How to save money on wedding flowers

In this economy brides are always asking how they can save money on their wedding flowers.  Our response is simple;  choose flowers that are in season. Why?  Because the won’t need to be special ordered.  Once you start special ordering flowers your price goes up.  Does that mean that you have to settle for less than beautiful?  Not at all.

Below are examples of flowers that are in each season:

Spring – Your floral options include tulips, lilies, hyacinth, daffodil and dogwood.  Bright blues, pinks and yellows are very common in the spring.

Summer - Your flower options include daisies, gladiolus, snapdragon, zinnia and dahlias.  Since it will most likely be hot, choose flowers that can withstand the heat.

 

Fall – Your flower options include sunflowers, chrysanthemum, hydrangea, roses.  Take advantage of the vibrant colors of fall.

Winter - Your flower options include poinsettia, evergreen, roses, amaryllis and holly.  Using the holiday season as a guide is a nice touch.

Extra fun tip:  To make your wedding bouquet extra special try including some flowers that were in your Mother’s or Grandmother’s bouquet.  For more advice on choosing flowers that will save you money, please give us a call at 310-325-8222.

Unique wedding bouquet ideas

Since your wedding is a once in a lifetime event you may want to consider walking down the aisle with a unique bouquet.  To be unique doesn’t mean it has to be outlandish or completely out of the ordinary.  You can be unique and ordinary all at the same time.   All it should have is that element of style and design that makes it 100% you and memorable.

Bridal bouquet ideas: You could add pearl headed pins, decorative satin ribbons, a charm that reminded you of your engagement day or something borrowed from your Mom’s wedding bouquet. It’s all in the design.

For more creative, unique ideas give us a call and schedule your free consultation.  310-325-8222

Top 5 questions to ask a wedding florist before hiring them

By now you’ve realized that weddings take a lot of planning…and choosing your wedding flowers is no exception.  With several florists to choose from sifting through to the best is easier if you know the right questions to ask from the get go.

We’ve prepared 5 questions for you to ask wedding florists which will help weed out the clutter:

1. What can I do with my budget?  A creative florist can create a beautiful arrangement on any budget.
2. Do you have a portfolio?  This is an important question simply for inspirational purposes as well as to see the professional elements in their design.
3. What flowers are in season during my wedding?  Choosing flowers that are in season will help your budget.  Flowers in season are easier to come by which makes them less expensive.
4. Do you have a signature style?  Some wedding florists have a certain style they prefer to work with.  Make sure that their style works with your vision.
5. Have you ever worked at my venue?  When a florist knows the “lay of the land” per say they’re more likely to give you decorating tips that pertain specifically to the rooms decor and grandeur.

The most important thing to remember is to make sure you’re working with a professional.  Their displays should be professional, they should be dressed professionally and they should address you professionally.  How they treat you on the first visit is your first sign as to how they’ll carry out your wishes.  Get it wrong and it could be a disaster.

For more examples and special offers “FAN” us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Masseys.Lomita .

New Year, Just Take A Peek!

It’s a new year with hot new trends, and guess what?  We’ve got you covered!

In keeping our valued reputation ( reader’s choice in Wedding Wire, and The Knot magazine),

we at Massey’s have brought you a peek of what’s popular this year.  Take a look:

Light, earthy tones, like cream and beige, adding small bits of brighter colors for contrast.

Don’t forget the cake; note the tiny lavender coloured flowers, on the light side of contrast.

40 years of business brings the know-how to give you absolute style; can you see it?

Its a year for neutral tones, and the ”conservative elegance”  those shades bring.

Whatever style or theme you are set on, no matter the size, we can always accommodate you!  It’s one of the benefits of being family-owned.  We’ll take your project personally and give you more than you ask for!

Quik link-take me to my flowers: Dazzle ME!

A New Wedding Style for Bridal Bouquet?

The Royal Wedding is over and now I have to think has Kate started a new wedding style for bridal bouquets?

The  last big Royal  Wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diane had a impact on wedding styles.  Princess Diane’s style was really  ”BIG”  including her dress.  Her large cascading bouquet was reminiscence of large shower bouquets used in the 1930′s.  Princess Diana’s royal wedding bouquet was a long cascade that  included myrtle, gardenia, Earl Mountbatten roses, white orchids, stephanotis and veronica.  Brides to be were picking out dress with large sleeves, full aline skirts and long trains and the cascade was back in style!

