My first dilemma: I don’t want to spend a fortune on my bouquet. And my favorite flowers are roses, garden roses, and peonies (all white/off white). But of course, these are some of the most expensive flowers out there. Good way to smash the budget to smithereens! I’m torn between “Ahhh, let’s just go with carnations” and “but my flowers will be in every picture”. *Sigh* I want them to make a statement… but I don’t want to have to include BYOB in the invitations. Haha! 

Thankfully bewildered budget brides have great internet resources to help us out! Not only did I find great inspiration from our own Dream Weddings on a Budget (search “Flowers” under the categories tab), but according to The Knot I discovered that “ranunculus is a cost effective alternative to roses and peonies and to carry ranunculus is to tell your partner, in the Victorian language of flowers, ‘I am dazzled by your charms.’” Perfecto! And SO true, J is QUITE the charmer!!  Does anyone have any other suggestions for cost effective flowers that pack a punch?

Ranunculus

Peonies

Dilemma numero dos: I have chosen ice blue as my bridesmaid color to pair with the black and white damask. What color flowers go with blue dresses??? Other than dyed blue carnations (what my mom had) or blue hydrangeas (okay, but not for the whole bouquet). I took a peak at a color wheel for some inspiration. The complementary (opposite) color of blue on the color wheel is yellow. That would be pretty, very springy. But I hesitate to introduce a WHOLE NEW color into our wedding palate.

I could go with different shades of blues and purples, but I worry that that will be too dark for a spring time wedding.

WHEN DID THIS GET SO COMPLICATED?!?!?!?!?!?

All photos courtesy the Knot

Saturday:) I love Saturdays! This week my Saturday is full of baseball and soccer with both of my girls having their season ending tournaments at the same time but first things first: Pink Saturday!  Check out the gorgeous pink and black wedding bouquet I found on eBay today! It is one of the many designs available from Roscoe Choppers on eBay and it’s sold as a complete set including the bridal bouquet, 5 boutinierre’s, 4 bridesmaids, 2 father, 2 mothers, flower girl and ring bearer and the entire set is $135 – so cheap!

The bouquets are faux of course – but so gorgeous! I love the soft pink combined with a dramatic black and the polka dot ribbon gives it a perfect, fun finish. Check out a few of the other designs offered by Roscoe Choppers on eBay.

Here’s another great idea I found earlier this week from Beginning To End that would make a simple DIY project, very affordable, and absolutely gorgeous!

Most wedding decor rental companies will carry vases similar to these that will be fairly inexpensive. The bottom could be filled with glass pebbles, rocks, sand, coffee beans, etc. Some rental companies will carry pebbles you can rent by the cup full as well. You would then need carnations and a little ribbon – and viola. Gorgeous!

How cute are these? From the Todd Oldham Summer Collection at FTD, these ice cream bouquets would make a wonderful centerpiece for a summer bridal shower, engagement party or even a fun summer wedding reception. With carnations as the flower of choice for these bouquets, they are also fairly affordable. If you love the idea, how about an ice cream sundae bar for dessert? A perfect late summer wedding treat!

And as a special treat for our readers, use this link for 10% OFF! Todd Oldham Flowers, Gifts & Plants exclusively at FTD

This ribbon bouquet was featured in the recent Martha Stewart Weddings magazine as part of a feature on ribbon crafts for weddings. This is such a gorgeous, unique idea for a bouquet, perfect for a bride who wants something different but still affordable. The magazine, and Martha’s website both provide complete instructions as well. And, not only do you get something completely unique and unforgettable, but it will make a great keepsake for after the wedding as well!

To see the rest of the wonderful ribbon crafts, check out the Martha Stewart website, or pick up a copy today!

I LOVE the look of pomander balls. They are much classier then traditional baskets for flower girls and they also work well as decor items as well. There are MANY MANY ways that you can dress up a pomander ball. The amazing peony and pearl version shown above was found on eHow and just happens to come along with complete instructions to make your own pomander ball with fresh flowers. Of course, you could use the same instructions for silk flowers as well.

Here are a few more gorgeous pomander ideas (click on the image to find the source).

Source: White Aisle & All you need to wear.com

Parasols are chic, trendy and highly popular right now, but if you are like most brides on a budget, you have probably thought of them as another way to spend money right? Well – here is some great news for you! These chic, adorable parasols can actually save you money!!

If you are planning an outdoor wedding, parasols make the perfect bridesmaid accessory instead place flowers. You can get parasols in many different colors starting as low as $6 ( 20-32″ at Luna Bazaar). White Aisle has larger, 32″ parasols for $9. The ones from All You Need To Wear start at $5! At those prices, a parasol is both a chic and affordable alternative to bridal bouquets.

Printed versions are somewhat more expensive of course, but even the print versions at Luna Bazaar start as low as $8.

