Handmade Wedding Flowers... what would you think?

For you or for others?

It all comes down to individual tastes, I guess.

Among the prettiest flowers I ever saw were bunches of wild daisies, butter cups, clover, and whatever else that was growing wild in New Hampshire in June. The ceremony was held in a small rustic barn with chairs set up and various containers (vases, pitchers, buckets, etc) to hold the flowers.

I think it sounds really cute and it will be a sweet keepsake for everyone.

If you want some creative tips on handmade weddings, check out Etsy.com. They have a special section just for handmade weddings.

I should also probably note that this wedding will be outdoors, and barbecue. Very unpretentious. Dress code will be dressy casual. I vaguely considered crocheting flowers for the centerpieces too and making them the favors, but I’m also considering crocheted coffee cup cozies that are popping up everywhere.

This would be for my own wedding, by the way. I know a lot of people say to do what you want and not care what others think, but this is a pretty non traditional thing.

Honestly? Mine would definitely looked crocheted and therefore tacky in my honest opinion. It depends on what the finished product looked like.
Artificial flowers can be very nice and also catered to exactly what you want. I made all my flowers (even my bouquet) using silk Poinsettias and Holly.
I would use silk flowers and crochet the table keepsakes.

I have seen bridal bouquets done with antique jewellery and buttons as well. They look quite pretty when done right. Here are some ideas. http://www.etsy.com/shop/sapti?ref=seller_info

@Ela: What would make the favors any less tacky, then?

@poofandmook The flower becomes part of their attire, imo.

I think it sounds great. Anything with a personal, homemade touch is so much better than the regular, which is what 99.99% of the world has. Go for it. Do it on the tables, too. That centerpiece could be something that a person at the table gets to take home. I’ve been to holiday parties where they have some kind of way that one person gets to win the centerpiece. For example, there’s a sticker under one chair and the person sitting in that chair gets to keep the centerpiece. At the job I am in at present, that has a huge holiday party, they tried that but put the stickers under a saucer. Well, the wait staff took the saucers when they started cleaning up the table, and therefore, took the saucers with the stickers, so that got screwed up.

Anyway, back to your idea. You can look on Pinterest for tons of ideas for weddings, parties, crafts, etc. You can search and “pin” your ideas to save them. I highly recommend Pinterest for any ideas relating to just about anything!

I think it’s really up to you. I would just question whether you want to do that to yourself; I mean, giving yourself more work to do to get ready. My son and DIL had their reception outside at our house- at the end of it, DIL’s mother and I looked at each other and said, “Wow, we don’t have anything we have to do tomorrow!!” But if it’s worth it to you, I say go for it!

Do you really have time to do all that crocheting? Is that the pressure you want to be under as it gets close to the day? What if it becomes clear you aren’t going to make it, and you have to make alternative flower arrangements at the very end? Not relaxing, and you’ll be under enough stress as it is, I would think.

I don’t know how fast you are, nor when your wedding is, nor how many arrangements you need, nor how much time each will take to make, but if you are going to do this, you better time it out and make sure you have enough time set aside to get it done with a month to spare. You are not going to want to be making these things at the last second.

I would say, purely on time management alone, that this is a stressful idea at best, and quite possibly a really bad idea. You have no idea how much other things are going to be keeping you busy as you plan your wedding. You can’t possibly imagine. If anyone really knew what they were getting into, no one would actually get married. And that’s just with respect to the ceremony.

Besides which, in my opinion, fresh flowers look so much nicer. Sculptures (and that’s what your crochets would be) symbolize something static, and I don’t think that’s what you want for your wedding. Flowers are about life and beauty. They are much nicer.

I say that anything that makes a wedding yours and not cookie-cutter is something to go for.

I don’t think you need any flowers if it is ourdoors and casual. One of my close girlfriends had a late morning wedding in a Catholic church, and then we all drove to her parent’s house for the reception. They live on 100 acres. They used the driveway as the dance floor and had a huge tent set up on the lawn. They served BBQ chicken and sides, and it was so much fun! If they had flowers set up I don’t remember it at all. We were told in advance to bring a change of clothes to be comfortable, shorts and jeans were fine, comfortable shoes.

I wouldn’t crochet flowers, I think @wundayatta is right it is a lot of work, and I think it is hit or miss what people will think. Although, if you really do want to crochet to show off your talent, or do something crafty, do it for the party favors. Let them leave with smething you made that represents you both or something useful.

If I went to a wedding with crocheted flowers I would think it was cute and personal, which makes it yours, and I would be impressed with your talent I am sure. But, it would be a little odd to me.

The new daughter-in-law of one of my good friends just got married and asked those of us who could to lend her inexpensive brooches or pins. She attached them to her bouquet, along with some flowers, and it was charming.

I like the idea for bouquets at a more laid-back, outdoor wedding.

