Let down for church flowers - help needed!

Arthien

I was told by the church office to speak to some of the ladies from the church who regularly do the flowers for Sunday services, and ask if they would do the flowers on my wedding day.

I spoke to one lady a few months back, who said it wouldn't be a problem, but I should get in touch nearer the time. As I wasn't asking for much more than what they would normally do, she said they'd only charge us for the flowers, not the time taken, so it would be 'at cost'.

There's now less than 3 weeks to go, so I've called to make sure everything's going as planned, and I've just been told that 2 of the ladies are going to be on holiday and the third has just had a hand operation, so none of them will be able to do it! I understand they're not getting paid for it, but a little bit of notice would have been great :mad:

I can't afford to ask our florist to do anything more, and I only budgeted for the 'cost price' flowers, so I'm now stuck! Any suggestions for DIY church decorations would be gratefully received. I can't do a big display myself (I don't have the know-how or spare time the day before), so I'm left with attaching something simple to the arms of the chairs (the church doesn't have pews) or putting something on the floor of the aisle, which is already quite narrow.

Is it ok to have a minor panic now? :eek:

LEJC

I know it may sound like a daft question...but how bare is the church when its undecorated?

Imagine it full of your friends and family and really do you need anything else to brighten it up....

the chances are you'll only be there for around half an hour and everyones there to look at you and your groom not the flowers anyway...I bet no one comments on the lack of floral decoration at all!

Yoy could potentially use florist ribbons on the chairs but to be honest I cant really remember what type of florals there are in churches when I go to a wedding...I cant even remember what my own flowers were like unless I look at the pictures!

You could also perhaps ask the church if you could use pillar candles in clusters at the front instead of flowers that looks quite pretty especially if the church has a dark feel to it.

Arthien

You're right, if I'm honest it doesn't really need anything extra, it's quite a small church and it's got a lovely stained glass window and glass entrance doors, so it will be quite light.

I think it's probably more that I'm disappointed because I imagined it looking a certain way, with flowers in the windows and on arms of the chairs, and now I've been told it's not going to happen.

I'm wondering whether a cheap florist (or maybe even Tesco) might oblige with a couple of nice bouquets that I could put in vases, and leave it at that.

yimmie

are you having a top table piece at your reception? We reused our church flowers at the reception... paid about £40-50 for delivery of a pedestal and the altar piece/ top table display.

Stephb1986_2

Do you not have a local flower market? I'd try there they are usually quite cheap

Steph xx

JCS1

Ask the vicar if there are any other churches in the parish, someone from a neighbouring church might be able to help out?

duchy

Does your local FE college have a florist course. The tutor may be able to suggest someone who would do it for the experience or for a portfolio (and they may even have access to wholesale prices for the flowers)

Stephb1986_2

My mum used the local college for funeral flowers for my grandparents they were very cheap. I'm giving up on the idea of my paperflowers and going to contact the local college to see if they can sort me out

Steph xx

Arthien

Well I've spoken to my MIL-to-be (we're getting married in his hometown, not mine) and she said one of her friends has recommended someone who might be able to help, and I'll find out more today. There is also apparently a local flower group, so I'm going to see what they can do.

I'm really not expecting too much, just something to brighten up the place a bit, so hopefully it will all come together on the day. I just have to keep remembering that it's just one day, and as long as we both say 'i will', that's all that matters!

Thanks for the advice