The first “American Royal Wedding”  I can remember was Tricia Nixon’s (daughter of President Nixon)  wedding in the Rose Garden back in the early 1970′s.  What I remember most was that my Mother, Lupe Massey, who had already been in the floral  industry for years, remarking about how small her bouquet was.  Tricia had a  nosegay of roses and lily of the valley  It was the beginning of a new era for bridal flowers.  Formal Weddings were back in style and nosegay bouquets was the choice of   brides to be!

Tricia Nixon

The Royal Wedding is over and now I have to think has Kate started a new wedding style for bridal bouquets?  Kate’s bouquet was a small teardrop bouquet of lily of the valley, sweet william,  hyacinth, myrtle and ivy.  Already, the phone has been ringing at Massey’s House of Flowers with brides requesting cascade or teardrop bouquets.     The Royals have done it again, teardrop bouquets are now in Style!

Wedding Dates Beware, NO Flower Holidays!

Last night Massey’s House of Flowers had a booth at the wedding show held by WSEA (Wedding and Special Events Association) hosted by the Torrance Cultural Arts Center and while I was at the booth,  more than one bride asked about flowers that would be available, seasonable and affordable for their wedding.  Of course, I had to ask for the date of the wedding and the some of the answers I got were  Mother’s Day Weekend, New Year Eve and a few other major FLOWER HOLIDAYS.

Flowers at WSEA Bridal Show

What’s a “Flower Holiday”?  Any holiday or season that would increase the cost of flowers.  The obvious are Valentine’s Day and Christmas.  But the least obvious are Mother’s Day and New Years Eve.  During a flower holiday, the cost of flowers can go up 2 to 5 times the average cost because of high demand.  Other days that are not flower holidays but a bride may have difficulty finding a florist are long holiday weekends.  These weekends book up fast as they are usually popular days because the bride and grooms family can come from out-of-town and not worry about having to  be back to work on Monday, giving them time to recuperate after a long weekend of partying!

Below is a guide to help pick your wedding date.

STAY AWAY DATES

January – The week after New Years Day.  Flowers prices are still high and the selection and quality is sometimes limited.

February – The week before and after Valentine’s Day, and of course Valentine’s Day too!  If you are dreaming of a Valentine’s Day wedding and are on a tight budget stay away from red and pink flowers.  Opt for white flowers and bring in red or pink with table linen, vases or accessories.

March – No Flower Holidays

April – No Flower Holidays.  Easter is not a major Flower Holiday.

May  - The week before and after Mother’s Day.  If you are planning on a Memorial Day Weekend wedding, book your vendors early!

June – No Flower Holidays

July – If you are planning a 4th of July Weekend wedding, book your vendors early!

August – No Flower Holidays.  It’s a hot month be sure to use a flower shop that has adequate refrigeration!

September – No Flower Holidays.  If you are planning a Labor Day Weekend, book your vendors early!

October – No Flower Holidays.  Happy Halloween!

November – No  Major Flower Holidays.   If you are planning a Thanksgiving Week wedding, book early!

December – Christmas and New Years.  Two weeks into December prices of flowers start to go up in price.  If you’re dreaming of a Christmas Wonderland wedding, remember that most churches are already decorated for the holiday, so there are some savings there.

By planning ahead and checking your calendar you can save a lot of money.

Wedding Flower Consultations

Planning a wedding takes time and one of the most important aspects of the wedding is the flowers!  Most brides come in somewhat prepared for a wedding flower consultation but a majority have no clue.  So I’ve decided to give some helpful hints to wedding flower consultation preparation.  Wow!  Tongue Twister!

Be Prepared!

Know when and where you are getting married.  How can a florist give you a quote without this information.  Flowers are seasonable and if you are on a budget it’s important to let your florist know if a wedding is in December or May especially if you want spring flowers.

What colors are you using? Do you have a theme?  It’s not the flower designers wedding it’s yours,  let them know what you like, what you dream of, what you want!  A good designer should be able to create your style easily with a little direction.

