Guest Blog: Full Bloom Floral Design on the cost of wedding flowers

photo by Barb Cameron Photography

We LOVE flowers! They have such an impact on a wedding and the options of colours, varieties, and combinations are endless.  We could plan weddings until the end of our days (and we intend to) and never use same floral arrangement twice! Today on the blog, the extremely talented Erin of Full Bloom Floral Design shares some wise facts about planning your wedding's florals, including what to expect for cost. Erin gives some great advice on how to be realistic and what you are paying for when you hire a florist. Read on!

photo by Union Eleven

People often ask me how I got into Floral Design, and I say “it just happened; I fell in love.” I never was one of those people who knew what they wanted to be. I floated around, moving from one thing and place to the next. I slowly got into floral design years ago in Vancouver when I lived there and I began to see that I had finally found my passion, something I loved to do and that I was really good at. I then had the amazing opportunity to learn from an incredible floral artist, Hitomi Gilliam, who resides in Vancouver. I took many workshops and went to the Advance Floral Design School. The rest is history and I am thankful every day that I am able to do what I love and to share it with couples on one of the most important days in their lives.

photo by AMBPhoto

Choosing your wedding flowers should be one of the most exciting parts in planning your wedding. But before you meet with any florist, I wanted to share some inside information with you about how pricing works and what you need to know before booking your florist.

1. Consider Your Wedding Flower Budget

Not everyone knows how much flowers cost...actually most people that come to me don’t, which is okay. However, when you go to your initial consultation, it is really helpful for any florist if you have a “rough” budget of what you can spend in mind and share that with the florist. That way, we can tell you what you can get for that budget. Typically a good budget for wedding flowers would be anywhere from 8% - 11% of your entire wedding budget. Of course, this depends on how important flowers are to you and how you see them fitting into your overall vision. Any florist should be able to let you know what is possible with the budget you have given and they should be realistic about what you can and can't have. If you check out the information section of my website you will see a few helpful articles about centrepiece and bouquet pricing.

On average, my clients pay the following for their wedding flowers:

photo by Barb Cameron Photography

Bridal bouquet:

$165 to $200 (or more depending on flower types and size)

Bridesmaid bouquets:         

$95 to $150

Boutonnieres:

start at $17 (I use magnetic pieces for attaching to lapels)

Corsages:                              

$35 or more for pearl wrist bracelet with florals

Altar pieces at church:        

Start at $300 - $500 each

Pew markers:                        

Start at $25 each

Centrepieces:                                   

LOW centrepiece starts at $65 to $125 per table

TALL centrepiece starts at $125 to $200 per table

photo by AMBPhoto

The cost of centrepieces is tricky to average as it depends on if it is a modern minimalistic design, something garden-inspired with greenery or something with all flowers and no filler/greenery. Tall vases are usually larger and you need to create volume to keep the arrangement in proportion with the vase.

photo by Photolux Studio

I am always straight forward with my clients as to how I charge. It should be a standard recipe for any florist. The only thing that might fluctuate would be the labour charge. My pricing works like this:

Cost of Flowers + Supplies + 15% to 25% Labour = Total cost of arrangement*

*The cost of any vase rental is extra.

For example:

Here is a typical picture of a centrepiece that a bride will show me that she would love to have at her reception. Count the flowers on one side and then AT LEAST double them to account for the other side.  I can see at least 30 stems of  hydrangea (which means at least 60 stems of white hydrangea) and about 25 roses in total.

60 stems of white hydrangea x $6 per bloom (or more at times) = $360

25 stems of white roses x $3 per bloom = $75

Total cost for flowers = $435

Labour = $65 (this labour is for designing and processing flowers and prepping)

Supplies = $10 (for designer dish and foam)

Vase rental = $20

TOTAL cost for centrepiece = $530 per table

(Yes, some people pay this or more for centrepieces...but on average, they do not.)

