IS THIS YOU?  

With the cost of living skyrocketing as gas prices go up, food prices  goes up, and everything just seems more expensive than ever, Bridal couples find themselves in a real dilemma; how to afford the wedding they want on a smaller budget?

Most bridal couples today are much older than in years past, more established with mortgages, car loans, student loans, credit card debt and even children. This age difference also means less financial help from parents and can seem impossible to afford the day to day basics with an elaborate wedding on top.

If this is you, I completely understand. No, really! I have been there. Read my story and you'll see how similar they are and what I did toovercome my wedding budget blues.

Now, I know that we are not yet acquainted, but that’s about to change. My name is Kristi. I have been in the wedding industry for almost 10 years now and I have created or designed well over 15,000 arrangements in a varied of styles, colors and price points. I am lucky to run my own company doing something I absolutely love! Really, I didn’t really mean to start my own business. This is what happened.

**My STORY**

In the spring of 2000 the man of my dreams asked me to marry him. You understand my excitement and like you I began the planning immediately. It only took me several weeks to really get a sense of what I was in for. At that time, I had no idea what a wedding would cost, and frankly was stunned when my wishful thinking budget topped $40,000. That’s right! $40,000. Of course, reality set in, only to have to find away to do everything I wanted for ½ of that. So, I started analyzing every expense, desperately seeking affordable solutions.

The first solution involved the reception hall. We were able to flexible on our wedding date and at that time we could get a deal if we married in April. This worked out well, since we actual could marry on the day we met. Next came the gown.

I really lucked out here. There was a small bridal boutique closing, she just had twins, and was selling off all their remaining gowns at $100 each. I didn’t have more than handful in my size, but when I put it on I just knew that it was the one. On to the flowers and decorations.

Okay, here is where the beginning of my business really starts. My initial budget had over $4,000 set aside, but of course I had to chop that in half, so I was down to $2,000. I didn’t think I had a very big wedding with only 125 guests, 2 bridesmaids, groomsmen and the appropriate other flowers for moms, grandmothers, ushers, flower girl and ring bearer.  Not to mention the ceremony pew flowers and centerpieces. I was under the average, after all. Anyway, I had 3 quotes prepared and not one of them was under $2,000. In fact most of them averaged closed to $3,000. They didn’t even seem to hear me when I told them what my budget was, let alone give me options about more cost effective designs. I walked away with the feeling that if this is what you want, then this is how much you will have to pay for it.

I just didn’t want to have sacrifice anymore than I was already when a friend of mine said, “Why don’t you make your own flowers? You make other silk arrangements for other people, why not for your wedding?” Well, it is a good question. I hadn’t really considered it because the other arrangements she was talking about were from a hobby I loved and I only made them for other family or friends. I had never made a wedding bouquet or corsage. After much thought I was convinced that I could do it and at least I know I was going to get the service I wanted.

I know right then in there that I wasn’t the only Bride that felt that way and I knew I could provide vast options with the service other Brides really wanted. After all, I did spend 7-1/2 years in the retail service industry. I knew what good service was all about. So shortly after the wedding, I studied and received an accredit degree for Bridal Consulting and finished college with a Bachelor’s Degree in business management. With all the proper paper in hand I filed for a business license and the rest is, as you say, history.

It did take me a little time to learn, as it was not a simple as I thought. Thank goodness I was using silk flowers, otherwise the amount of money I would have thrown away in dead flowers would of cost over half of what I actually spent.

Oh yeah, I bet you are curious to what I actually spent. Okay, here goes.

Remember my budget was no more than $2,000. I actually spent $721. WOW! That's not even half of my budget. Now, I know what you're thinking. You made all your flowers yourself so that's just for material and I don't want to make my own flowers.

Well, that's sort of true, but 99% of the Brides I service buy all their wedding flowers for well under $1,000. And that's for everything; bride bouquet, bridesmaids bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, flower girl baskets, ring bearer, ceremony flowers (altar flowers, swags or pew flowers) and all the reception centerpieces.  And that's amazing since according to the Bridal Association of America the average total cost for floral table centerpieces alone is $1,272.

***Remember they get it all for less than the cost of just centerpieces. So ask yourself, "Do want flowers for your whole wedding or just centerpieces?***

Still skeptical? Okay, I've got proof.

REAL SAVINGS.....LELIA'S STORY

One August day, a couple of years ago, I get a call from a young lady who is getting married the week of Thanksgiving. She continues to tell me that she wants to go with silk flowers because her wedding party is quite large and after having several fresh flower florists provide quotes she just couldn't afford it.

She was right about the large party. She had 7 bridesmaids, 4 flower girls, 1 ring bearer, 2 Jr. Bridesmaids, the need for 13 boutonnieres, and 4 corsages. She also requested a custom rhinestone and pearls veil with a waterfall pattern. (Now, from time to time, we get these kinds of request and we are happy to oblige, but keep in mind that that means hand gluing each and every rhinestone or pearl into place on two layers of tulle, no matter what length).

I bet you'll never guess how much her total cost was.

Wait. That's not fair. How can you accurately guess with out more details? Well, you're right. So, here's the breakdown:

Bride - Nosegay bouquet of red roses, beauty roses, ivy and stephanotis

(7) Bridesmaids - Nosegay bouquets of half red roses, half beauty roses, ivy and stephanotis Jr. Bridesmaids - 6" Nosegays of beauty roses.

Flower Girls - 2 carried floral lollipops, 2 carried floral teddy bears.

