Wedding Blog
For most of the beginning of the wedding planning process, I figured I would just buy a bunch of hydrangeas from Costco, slap them together the day before and call it a wedding.
But I have started having doubts about my ability to do all the flowers in the days before the wedding, and I can’t seem to find ANY feedback on the Costco flowers. I mentioned this to a colleague of mine who is also getting married in September and she said that I should give her florist a ring.
Apparently my colleague is the last of 6 or 7 of her friends to get married in the Rhode Island area and they all have used the same florist, Jeremy at Check the Florist in Providence, RI. My colleague kept telling me how reasonable he was and what a great job he had done in every wedding she had seen.
So I called him up…and he was so, so nice, so we set a date to meet and go over what my needs are. I explained that I was thinking of just getting my bouquet done then ordering the rest of the flowers from Costco, and he said that he would match the price of the heads for me.
Mr. Corn and I aren’t using flowers for the centerpieces, so we really have saved there. I really only needed bouquets for me and my bridesmaids, something special for my mom (who if she is reading this should erase that from her memory), boutonnieres for the three guys and some heads for cones that we are hanging from the chairs on the aisles for the ceremony.
I am so. glad. to have that off my plate. And really, to be honest, I just don’t actually care that much about the flowers, so he could give us anything and I will be happy.
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I believe Costco hydrangeas are not offered in Sept. hydrangea is a spring flower…if you go to costco store and talk to the florist there, they’ll give you the store costs on anything…so you can get tons of roses for $15 for 2 doz.
Good call. It would be a lot of stress to try and make your own boquets using fresh flowers. You would’ve had to do them the night before or else they would be all wilted. That would’ve been more stress than it’s worth.
I’m making my own boquets, but I’m using paper flowers so I plan on having them ready at least a week in advance.
I can’t wait to see what Jeremy comes up with for you! My friend is using him for her wedding and absolutely loves him.
I was in the same boat. I totally thought I was going to just order some wholesale flowers from Costco and do them myself. But I’ve come to realize that has really stressed me out. Just the thought of having to arrange flowers when I am not really that crafty. I am also going with a local florist! And she’s pretty reasonable. I just picked one type of flower (matsumoto aster…very inexpensive!) and going for the simplicity of it but leaving it up to the professional.
I am glad you found a florist to do your blooms! I’m sure it’ll be beautiful!
I was not into flowers either, and a family friend did them all. Everything turned out fine. I did learn, though, that although we used only a very modest amount of floral decoration (really just flowers people wear/carry, and a simple arrangement/vase on each table), it was a MASSIVE amount of work, lots of de-thorning, lugging around vases, lots of hands-in-water, lots of metal wires… and it has to be done last-minute so the flowers aren’t dead/wilty, and then they have to be stored carefully (esp in summer) so they don’t start to rot… Seriously, this could really stress you out and cause a lot of hand injuries (no kidding), so hope you can shift this task to someone else.
I can totally appreciate why people go with silk!
If you don’t want to deal with them, and you can get a florist to match the price, it’s a good decision. I did my own flowers, and it turned out great and I saved a ton of money ($1000, probably) but it was work and worry. I’m not sorry I did it though, it was worth it.
I am doing my own flowers too, but from what I have read, they are pretty sturdy (gerbera daisies) with a few good days in them. I was going to separate them out into vases on Thursday for a Sat wedding…anyone think that would be too long if I keep them in the fridge?
Miss Corn! Isn’t Jeremy the best?? We’re using him, too. My mom and I met with him, and we still laugh about that meeting, we had such a great time!
Like you, I’m not all that “into” the flowers, but he totally picked up the vague vibes and half-formed ideas I was putting down. We’re not doing floral centerpieces, either. I was psyched about Check’s prices, too!
Just funny to see someone on a national blog using the same tiny florist as I am. 
That sounds like a very good deal from Jeremy, Miss Corn! Now you don’t have to worry about doing them yourself. For hydrangea, having a florist do it seems like the good route to go. They tend to wilt very quickly.
Miss Corn — I’ve done a lot of message-board reading on do-your-own flowers, and have come across a few Costco horror stories. (Sometimes they work out great, but the brides who wind up with ugly, wilted flowers are some stressed-out brides!) Sounds like you made a good decision.
Andrea — Have also read a few of books on flower arranging, and they all say any good fresh flowers should last just fine for a couple of days. Be sure to use some of that florist’s preservative. And be sure there’s no fruit in your fridge — it gives off gas that can wilt the flowers! It also helps to prepare the stems beforehand. Here’s a Web site for you on how to prepare gerberas: http://www.steps-to-memories.com/category_s/682.htm
And finally, p.s. to Miss Radish — Can’t wait to see your paper flowers! How cool!!
Hey, I used the same hydrangeas from theflowerexchange.com. They have various colors all year round. I’ve ordered in December and in June for my wedding and both times, the flowers were perfect. They are huge! $3 for a stem, 10 stems per box. I used 30 stems for the centerpieces for the wedding. They were beautiful.
A site that was recommended to me for DIY flowers is http://www.flowerbud.com. From what I understood, You place the order, they ship them the day you specify (on the day you want them shipped, they cut the flowers in bud form and immediately ship them) so that they arrive unmarred from travel. You stick them in water for a day, they bloom and you can create your bouquets the day before or day of the wedding. I know it’s the same last minute process, but I like the idea of how they deliver them in bud form.
im doing exactly what u are planning. just some flowers the morning of and putting it together. now after reading this, im not sure if it’s a good idea any more! if you don’t mind, can you please email me the cost of the bouquets and bouts? I have NO IDEA how much it’s suppose to cost. Thanks!!! cinlee@gmail.com
i’m using hydrangeas for my centerpieces too and was just going to go with silk, b/c i was freaked out about ordering something fresh and than worrying about arranging them (obviously we could have them arranged weeks ahead of time if they were silk). i just don’t want to deal with taking care of a garden two days before my wedding! but, i have thought about this option and was looking into growersbox.com - but i’ll look into these other suggestions you guys have - maybe i could recruit someone to do my centerpieces or something…
Don’t worry about it being a “garden.” My wedding was a Saturday, and I had my 30 hydrangeas delivered on a Thursday after from theflowerexchange. The delivery came right on time (to a remote vacation area too!), and my husband and I trimmed the ends and placed them into a medium sized cooler with water. we stuck it in the basement shower. We checked on it once or twice a day until the morning of the wedding. Then one of my girlfriends clipped to the desired size and placed them in my centerpieces. As for doing DIY bouquets, you can do them the night before and placing them in a vase in the fridge- and placing the ribbon later in the morning.
If you need any day of coordinating or any extra help, I’m starting up a new business and will be available to help for very very cheap. You can email me at christina.k.hill@gmail.com.
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Mrs. Corn, Newport, RI
Age and Occupation in '07: 31, HR for public accounting firm
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Consultant for public accounting firm
Engagement Date: October 7, 2006
Wedding Date: September, 2007
Blogging Since: June 1, 2007
Venue: North Lawn of Fort Adams State Park
About Me: I am a lazy scrapbooker who loves the instant gratification of making cards and I am very easily distracted by all things shiny. In honor of my childhood nights spent hibachi BBQing on the beach with my family, we are hosting a traditional New England Clambake for our reception.
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