 Again, the average centrepiece I do is about $150 - $200 which means the size is significantly smaller than that picture, but still a good size.

photo by MIV Photography

2. Establish a Vision

Start thinking about how you envision yourself to look on your wedding day and the overall look and feel of your wedding. Your venue and dress play a big part in this. For your flowers, do you see something full, lush and romantic, or something more on the rustic and organic side? Colours: do you see soft neutral tones or vibrant and bright? Is the style classic elegance or modern and minimalistic? Pinterest is a huge online tool and resource for many brides that come to me. Showing your florist inspirational pictures that best reflect what you see for your day is a big help.

photo by Photolux Studio

  
 

3. Find the Right Wedding Florist

Choosing the right florist is so important. You want to feel at ease and know that your wedding day vision will be executed perfectly. I get most of my business by referrals from venues and other wedding vendors that have seen my work over the years and that have worked closely with me.

I feel it is so important to look closely at the past work that your florist has done to see their style and what flower types they like to typically use. Some florists are very versatile and can design anything from modern to classic elegance. I think what most sets florists apart is the type of flowers used (there are a few I just won’t use in wedding work as I don’t feel they are appropriate) and the colour composition. Make sure that the photos that the florist is showing you is their own work and not something they found online.

And don't forget personality! You want to feel comfortable with all of your vendors and know they are happy to get your business and truly excited for your big day. Honestly speaking, there have been a time or two when I have felt that it wasn’t the right fit between myself and a couple. It doesn't happen often, but it has and the best solution was that they find another florist that could connect with them and create their vision.

photo by MIV Photography

We all know that weddings are expensive and trying to cut costs where you can is important. However, I believe in “You get what you pay for” and that if you choose your vendors solely based on price then you ultimately won’t be happy in the long run. Choose your vendors wisely!

Don't forget to check our Full Bloom's portfolio. We work with Erin regularly and cannot say enough about how talented she is. Not to mention, she's always game to let her creative juices flow and try something new.

Save the Date for Something White for Something Right 2014!

After much thought, we have made the difficult decision to postpone our beloved fundraiser, Something White for Something Right, until November 2014.

2013 has been an eventful year for Marry Me Productions, both personally and professionally. In order to make Something White for Something Right the best event it can be, this was the best decision for all involved.

We want to thank everyone for their continued support of the event and we are so grateful for the steady stream of excited emails asking us when the next event will be. We hope you will keep those wedding dresses ready in your closets and book your calendars for November 1, 2014!

2014 will bring bigger and better things for Something White for Something Right! We are excited to have you join us as we continue to raise money to find a cure for breast cancer and support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, a cause near and dear to our hearts. 

Keep tuned to the Something White for Something Right website for updates and follow Marry Me Productions on Facebook and Twitter for updates.

We will be offering early bird tickets for our 2014 event so if you want to be part of our mailing list when they become available, email Brianna at brianna@marrymeproductions.ca right away and we will keep you in the loop!

Thank you for all your support! And we will see you on November 1, 2014!

Xoxo

The Marry Me Productions team

ps: In anticipation of the 2014 event, please take a moment to relive our 2012 event and all the great memories we made! Photos courtesy of Miv Photography

Invite Etsy to your Wedding....

Photo by AMBPhoto

One of my oldest childhood friends; Jennifer got married with Marry Me Productions in the summer of 2012. I have seen many weddings in my years working with Marry Me as well as watching my own friends get married in the last 9 years. But Jennifer was still able to blow me away with the gorgeous decor that she sourced for her shabby-chic Mont Tremblant wedding. When I found out almost all of it was from Etsy and nabbed at reasonable prices, I knew I had to share more information with our Marry Me blog followers.

I thought it would be fun to interview Jennifer instead of just writing the blog like I normally do- ask her questions our readers would want to know about Etsy. Just to give you some background, Etsy is basically an online store filled with unique items that are handmade (or vintage) by people all over the world. Every seller has their own 'store front'. It's a great source to find unique items for your home, wardrobe, wedding or even a loved one's special event.

It is absolutely worth a look the next time you are enjoying a quiet cup of coffee in the morning- but be warned, you'll wonder where hours of your time went!

