Sweet Surrender

Sweet Surrender

July 5th, 2011 @ 10:16 am by Mrs. Cucumber Sandwich
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Since our venue is over budget (but totally worth it), we have been trying to come up with ways to cut costs in other areas. There are a couple of DIY projects that I am working on that will hopefully save some money but not my sanity. Another way we are trying to save is by coming up with cost-saving solutions with our vendors.

One of our last vendors we booked was the florist. I have been researching my little blogger butt off, and I think our estimated budget is going to be too low. Uh oh, not good. I have been looking at ways to save money on flowers, and I think a big money-suck comes from the bridesmaids’ bouquets and boutonnieres. My first big idea was to have just one flower for the bouquets.

Image and floral design by GrandiFlora

I don’t think even single-flower bouquets could save our flower budget. My next plan either makes me a wedding genius or a wedding failure…baby’s breath! I believe it is inexpensive and it actually looks really nice.

Image via Bouquet Bridal / Photo by You Look Nice Today

Image via Real Simple

It depends on the caliber of the florist, but I think they could look really great or really tacky. I need some more opinions, though. Do the bouquets look like little clouds of heaven or cheap filler-flower from the ’90s?! Help!

Image via Bouquet Bridal / Photo from Sedona Bride

Image via Bouquet Bridal / Photo by James Bass

I can’t decide. But while researching I found I am by no means the first bee to have this idea: Mrs. Buttons, Mrs. D’orsay, Mrs. Strawberry, Mrs. Joey, and Mrs. Powder Puff all used baby’s breath before me. I guess I will be in good company!

Tags: cape-may, flowers |

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20 Responses to “Sweet Surrender”

Member

teacherandageek (message) 270 posts, Helper bee

I think they look great! I was hoping to DIY these myself, but they’re super fragile so now I’m not so sure…

7/5/11 @ 10:22 am (reply)

Member

namrhe (message) 44 posts, Newbee

YAY!!! I Love the babys breath bouquets!! I am doing them for my 7 bridesmaids. My florist quoted me around 20 dollars per bouquet. It cut my flower budget in half.

7/5/11 @ 10:26 am (reply)

Member

Kathyf1323 (message) 97 posts, Worker bee

What color are your bridesmaid dresses? I think that if the color is soft then the baby’s breath will look like “little clouds of heaven.” A dark color might not look as good.

7/5/11 @ 10:28 am (reply)

Member

DoxieDoll (message) 164 posts, Blushing bee

I love the baby’s breath bouquets! I agree with Kathyf1323, though- lighter, softer colors will look great with this style flower!

7/5/11 @ 10:31 am (reply)

Member

cosmo_gmr (message) 449 posts, Helper bee

I think Kathyf1323 has a point…

7/5/11 @ 10:32 am (reply)

Member

Future Mrs. Huban (message) 155 posts, Blushing bee

I agree with Kathyf1323. If your bridesmaid dresses are light/soft then baby’s breath will look great.

Also, as a suggestion, I’m doing all purple hydrangea bouquets for my girls. My florist quoted me at only $45 for each. Not as good as baby’s breath, but still a great price.

7/5/11 @ 10:41 am (reply)

Member

vicozzie (message) 407 posts, Helper bee

I think they look great. Another money saving suggestion is check out your local grocery store florist! My sister used Sentry for her flowers and they were awesome! I checked into our local Pick N Save and the florist said I would save a ton by not going to a floral shop and they can order all the same flowers!

7/5/11 @ 10:43 am (reply)

Member

spinningstars (message) 248 posts, Helper bee

I like baby’s breath when it’s paired with a shabby-vintage-chic kind of wedding style.

I am DIYing my flowers from online wholesalers Blooms by the Box, FiftyFlowers, and BunchesDirect. This post on the Weddingbee boards is my inspiration: http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/our-diy-fiftyflowerscom-wedding-with-pro-pictures-what-do-you-think

7/5/11 @ 10:45 am (reply)

Member

Ice Cream Sundae (message) 92 posts, Worker bee

Pretty!

There are lots of great ways to DIY boutonnieres too! Using fabric or any number of creative things can save you money there!

Like these: http://www.etsy.com/listing/76891053/you-pick-style-and-color-all-natural?ref=sr_gallery_13&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=boutonniere&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=

7/5/11 @ 10:46 am (reply)

10.

Member

Mrs.BBQ (message) 9 posts, Newbee

they look cute, also kind of vintage!
if real flowers are NOT a must for you, i saw a great way to change bouquets for fabric flower purses that also serve as a bridesmaids favor… here is the link of one of the other bee’s, her turned out great!!
http://diy.weddingbee.com/topic/purse-for-the-bridesmaids

7/5/11 @ 10:50 am (reply)

11.

Bee

Miss Pony (message) 4,171 posts, Honey bee

I love baby’s breath! I think it looks great and you can get so much for your money!

7/5/11 @ 11:01 am (reply)

12.

Member

thirdtimebride (message) 356 posts, Helper bee

Oh, absolutely gorgeous!

I seem to recall a trend of wrapping bouquets in a hood of tulle or chiffon–I think baby’s breath in a sheer, shimmery fabric would be wonderful and keep the little flower heads from breaking off absolutely everywhere.

7/5/11 @ 11:02 am (reply)

13.

Member

hotchocolate (message) 257 posts, Helper bee

having one type of flower def doesn’t mean it will be cheaper… especially if it’s an expensive flower like the calla lily (i know because that’s what i’m doing… and it is super pricey! but i looove the callas.)

the baby’s breath are really pretty! i think they are best suited to an outdoor/rustic/romantic type of wedding.

7/5/11 @ 11:13 am (reply)

14.

Bee

Miss Ladyfingers (message) 1,119 posts, Bumble bee

No, I love baby’s breath! Good idea!

7/5/11 @ 12:49 pm (reply)

15.

Member

weddingstars2012 (message) 430 posts, Helper bee

I LOVE baby’s breath!

7/5/11 @ 12:49 pm (reply)

16.

Member

Jenn83123 (message) 4 posts, Wannabee

Baby’s breath is a great idea! I plan to order a couple arrangements of cut flowers from teleflora, having them delivered to the house the day before, taping them to form bouquets the morning of the wedding. I will remove a few stems to place in the jars hanging from shepherds hooks which mark the aisle. Not as inexpensive as going the grocery store or Costco/Sam’s Club route (both of which I’ve heard good stories about) but I want a variety of flowers.

7/5/11 @ 8:17 pm (reply)

17.