Wedding Budget: Affordable Floral Options

When it comes to booking the florist for your wedding, it's very common for couples to experience some serious sticker shock. From corsages and boutonnieres to altar arrangements and reception centerpieces, the tally adds up quickly, leaving some brides to rethink their dream bouquet. Wedding budgets are serious business and keeping your purchases within them can be tricky. While there are many ways to save money on your wedding as well as wedding budget cuts you should avoid, finding cost-effective alternatives to your ideal flowers may not be as obvious.

But, wait! You don't have to cut arrangements or shrink their sizes. All you have to do is be a little creative, think outside the box and know your stuff before meeting with a professional.

While in your wedding floral dreams, you may picture thousands upon thousands of exotic flowers making their appearance in every inch of the day, it's likely that your budget just doesn't allow for it. And trust me when I tell you, that's okay! Two of my favorite cost-cutting options are quickly being recognized for their tiny price tag as well as their undiscovered elegance: carnations and baby's breath.

Baby's breath? YES! I know what you're thinking, but stay with me here and tell me these photos aren't gorgeous...baby's breath or not!

WeddingBee

Elevage Events

And for all my ladies hosting a rustic wedding, you honestly couldn't find a better floral option than baby's breath, as it meshes so perfectly with burlap and lace.

Snippet and Ink

Sara Jane Blog

Once Wedd

Okay, so maybe I haven't convinced you with the baby's breath option. I know we don't typically think of carnations as wedding flowers, but we really should! When bunched together and arranged in bulk, they have the look of expensive and over-the-top for a fraction of the cost!

Martha Stewart Weddings

Gimme Some Sugar

Bella Wedding Flowers

When you go to meet with prospective florists (yes, that's plural. Always meet with 3 vendors in each category before choosing one!!), do a little research beforehand about the average costs of the flowers you most prefer, so you're not blown away by the quote they give you. Don't be afraid to ask them about look-alike options that may save your pennies. (ex: ranuculus in place of peonies) Make sure you have a number in your head before going in and let them know what the budget they have to work with will be. You can always compromise by using fillers and affordable flowers with the more expensive ones. 

What flowers do you plan to have in your bouquet or centerpieces? Or are you doing non-floral options? Tell me about your ideas below! And if you're looking for more original and affordable floral options for your wedding, email me with any questions and I'll do my best to help!

Chevron Wedding Inspiration

As you can see, in lieu of a photo post today, we are going to delve into the infinite world of wedding inspiration! If the background on this blog is any indication, I am obsessed with all things chevron and I love being inspired by current trends in fashion and bringing them to the wedding world. I love the idea of taking a pattern and using it to create the theme for any party, and especially a wedding. So if you're looking for some chevron wedding inspiration, you've arrived at the right destination!

• As with any theme, the first glimpse of your wedding will be in the wedding invitation. Be sure to include your chevron in all of your wedding stationary! Be creative, without being overpowering. You still want your guests to read the invitation wording! Chevron your envelopes or seal with a chevron sticker. Use chevron labels or create custom chevron postage stamps!

KXO Design

Oh So Beautiful Paper

• Y'all know I love me some pretty table decor and whatever your theme/ color scheme, it belongs on the guest tables! Use table runners, chair sashes, extra details and centerpieces to accent the color scheme with your pattern. Keep the patterned items to a maximum of one of two per table to avoid looking too busy.

Style Unveiled

• Patterned and themed cakes are a perfect way to implement chevron into your wedding design at your reception! Again, don't overwhelm your cake design, but keep most of it simple (read: white or solid color), allowing you to feature the chevron as well as your wedding colors on one or two tiers.

Belle

Clever Confections via Cake Central

• Once you've covered all of these categories, you'll want to add little bits of chevron here and there in the details. Think about your ceremony pews or chair decoration, bridal party accessories (pocket squares, ties, bouquet ribbon, jewelry, etc.) and any other extra items you may be including.

Bloomed to Last

The Favor Box

Any time you plan to incorporate a pattern into a wedding, remember to keep it simple! Whether it's the beloved and popular chevron, stripes or polka dots, any pattern can quickly become overwhelming and overdone. Choose a few items to deck out in your theme, while keeping everything else simple in solid colors. If you think it's too much, it probably is. 

What are your favorite wedding themes or patterns? Would you like to see more wedding pattern/ color inspiration? Let me know in the comment section below! And don't forget to enter the Kiki La'Rue giveaway!

Autumn Rustic Wedding: Lisa & Kenny

Happy Friday! If you're a regular on the blog, then you know I have a soft spot for rustic weddings. I love the simplicity and the natural elements that combine to create a stunning backdrop for the event. I'm a sucker for all things burlap, mismatched bridal party attire, haybail seating and handmade centerpieces. Rustic weddings may be the trend of right now, but they are nothing new won't be on their way out any time soon!

Lisa & Kenny were married on November 3, 2012 at Immaculate Conception Parish in O'Fallon, Missouri. In between ceremony and celebration, they stopped at Faust Park for some lovely outdoor shots, complete with the freshly fallen autumn leaves.  The couple combined soft, muted pinks, touches of gold and the perfect amount of nature to create a romantic feel. And no rustic wedding is complete without plenty of cowboy boots! 

Thanks to Kelly Adler at Irish Eyes Photography LLC, Lisa & Kenny for sharing this gorgeous rustic wedding with my readers and myself today. I have been gushing over these images for weeks waiting to post them for you all to see. Head over to their Facebook page (linked above) and check out their work. If you're interested in more information, me or Irish Eyes and tell them I sent you! Also be sure to check out Kelly's first featured wedding on my blog here.

If you'd like your own rustic wedding featured on All Tulled Up, contact me for more info!

Winter Wedding: Michael & Jamie

It's Friday, which means it's photo post day!! I love sharing weddings and engagments with you guys every week. I am constantly meeting new and talented photographers who are willing to share their work with me and I look forward to posting those images all week long. This week, I am sharing another adorable winter wedding. Enjoy!

After meeting in college, Michael and Jamie recently tied the knot on December 29, 2012. The ceremony took place at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in the heart of St. Louis, followed by a reception at the Wildwood Hotel. Given a short timeframe, Jamie managed to find time to plan her wedding, attend school and prepare for a huge move to the east coast immediately following the wedding. The celebration served not only as a sendoff into married life but a fabulous goodbye party as well. Jake Sorrill of If Only...Photography captured their day.

*Credits for all images to If Only...Photography*

Thank you, Michael & Jamie for allowing me to share the memories of your beautiful day! If you would like to have your wedding or engagement featured on the blog, email me for more info!