Karen: A lot of people have heard about ETSY or have even been on the website but what is it exactly?

Jennifer: ETSY is an incredible site that enables creative and crafty individuals from all over the world to sell their products, creations or fabulous finds on one easy-to use-website. I love this site as most vendors before would have been limited to creating their own online shops, or selling their products at local fairs…now they can be accessed by anyone with a computer.

Photo by AMBPhoto

K: How long have you been an ETSY fan? Was it something that your recent wedding just brought on or had you been a faithful buyer for years prior?

J: I honestly cannot remember how or who directed me to this site, but I am an avid lover of online shopping, thus I am sure someone mentioned it to me once wedding planning was in full swing. I was hooked from day one.

K: On average, how much would you say the average bride can save by buying some of her wedding items from ETSY sellers?



Photo by AMBPhoto

J: I definitely think there are savings to be had as you are purchasing directly from the vendor. In most cases these vendors work from home and thus overheads are minimal so that cost does not reflect in the price. I would hate to put a figure on it because that is quite difficult to identify. Many vendors will discount multiple orders which does come in handy when wedding shopping.  I personally think when purchasing from ETSY you have to think of the quality you are receiving. Most products are handmade and thus would be incredibly difficult to find in a large commercial store and I truly believe a similar item would be a significant amount higher and most certainly not as personal.

Photo by AMBPhoto

K: Were you pleased with the amount of time shipping took and interaction between yourself and the ETSY sellers if you had any questions?
 

Photo by AMBPhoto

J: I was so fortunate and worked with the most incredible vendors who were dedicated to making my day extra special. One of the greatest and most unique aspects of the ETSY website is that you are in direct contact with the vendors, thus if you see something you love but want it personalized to suit your taste, you can communicate this. In my experience the vendors will go out of there way to ensure that your needs are met. For example I had the pleasure of working with Candice Stanley who runs the ETSY store UniquelyDifferentToo. I was on the hunt for table numbers and came across her shop. I made two requests, one to change the block from Black to White and to have passages of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet pressed on each block to incorporate my husband's British background. She was more than happy to go out of her comfort zone and the final product was beautiful and special. My advice for anyone shopping on ETSY is always do a little background research. Each purchase made on ETSY can be reviewed by the buyers. I recommend always looking at the Feedback as it will give you an idea of the vendor themselves and their shop and their strengths and weaknesses. The vendor only ships to the US….not a problem for us Ottawa ladies and gents. Ogdensburg is only a 45 minute drive away and orders can be addressed to the UPS Store located across from the Walmart for $5.00 US a shipment.  Make sure to bring all your receipts as Canadian Customs will require this information and ensure that when giving address details to your ETSY Vendor that they include your name and also always request tracking information.

Photo by AMBPhoto

 K: What was your best deal or favourite item you snagged off ETSY? (wedding related)

J: I already mentioned Candice’s wood blocks, but a personal favourite of mine and I was absolutely blown away when I opened the box was my handmade Pinwheels by Kellee Nelson of Rule42. The purchase really left me speechless. I gave her an idea of the colour scheme and feel of the wedding Simon and I were trying to achieve but I let her work her own creative magic and was so happy I did because the final product was absolutely incredible and more than I could have ever imagined. I also adored the handmade Flower Girl tutus by Mirela Olariu from BambaroosBoutique that were just exquisite and looked so beautiful on.




K: You also resold a lot of your bridal items online after your wedding to try to recoup some of your costs. What website did you you use to do this and would it be complicated for a first time seller? 


Photo by AMBPhoto

J: That is a work in progress, but most brides I imagine are left with numerous items they will probably never use again or have no room for in there house. A great way to recoup some of your wedding costs is buy selling your items on EBAY or one of my personal favourites www.weddingbee.com . This website is all about weddings and is great for both brides to be looking to snag a deal or post bride looking to recover some costs. Both websites are extremely easy to navigate, but I will say it is time consuming and it is important to be honest and descriptive about the products you are selling. Great pictures are a must and definitely help with sales.

