Christmas Wedding Flower Ideas

The holidays are a wonderful time of the year to get married especially Christmas time. Everyone is already as merry as can be why not add to the joy of the Christmas season with a beautiful wedding. There are plenty of Christmas Wedding Flower ideas so you will not have any trouble creating a beautiful Christmas theme wedding.

In this article we will look at a few Christmas wedding flower ideas that you can use for the bouquets, ceremony and the reception. You will want to stock up on your mulberry and crepe paper in reds, greens, silvers, and gold colors for these flower ideas.

Bouquets - The majority of brides choose red flowers for their Christmas wedding with lots of greenery. Although you should not rule out the silver and gold colors they really accent the red and green colors. A nice bridal bouquet for a Christmas themed wedding is red roses surrounded by the greenery with a silver and gold or one of the other attached to the bouquet holder that flows down.

For the toss away bouquet you can make a mini replica of your bridal bouquet and add a few plastic Christmas ornaments such as gold or silver bells.

Sourcing Wholesale Flowers For Your Wedding

Flowers and weddings -- It's like peanut butter and jelly or spaghetti and meatballs. They just go together. But flowers can be expensive, especially if you're not watching what's in season. Some florists even charge extra when they find out the order is for a wedding (as do many other vendors who feel as if they can get away with pricing items higher for weddings).

But there is a way to buy a lot of flowers for a lot less money: Buy them wholesale. You can buy flowers wholesale - or at least at deeply discounted prices - from a flower market that's intended to sell to florists and other businesses.

Many flower markets have hours during which they're open to the public, so if you don't have a friend or family member with a reseller's license, you can still buy cheap flowers.

Timing is important when visiting a wholesale flower market. The day of the week you go is important because you don't want to go too early - the flowers will die before the big day. You also don't want to go too late - Often the buds are sold closed, so you need to give them a few days in order to open up.

The time of day is also of concern. Many flower markets open early - we're talking before the sun even comes up, and the good flowers can go quickly. So set your alarm and brew some coffee!

As mentioned before, if you know someone who has access to wholesale prices with a reseller's badge and is willing to work as a buyer for you (you might have to bribe them with breakfast), you're going to be able to get even more of a discount. But even if you go during public hours, you're going to get a smaller total bill than if you went through a florist.

When you show up at the market, don't buy the first thing you see. Check out all the vendors to get an idea of who charges the best prices and which one has the best quality flowers. Once you've narrowed down your options, scrutinize the flowers more closely.

Don't buy from a vendor who has brown or withered flowers in their booth. Look for freshly cut stems and firm buds. Don't be concerned if the buds aren't open yet. If you timed your visit right, the flowers will be open in all their beautiful glory at your wedding.

Once you've found the flowers for you, you can negotiate. If you're buying from multiple vendors, your negotiation probably won't be as successful as if you buy from just one. Loyalty usually pays, after all.

There is now also the option of buying flowers for wholesale prices online. While this definitely guarantees the lowest rates - which is a good thing because you're not going to be able to negotiate with a computer - there are definite risks.

First, you have to rely on the postal system to get the flowers to your home in time for you to create arrangements before the wedding. You also don't get to select the flowers yourself so you don't get to check out the quality.

If flowers show up brown and withered, then you have very little recourse other than complaining to the company, who might or might not send you new flowers, which might or might not get to you in time. While buying online is a legitimate path to use, just be aware of the risks before you put in your credit card information.

When you've purchased your flowers, place the flowers in several inches of cold water until you're ready to create the arrangements. Have your bridesmaids over, open up a bottle of wine and get creating those beautiful bouquets!

Looking for more information about planning your wedding? Gail recommends the following site for all your wedding planning needs:
http://www.budgetweddings4u.com

June Wedding? Cancel It, Quick!

Planning a June wedding? Consider getting hitched this month instead.

I don't mean to be a total killjoy. But given that the average wedding these days will set you back about $20,000, you may be looking for ways to keep your special day from costing more than the down payment on your first condo.

A stroll down the aisle doesn't have to mire you and your lovely in debt. A little creative thinking can cut your wedding tab 25% to 50%. Think nontraditional. Think memorable. Think laser tag, as my colleague Robert Brokamp and his bride did for their nuptials.

OK, don't think laser tag. (Although I know a few grooms who would go teary-eyed with joy if their bride suggested it.) Here are a few ways to save on your big day:

Timing is everything:

Lovebirds pay a premium to tie the knot on a Saturday or in June. Pair the two and you're facing a few extra Gs on the bill. Off months such as March and April are more affordable, as are morning weddings where expenses such as food, transportation, and hall rentals can be a lot cheaper.

Location, location, location:

Modern Bride estimates that a wedding reception costing $4,000 in San Diego would cost $9,000 in Chicago and $15,000 in New York City. See? Even not-so-small towns have their charm.

Wouldn't your mom be thrilled if you got married in your childhood stomping grounds? Your guests will certainly appreciate cheaper lodging costs. Even if you live in a high-priced city, nontraditional places such as public parks and art galleries can cost less than rental halls and hotel ballrooms.

Bite your tongue:

Anything that has the word "wedding" attached to it can instantly fetch a 25% premium (or more) over the generic version. When shopping for your cake, flowers, tablecloth, "ring pillow," or dress, beeline away from any options preceded by the "w" word.

Put your pals to work:

In lieu of another Crate & Barrel tchotchke, ask your talented friends for a gift that you could really use: their help. Perhaps you know someone who can perform music at the service (or change the CDs you and your sweetheart make yourself), take photographs, tend bar, or play videographer -- all functions that will cost you $500-$900 to have someone else do. Chances are your best friend's brother won't charge a corking fee.

Trim the guest list:

At $80 per person for food, wine, cake, napkins, and every one of your variable costs, this is the fastest way to save. Remember, this isn't just some kegger that's open to all of your office mates. It's your wedding.

Just say "no":

Anti-etiquette bride and author of Fire Your Wedding Planner Stephi Stewart says that assertive brides and grooms need to learn to just say "no." Party favors? Feh. Engraved napkins? Puh-leeze.

Dream of the future:

Before you shampoo the rice and rose petals out of your hair, start planning your financial future -- together. Saving for a house, college for future critters, paying cash for a vacation -- these should all be things in the back of your mind before you write a check for your wedding gown.

By putting just a few money-saving steps into place, couples can begin their married life in that rare blissful state called "debt-free."

Taken From Fool.com