your day run smoothly and look the way you are dreaming/planning it will! DIY is great for some things, but when it comes to flowers that have to be put together the day before at the earliest, leave it to a pro!

Below is the article that you can find originally at:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carly-cylinder/how-to-decode-a-wedding_b_3002434.html and was written by the incredibly talented Carly Cylinder, owner of Flour LA

“One of my best friends, who is getting married in San Diego this fall, recently emailed me a copy of her wedding flower invoice to make sure everything was copacetic. I get this a lot — not just from friends, but from friends of friends, from strangers, etc. People always think their florist is ripping them off, and want me to check. In most cases they’re not. Flowers are expensive! There’s the actual cost of the flowers, the time, the labor, the van and studio rentals… again, the time (yes, it takes along time to get that bouquet just right).

The invoice is a line-by-line breakdown of each item and cost. Florists may call it a proposal, bid, or an invoice. Once the couple looks it over and makes any changes, they will sign a contract with the florist. Some event designers who do flowers themselves may do an all inclusive cost — just make sure you get a breakdown of rental vases verus the vases you can keep.

In case you’re not friends with a florist I’m going to decode the proposal for you and give you the inside scoop.

Bouquet – The bride’s bouquet will always cost more. Why? Well, usually it’s bigger. It may have more expensive flowers than the bridesmaids’ bouquets. But sometimes, just sometimes, the bride wants a small bouquet, or one that’s the same size as the bridesmaids’. In that case, it really should be the same price. The range should be from $100-$250.

Boutonnieres – We make up on other costs from these since generally they’re only one or two main flowers. But someone does have to sit there, tying the ribbon just so. The range should be from $10-$15 each.

Flower Girl Baskets – Want to save money? Buy your own baskets and leave them with the coordinator. Again, it takes time for the florist to purchase these, and each little thing adds up.

Ceremony – Arches can be very expensive. The sheer amount of flowers needed to fill them can be astounding. Opt for flowers in the corners of your venue, or a larger middle arrangement to cut back on costs. I’m one of the only florists I know who tells my clients to rent their arch/chuppah from a rental company. Why you ask? Because I don’t want to be bothered with the hassle of the setup. Been there, done that, and it’s not fun. These pros that rent them can put them up quickly and break them down. That way, the bride pays the rental company directly, not me. I will adorn the arch with fabric and flowers. This can range from $250 to thousands. Reuse the flowers after the ceremony by placing them around the reception if there are empty areas (e.g. extra space on the gift table or sign-in table).

Aisle flowers – Opt for every other row. Reuse them on the chairs during the reception.

Rose petals – Range from $60-$150 depending on how lush you want them. I usually use 50 roses (2 bunches) for an aisle.

Centerpieces – This is really subjective because of how custom this is. For smaller arrangements, the couple usually chooses to give the centerpieces away to guests. If they are large, and you’re not giving them away, ask your florist to bring the leftover flowers to a hospital. The volunteers will be very happy, I promise! While they can’t always put them in hospital rooms because of allergies and germs, they can display them in areas where the patients will see them! Centerpieces can range from $75-thousands.

Cake flowers – If you just want some blooms on your cake, ask your florist to throw in the leftover flowers. Same goes with hair flowers. Be a nice client, and they should happily agree!

Setup, Delivery, and Breakdown – Anywhere from $200-$300 is normal. Remember, the florist is setting up hours before the ceremony, and then will stay after the ceremony to breakdown the chuppah/arch, move things around, and clean up. That’s almost six hours right there! If you are keeping the flowers (and not using rentals), the florist won’t have to come back, so it should be a lower price.

People tend to want to negotiate with flowers, but like I say, you wouldn’t go into a restaurant saying you want a steak, but can only afford the hamburger. There are hard costs involved that can’t be negotiated. Be reasonable too. I know that planners say that 10 percent of the budget should go to flowers, but if you really love them, and they’re your main decor, then don’t hold that rule steadfast. If the florist can’t meet your budget, then instead of nickle and diming them, be willing to cut some items out. For sure you need centerpieces, but you don’t really need aisle flowers (in my opinion).”

Couldn’t have explained it better myself, so I didn’t!

Happy Planning!!!