K: Could you share some of your top wedding websites you used to plan your stunning wedding 

J:         

www.etsy.com

www.weddingbee.com

www.notonthehighstreet.com - The British version of ETSY. Definitely worth checking out as many vendors will be happy to ship to Canada.

www.potterybarn.ca

www.lunabazaar.com - great votives

www.ebay.ca

 

http://linens.latavolalinen.com- gorgeous linens and so many choices

 

Don’t just limit yourself to using ETSY as a shopping tool; use it as a source of wedding inspiration. I loved the idea of having our table chart on Vintage Windows and there were many ETSY sellers, who sold this item, but they are expensive in general and shipping due to the weight and size is costly.  I reached out to family members and my wonderful Uncle Jay who is an extremely crafty individual himself. He set off to Habitat for Humanity and took two very dreary vintage window frames and used his magic to transform them into something beautiful. I really encourage people to reach out to family and friends or even tap into their own creative juices, you would be very surprised and pleased to see the results and it is so much more personal.

What to Where When: Guest Attire for Weddings

There are many stressful things that come with being a bridesmaid but one of the best things is knowing that your outfit is already decided for you months before the wedding day.
Being a wedding guest on the other hand, you are left to your own devices to find an outfit which raises various questions (what time of day is the wedding?, where is it?, is it outside or inside? What are my girlfriends wearing?), and causes the clothing pile at your feet to grow larger and larger as you frantically continue pulling dresses down.

The Marry Me team thought it would be nice to bring you a blog post about wedding attire for guests. Between all of us attending weddings as guests and working them as part of our job, (not to mention we love following fashion blogs), we have seen everything and are happy to be your personal stylist for the 2013 wedding season!

Firstly, some easy to remember rules when trying to figure out what to wear to any wedding:

1)      Never wear white to a wedding. This rule (although unwritten) is still in effect, at least according to the editor-in-chief of Martha Stewart Weddings

2)      Figure out what colour and style the bridesmaids are wearing and avoid that colour in the same style unless you want to look like the bridesmaid that didn’t ‘make the team’.

3)      ‘White Tie’ means the ultimate in formality (think Academy Awards). ‘Black Tie’ means full formal attire for guests (long dresses for women, tuxes for men). ‘Black Tie Optional’ generally alludes to a formal wedding so err on the side of caution and dress up. ‘Cocktail Attire’ means shorter dresses for the ladies and a suit and tie for the men. Suit jackets are usually worn for the ceremony and then taken off at the reception.

4)      Day weddings generally are less formal than evening weddings

5)      Your shoes do not need to match your purse

6)      For your accessories, it’s okay to mix metals (wear a silver necklace even if you are wearing a chunky gold watch)

7)      Don’t be THAT girl with the short skirt and the plunging neckline. It’s tacky to take away attention from the bride and you’ll be talked about for all the wrong reasons

 Now let’s look at some examples of when to wear what.

Spring

Stick to the softer colours like Easter: soft pink, baby blue, peach etc. Make sure the fabric isn’t too soft and light as the weather is not that hot yet (or in our city’s case right now- non-existent) and you’ll most likely freeze.

Floral prints are also still huge (hooray!) just make sure the floral print is still in the same family as the shades already mentioned (blue, pink, green, yellow, peach, lavender etc..)

Neon is really huge again this season so in this case a neon green dress is not recommended for a wedding but a neon yellow belt would look fantastic with a soft lavender dress.

Summer

It’s hard to look put-together when the mercury rises but we girls have it much easier than the boys who still have to wear suits in the 40 degree heat. In summer go for the chic look- not the ‘cute’ look. This can be achieved by dressing simple. Avoid the layers or anything poufy. The floral trend can continue through the summer if you want and ensure the fabric you choose is light and airy (think cotton or linen) especially if the ceremony and reception are outdoors. Since your dress is simple, go all out with your accessories- the chunkier the better.

