What a SCAM!!!!

[diggitydot]

I didn't even consider having flowers until my mom reminded me that brides usually carry some.

I second the wholesale idea. Flowers were really important to me. We bought all of our flowers wholesale and my great aunt, who's a florist, did all of the arrangements for free. We had flowers *everywhere*! Seven years later and one of the things I remember most about my wedding was the fragrance of the sanctuary full of flowers. Buy wholesale and find someone in your life who would enjoy the arranging part. Good luck!

[oceanchild]

No - not nyc (I can't even imagine), but an almost equally expensive east coast city (mistake #1).

Truly, sometimes there are advantages to your hometown being one of the world capitals of cheap, tacky weddings. I'm convinced that's the main reason we could afford ours!

[TigerLily]

We got our wedding flowers from Sam's Club and they were amazing. We got roses and calla lillies, and had PLENTY.. I mean..probably too many. We had enough for center pieces, bridesmaids and my bouquet, and still had more to scatter down the isle etc... All for less than $300. Some friends and MIL put together the bouqets. Amazing. And they delivered them. Highly recommend

[JDAZ11]

I didn't even consider having flowers until my mom reminded me that brides usually carry some.

this is totally the way to approach wedding planning!!

[JDAZ11]

We got our wedding flowers from Sam's Club and they were amazing. We got roses and calla lillies, and had PLENTY.. I mean..probably too many. We had enough for center pieces, bridesmaids and my bouquet, and still had more to scatter down the isle etc... All for less than $300. Some friends and MIL put together the bouqets. Amazing. And they delivered them. Highly recommend

I actually noticed the other day that costco sold wholesale flowers too. I should definitely look into it. I'm just not sure who I would ask to arrange them - but I am certainly going to start thinking! Some of my mom's friends could probably do very nice job.

[JDAZ11]

I can't even remember all these things about my wedding. I do remember that my sister ordered flowers wholesale on the internet and had them shipped. It was super easy!

this is exactly why this can't be a splurge item for me... I know no one else will care, but if I can't even remember then there is no way it is worth it.

I love hearing all your stories though! Seems like most of you went the wholesale route - for reasons now very obvious to me!

[JDAZ11]

Truly, sometimes there are advantages to your hometown being one of the world capitals of cheap, tacky weddings. I'm convinced that's the main reason we could afford ours!

Agree 100%. I tried really hard to explain this to my mom!! Even if we had done it here I am sure we would have been much better off (and it would have been so much easier for me!).

[JDAZ11]

I second the wholesale idea. Flowers were really important to me. We bought all of our flowers wholesale and my great aunt, who's a florist, did all of the arrangements for free. We had flowers *everywhere*! Seven years later and one of the things I remember most about my wedding was the fragrance of the sanctuary full of flowers. Buy wholesale and find someone in your life who would enjoy the arranging part. Good luck!

I so wish I had a great aunt (or anyone close to me) that was a florist!! I totally do remember the few weddings that have had flowers *everywhere*! But definetly can't stomach making it my huge splurge (I've already had a few of those anyway ). Not this huge anyhow.

[SoonerTexan]

I took a $40 flower arranging class designed for weddings and ordered $300 worth of roses hydrangeA and carnations from farmstogo.com

They were awesome. My sister and I made 10 corsages 8 bouquets 10 bouts and 15 centerpieces in one afternoon. Wasn't bad at all and the end result was awesome. We used vases filled with lemons too. Wish I could easily dig up pics.

The class was invaluable though

[diggitydot]

Do whatever works for you. The entire wedding industry is one giant scam, but spend your dough where it matters to you and your dude.

[medpedspouse]

Wedding industry = scam! I think the people at the bridal dress salons are cut throat stereotypical used car salesmen disguised as "sweet ladies". I agree. Pick what is important to you and splurge on that. The rest, go cheap....and if you can, just say that you are having a family gathering. I swear that once you say wedding, they tack on another 25%.

I so wish I had a great aunt (or anyone close to me) that was a florist!! I totally do remember the few weddings that have had flowers *everywhere*! But definetly can't stomach making it my huge splurge (I've already had a few of those anyway ). Not this huge anyhow.

Ah, I see. We went super cheap on other things, so I can see if we would have splurged on other things, the flowers wouldn't be at the top of the list. I"m sure your wedding will be amazing, even if you don't have flowers all over the place. Do what works for you. The bride is always the center of attention anyway. I"m sure not many people notice the flowers.

[Vishenka69]

We got married in NJ (NYC suburb), as did most of our friends and family, so I'm very familiar with the vendors in the area. Let me know if I can be of any help. All the numbers you hear are negotiable and an east coast wedding on a budget is definitely doable.

[Thirteen]

My mom did ours (everything! Even table centerpieces) way in advance, with fake flowers. They photographed beautifully, and I didn't have to pay anything.
I know several people who have done this and even hired out the arranging work - still so much cheaper!
Just a thought...