I want to chat about the B word: budget. Specifically, how to utilize a wedding floral budget to its fullest potential.
One of my jobs as a floral designer in the event world is to guide clients on how to best spend their floral budget to elevate the atmosphere of the room or tent where the event is taking place. There are two ways to go about approaching budget allocation for an event, and I call them the sprinkle and the chunk. (We’re mixing Half Baked with dahlias over here on the reg)
The sprinkle is a way of spreading the budget evenly with a touch of flowers all around the reception space. We can put a swag of greenery on the welcome sign, bud vases on cocktail tables, make sure every special person of honor in attendance like your grandpa or the officiant receives a boutonniere or corsage. The card table gets an arrangement and the memorial table gets a little something, too. Every guest table gets a gorgeous centerpiece and with the last of the budget the bar gets a full stylized treatment. Everywhere you look, there is a sprinkle of flowers, bringing the whole space into harmonious decoration.
The chunk method (short for chunk of budget) can be utilized to create a wow! worthy moment for you and your guests by crafting a singular statement floral installation, and using the rest of the budget for only absolute floral necessities (if you’re getting married, perhaps bouquets or boutonnieres). One common statement floral installation would be a classic ceremony arch, fully kitted out with greenery and seasonal blooms. One twist on the ceremony arch I love is called a ground garden, where instead of the florals hanging from a structure, they appear to grow from the ground in a semicircle. Friends and family can also gather here for truly memorable group photos after the ceremony (Tip: think ahead to holiday gifting, parents LOVE special group shots!) Using the chunk method can give the pieces you allocate the budget towards a few different lives – in the ground garden’s case, you can repurpose the multiple sections needed to create the full semi circle after the ceremony to dress up a sweetheart table or to accent the stage for the band. The chunk gives great visual impact and creates a definitive focal point for an event.
There is no wrong answer here. Going with either the sprinkle or the chunk is totally dependent on the intended feel of the event and my task as a floral designer is to ask you questions during a consultation to determine which method is right for you! Ben and Jerry’s for everyone. It’s such a fun part of the process to discuss your vision and show you how you can use your budget to get there.
Already have an inkling you’re a sprinkle or a chunk? Head over to Jessamine’s inquiry form so we can get the ball rolling.