Fall

We love the fall for many reasons, but when it comes to wedding attire, the fall has an ‘anything goes’ rule. You can still get away with some lighter dresses you wore in the summer but you can also start integrating some heavier, darker pieces too. The best types of dresses for the fall echo the colours outdoor: black, red, orange, gold, burgundy etc. As for the style, you can start incorporating some small embellishments like a sequined neckline or belt, lace, a peplum top.

Winter

Just like the Christmas season, winter weddings are fun and festive. Attire generally tends to be darker jewel tones like emerald, royal purple, ruby/magenta or sapphire. Just because it is cold outside, does not mean you have to dress in a long dress (you will never be outside except when running from your car to the venue). In fact, it’s more important to dress for the event- not for the season. So if the wedding is in the winter but it’s not ‘black tie’, then a jewel-toned cocktail dress is perfect. Unlike in the summer, because the dresses tend to be the’ jewel’ of the outfit on account of their vibrant colours, keep the accessories simple and classic like diamond drop earrings or a pearl necklace.

Beach Wedding

Always a difficult one to dress for. Guests generally think beach wedding means casual, not true! You still have to dress to reflect the importance of the day but still ensure you are comfortable with the excess wind, water and sand. A delicate sundress would be perfect (think chiffon) but keep it on the shorter side (not below the knees) to make your life easier. Because the location itself is usually very vibrant with flowers and plant life, avoid florals

 

Check out our Pinterest page specifically for guest attire to get more inspiration for your wedding looks this season.

Wedding hair -The "How to” of having a successful hair relationship

Today on the Marry Me Productions blog we have the lovely Lori of Showpony educating us on how to find the perfect hairstylist to achieve the look you want for your wedding day. We have had the pleasure of working with Lori on a number of weddings and we are always struck by how beautiful our brides and bridesmaids look when she is through. Read on for some great tips!

I love doing wedding hair. There is something so very wonderful about being a part of the day two people stand together and announce to the world “I choose you”. It’s a privilege and honor. I love love about as much as I love hair.  That being said, I need to acknowledge, there are very few things that can create anxiety for a bride quite like wedding hair - True story.
Here are a few simple words of advice, which may help… Love is in the hair after all.

photo by: Melanie Rebane Photography

1.       Have Faith and do your Homework

The wedding planning process has begun.  As the bride, you approach your regular stylist excitedly announcing your wedding date,  expecting an equally enthusiastic offer of involvement, only to find out that your stylist  does not do up dos and prefers to avoid wedding hair. It happens. Often. And when it does, it leaves a feeling of unease and panic – that relationship you’ve trusted and come to rely on has been temporarily interrupted. Now what?

Time to start “dating”. Firstly, ask your stylist if they can recommend another individual in their salon. A set-up, if you would.  The fact is not all stylists have the particular skills needed to create a detailed up do. If the salon employs a number of stylists though, odds are there is someone there who has the expertise. A recommendation from your stylist goes a long way – they know your hair, your routine and your tastes. Trust that they would know who might be a good match then, give it a whirl. Just don’t wait too long; a good stylist can often book up from 6 months to a year in advance for weddings.

photo by: Amanda Either (friend of the bride)

Secondly, if your stylist does not have a good recommendation, or if you don’t have a regular stylist, time to start doing a little research. Friends who have been married recently or have stood in a wedding party are great places to start. Ask them about their experiences, ask to see pictures, heck, ask for names! Go to the salons/individuals’ Facebook page or website and check ‘em out! This is the online dating of hair. Do the recon. Like what you see? Is there initial attraction to their work? Request an informal meeting or consultation and see if it’s a good fit.

Thirdly, if you are getting married out of your postal code, or you haven’t found suggestions from stylists or friends helpful, don’t give up! There is someone out there for you! Try a wedding forum or blog.  Brides are happy to offer their positive and negative feedback; they understand that this is a big decision. It’s your coiffe!

photo by AMB Photography

You can also try your other vendors: photographers, makeup artists, weddings planners. They will have worked with several hair stylists through the years and likely have a good sense of who they might recommend to work with the overall style and vision of your wedding.  Trust them. Ultimately, they all work together on your big day. If the bride looks good and is happy, they all benefit too.

