The floral design process is complex, and most of your investment is in the overall professionalism and capability of your design team. It takes experience, artistry, resourcefulness, inventory, and bandwidth to pull off weddings that get ALL the likes.
There’s a famous story about a woman who approached Picasso at a café and asked him to draw something on a napkin and just name the price! According to legend, Picasso complied and asserted “$10,000.” The woman was shocked: “But you did that in thirty seconds!” she said (no doubt clutching her pearls). “No,” replied Picasso, “It has taken me forty years to do that.”
You may not be working with the likes of Picasso for your florals, but you compensate vendors in a similar way. It has taken a lot of time, energy, and investment for them to hone the skills that they have. You aren’t simply spending money on gorgeous flowers—you are investing in a team who can take a vision of beauty and turn it into a flawless, fully realized event. And that has value! Like, lots of it!
When it comes to maximizing a budget, it can be helpful to concentrate on one special, iconic moment. For example, rather than ordering centerpieces for each table, opt for a large, suspended installation over the reception space instead. Your statement piece could also be an outstanding arbor, a floral aisle treatment, a lavish fireplace installation, or a breathtaking head table. Whatever you choose, find something that has significance to you and your partner. Always go for emotion and impact over quantity.
Opting for lush, green arrangements with fewer blooms will also help keep the budget under control. And right now, greenery is having a major moment – so going this way isn’t only cost-conscious, it’s trendy, too!
If budget is becoming an issue, give yourself permission to skip items (gasp!) that require detailed handiwork: boutonnières, corsages, flower crowns, etc. Sometimes the expense dedicated to these pieces could equal the amount you would invest in a gorgeous statement arch.