In our digital age, we are bombarded with all kinds of instant information on a 24/7 basis. Throw a bride planning her wedding into that and it is easy to see how she can find herself dreaming big only to find out that her dreams are not possible on her budget. But, with the help of creative vendors, her dreams can come true. Take the centerpieces for example.
Multi level, multi container centerpieces are considered to be platinum style centerpieces with good reason. The more elements you have in a centerpiece, the more expensive it is going to be. Plus, if the actual flowers used are higher end flowers, the price will shoot up considerably. Not to mention if you are going for the massed flower look. The more stems needed, the more expensive it will be. Add those factors together and suddenly you are looking at a centerpiece that can cost you your entire budget!
So, how do you get that style of centerpiece without taking out a loan? First, let’s look at the actual elements in that multi level, multi container centerpiece. Typically there are numerous vases/containers in several heights. The larger the vase/container, the more expensive it will be. Instead of trying to match them all up, head to the thrift store, look on Ebay or check out Craig’s list. Look for a variety of vases/containers with the idea that you can still achieve multi heights, but that they will have a more eclectic style since they will not all match. You will save a lot by buying used rather than new. There are usually other elements such as candles, crystals, feathers, or pearls. Again, check out the above places as well as haunt the craft store ads. Many of them post their weekly specials online so you can check if anything you need is on sale before making the trip in person.
But, what about the flowers for this style centerpiece? If you keep these three things in mind, you can achieve the look without the high price tag: 1. Choose flowers that are in season. Yes, we can get peonies in December, but they are expensive! Many flowers are now available year round so typically what you may have in mind could already be in season. 2. Choose flowers that are at the lower end of the cost scale. Alstromeria is far less expensive than Phalaenopsis orchids are. And, yes, many of us tend to turn up our noses at carnations, but they are making a come-back simply due to the fact that they look wonderful massed together and there is such a huge range of colors to choose from, not to mention the fact that they tend to be rather inexpensive. 3. Less is more! I once had an art teacher who had a simple way of saying this. KISS= Keep It Simple Silly! Instead of having flowers in every single vase/container, put a few blooms in several of the vases/containers and use the rest to hold pillar, taper, or floating candles. You could even have something fun in those other containers such as candies, mints, favors, chocolates, mini cookies, or mixed nuts.
What if after all this you still can’t afford this style centerpiece? The solution lies in taking one part of that style centerpiece and using it instead. For example, I recently created a platinum centerpiece for a bridal show. It featured 3 foot tall cylinders with sunken dendrobium orchids with a sheet of glass placed on top of all three creating a shelf on which I placed two heights of silver vases filled with draping white Phalaenopsis orchids and white hydrangea. I then hung lengths of crystal garlands from the vases to hang over the edge of the glass and as a last touch; I placed LED candles among the vases for that extra glow. Retail price tag: $5000! Yes, $5000!!! However, by simply taking one of the 3 foot tall vases, sinking orchids inside, filling it with water and floating a candle on top you get a centerpiece that retails for $55.00. No, it isn’t the same piece but it is still along the same style range and frankly, your guests won’t know that because most people are astonished when they sit down at their table and there is a three foot tall vase in front of them!
So remember, just because you have a tin foil budget it doesn’t mean you have to settle for a centerpiece that looks like you have a tin foil budget.
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