- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee Blog
A few months ago, I called my mom in hysterics because I had no idea that a few wedding bouquets and flowers on tables could be so darn expensive. And by expensive, I mean OH MY GOD THAT IS A MONTH OF WORKING TO PAY FOR THOSE THINGS.
I learned from watching endless amounts of WeTV that fake-flower bouquets put you on the fast track to wedding disaster (pretty sure I heard it from that sassy David Tutera), but wouldn’t it be nice to save your bouquet? And no, I don’t mean shove it in the refrigerator for all eternity or have it hanging from the rafters of your garage to dry out and flake all over, attracting bugs and who knows what else.
Ew.
Let’s see what we could get if we saved the flowers for the garden, shall we?
Source for above images. HolyToledoOMG.
Can you even STAND how adorable those felt and button flowers are? You could reuse them forever and ever and relive your hip-happy wedding day every time you looked at them. Now I don’t know exactly what the price point is (I’m guessing it’s a bundle), but let’s be honest: These flowers don’t die the next day. Something to think about when you’re considering paying out the you-know-what for out-of-season pink peonies.
And if they’re too expensive, you can always just use them for wedding inspiration and attempt a DIY project.
Moving on…
I love a simple project, and this really seems to be just that. Buy some vintage wallpaper, cut it up a little, impale it with wire, stick it in a glass, and you’ve got a unique addition to your wedding decor. The more I look at this photo, the more I want to start it. You know, more than six months before the wedding. And I totally could because these flowers don’t die!
And finally, some tutorials to keep you busybodies in DIY mode:
These photos are from a real wedding that featured 4,000 handmade flowers for all the couple’s centerpieces and deliciously cheap decor. The bride followed this tutorial, but used card stock instead of vellum, four-inch circles instead of three-inch circles, and stems that were bought pre-wrapped with green string instead of wrapping metal stems with floral tape herself.
Stop drooling and go to the Kusudama paper-flower tutorial HERE.
Think of the awesome paper you could use to make these uber special flowers: hometown maps, pages from your favorite bodice-ripper romance, the expensive engineering paper your finance forbids you to use as scratch paper…dare me?
You know what? After seeing these cutesy inspiration photos, maybe I won’t use real flowers at all. Sure, paper and fabric flowers may not smell as sweet, but you could always use a spritz of Bath & Body Works.
Anybody out there not go the flower-shop route? Or ever consider not using real flowers? Brownie points if you have pictures to share!
Thank you, thank you for putting that tutorial up on the paper flowers! They look so easy and I have been searching for centerpieces I like. I am making all of my bouquets from coffee filters into roses so I needed something quick, easy, and cheap.
My mom is against me using fake flowers but she doesn’t understand how expensive real bouquets are. =)
My mom is handmaking fabric flowers (out of all sorts of fabric, including a bunch of vintage lace she had just lying around) for our bouquets, centerpieces, flower girl, shoe clips, etc. They are so fun! And she already had all the supplies, so it’s soo much cheaper than real flowers, and much more personal. I have pictures, but no idea how to attach them to something like this…. Sorry 
I say go for it!
Me, me, me! I created all my fabric flower bouquets and added a lovely vintage flare to each. Beagle, Plaid, and Poodle are a few other bees that went the non-floral route. If you need any help let me know….I have a few tricks up my sleeves!
If you haven’t seen my creations yet, you can check out the post below:
http://www.weddingbee.com/2010/10/26/fabric-bouquets/
It’s so great to have my bouquet as a keepsake and even if I hadn’t made my own I would have felt a lot better about spending the extra $ on something that could last forever or be resold rather than end up wilted and dead. I can’t wait to see where you go with this!
Wowza, thanks for posting that tutorial, I’m definitely keeping that in mind. I’d considered doing felt flowers for the bouquet, but those paper ones are a great (and cheap!) option for the centerpieces!
