Double Duty ~ Budget Friendly Weddings Part 3

Part 3 of our Budget Friendly Wedding Series is about making your arrangements work for you.  

1. Your bouquet & the attendants bouquets.  All of our bouquets come in a clear glass cylinder vase.  These vases can be used on the head table at the reception to hold your flowers.  You can space them out between the attendants and place your bouquet in the center.  So if you had 4 Bridesmaids you could place 2 on the right side of the table, yours in the middle, and 2 more on the left side of the table.  This is a simple and inexpensive way to decorate your head table.

2.  Your altar arrangement.  If you choose to decorate the altar at your church you can find places at the reception to display them.  For example, a low long arrangement in a design dish would be perfect for a buffet table, or even the gift table.  A taller altar arrangement could be placed to welcome the guests as they enter the room.

These are just a couple of ways to make your flowers work for you. 

Your Floral "Footprint" ~ Budget Friendly Weddings Part 2

1.       Think about your floral footprint ~ Every flower has a “footprint”.  The footprint is the mark that flower leaves on your bouquet.  Think of the size of the bouquet you want.  Now picture each flower leaving a mark where it will go.  The larger the mark the fewer of that flower it will take to fill your bouquet.  The smaller the mark the more it will take to fill your bouquet.

     

        A hydrangea has a large “footprint” 

    Where a flower like ranunculus has a small “footprint” ~ 

     

     

      You may want to consider using fewer small blooms and more large blooms to get the size of bouquet you desire.   This could make your larger and more lush for a smaller price tag.  

      

      For example ~ Hydrangea blooms normally run between $6.00 and $10.oo a bloom.  Where a ranunculus can be as much as $3.00 - $5.00 a bloom.  It would take about 10ranunculus to cover the footprint of the hydrangea.  Even though ranunculus may cost a little less you would need more of them to capture the same amount of space.  

     Some great flowers with a large footprint are ~ Hydrangea, Fuji Mums, and Gerbera Daisies.  Some inexpensive flowers with a smaller footprint are ~ Carnations, Mini Carnations, Daisies, and Asters.

Inspiration ~

Right now in San Francisco there is an amazing convention going on.  It's where the best florists in America get together and share ideas, stories, flowers, and more.  Oh what I would give to be there this week, to see those designs, to smell those flowers.  


If you want to see some of the creations visit the AIFD National Symposium Facebook page here.


So what is AIFD?  AIFD stands for American Institute of Floral Design.  


"Established in 1965, the American Institute of Floral Designers is, today, the floral industry's leading non-profit organization dedicated to establishing, maintaining and recognizing the highest standard of professional floral design. AIFD and its worldwide accredited members are in the forefront of the industry in presenting educational design programs and in designing flowers for such renowned events as the Tournament of Roses Parade, Academy Awards and Presidential Inaugurations. They are an extraordinary group of talented artists.

Accredited membership in AIFD is extremely selective and can be obtained only after a candidate has effectively demonstrated advanced professional ability of his or her floral artistry. Members proudly wear the "AIFD addendum on their name to demonstrate that their peers have found them to be "Accredited in Floral Design." They must continue to demonstrate their "cutting edge" art by meeting specified continuing education requirements.

Each July, AIFD presents its acclaimed National Symposium. Considered to be the most important design education event in the floral industry, this dynamic conclave attracts designers, educators and interested individuals from all corners of the world.

In the U.S., AIFD Accredited members participate in six regional chapters that each host activities for the education of the floral industry as well as for the floral consumer market. AIFD supports student chapters located on the campuses of major colleges and universities across the nation.

Through its Foundation, the Institute also offers scholarships to talented young designers. AIFD partner members, as manufacturers and distributors of products and services to the floral industry, are also an important part of the Institute as they help fund numerous design education events.

Accredited members of AIFD are uniquely qualified to help you create the floral and decorating accents that express your individual style." *AIFD website provided the quoted text.

In April I received the honor of ICPF, Illinois Certified Professional Florist, that is the first step for me. I am on my way.  Someday I will be honored to display the AIFD after my name as well.  Time, patience, and growing my style, that is my plan.  I "imagine" my day on that stage.  

That is what is inspiring me today, what inspires you?