Ask a Planner... "DIY vs. Hiring a Pro?"

Hello.  

Can you recommend a florist that will give me the best value?  I am looking for tall centerpieces of white and purple roses.  I can't decide between DIY or hiring a florist.  Would you recommend doing the floral yourself? Thx.

Rachel


Hello Rachel,

Wedding florals come in all shapes, styles and budgets.  Whether to DIY it or hire a pro often means you fall into one of two categories... creative and crafty or budget conscious -- and sometimes it's both!  You are either not afraid to get your hands dirty and genuinely want to be a hands on DIY bride or you are simply trying to maximize your budget and think DIYing will save you money.   

The truth is, it can save you money, but it's not always the case as it really depends on what you have in mind and secondly it comes at a different kind of cost -- a "time" cost.  Most brides who choose to DIY (whether it be for flowers, invitations or cake) say later on that it was far larger a project or investment of their time and energy than they could have ever anticipated.  Some regret it and others say it was tough, but they wouldn't have had it any other way.  They enjoyed being able to say they had a very active hand in making their own wedding vision come to life.  

As I touched on above, DIYing does not always save you money because once you purchase the vases, the flowers, pay for the gas to drive around getting all the bits and pieces it can often end up being very close to if not the same price that a modest wedding pro might have charged as they already own the vase and already regularly have flowers in store, etc.  This doesn't account for your time either.  Typically a floral centerpiece will range anywhere in price between $50 and $400.00 each depending on the size, type of flowers, and florist being used.

My suggestion is that you meet with a 2 florists (or maybe 3 if you have the time) to determine what your vision might cost and then do some thinking and a little homework and do what works best for you.  Below are a few local budget friendly (and reputable) suggestions for you to look into:

1. http://www.budgetblooms.ca/

2. http://www.fransflowers.ca/

3. http://www.flowerfactory.ca/

Good luck Rachel!  And be sure to check out these three previous posts about flower costs in Vancouver, Top 10 DIY tips, and Budget Stress!

1. http://dreamgroupplanners.blogspot.ca/2011/08/top-10-diy-wedding-planning-tips.html

2. http://dreamgroupplanners.blogspot.ca/2012/05/ask-planner-budget-stress.html 

3. http://dreamgroupplanners.blogspot.ca/2012/06/ask-planner-centrepieces-are-how-much.html

Wedding Planner signing off!  Until next week darlings!  And don't be shy!  Submit your questions by emailing us at askaplanner@dreamgroup.ca

XOXO
Genève 

Click here to See Inside the Book

Genève McNally, Principal Planner, DreamGroup Productions

Genève first began her wedding career in 1999 as the Catering Manager for one of Vancouver’s most sought after wedding venues, Brock House Restaurant.  In 2004 Genève and college friend Sarah Shore ambitiously started up what is now one of Vancouver's longest running and most trusted wedding planning companies, DreamGroup Productions Inc.

These days, in addition to working with her clients in a full planning capacity and raising her two wonderful boys Harrison and Campbell with her husband, Genève focuses her attention on the sales and marketing aspects of the company and is most often the friendly voice you will chat with when first inquiring with DreamGroup.  Genève is known to inspire and excite both clients and industry associates alike with her exuberant personality and joie de vivre!  Her ability to be refreshingly candid and her in depth knowledge of the wedding industry have earned her the friendly moniker “Two-Cents McNally”.  Genève also teaches the Wedding Planning classes offered through the dg Academy and is the chief correspondent behind DreamGroup's weekly Blog feature Ask a Planner.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list! 
We promise to inspire, inform and indulge!

 

Monday's Montage: Bridal Bouquet Trends

A bride’s bouquet speaks to her personal style and the tone of her big day. It might be elegant or classic, traditional or vintage, bright and colorful like the bride’s personality or simple and elegant. These are some of the current, popular wedding bouquet trends.

 

Brooch bouquets-One of the reasons brooch bouquets have become so popular, brides like the idea of having it as a keepsake, something they can pass down to their daughter. Some brides choose to use family heirlooms in their creations while others buy a designed brooch bouquet. However, these rang from hundreds of dollars to thousands! It’s easy and affordable to create a do-it-yourself bouquet while recycling brooches.

 

 

Texture- Everything goes when it comes to mixing different textures in the bouquet, including felt and feathers. Other items used are seashells for beach weddings, pine cones or twigs for rustic weddings and different types of ribbon to add color.

