Brides on a budget can employ a creative flower strategy

By Eva Jacob Barkoff, Contributing writer
BRIDAL REGISTRY, Clarion Herald

Flowers play an essential part in any wedding and have for centuries.

According to the website, brides.com, wedding flowers “for ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, symbolized new beginnings and hopes of fertility, happiness and fidelity.“

Today, you could add that brides and their families use a specific budget for everything, including flowers. And three area florists agree that almost every bride has a budget to follow.

Fallo VanOs

312 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, LA 70001. (504) 837-5338. The website is fallovanos.com.

Jan Schindler Knecht is a fifth-generation florist, taking over in 1990 as owner of Fallo VanOs, a family business that began in 1869.

“Brides on a budget is basically every bride,” Knecht said. “I generally get a feel for my brides’ expectations from our first consultation, her personality, her style, her likes and dislikes. I ask a lot of questions.”

“Minimal or extravagant, there is always a budget,” she said. “The first thing we discuss is the number of people in the party who will need flowers. Then, we work on the venue’s floral ideas. I listen to the bride’s dreams and work from there.”

Some brides, Knecht said, have a certain flower they absolutely want for their wedding.

“If it’s not plentiful at the time of the wedding, then I recommend using the flower only in her bouquet,” Knecht said. “The good thing about wedding flowers is it’s the overall look that makes dreams come true, not an individual flower.”

Flowers in season will give brides “the most bang for their buck,” Knecht said.

“The greatest thing about fresh flowers is that you can achieve the same vibe by using what is plentiful,” Knecht said. “The more that’s available, the fairer the price.”
 

2108 Paris Road, Chalmette, LA 70043. (504) 271-9012. The website is brittneyraysflorist.net.

One of the first things Brittney Ray said she asks of future brides is “color scheme, inspirational photos and a budget.”

“We work together to get everything the bride wants and keep it within budget,” “We work together to get everything the bride wants and keep it within budget,” said Ray, who has been working in her family’s business since she was 9 years old. “Of course, we need to know the bridal party size, ceremony location and if any flowers are wanted for the reception, cake decor or centerpieces at the reception.

“It really depends on how important flowers are to the bride, the kind of statement she’s going to make and her style.”

Hydrangeas, roses and garden roses are the favorite flowers among the brides Ray has worked with.

“Wax flowers or baby’s breath along with some gorgeous greenery such as eucalyptus can be used as a filler,” Ray said. “Greenery is a beautiful option that not only adds style and flair, but it can keep the cost down. But, if a bride prefers more flowers, hydrangeas and roses fill up space and look amazing without breaking the budget.”

Ray, whose mother, Donna Robin, named the family business after her, said she orders fresh flowers from Holland, South America and the West Coast.

“As a family business, every single order must be made to our high standards,” Ray said. “We always have ample amounts of flowers and give ample amounts to our brides.

“We do our very best to work within everyone’s budget and still give the bride her dream flowers,” she said. “Weddings are the ultimate occasion, and we make sure every bride is beyond satisfied.”

Westbank Florist

4901 10th St., Marrero, LA 70072. (504) 341-4305. The website is westbankflorist.net.

Emily Terrebonne, manager of Westbank Florist, said she and her mother, owner Susan Martinez, “believe no matter the budget, every bride deserves to have beautiful flowers.”

“We’ve had brides with $100 budgets and some with undetermined budgets,” Terrebonne said. “For the $100 bride, we say be flexible in the choice of flowers.”

An example, Terrebonne said, was a bride shopping within 48 hours of her ceremony.

“We used what we had on hand, which were spider mums and carnations,” she said. “We were able to give her small and yet beautiful bouquets and corsages to honor her closest guests.”

Terrebonne suggests that brides use the same flowers throughout the bouquets.

“Using the same flowers is more cohesive in style,” Terrebonne said. “That way, we are also able to buy the flowers at better values.”

To enhance the beauty of wedding flowers, Terrebonne said she is a “huge fan of choosing the right greenery.”

“Not only will the style of greenery make a small bouquet significantly larger, but it adds that extra pizazz,” Terrebonne said. “Brides who are flexible with flower choices, trusting us to pick out the flowers that will still give her the feel she wants, allow us to opt for the best prices in that category.

“Choosing to use fewer varieties of flowers has allowed us to buy at bulk prices,” Terrebonne said. “That has worked really well in our larger weddings.”

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