Love this post Jam! I used silk hydrangeas because real ones wouldn’t have been able to take the July heat. The best part was that people in my bridal party thought they were real! Even my florist’s mother thought they were real. I did consider felt ones like you have posted above. They are just too cute. I love them! Beside it’s so sad when real one’s die even if they are “preserved”. It’s just not the same.
OMG! The cost of real flowers is RIDICULOUS!! I am trying to avoid real flowers where ever possible!
Here is my bouquet…make sure you scroll down to see the almost finished product!
http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/the-construction-of-my-brooch-bouquet
My girls are carrying clutches instead of flowers. You can see them here. I don’t think the pictures do the clutches justice…they are SUPER cute! I had them made on Etsy.
http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/the-beginning-of-my-brooch-bouquet
I am not exactly sure what I am going to do with my centerpieces. I have gone back and forth about 20 times!!
P.S. You’re not alone on the fabric flower love…I’ve already had three order requests through my shop. It’s def. becoming an enticing option!
I found a florist that would do 3 bouquets & 3 bouts for a not-too bad price, but the more I look at paper and felt and button flowers on the internet, the more I want them all. I’m thinking about doing a mixture…. either of butons/felt or paper/real.
@Mrs. Locket: Dying over your tutorials & eye-candy filled posts, I loved those bouquets when I first saw them! Locket, you are so darn sweet…and now I’m going to stalk your posts for the rest of the day ; )
@hrev2010: A-ha! Yet another genuine concern…the heat! I really don’t think much could look worse than droopy flowers, so some quality silks might be just what the doctor ordered.
@Topolino: Oh my gahhhh, I am so impressed with your bouquet! Is it really heavy? I have a ton of brooches so this could be another possibility, but once you attach them in the bouquet, are they glued in forever or can you reuse? And the clutches are adorbs, too…I love your style!
Have you seen how this bride incorporated paper flowers into her wedding?
http://www.100layercake.com/blog/archives/8874
I love them!
we did! I have an AWESOMELY talented friend at work who puts together flower arrangements as a hobby. you can see our centerpieces here: (#7) http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/anyone-using-fakesatin-flowers.
I was even able to turn around and sell all of our centerpieces about 2 months after the wedding to another bride! I did keep one, as well as my bouquet, as a keepsake. 
But I can not fathom - for me - ever spending a ridiculous amount of $$ on something that would just get tossed out in the trash the next day.
@Lindsey: OMIGOSH. Bookmarked, saved, e-mailed. Thanks, lady!
@JuneBride_26June2010: You lucky thing, you! I’m digging those centerpieces in a big way, and such a bonus you got to sell them after the wedding! Who needs real flowers, right?!
Have you heard of balsa wood flowers? I think they’re goooorgeous!
http://blog.weddingpaperdivas.com/hot-trend-balsa-wood-flowers/
I used flowers for bouquets and bouts only, until my mom made me add 2 display pieces. We just didn’t hae it in the budget, so we looked ofr alternative decor. I love hte options you’ve found!
@missbiscuit: I’ve seen bits of them here & there, but I totally forgot about them! You’re a genius…I have to find a way to use these somewhere, somehow. : ) THANKS!!
I made all my flowers from clay and I absolutely love them. Now, they’re sitting on my mantle where I regularly stop and gaze at them.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Mrs. Jam, Chicago Age and Occupation: 25, Writer/Associate Wedding Coordinator Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Structural Engineer Engagement Date: December 23, 2009 Wedding Date: June 2011 Venue: Hunter’s Ridge, Princeton, IL About Me: I’m a penny-pinching cat lady getting ready to marry the frugal dog lover of my dreams. Our ideal Saturday morning includes rummaging around people’s junk at garage and estate sales followed by an afternoon date to our favorite café, where we only eat sandwiches that include the word “salad.” We actually love it so much, it’s sort of our unofficial wedding theme: Look at our delicious finds, eat homemade ham salad, and celebrate our love…barndance style. When we’re not obsessing over our love-fest shindig, we’re planning themed parties for our best friends and jamming to '90s music.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
Latest Gallery Pics