-Juliette

February:

• Book your Venue
• Go to tastings to pick your Caterer

March

• Decide on your Caterer, have them provide the bar service too!
• interview and book your Photographer and DJ
• Order your rentals

April

• Pick your cake
• Meet with Florist and design your decor
• Order your invitations

May

• send out invites
• Finish your DIY projects
• tie up loose ends

Looking for a one stop shop when it comes to your whole wedding? Look into our friends at Ranch Events or Best Event Packages!

First, I would like to thank Reviews.com for their incredible research. A lot of the following information is taken straight from their article found here: http://www.reviews.com/wedding-insurance/ 

So what is Wedding Insurance? and What does it cover?

You are spending thousands of dollars on your dream wedding! There are few cases where this is not a true statement. You’ve chosen a venue that matches your personalities perfectly. You’ve chosen, what you hope to be, reputable vendors that will make your day flow smoothly. You’ve even hired yours truly as your day of coordinator, so you know everything will go as planned! (wink, wink!!!)

I’m going to let you in on a little secret, there will always be something to fix when it comes to a wedding! And those horror stories that you hear, don’t always happen to people who didn’t plan as well as you have. And they aren’t always bad people that the universe decided to punish! Thing happen! Sometimes it’s minor, like the groom’s boutonniere breaking while he is getting pinned. Or the ring bearers feet grew two sizes the night before so his shoes don’t fit. These are minor, and can be fixed (or at least dealt with). But what if something major happens? Your beautiful forest venue is being threatened by a wild fire. Or the bus, that was supposed to shuttle your guests to the wedding, breaks down on the way to picking them up. What then?

If you have wedding insurance, having to find last minute replacements and new costs incurred because of that, ARE COVERED!

Also covered in most event insurance policies:

the costs incurred or lost because of sickness to essential members of the wedding
the deposits lost because of postponement/cancelation relating to military deployment or job relocation
weather conditions that prevent the wedding from happening as planned, and needing to reschedule
liability coverage covers any bodily injuries that occur during the event
liability coverage also covers any damage to the venue or property during the event

Where can you get it? and How do you know which policy to choose?

For this section, I am turning it over to the pros at review.com! They have gathered information from 19 different companies and rated them! Then they reviewed the top 6 companies and what they offer in their wedding insurance policies! Take a look for yourself: http://www.reviews.com/wedding-insurance/

This article details everything that each provider covers in their policies. So if you want to compare side by side what policy gives you the most bang for your buck, this is a great resource. Here are my top pics, after reviewing the reviews:

http://www.reviews.com/wedding-insurance/wedsafe/

http://www.reviews.com/wedding-insurance/wedsure/

Why should you get insurance for your wedding?

Well for starters, most event venues in Southern California mandate that you get coverage. And a big reason for that is what’s called “Host Liquor Liability” coverage. This will protect both you and the venue against any injury or accident related to intoxication.

Also, if you are spending so much money on something, you should be thinking of the best way to protect your investment! Most vendors require a large deposit, sometimes 50% up front. This is pretty standard in the wedding world. This means that a lot of money is going to be spent in the beginning of planning. If you have a year engagement (also standard), that is a year for something to go wrong. If you have coverage, and you loose a deposit due to factors beyond your control, you will want a safety next to get you that money back.

If all of the above doesn’t sway you… here are some more scenarios found on theknot.com:

• Janet and Dan spend months planning their winter wedding. But on wedding day, their reception site is made inaccessible by an ice storm. With the right wedding insurance policy, the couple can postpone their wedding and receive every penny they lost (less the deductible) — including money for the invites, cake, catering, attire, and non-refundable deposits for ceremony musicians, floral designer, and other vendors.
• The bride’s father is injured in a car accident just before the wedding and cannot travel. If the couple has to postpone their wedding, with wedding insurance they could be paid back their expenses to enable them to have the wedding when the father recovers.
• Right before the ceremony, Brittany’s gown catches a gust of wind. Unfortunately, the tulle dances right over to the end of Uncle Howard’s cigar and the dress instantly goes up in flames. Fortunately, the right insurance policy covers the replacement of the veil and gown.

Sorry for not many fancy pictures this time around, it’s all business! Happy Planning,

-Juliette