How big is your wedding going to be, and when is it? Depending on how many people will be attending the wedding and how many are in the wedding party, it might be a bit of an endeavor to crochet the bouquets and the centerpieces and the wedding favors in time for the wedding. My suggestion is to crochet only the bouquets, and find some other cute ideas for centerpieces and favors.

I also really love the jewelry/brooch bouquets and I think that would work really well for this style of wedding.

I love the idea, but agree it sounds like added work.

Anything you can do to make the event your own is worthwhile.

If you feel this won’t add stress, or it’s something friends/family will help you with, then go for it.

Making your own? Fantastic. If you are having fun, go for it. If it would be stressful, don’t.

I am well known as a Do It Myself person, so everyone expects to see handmade decorations and such.

I’d truly rather see some simple, honest wildflowers than something conspicuously artificial, no matter how craftily made.

When my husband and I got married, it was definitely within a tight budget. Without any help from parents, we had less than $1000 to spend, and we put more than half of that into our rings. I bought a dress for $100.

The reception was a party at our house. I allowed $100 for refreshments and $100 for flowers, which I thought were as important as the food. We squeezed out a little more for some champagne, and several people brought wine. And I had lots of balloons. Everyone had a good time, and our marriage has not suffered in any way from having a modest beginning.

I’m not crazy about crochet, personally, just me.

Our wedding was on a budget, outdoors in a backyard and we mixed fresh flowers on the bodies (Costco & Trader Joe’s) with artificial for the yard (Hobby Lobby 2–4-1 sales). My mom was a floral designer for a few decades and at first balked at artificial flowers but they are really versatile, not always cheap looking for cheap $ and you can hot glue them onto whatever you want. We bought some pre arranged things only for the blossoms and then took them apart to mix onto vines and what not. Some greens were real with faux blossoms and no one noticed except to say how pretty stuff was. If you will be outside when the sun goes down then decorate with blowout sale candles which are cheaper than fake flowers.

Wow, that makes me wince. I think it is very easy and inexpensive (relatively) to do fresh flowers yourself. For the table, you could do single blossoms in series vases. For the bouquets, you could just do nosegays tied with ribbon.

Sounds like it’s going to be happy, regardless of what you do. No matter how casual you make it, it can be stressful during the last couple of days, so I wouldn’t try to crochet unless you could get it all done by a week in advance. No last minute crocheting!
As to alternative flowers, you are outdoors. See what’s in bloom. Use a lot of greenery. Maybe even ivy (washed thoroughly) with a few blooms would work. Perhaps you have neighbors with flower gardens who’d contribute blossoms and friends who’d put them together with floral tape. It’s going to be lovely, whatever you decide.

Don’t get caught up in the whole idea that you have to go broke to get marrited. Most people are interested in your wedding, but it’s rally a marriage that you are getting into. People at the wedding won’t be there for that, and that’s the important thing.

Since you asked, here’s what I think…I like weddings that reflect the the couple’s personalities and tastes. If you have the time, then my vote is that you go ahead and crochet away.

A few would be cute, but fresh flowers add so much. I think you’ll miss them.

There’s no way I can afford fresh flowers. It’s not an option.

The wedding is september 2013… I have plenty of time. I’m pretty fast with a hook.

@poofandmook: Post pics when you’re done. Thanks.

JCA
The Update Lady

Whatever you do, I’m sure you’ll have a great time. Congratulations on the engagement!

Don’t feel pressured to do the traditional crap. You know why they held flowers? It was because people, in large groups, STUNK. June was the traditional month for weddings because that was when the weather warmed up enough to bathe with some water. If you want flowers that better represent you and your wedding, do what you want.

My mom is insisting on paying for fresh flowers. Oh well.

Also the venue has changed to a much more classy place that we got for about the same price, and the handmade ones will be out of place.

@poofandmook You can still crochet for a party favor. Make a little satchel with goodies inside.

@JLeslie: Since the wedding is late October, I thought it would be so nifty to do individual pies made in 8oz mason jars. Easy peasy, super cozy fall thing, and who doesn’t love pie?

^Mmmmsounds delish @poofandmook! Apple center pieces would be fitting.

Oh, you can do apples down in a clear glass vase, and still have a bouquet of flowers in the vase.

@poofandmook: Mason jars are great, a great aesthetic and practical as serve-ware but the problem with them, if you’ve ever had to eat out of one with a spoon, is it’s a big pain in the butt to get the spoon into the bottom of a jar. I ate at a barbecue restaurant about a year ago, and they served pudding in a mason jar, and it was very cute, very easy for the restaurant to portion and chill the pudding individually, but to eat the pudding with the spoon out of the jar, a mess and a pain. Just a thought.

Good point @jca. It is always a little annoying to me when something is difficult to eat. In this case it might not matter, since it the jar can be kept for later and is part of the gift. Maybe they come short and wide? I don’t know much about mason jars. Or, Pyrex or Corning or similar might have a better container.

