Centerpiece woes...

[sunnyd]

Decisions, decisions...I''m leaning toward half candles, half flowers.

I really want these wine glass looking candle holders from BBB, but even after the 20% discount they''re $15.99 each. We have probably 13 tables, so that adds up! Plus we''d have to get them one at a time to use the coupon, what if they run out?

Anyone seen something similar?? If we used different wine glasses together, would that look weird?

Then for flowers, tall or short? The room is big, so tall would be preferable, but that equals more money! Then do I make them myself or have a florist do it?

Definitely having espresso colored linens because they''ll look yummy in the room, but that''s all I know for sure so far. HELP!! Please?

 

[aliceinwonderland]

I have a lot of experience in the floral industry...and if you have loads of help and want to do VERY SIMPLE arrangements then doing it yourself is an option. Be warned handling flowers is a very dirty job that makes your fingers green/ dry and is a last minute job so it will be stress inducing. Honestly unless it''s something that you have experience with or are very inclined towards I would advise against DIY...but being in the industry for years I am a perfectionsist so DIY stuff often doesn''t live up to my expectations.

The cost of the container is pretty high that''s $45 without anything in them. I would maybe take some of your ideas to a florist if you are leaning towards the flower route and if you have a good florist they will help you build an idea around it and may be able to source much cheaper containers that look just as nice. For a one time use thing you don''t need super high quality heavy glass like you would buy for your home.

Also if you go tall it needs to be high enough that your guests see under if KWIM. You don''t want them to be unable to see each other so you need to pretend that you are sitting at the table and imagine that you are conducting a conversation across the it with that centerpiece.

HTH
Alice

 

[sunnyd]

Thanks Alice, maybe I wasn''t clear? The BBB holders would have candles in them and be on half of the tables, then the other half of the tables would have flowers of some sort. If I were to do them, I''d put either just roses or some easy stuff. Maybe run to the market (Pike Place) and pick out some red flowers basically...gah there''s too many ideas!

 

[blondebunny]

I wish I could send you my 500 BBB coupons.. YOU KNOW THEY NEVER EXPIRE RIGHT? It has a expiration date... BUT they dont.. they always take them.. and they used to take Linens and THings coupons too...

I bought alot of vases too.. i mean ALOT.. i dont even want to count.. I should... BUT I plan on selling them after the wedding... have you thought of that???

Do you have some neighboring BBBs in your area? Could you send family members to get a few?? I mean if you spread it out... like maybe try to include your FI''s mom and ask her to buy like 3 or 4? and your mom 3 or 4? and then your the rest?? That might work out better and you would be including your FMIL... and you wouldnt be fronting all the money??

I totally think you could sell them after the wedding... join the knot community in your area... brides are ALWAYS selling stuff and the ladies are ALWAYS buying it! Same as on projectwedding....

OH and when I go to BBB they let me use more than one coupon at a time.. if they say no... just make ur FI get one and you get one.. and then walk out... and go back in.. LOL.. its what I do if they give me a hard time.. I just say your making more work for yourself.. but okay...

I am having vases similar to yours.. the 3 different heights.. as well as some others that are just one bigger vase Im putting my crystal trees in... In the ones like yours.. I am doing them like that bouquet I posted in my other thread....

Have you thought maybe putting those on like half the tables.. then one TALL centerpiece on the others to even it out?? Might not be so expensive that way??

Sorry if I rambled...

 

[Honey228]

I'm going to second alice by saying that DIY can be stressful. If you do go that route, I'd suggest something really simple. You could do tall glass vases with orchids suspended in water. Orchids are expensive per stem, but they're dramatic so you might be able to use fewer stems. You could also add river rocks or floating candles. I think that it would be simple enough that you could trust someone close to assemble it that day for you. You could arrange the candle holders around the vase. And while tall, the whole things is narrow, clean (not a lot of greenery), and pretty see through so it shouldn't give your guests too many problems seeing each other. I didn't want to nab anyone's photograph off the web but if you google image "orchids in water" you'll see good examples of what I'm talking about. You could use any nice showy flower like calla lilies, etc.

If you do use a florist, I would also ask them about sourcing items for you. Or maybe look into renting from a party supply place?

Silly question, do they not let you use the coupons online at BBB? Is the coupon per order or per item?

 

[jstarfireb]

I''ve seen (and my mom bought) something similar at Wal-mart, actually! I can''t find it online though, and I don''t remember the price. Might be worth checking out...

 

[sunnyd]

Oh I''ll totally sell them! Keep a set for myself of course...

I could do that, just go out and in, hahaha they would love me!