Whenever you plan a wedding theme, the first thing to do is pick a key point. For a beach wedding, this might be the color blue, or sea shells. For a 4^th of July or Memorial Day wedding, red, white and blue – and flags, are the obvious choice. So, how do you plan a red, white and blue wedding that is gorgeous and affordable? Well, let’s take a look:

Start with the clothing. For the bride, a stunning red and white wedding gown, like ANNA shown here. For the groom, a white or navy blue suit with a red vest and tie. The flower girl will look beautiful in a red gown with a navy blue sash, to match the navy blue bridesmaid gowns. The groomsmen would be in navy or white tuxedos with navy vest and tie. Personally, I think white would look amazing. Tuxedos with tails and top hats would also be stunning. Finish of the look with red necklaces for the girls, and blue for the bride – and red roses for the bouquets and boutinierres.

For wedding invitations, use a navy blue cardstock, with a frosted vellum overlay printed with your information. Tie the two together with a red ribbon, and seal in an envelope with a flag sticker or a wax seal.

For the ceremony, decorate the center aisle with a white aisle runner. At the edge of each pew or row – place a pew bow of white tulle decorated with red and blue ribbon, ivy and a tiny US flag. If you need to fit into a smaller budget – put them only on the first few rows were immediate family and honored guests will be sitting. If you want an archway at the alter, decorate it with white tulle, red and blue ribbon, ivy and tiny flags to match the pew bows.

There are two unique guest book ideas that come to mind. You could take a large piece of parchment and have your names, date and place written on top in old fashioned calligraphy. Distress the paper, and tie it with a ribbon for a week or so before the wedding – so it has the just unrolled look. Have guests sign – just like the fore fathers did. Of, find a flag that is large, but small enough to still hang on a wall. Have your names and dates embroidered on the center, and then have guests use fabric pens to sign on the flag. This flag can then be framed and hung later on.

Remembrance – You may want to do something to remember those who gave their lives as well. Place a small side table with three candles – red, white and blue somewere were it will be seen. Place a wreath of red, white and blue flowers in front. This could be placed by the guestbook table, or near the entrance to the sanctuary. It could also go in the reception hall near the cake table or in front of the head table if you wanted.

For reception décor, use white table clothes. Decorate the head table with tulle, ribbon, ivy and tiny flags as you did the pew bows. For the guest tables, you can use small flower arrangements of red carnations with blue and white ribbons, and a little flag in the center. Accent the centerpiece with red, white and blue confetti. Oil lanterns with an old fashion look would also make great centerpieces. If they are clear –red and blue oil make a great touch! If you are using table markers – name each table after a founding father or a state. A rose bowl with a floating candle would make a great centerpiece as well – just tie red and blue ribbon around the top.

This is the perfect wedding theme for an All American Bar-B-Que! For an informal wedding, offer a buffet of freshed grilled beef and chicken burgers, fruit salad, potato salad, coleslaw, etc. For a more formal wedding, bar-b-qued chicken with baked potatoes is perfect. A cake or dessert dish decorated with strawberries and blueberries is the perfect end to the meal. We have another article posted on red, blue and white wedding cakes for a 4th of July wedding as well -you can read it here.

And for a finishing touch – don’t forget to leave the wedding in a bang: yes I mean fireworks. Plan for a fireworks display to take place as part of your farewell as you and your new husband leave the wedding! If you are not able to have fireworks, opt for some amazing 36” sparkles for guests to use to see you off!

AFTERTHOUGHT: Eagles would also make a great addition to your decor for a July 4th wedding. Don’t think eagles are romantic? You might change your mind. Eagles are one of the few animals on earth that mate for life. When a pair of eagles meet, they will soar together as high above the clouds – male chasing female. Then, she will allow herself to fall. If the male catches her on his back – they will remain together for the rest of their lives! What a wonderful display of love, trust, and faithfulness. “When you soar, I will soar with you. When you fall, I will catch you.”

FOR MORE 4th of July Wedding Ideas and Wedding Favor Suggestions, Click Here.

Flowers from the Farmer’s Market: Many cities have summer farmer’s markets where fresh flowers are sold. This is a great way to get flowers without the hassles of finding a wholesale market. The best way is to go through the local vendors to check the prices and selection, then choose the vendor who is appropriate.

Purchasing Flowers at a Wholesale Market: flowers should be purchased from the wholesale market whenever possible. Located in large metropolitan areas, they often sell flowers to the public after the wholesale buyers are done. They are a bargain.

Flowers from Grocery Stores: for smaller weddings one might rely on the floral department of the local grocery store. There one can find flowers in many colors and prices.

Flowers from Mail Order: There are some wonderful mail-order sources for flowers today. But they are accompanied by shipping expenses and worries about the condition of flowers and their timely arrival.

Flowers from Local Florists: This is a great source for flowers, although they may be somewhat more expensive than other outlets. The quality may be better. One will also have the option to order things like garlands, arches, altar arrangements, corsages, and other specialty flowers.

Greens: one should not forget to order large quantities of greenery. It will fill in centerpieces, add a background to large altar arrangements, and act as a collar around bridal bouquets. It’s a good idea to order extra bundles of greens in case any stems are damaged or some bunches are smaller than others.

Once the flowers have been bought, it is very important to look after them. The best flower care tips can be accumulated from the vendor who sold the flowers.

Wedding Flowers provides detailed information about wedding flowers, fall wedding flowers, silk wedding flowers, spring wedding flowers and more. Wedding Flowers is the sister site of Wedding Flowers.

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