At this point in the process, the most important thing you need to accomplish is finding a stylist you are comfortable with. You have to feel confident and at ease. Make sure whomever you choose compliments your personality and you feel as though it can be an open and communicative relationship.

This brings us to the next phase:

2.       The First date a.k.a. "The Trial"

So you’ve looked at their photos, searched their Facebook page, asked around, and chosen who you hope might become part of your wedding family on the big day. Time to meet.

You should schedule a trial at least two to four months in advance of your wedding. The hope is it will go smoothly, but if it doesn’t, it gives you time to have an additional trial and work out the kinks or perhaps find a replacement. Schedule your trial early in the day or when you have an event; this will actually help you determine how your hair holds up in real time.  Give your hairstylist feedback about the result: it was great for 3 hours, then the curl relaxed; half the bobby pins fell out; or it was phenomenal and you loved it. They need to know! Don’t be afraid!  This should be a partnership. 

Come Prepared.  Bring everything you think will help your stylist understand what look it is you hope to achieve.  Pictures are a good starting point – remember to consider your style from all angles. Bring a variety. These should serve as an inspiration, not an exact template. It can even be helpful to discuss things while looking at your Pinterest or inspiration board – getting a feel for the theme of the wedding will give your hair stylist an idea of how you want to feel on your day (elegant and sophisticated, soft and romantic, or playful and carefree). Lastly, don’t forget a picture of your dress and jewelry. Necklines can dramatically influence how a hairstyle will look, and your hairstyle should complement both you and your dress.

photo by: Troy St. Louis

Bring your hair accessories and your veil. If you truly want to get a sense of the overall look, it’s important to make sure that all components are available. Sometimes styles are literally built around an accessory. You don’t want a surprise on the wedding day and.3 neither does your stylist.
Have realistic expectations. If you have naturally curly hair and are getting married on a hot, humid day in July, perhaps a down and smooth style isn’t for you. If you have very fine hair, with a shorter style, it’s unlikely Kim Kardashian should be your model.  Consider your location: will you be outside, will it potentially be windy? Hair stylists can be amazing creatures with transformative skills…but even we have our limitations. Know your hair type, and if you don’t, ask your stylist. There are many things that can be done to achieve the unachievable (hair pieces, extensions to add length and fullness, add-ins, and product). Be open, but be realistic.  Your stylist is there to help guide you – a good stylist will discuss a number of options and help to resolve any concerns you may have had in the past, then ultimately suggest something that will work with your texture and type of hair, in keeping with your vision for your wedding.

Experiment. Try a few things. Hairstylists are equal parts engineer and artist. It’s good to see modifications on your style to help refine exactly how your wedding day hair will look. Try a side bun, then try it centered; sweep bangs, then pull them off your face. You may be surprised to see you like something that you didn’t think you would. And take photos!! All angles! Show friends and get them to weigh in. Photos can also be useful reminders when you have a boatload of wedding planning going on; it will keep your hairstyle fresh in your mind and serve as a reference on your wedding day. If you decide to wear your hair down, it’s a good idea to have a ‘second style’ as a back-up. Sometimes weather can play a big factor on your day; it’s good to have a second option just in case that torrential downpour may cause frizz.

photo by: Melanie Rebane Photography

Discuss strategy. If you want shiny, healthy, bouncing and behaving hair, it takes a little effort. A color should be done a few weeks prior to ensure root coverage and to soften a bit, and regularly scheduled haircuts leading up to your day are important. Ladies, I know most of you want your hair as long as possible, but long and unhealthy locks for the sake of an extra inch are not pretty. You should also be discussing conditioning or smoothing treatments as preparation. Find out your stylists preferred hair preparation for your wedding day: do they prefer clean and washed the night before, morning of, a few days prior? Opinions vary. Confirm with your stylist what will work best with your hair and hair style.

We hope you learned something from Lori’s advice! Be sure to check out the Showpony website or the Showpony Facebook page to connect with Lori and her team!