 

 

Monochromatic- Simple, classic and often more affordable since the florist needs less varieties of flowers. Whatever your style, the possibilities are endless for your Bridal Bouquet, although keep in mind, they are heavier than you think!

 

 

 

Jayleen Deelman has been with DreamGroup since 2010 and has made her way from our Star Wedding Coordinator to a Dedicated Associate Planner. Jayleen is upbeat, good natured, and always smiling. She is attentive and with her passion for everything weddings she is key in carrying out a fluid and enjoyable wedding day experience. Clients adore her sweet disposition and her desire to make their wedding a memory they will never forget.

Ask a Planner... "Bloomin Budget!"

Hi DreamGroup

I'm on a 2K Flower Budget! And after contacting several florists for quotes have realized just how much of a budget I'm on! lol  Basically without getting super complicated I need to know from a pro what a typical amount might be for my wedding flowers for the ceremony and reception keeping in mind a pretty and modest floral plan. I do aspire to have my wedding featured in Real Weddings or Perfect Wedding and do have pretty good taste so it can't look cheap!  I love white orchids!  I need to know how much is just enough.  Hopefully that makes sense.  FYI: We have 80 guests and are hosting it at Hotel Georgia next summer. Ceremony in Foyer dinner in Spanish Ballroom.  I have 3 Bridesmaids and Jeff has 2 Groomsmen (I know we're unbalanced!).  We would also like each of our parents to have some body flowers.

Thanks!

Vanessa

Hello Vanessa,

Thank you for your question! Floral budgets can vary very widely depending on the caliber of wedding, size of floral arrangements, types of flowers, and number of tables/guests.  Based on an intimate wedding at the gorgeous and timeless Rosewood Hotel Georgia and factoring in, as you said, a "pretty and modest" floral design plan -- here is a realistic average breakdown that would surely make both you and your budget happy. And for the record having more/less bridesmaids than groomsmen is not that unusual.  Who says friendship has to be symmetrical?  Best of luck with your wedding!

Floral Budget - modest and sweet:

Bride's Bouquet: $150.00

Bridesmaid's Bouquet: $75.00 each x 3 = $225.00

Groom's Boutonniere: $15.00

Groomsman's Boutonniere: $10.00 each x 2 = $20.00

Mother of the Bride Corsage: $15.00

Mother of the Groom Corsage: $15.00

Father of the Bride Boutonniere: $10.00

Father of the Groom Boutonniere: $10.00

2 Ceremony Arrangements (pillars not included): $150.00 x 2 = $300.00

Centerpieces (using florist's own vases): $125.00 each x 8 = $1,000.00

Head Table Florals: $200.00 (you might instead re-purpose the bridesmaid bouquets to save $$$)

Delivery and Pick: $100.00

Total (before tax): $2,060.00

HST:  $247.20

Grand Total: $2,307.20  **note this does not include potential decor costs for things like specialty linens, candles, rented vases, etc.

Wedding Planner signing off!  Until next week… keep those questions coming in!  Submit your questions by emailing us at askaplanner@dreamgroup.ca 

Cheerio,
Genève 

Click here to See Inside the Book

Genève McNally, Principal Planner, DreamGroup Productions

Genève first began her wedding career in 1999 as the Catering Manager for one of Vancouver’s most sought after wedding venues, Brock House Restaurant.  In 2004 Genève and college friend Sarah Shore ambitiously started up what is now one of Vancouver's longest running and most trusted wedding planning companies, DreamGroup Productions Inc.

These days, in addition to working with her clients in a full planning capacity and raising her two wonderful boys Harrison and Campbell with her husband, Genève focuses her attention on the sales and marketing aspects of the company and is most often the friendly voice you will chat with when first inquiring with DreamGroup.  Genève is known to inspire and excite both clients and industry associates alike with her exuberant personality and joie de vivre!  Her ability to be refreshingly candid and her in depth knowledge of the wedding industry have earned her the friendly moniker “Two-Cents McNally”.  Genève also teaches the Wedding Planning classes offered through the dg Academy and is the chief correspondent behind DreamGroup's weekly Blog feature Ask a Planner.

Click here to sign up for DreamGroup's Mailing list! 
We promise to inspire, inform and indulge!