Unfortunately, you can''t use them online, and it''s only per item. They don''t do the whole order thing anymore do they? Haven''t seen one in a long time. Bummer!

Thanks for the suggestions Honey, but no orchids or callas for me. Too modern looking. It''s gonna be tall and red. Or low and red. I''ll be creative.

 

[blondebunny]

Date: 1/8/2009 6:46:31 PM
Author: Honey228
I''m going to second alice by saying that DIY can be stressful. If you do go that route, I''d suggest something really simple. You could do tall glass vases with orchids suspended in water. Orchids are expensive per stem, but they''re dramatic so you might be able to use fewer stems. You could also add river rocks or floating candles. I think that it would be simple enough that you could trust someone close to assemble it that day for you. You could arrange the candle holders around the vase. And while tall, the whole things is narrow, clean (not a lot of greenery), and pretty see through so it shouldn''t give your guests too many problems seeing each other. I didn''t want to nab anyone''s photograph off the web but if you google image ''orchids in water'' you''ll see good examples of what I''m talking about. You could use any nice showy flower like calla lilies, etc.


If you do use a florist, I would also ask them about sourcing items for you. Or maybe look into renting from a party supply place?


Silly question, do they not let you use the coupons online at BBB? Is the coupon per order or per item?

you can if you go to the store.. and maybe online.. BUT then you have to pay for shipping.. so it wouldnt really help.. I only know because they only had these pictures I wanted online... but then I wouldnt save anything really... stupid.. lol

 

[Cosmo_Gal]

Try Oriental Trading Company. They seem to have a lot of wedding decor and whatnot for a reasonable price.

 

[sunnyd]

Nada, thanks for the suggestion though Cosmo!

 

[Sparkalicious]

They are great, sunny! I haven''t seen anything similar but I would recommend checking out rental places - possibly their prices *might* be more reasonable than you think??? Grand Event Rentals, Pederson''s, Rented Elegance? I''m sure that if you check Grand Event Rentals and mention that you were at the Wedding Show and would like to take advantage of their discount, that they will honor that ... What do you think? I know that you won''t be able to sell them afterwards but it might take away some of your worry about trying to secure enough for your venue??

For flowers I say a combo of tall and short ... I think that that adds an extra point of interest to the room b/c everything isn''t totally uniform and it save your same

since the tall ones would still give you the impact you desire and garner attention and the small ones would still be beautiful ... just less expensive.

Also - I unequivocially vote florist! I have no idea how you amazing DIY girls do it but that is just too much drama for me (likely b/c I''m useless w/ DIY) You are the bride ... unless you have a ton of help and have people you know that you can trust to execute your vision properly - why take on the stress ... Get a florist to help you out and focus on being a beautiful bride! Have you inquired with Metropolitan Market? I hear that they do floral arrangements for weddings and are reasonably priced. If you want to spend a little bit more on flowers Christiane with Flora Nova is a lovely person and so, so talented. It may be worth a consult as she has lots of lovely rental item options as well ... She was at the Wedding Show too so maybe, just maybe you might be able to work some kind of deal from that angle ... What do you think?

 

[Honey228]

Oh good to know! I''d like a traditional, elegant wedding with gold, ivory, and burgundy colors. I''m planning a fall wedding. Your colors are espresso and red? Are you planning a fall wedding too? I have a couple of pictures saved in my ideas folder. One has a combination of tall and short red arrangements exactly like sparkalicious was saying. The other looks like it has a lot of curly willow in it to give it height and drama (and I thought it fit the theme). That might be an economical option to add height to your arrangements. My friend bought a box of curly willow for her DIY wedding flowers, I could ask.

Carnations are inexpensive and despite their bad rap, I think that they look nice when done in topiaries. This picture has one with a few roses in it. I don''t care for the stem or the container, but you get an idea. Alstromeria lilies I also remember as being inexpensive and they come in a range of colors including dark red.

 

[Honey228]

Ok, sorry I don't know how to put more than one picture in a post.

Here's the tall and short red arrangements. If you did something like this I think that you could get away with tea lights around the tall arrangements and save your candle holders for the tables with the short arrangements, which would cut down on the number of candle holders you would need.

 

[Honey228]

Here''s the photo that I just liked with the curly willow.

 

[sunnyd]

Thanks for the pics Honey! I love looking at new stuff.

So many ideas...curly willow was actually my original idea, but then I made one and didn''t like it. Though I could have a florist work with it because mine was only a half assed attempt

...but then I did find 12 bunches of willow for only $14! And a florist probably couldn''t compete with that. Arg!

