Rose

Tips for Choosing Flowers for Your Wedding
Successfully choosing flowers can really bring a wedding together.

Correctly choosing flowers for the wedding can be one of the hardest parts of a wedding.

When you’re planning a wedding, there are so many decisions to make to have the perfect day. Choosing flowers is one of the most important elements of the ceremony, as the bridal bouquet will most likely be in 95 percent of the pictures. It’s recommended that brides allot about 10 percent of their overall budget for flowers. This should include the bouquet, the bridesmaid’s bouquets, the boutonnieres, corsages and the reception.

According to The Knot, these are some of the most popular wedding flowers:

  • Rose
  • Tulip
  • Calla lily
  • Lily of the valley
  • Hydrangea
  • Peony
  • Sweet pea
  • Gardenia

Many of these popular flowers are only available seasonally, such as the peony and lily of the valley. The price of roses often fluctuates, depending on the season. You will pay much more for roses in the month of February, because demand is so high. Here are some tips for finding the right flowers and florist for your wedding.

  • Get some ideas about what you like before you go talk to your florist. Know what you’d like to have at the wedding and where you’re willing to compromise.
  • Meet with two or three florists to compare styles and prices. Talk with the florist about the seasonality of your options for flowers.
  • The florist will want to know your budget and your style.
  • When you meet with the florist, bring a photo of your wedding dress and swatches of your colors. You might also want to bring the brochures of your ceremony and reception sites.
  • Ask to see the florist’s portfolio to get an idea of his or her sense of style.
  • Ask for suggestions about flowers that won’t wilt over the time of the wedding and reception. Get affordable options that might work more effectively.
  • Get information about the “warranty.” Will the flowers be fresh and arrive on time? What happens if a specific flower isn’t available on the wedding day?
  • Find out the payment process for the florist. It’s not uncommon for a 50 percent deposit to be made when you sign the contract. The balance will most likely be due the week of the wedding.

Talk with each prospective florist and get an estimate in writing based on what you’ve discussed. Then go home and consider what really works with your budget.

Correctly Choosing Flowers Doesn’t Mean Breaking the Bank

Keeping your flower budget in check isn’t easy, so here are some tips to help you manage your money.

  1. Reuse bridesmaid bouquets and ceremony arrangements. Have the bridesmaids slip their bouquets into vases in the reception area and ask venue staff to move the arrangements from the ceremony to the reception.
  2. You might skip the ceremony arrangements altogether. There’s no rule that says you have to have flowers at the altar. Greenery, candles or lights might fill the space quite effectively.
  3. Don’t plan on getting married in February when demand for roses and other flowers are quite high.
  4. Use large, inexpensive blossoms to fill in space.
  5. Choose cheaper flowers as the mainstay of the arrangements. Carnations and baby’s breath are two of the most inexpensive stems and have a lot of bang for your buck.
  6. DIY floral arrangements and bouquets. The internet has plenty of how-to guides for those who love to craft by putting together their own wedding arrangements. Consider paying the florist to make the intricate corsages and boutonnieres.
  7. Get your blooms from the grocery store instead of the florist.
  8. Work with a florist who understands your budget and is willing to help you stay within it.

You can get the beautiful flowers you want for your wedding and stay within your budget when you plan for it.

Windsor Entering the Wedding Industry
By Windsor entering the wedding industry, they are offering savings for couples that can't be found anywhere else.

Saving money on your wedding means that you will have money left over to get that fancy champagne or cake you’ve had your eye on.

When thinking about weddings, many brides and grooms think of big cities or exotic locations. Here in Canada, the cities of Vancouver, Montreal, and even Toronto come to mind as special locations with beautiful venues to hold a ceremony and reception. Windsor probably wouldn’t be your first choice, but this community is making itself known as a wedding destination. One of the key factors is reduced costs. The average wedding in Canada costs about $32,000. One advertisement from the promotional campaign estimates savings of 30 to 50 percent when you host a wedding in Windsor versus that of a larger city.

Didn’t the Economy Collapse?

During the economic downturn in 2008, many young people left the area. Then, the neighboring city of Detroit faced economic problems, which created even more financial issues for the area. Over the last few years, things have turned around. The tourist industry in Windsor has always been one of the biggest draws. A local wedding coordinator realized that the city was performing more out-of-town weddings. A community-wide promotion began to increase that industry, and it’s working.

What’s the Draw of Windsor-Essex?

WeddingshowsWindsor can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Local businesses are working together to boost the economy and to offer couples all the amenities found in larger cities. The region is surrounded by water on three sides. If you’ve always dreamed of being married near a river or lake, there are breathtaking waterfront properties that have picture-perfect settings. The city offers indoor and outdoor park locations with reception areas, and many historical churches are also available to rent for a more traditional ceremony. Some of the churches not only host the service, but will also allow the reception to be held at the venue. This keeps it easy for guests and the bridal party.

Windsor is noted for the Liebeszauber rose, and the city itself is nicknamed “City of Roses.” There are numerous gardens around the area, including the Queen Elizabeth II Sunken Garden. Cultural centers are abundant, giving couples even more venue options. Choose one of the stunning art museums, golf courses, or the major casino for a memorable destination wedding.
Windsor bills itself as having more ethnic banquet halls per capita than anywhere else in the country. It’s supportive to same-sex marriages. The Windsor Pride and Education Centre provides guidance for couples who are coming to the area to get married. The centre helps identify vendors that specialize in planning same-sex marriages.

GetmarriedinWindsorEssex.com offers a full listing of local suppliers that are wedding professionals. From bakeries and caterers to photographers, it’s all there. Local wedding planners make it easy to plan the wedding of your dreams. Don’t worry about finding makeup artists and hair stylists, as Windsor has many businesses that specialize in providing services just for marriages. One interesting note is that the vendors, even those who technically are in competition, are supportive and positive of others. It isn’t the cutthroat industry that you might find in other markets.

Be Unique

When you’re thinking about a destination wedding, don’t be afraid to look for locations which may not be on the wedding map. Many cities have beautiful venues that are comparable to what you’d find in more traditional centers, but the costs are often lower. It can also be easier to get the dates you want, because you don’t have the competition of hundreds of other couples who are vying for the same venues.

Windsor-Essex is making strides to be known as a destination wedding spot. It does have some beautiful sites to take photos and hold a ceremony. Thanks to American tourists, Windsor has international appeal. When the exchange rate is good, it makes sense for U.S. citizens to come into Canada and hold their ceremony. Check it out for your wedding.