Groom - a 2 flower boutonniere of a red and beauty rose bud

(12) Groomsmen, Fathers - single beauty rose bud boutonnieres

(4) Mothers & Grandmothers - 5 flower wrist corsages in a mix of red and beauty rose buds, ivy and ribbon.

VOCABULARY BREAK: Nosegay

For those of you who that may not know what a Nosegay design is..... this a formal bouquet built on an angled form, where each flower must be cut and prepared before going into the holder.

Okay, now that you have details, I bet you'll never guess how much she spent. Only $874. Yep, that's no misprint. She got all that for only $874. Now, let me tell you how much she was quoted from the other florists, an average price of $2475. That's a saving of over $1,600! You can't argue about that kind of value. Wouldn't you like to save that much money and still have gorgeous flowers too!?

Request a Custom Quote Now and See How Much You'll Save!

Not to mention that once we provide you with a quote we will never ask you to pay more. Check out this true story from Amie. We stand behind our quotes!

THE BENEFITS...AMIE"S STORY

I was working with a bride who got married last summer. She opted for fresh flowers for the bridal party and hired us for the reception and ceremony decor. I followed up with her after the wedding to see how everything went and what she thought of the other vendors she had hired.  Here is what she said... (I have changed the name of the flower company as a courtesy) "I greatly disliked the flowers.  At first, I thought the people at XYZ Floral were extremely accommodating and nice to work with.  A few weeks before the wedding, my quote for the girl's flowers went up five dollars a piece.  Then, she slighted us on the number of flowers in each bouquet.  They didn't look at all how I expected them (and I was led to believe) and that water source thing was HUGE in comparison to the flowers."

She later told me that she wished she would have us do all the flowers. Don't let this happen to you. You deserve great wedding flowers at a great price.

See for Yourself Request a Custom Quote Now!

Wouldn't be nice if your wedding flowers came with an unbelievable Guarantee? Sure it would, but most of them don't or won't. Check out our guarantees and then ask yourself, if fresh flowers can do this!

100% Satisfaction Guarantee - With every order we provide you an actual picture of your flowers, and not just your bouquet, every piece. We want to ensure your 100% happy with your flowers before we ship them. If you want to make adjustments, that's okay. We'll happily make your requested change at no additional cost to you. Why? Because we want to get it right the first time. (I bet Amie wished she could have seen her flowers ahead of time.

On-Time Delivery Guarantee - We know that planning a wedding can be daunting, with thousands of details, you don't need any other surprises. Like your flowers not arriving on time. Our flowers can be designed, shipped, and delivered months in advance, so you know that you'll have them. Remember, if you are planning a wedding outside the US, our flowers are easy to pack right in your suitcase or have them shipped directly to your wedding site. All of our orders are shipped via FedEx, so both you and I will be able to track your order, every step of the way. You can even be notified that your flowers have arrived at your destination site. 

See what I mean, no hassles.

Life-like Quality Guarantee - Just like Shannon, you'll smile when someone on your wedding day leans over to smell your flowers. "The flowers were so lovely! Our photographer did not even realize they were not real until she tried to sniff them!" - Shannon Woodhouse Raleigh, NC And if you really want them to think its real, have us scent them to compliment the flowers you have chosen.

Shannon

100% Picture Perfect Guarantee - Join the thousands like Randi who have the most stunning wedding pictures, because they choose to order the most life like wedding flowers that will not wilt away. "We would like to thank you very much for the wonderful job on our wedding flowers. We had many compliments the day or our wedding on how beautiful they were, now that we got our pictures back more people have made the comment on how vibrant and beautiful they were." Randi Sass, Harvard IL

Randi - No wilting here

Life Time Guarantee - Our flowers don't require any maintenance to ensure they last, so you can continue to enjoy them long after your wedding day is over. Here’s what Mollie had to say about that, "I still love them! I put my wedding invitation, my bouquet, and the groom's boutonniere in a shadow box. Thanks!" - Mollie. McCarty Dallas, TX. Isn’t this a much better option than to have to pay to have them freeze dried or preserved?  

Our silk flowers allow you to have incredible lifelike wedding flowers without all the hassles of fresh flowers. You don't want to waste your time, energy, and money only to not get what you want...do you?

Request a Custom Quote Now For Your Hassle Free Silk Flowers!

WHY SILK FLOWERS ARE THE FRESH ALTERNATIVE

Many Brides believe that if they choose silk flowers they won't look real. Well, I can assure you, like Shannon, someone will try to smell them and if you really want to fool them, have your flowers scented. No one will ever know.

I recently had a bride email me and told me that one of the wedding participants actually placed their flowers in the fridge to ensure they would keep!

I could go on and on showing you a ton of testimonials and emails like these, but you get the picture.

The silk flowers of today are not like the silk flowers of the past; all plastic, hard and oddly shinny. Silk flower manufactures have created some the most realistic styles and designs that easily rival their fresh counterparts. They have soft petals, veins in the leaves, dusted stamen and more. See for your self.

I also know that you want to make sure that you're not the only one who is considering using silk flowers. Well, your not. Right now, if you were to type in "Silk Wedding Flowers, or Silk Wedding Bouquets" into Google there are over 100K links to look at. So you are not alone. In fact, silk wedding flowers have been widely used in the European markets for well over the last decade and larger wedding magazines like Martha Stewart, Better Homes & Gardens, Brides.com, to name a few, have begun to endorse the use of silk wedding flowers in efforts to give Brides beautiful, but affordable flower options.

And when you’re facing the choice of whether to skip centerpieces or downgrade your bridesmaid’s bouquets....It's definitely an option worth thinking about. Don’t you think?

Don't Wait Request a Custom Quote Now!