FROM SARAH MERRILL: ALL OUT VS. BUDGET

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Thanks to Sarah Merrill of Suite Blooms in Cheyenne for the newest addition to her blog series!  I appreciate Sarah’s real-world approach to wedding floral design and advice — this is another gem! Thanks Sarah!

Price Line Guide:

*          = $100 – $149

**        = $150 – $199

***      = $200 – $249

****    = $250 – $299

*****  = $300 +

Price line guide is only an approximation.  Actual costs will vary with different regions and seasons.

Comparison # 1: Pink Hand Tied

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.floraldesignsbyjacquelineahne.wordpress.com

Price: ****

This beautiful mix of color, pattern and texture is created using Phaleonopsis & Cattleya Orchids, Sweet William, Cocks Comb, Gomphrenia, Ti Leaves, and feathers.  This arrangement’s expense would stem from the high cost of its main flowers – the orchids.  Additionally, orchids grow with several blooms on one long stalk and therefore do not have stems long enough to reach the handle of the bouquet.  Each bloom must be wired into the arrangement by hand, which is time consuming and labor intensive.  The charge for the labor is then passed on to the client resulting in an almost shocking price tag.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.thefrenchbouquettulsa.com

Price: **

This sweet bouquet is much simpler than its more expensive counterpart.  However, notice that the colors are similar, and this one is also rich in pattern and texture.  The white Sedum in this grouping has a similar affect as the Sweet William in the other.  It creates the balance between large focal flowers, and simple supporting flowers.  Zinnias provide an intricate pattern with their unique layers of petals, and the deep pink roses add elegance.  The price here is kept down by limiting the selection of flowers to three.  These flowers are also available to your florist from growers that are close to Wyoming, which cuts down on the cost of shipping them in.  Choosing flowers that are in season and from local or nearby growers is both economically smart and environmentally friendly.

COMPARISON #2:  CLASSIC WHITE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.marthastewartweddings.com

Price: *****

A classic all white bouquet… kept simple with just two beautiful types of flowers.  Many people have fallen in love with the bouquet that Princess Kate carried at her wedding to Prince William just weeks ago.  Her bouquet was mainly Lily of the Valley, and she took her style cue from Hollywood icon (and Princess) Grace Kelly.  Although this bouquet of Lily of the Valley and Gardenias looks simple, be assured that the accompanying price tag is not.  Here are a few reasons why:  Lilly of the Valley is one of the highest priced wedding flowers due to the care and attention required in growing and in caring for them.  Its growing season is very short, usually only available in May.  Gardenias are also very expensive flowers.  They require warm weather and a large amount of attention.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.heavenscentfloralshop.com

Price: *

This bouquet of Baby’s Breath and Freesia is comparably beautiful, simple and is richly fragrant like the Gardenias in the previous bouquet, but this one will not break the bank.  The flowers on the Baby’s Breath are white and delicate like handmade lace.  These are often overlooked as a filler flower; recently however, they have gained attention as a flower to use by themselves en masse or as a collar or border for a main flower.  The Freesia is a heavenly scented flower that has a unique growing flower budding pattern – growing up one side of the stalk and curving from medium sized open blooms to tiny unopened buds.

COMPARISON #3:  SPICY YELLOW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.brides.com

Price: ****

A Bright Yellow Calla Lily & Orchid bouquet is given a unique spicy feel with Navy Peppers, and is finished with Yellow Ranunculus, Silver Brunia, Tiny Yellow Chrysanthemums, Dusty Miller and Fiddlehead Ferns.  Its main cost comes from the Cymbidium Orchids, and the Callas.  These pricey blooms are the main flowers, and give this bouquet its size.  Additionally, the large number of different fillers add to the cost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

www.mmdevents.blogspot.com

Price: **

This bouquet is a bit smaller, and a bit simpler, but offers the same color palette and feel.  Notice that the Calla lilies are in this bouquet as well, but the main flower is a bright yellow tulip.  Tulips are an inexpensive option throughout a large portion of the year.  The fillers have also been simplified by limiting them to the Peppers & the Dusty Miller.

 

Thanks Sarah for a great column!  Sarah Merrill of Suite Blooms in Cheyenne is a great resource — we appreciate her contributions!

 

Kati Hime, Editor

editor@wyolifestyle.com

*Opinions expressed in guest columns are not the opinion of Wyoming Weddings, LLC.

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