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Our venue, The Fountainhead, requires that we use one of two florists. At first I was a bit miffed at this policy, but now I’m actually glad that we only need to choose between two florists rather than researching dozens and making appointments with several.
This past Saturday, we had our first appointment with one of the florists. I feel a little ashamed writing this, but this was the first time that I had met with a potential vendor without having done any research. 
I’ve never been a flower lover so I haven’t really thought about it much. The meeting became pretty comical while I mispronounced names of flowers and tried to describe certain flowers that apparently don’t exist. The florist ended up having to draw pictures for us due to our sheer cluelessness. Mr. Peony and I walked away from the appointment giggling a bit because we had both felt like complete morons during the course of the meeting.
So after this embarrassment, I decided to do more research into flowers. And then I came across an idea that sounded super: after the wedding, the flowers can be donated to a local hospital or a nursing home. How awesome is that?
But I had forgotten one thing. What all brides in my situation should fear and respect:
(image courtesy of Angry Little Girls)
Dum duh DAAHHHHH! The Korean mom.
Korean moms are notorious for stealing centerpieces. Ask anyone who’s been to a Korean wedding. In fact, whenever Mr. Peony and I are at a wedding together, he jokes, “You’re not gonna stay true to your roots and steal the centerpieces?” 
My mom, her friends, and my aunts are some of the worst of the bunch. At my cousin’s wedding, not only did they fight over the centerpieces, they also went for the balloon marquee and the floral archway that was set up for pictures. They ended up taking apart the floral archway while the reception was still going on so they could divvy it up.
So when I (very casually) brought up the idea of donating the flowers to my mother, she naturally freaked out.
“What do you mean we can’t take the flowers? That’s what they’re there for!”
I tried to explain to her that the floral arrangements are not intended to be taken by the guests.
“But what will I tell my friends? And your aunts?”
At this point, my father started to chuckle. He knows how crazy Korean moms can be so he tried to mediate.
In the end, we decided that my mother will inform her friends and my aunts that they can’t take the flowers with them if they’re leaving early (leaving the table empty for the other guests, which is what often happens).
Oh, well. I tried.
Best. Story. Ever.
Put locks on those babies. I have a feeling they’re gonna go missing!
at my brother’s wedding, the photographer not only left early, he jacked a centerpiece on his way out without even asking!! the wedding wasn’t even over yet!
holy cow! Better bolt those babies down.
I love Angry Little Girls!
haha thats hilarious.
my family isn’t korean, but they’re guilty of this as well 
but at least they wait until the wedding is over, haha
OMG same here!! I’m vietnamese and we do it too. So my florist was going to rent us the vases, but I was so worried about people taking the centerpieces, I told her I’d just buy the vases to be safe!
Have you looked into donating the flowers yet? I tried to research this and was told that nursing homes and hospitals will not take the flowers because of liability issues (i am in so. cal). So I ended up asking guests at the end of the evening to take them home, it broke my heart to see them all be thrown away at the end of the evening!
You crack me up. that was awesome. I think your idea is nice. Maybe you could do 1/2. The thought of people walking out with flowers BEFORE the reception has even ended! ha ha…..sorry, i do feel bad, great story.
LOL, this happened to us at our wedding… we did have rented vases and yes all of them were taken– along with the rented candlestick holders…
but “lucky” us, there was a blackout at our reception– so we used that as an “excuse” and said– all the craziness from the blackout people just left and we didn’t see who took what… I’m sure the candlesticks are scattered all over the hotel– people probably used them as flashlights!!!
Oh the horror! Luckily, the hotel offered to comp that for us, since they didnt’ provide us with light during the blackout hahaha!
filipinos are the notorious for taking home the centerpieces way before the reception is over. we’re crossing our fingers that it won’t happen at my sister’s wedding.
no one jacked our all carnations CPs. they looked fab, but i guess they weren’t up to our asian older women’s taste.
possible solution…
smartl - that’s why I can’t do anything rented! 
MissStar - I didn’t look into doing this because I had this conversation with my mom before I actually did more research. But from the article that I had read, it said that most hospitals/nursing homes will accept them if we can provide the delivery ourselves.
Everyone else - thanks! 
It’s good to keep a sense of humor through the craziness that is wedding planning.
HAHA! so true… i told FH that my family might do that and it’s a little embarrassing, and he said, “well, my family will probably all get drunk and start dancing crazy… that’s embarrassing. so we’re even.”
Oh I forgot to mention that the car ride home from my cousin’s wedding was pretty hilarious itself. Five people squished into a small car, flowers and balloons EVERYWHERE…. hahahah
I think stealing centerpieces is not only a Korean thing, but Asian overall! hehe
Wait - who says you are not supposed to take home the centerpieces from a wedding?? Unless specifically asked not to due to rented vases or whatever, I think it is accepted that centerpieces be taken home by guests. I scored a beautiful milk jug used as a vase at my MOH’s wedding, and gorgeous flowers that graced my bedroom dresser for a week or so.
You pay for the flowers and probably can’t enjoy them yourselves because you’ll be jetting off on your honeymoon.
Now, taking the arch apart mid-reception is a bit tacky and I wouldn’t want people stealing away with centerpieces before the end of the wedding, but come night-end, by all means, take! Actually, my centerpieces are tall and the glass vases they sit on will be rented, but the arrangement on top will be in its own more disposable pot easily detached from the bottom for people to take.
And BTW, I am not Asian. Not that that makes a diff, but I don’t think its an Asian thing.
it’s the same with my family, we’re filipino… but we’re playing a centerpiece game to determine who rightfully gets to take it home so there’s not fight over it. but watch out for your other items! mrs. bell pepper’s gorgeous candy buffet jars totally got jacked by the ahjummas! http://www.weddingbee.com/2007/07/17/professional-shots-the-details/
Funny!
Here I thought only us Latin people did that!
I warned my mother not to let her friends take the centerpieces because I fully intend to sell the tall Eiffel tower vases after the wedding to get some money back.
I can’t think of a way and I don’t want to make my table look tacky as my mother suggested I put a “please do not take vase, take only the flowers” sign.
What to do, what to do!
i agree with jonnie - it’s not just an asian - namely, “korean” thing. am i the only one who’s taken offense at this post? particularly, the cartoon associated with it?
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Mrs. Peony, New York Age and Occupation: 27, Marketing Coordinator Fiance's Age and Occupation: 30, QA Engineer Engagement Date: June 28, 2007 Wedding Date: April 18, 2008 Venue: The Fountainhead Blogging Since: August 7, 2007 About Me: Both Mr. Peony and I are huge computer nerds, and our conversations usually consist of the latest gadgets, programming languages, and video games. At the same time, I can also be very girly with an obsession with handbags, makeup, and high heels. And art! I've studied studio art extensively, almost majored in art history, and freelance as a web and graphics designer. Mr. Peony and I are having a ball of a time planning a wedding for 250(!) guests, doing our best to infuse our personalities (geeky chic) with the wishes of our very traditional Asian parents.
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