Know what flowers you like or dislike.  Check out the web, Google flowers types or colors, so that you can have a clue to what style of flowers you want for your wedding.  Again your florist can help you but they will only show you what they like if you don’t give them some help or idea of your vision.

Bring in pictures of flowers and arrangements that you have seen in magazines or on the internet.   If you have magazines, cut the pictures out,  it’s almost impossible to find them if you fold the page or have 100 tabs in your magazine.  A folder with pictures of brides bouquets, bridesmaids, ceremony sites and  reception flowers that you like will help your designer to see your style and vision a lot faster.  Don’t worry if it looks out of budget it’s the style that we’re looking for.  Designers should  want your input and direction that you are desiring for your wedding decor.

Have a budget.  Know what you can afford and what you would like to spend.  If you don’t have an idea for your budget know that the national average for wedding flowers is 10%  to 15% of the entire wedding budget.

Most important BE OPEN MINDED. Remember looking at wedding dresses, you looked at a lot of dresses and when you tried on the one that was the “dress” you knew.   Be open to different ideas that will incorporate your style.

Guidelines to easy Flower Consultations.

Have the following with you when you go to your consultation and your experience will be more pleasurable.

1. Date and Times
2. Place of Ceremony
3. Place of Reception
4. Colors (swatches are nice)
5. Themes
6. Flower Likes and Dislikes
7. Pictures
8. Ideas
9. BE OPEN MINDED

 

Brides Handtied Bouquet

 

Funeral Flowers at Affordable prices

Flowers sent to memorial services are a way of expressing your sympathy and to show that you care. Affordable funeral flowers and plants make it easy to send a thoughtful and beautiful expression of sympathy without costing a lot of money.

Affordable flower arrangements can include different color themes and sizes of arrangements.  There is a wide variety of funeral arrangement ideas that are available and reasonably priced. There are many ideas for funeral flower arrangements ranging from single elegant roses with tasteful greenery to elaborate designs with a multitude of flowers such as roses, lilies, chrysanthemums, orchids, carnations and seasonal flowers. Green plants with fresh cut flowers, basket gardens and potted blooming plants such as orchids or mums are another avenue to explore.  It’s good not to limit your choices to traditional ideas when selecting affordable funeral flowers.

A Green Plant for Memorial Services

Standing hearts, wreath and crosses designed with fresh flowers are always a wonderful way to show you care, but the cost can sometimes be higher than expected.  Everyone is watching their pennies when it comes to discretionary spending. Just because your budget is limited, there is no need to feel that you have to stop sending flowers to funerals.  A joint collection from friends and co-workers can help with the expense.

Ribbon with script on it can personalize any arrangement.  Personalized in this way, an otherwise costly expression of sympathy becomes affordable. What a wonderful way to show love and consolation at a comfortable cost.

Funeral Arrangement,  Open Heart

To see some great ideas go to Massey’s House of Flowers Sympathy selection guide at Massey’s House of Flowers.

Los Verdes Country Club Bridal Show

On Sunday, Los Verdes Country Club held it’s annual bridal fair.  There were about 30 vendors there.  A new vendor on the scene was Nicole from left beach fotos.  Nicole had pictures with guest names that had been written in sand.  These were used for placecards.   Very Cool.  Check out her web site at     leftbeachfotos.com

The New Memorial Service

I remember funerals as a child, there was the vigil for a couple of days…then the service and the long procession to the cemetery.  And of course, everyone wore black and as a kid the thing I remember most is no TV!

Times have changed, now we celebrate the life of the deceased.  Recently, we  did a service where the gentleman that died hated funerals, he use to tell his wife why do I have to be here?  When I die I want a party.  Unfortunately, he passed away, but his wife gave him his celebration!  There were beautiful orchid arrangements on the tables and tropical arrangements on the buffet tables that were stationed throughout the room.  Guest sent large exotic arrangements  that were  placed around the room. It was a celebration of colors and fragrance.   A video of his life was played and there was a toast to him and guest spoke of  memories they had of him.  The tears that were shed were tears of joy from knowing him.

Tropical Sympathy Spray provided by Massey’s House of Flowers