They are squat, wide mouthed jars.

@poofandmook Sounds good. Do you actually bake the pie in the jar? A crumble might be easier. Not that you asked for any suggesstions, it sounds like you know what you are doing.

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2009/09/single-serving-pie-in-a-jar/

@poofandmook: That jar in your pic looks do-able. I have also seen mason jars more shallow than the one in your link, and they would be good, too. The one I had in the restaurant was taller, about 5 or 6 inches tall, and they served it with a regular length tea spoon when it probably could have used a longer iced tea spoon. It was a mess to get the food out and it was cumbersome. Looked cute but didn’t “eat” cute. Yours looks better. Post an update as to how it all turns out!

Is there any trouble with pie going bad if not refridgerated?

@JLeslie: a pie can keep for a few days out of the refrigerator. It will last longer if put in the refrigerator, just like anything else.

How many guests are you planning to pie for? Do you want to take on all that work? Son and DIL got small pots of honey from a local Vermont apiary and put a ribbon on with their names and the dates as favors. Simple and cheap.

Ooooh, I would love honey or especially local maple syrup! It does seem @janbb that the OP really wants to make something to give away. I’m interested to see her response to you. I thought it sounded like a lot of work also, which is why I recommended the crumble for an easier recipe, but trying to suggest something that still involved baking. Jams also might be better, because they have a longer shelf life than a pie.

I thought about the amount of work, but really, I have 5 bridesmaids, a mother, and a grandmother (and heck, a fiance) who will be helping me. I figure an assembly line is in order here :)

It is a lovely idea and of course, it is your wedding to plan. There is just so much work involved in planning and running a wedding so give yourself plenty of time in advance if you are making the pies so you don’t get stressed out by everything.

I’m attempting to pull off sort of a Halloween-type centerpiece thing, but not cheesy or anything… I want to find some way to do Halloween in an elegant/classy way. It’s a very special holiday for me and my best friend/MoH and since the wedding is less than a week before Halloween, I thought it’d be cool to try to swing incorporating it. So luckily, most of the centerpiece shopping/trial/whathaveyou will be done a whole year in advance, when this year’s Halloween stuff is out! If I don’t find what I’m looking for, then I’ll still have plenty of time.

Luckily the venue is doing pretty much everything, and I have the DJ and photographer booked already… I like to think that except for favors and a little decor, the time leading up to the wedding shouldn’t be too hectic. Am I fooling myself? lol

Probably :-); but it does sounds like you have it well in hand. It is surprising what comes up at the last minute though.

@poofandmook Will they be happy to help? I never get the whole everyone working to pull off a wedding thing. I like to be able to just show up for the most part if I am a guest. Some of the planning can be fun, shopping with the bride or listening to her ideas and decisions about the event, I like that. Certainly if a friend or family member loves doing that sort of stuff I welcome the help if I am the bride. I just don’t want to have to feel like I am obligated to do a lot of work when I am a guest. But, that’s me. Maybe I am lazy.

my mom has been chomping at the bit for something to do with this wedding, and my grandmother wants to help too. my MoH and one bridesmaid are very used to being bridesmaids and are take-charge people when something needs to get done. I don’t consider the bridesmaids guests really… do you?

They should be able to enjoy the wedding but are certainly there also to assist you. If they are handy and want to pitch in before hand too, go for it. I’m just remembering that my son and DIL had a largish storybook wedding at her parents’ house in Vermont and while it was lovely, my DIL later said it had consumed a year and a half of her life and may not have been worth it.

the nature of my budget helps with this venture. I can’t afford much, so I can’t do anything involved and cumbersome. Involved and cumbersome costs money! I’m a huge DIYer, I like to think I’m pretty crafty/creative, so I’m looking forward to all of this :)

@poofandmook: How many guests are you expecting, approximately?

@poofandmook In that case, since they are eager to get in on the details and help, it all sounds like a great plan.

Yes, I consider everyone a guest. I guess if the parents are paying and planning they are actually the hosts, but still it is the bride and grooms day. Even as the bride I wanted to feel like a guest at the reception.

I have to produce 130 people to get the agreed-upon per-head price.

So that would be about 10 tables, meaning 10 centerpieces. That’s not that bad, work-wise. Maybe something autumnal?

You can’t afford to believe you are on top of things. You will not believe the amount of last minute things that show up at, well, the last minute. But don’t sweat it. It doesn’t have to go as planned. It will be wonderful no matter how closely it comes to the ideal. Despite that, you will find yourself being critical of it and all the things that went “wrong.” I don’t know a couple that didn’t do this. But my advice is to do what you can, and never give one seconds thought to anything that doesn’t go as planned. It’s all perfect, no matter what!

@jca 10 centerpieces and 130 favors.

actually, I believe I’m at 14 tables right now.

Centerpieces are super easy… that’s no problem. I have those planned out.