Wedding Flowers - Worth it? Fake or fresh? Take it or leave it?

Everyone's suggestions are great, thank you! The theatre is a performing arts space, not a movie theatre. I don't like themes (I know, I'm weird) so just plain and simple decorations. Unfortunately I don't have a Trader Joe's or Sam's Club around me. But I will look into BJ's and Wegmans for the bulk flowers and talking to a florist for bouquets.

How many tables do you have? Are they round or long?

I was thinking maybe some greenery from Michael's with some tea light candles.

I would love to tell you to save your money, but I always notice wedding flowers and I love them. I think they can make a big difference in the look of a wedding/reception. I've never seen fake flowers done well. I would go real, and you don't necessarily have to get lots or the most expensive kind. But do use them to complement your theme and in a way that makes an impact, even at a low cost. Pinterest is a great place to find ideas, as a previous poster suggested. Your ideas so far sound good.

*What I mean by theme isn't necessarily a theme, but your colors and the look you're going for/overall effect.

Coming into this discussion late, but definitely look into Wegman's. I know people who have used them to create flower arrangements for events and their flowers looked fantastic. I agree with Sherri about using fake flowers. Not a fan.

We got married 24 years ago in April, and we had fresh tulips as our flowers (I am allergic to everything). The bridesmaids had coloured tulip bouquets tied with ribbon, and mine was a white tulip bouquet tied with ribbon. Wedding was at 3 pm, and the flowers held up until after midnight. Very simple and very beautiful. It was a small wedding, only about 175 guests. Centerpieces were candles, but a friend of mine created little name "fences" for everyone. He built miniature picket fences as seating cards, and had tiny paper tulips at the base of them on a patch of green, and then the guest's name was on a little plaque on the fence. They were fantastic, and added a little more colour to the tables.

Good luck with everything!

Here is my take on the flowers - you can do beautiful flowers cheaply if you get help. Avoid fake - they really do leave an impression and not the best one. You will be too overwhelmed to do them all yourself so get help from trusted friends/family friends. KEEP IT SIMPLE! Definitely get your bouquet professionally done - it is worth it. As for the others, I would see if you can order them wholesale from a small florist or a grocery store/Sam's Club, etc. It would not take much to make small bouquets for your bridal party. Tulips are best shown tied with a ribbon.

I like the idea of the hanging baskets. Also perhaps you can rent an arch and use ivy or greenery (fake is ok here) to dress up the focal area. Twinkle lights are great accents. Centerpieces - definitely check out pintrest. It is a life saver for me.

I have seen wine bottles (indigo blue) with small sets of battery powdered lights inside them and dried flowers coming out the top made by the bride and her mom at a wedding a few years ago. They honestly looked so elegant in her space. I second the idea of high and low centerpieces.

Also have you considered some Marquee letters of your first names or last name with just flower petals as accents since you are being married in a theatre? Maybe utilizing a glass mirror. If you shop slowly or with coupons these could be purchased very reasonably. For example - Michaels & Jo Ann Fabrics both sell the letters & run coupons for 50-60% off almost weekly. Buying several different styles could make it that more unique. The mirrors can usually be found at dollar stores and the petals - buy cheap bunches of flowers from grocery stores - Aldis sell 6 pk of roses for $4. Another option instead of petal would be crystals or colored rock ($ store). Don't break the budget for what you can do some much cheaply and easily with some prep and some good friends.

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Flower update - I have met with the florist and we came to a really good plan for flowers. We are doing just one stem per wine bottle instead of 2 or 3, and the bouquets will be under $100 each so I am really happy with that. My friend stage manages the theatre where our wedding will be and she's been an amazing help with creating a vision for the whole look of the event. I struggle with decorating my own house so she has really helped me get around my mental block. I think in the end I won't regret going with fresh flowers for the day. Thanks everyone!

Glad you were able to rectify a cohesive vision and the budget to include the fresh flowers you desired. I am sure it will be beautiful. I hope you post some pics from the venue so we can see your vision.

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I am so happy you found something you like.

Nikki -- Your wedding is coming up quick. I sure hope the weather cooperates as we know how Ithaca weather is. Are you getting married at the Hangar Theatre?

RedSoxFan;2499389 wrote: Nikki -- Your wedding is coming up quick. I sure hope the weather cooperates as we know how Ithaca weather is. Are you getting married at the Hangar Theatre?

Tracey, only 34 days to go! Yes, we are having the ceremony and reception at the Hangar. Jay from Corssroads is catering and our cake is from Dottie Munson. Flowers from Bool's. It is going to be a celebration of us, as well as Ithaca and all things Tompkins County!

I have never heard of Bool's; but Crossroads is a great place to eat. I'm so happy for you and Jamie and look forward to seeing pics on FB.

I got married in Jan. '16, and I had a real bouquet of flowers, and my husband had a real flower. My bridal party had flowers made out of book pages (we are both avid readers). Everyone thought they were awesome and loved keeping them as gifts. Center pieces were lanterns with candles inside, with fake red rose petals sprinkled around for a dash of color.

If you want real flowers, I HIGHLY recommend looking at a grocery florist. They are considerably cheaper then any of the quotes I was given by "specialist" (I paid $50 for my bouquet).