I have Met Market on my list Spark. I''ve heard wonderul things. So you think I should do 1/3 candle things, 1/3 short, 1/3 tall? Hmmm...I do like variety! I''ll have to check out the rentals, good idea.

 

[sunnyd]

Are these too yellow? They''re about the same size and half the price from saveoncrafts.com.

 

[sunnyd]

And the room for reference. The lights will be much dimmer...

 

[Honey228]

I don''t think that they''re too yellow. I think that they''d look rather nice with the golden colors in the room. What a nice space! Those ceilings are TALL! I think that you''d definitely benefit from some arrangements with height. Do those chairs come with the space? If so, lucky you!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 1/9/2009 11:31:33 AM
Author: sunnyd
Thanks for the pics Honey! I love looking at new stuff.

So many ideas...curly willow was actually my original idea, but then I made one and didn''t like it. Though I could have a florist work with it because mine was only a half assed attempt

...but then I did find 12 bunches of willow for only $14! And a florist probably couldn''t compete with that. Arg!

I have Met Market on my list Spark. I''ve heard wonderul things. So you think I should do 1/3 candle things, 1/3 short, 1/3 tall? Hmmm...I do like variety! I''ll have to check out the rentals, good idea.

Sunny - Maybe you could supply your florist with the product, that you obtained for less so that then they would only charge you for the labor of putting it together professionally? Saves you the hassle, right?

I do think that you should mix it up. It would look great! I have proof too ..

I saw this article from a wedding advise site this morning and thought of you ...

"Mix and Match
When it comes to reception decor, mix it up! Give your space a modern (and more relaxed) look by having different styles of centerpieces on each table -- some high, some low, some a single vessel filled with flowers, some multiple vases arranged together."

You''re welcome! I hope the rentals have something good for you at decent prices!!

 

[jitterymo]

SunnyD, do you have a Ross near by... I''ve seen similar things at them all the time for about $9.99... you might want to pop in a take a look, they have some amazing glass stuff.... but then again it''s always hit and miss....

 

[sunnyd]

I love Ross! Haha it''s one of my favorite places. I''ll check it out.

Spark you are full of good ideas! LOL I need you to follow me around...I''ll if I can find someone to do that. More options! Eeee!

 

[Sparkalicious]

Date: 1/9/2009 5:21:44 PM
Author: sunnyd
Spark you are full of good ideas! LOL I need you to follow me around...I''ll if I can find someone to do that. More options! Eeee!

Thanks! You know I would ... I''m so obsessed with all this wedding planning stuff, it''s sickening. You just name it ... I''ll be there.

 

[Dreamgirl]

I love this idea. I thought about doing something like that myself with pearls surrounding the candles inside. Have you looked on ebay at all for something like this that you can purchase from an ebay store in bulk? They are actually called 'long stem candle holders' I've got a picture. I might have it on my (library) flash drive. Let me check.....

 

[Dreamgirl]

I do! (I''m so bad...I my wedding library goes with me to work

.) These are similar though, I''m not sure where this person purchased them. Have you looked at your local craft store?

 

[Dreamgirl]

I know they sell them at Michaels. Not sure how much they cost though. But they get those 40% off coupons weekly...

 

[QueenG]

I haven''t read all of the responses, but I DO know that BBB allows you to use up to 5 coupons (when buying 5 items, of course) per transaction. Actually, just yesterday I used 6 20% off coupons and 1 $10 off coupon in 1 transaction, but I think the official rule is 5 coupons per transaction. Bring a friend or 2 along and you can buy all of them at once.

 

[sunnyd]

Thanks Lioness! I went down to BBB last night and they''re being discontinued, so I''m just gonna bite the bullet and buy them.

 

[blondebunny]

Date: 1/10/2009 12:18:35 PM
Author: sunnyd
Thanks Lioness! I went down to BBB last night and they''re being discontinued, so I''m just gonna bite the bullet and buy them.

well.. if u change ur mind u can always return them... im pretty sure they dont have a time limit... they didnt before atleast.... i had something like a year old i kept forgetting to return and they took it back

how many r u getting??

 

[Winks_Elf]

Your idea for 13 tables comes to about $225. Can''t even get a florist to do one table centerpiece in NJ for that!

 

[sweetjettagirl04]

First question - do you want them to be of varying heights?

The reason I''m asking this is because, this may seem silly, but the Dollar Tree stores where i live have really nice, heavy, quality wine glasses for $1 each. I''m a bit of a snob when it comes to my wine glasses, but I have about 6 from there, and for a dollar a piece, you can''t beat them!