Flowers are a must-have for your wedding ceremony and reception. They are an extension of your overall theme and make up your bouquet, centerpieces, corsages and boutineers - all of which can become pricey for a bride on a budget. So what's a dame to do when what she really wants doesn't agree with what her budget needs? Round up your posse and head to Kate's Garden.

I recently had the pleasure of attending one of Kate's free DIY Wedding Flowers seminar at her charming little floral shop in Unionville. I sat among brides eager to learn tips from an expert in the biz, and Kate definitely followed through. Her genuine demeanor and passion for flowers made me feel at ease in her presence (a necessity for brides) and trust her expert instinct. 

Kate's Garden offers a service to brides that I've yet to find at any other floral boutique. She encourages you to bring your family and friends (no more than seven people and no less than two) to her shop one to two days before the wedding. You then become a "floral assistant" and together create your own wedding flowers. It might sound like a daunting task, but Kate will personally guide you every step of the way. A service she provides FREE of charge! You are also welcome to her equipment and facilities, all she asks is that you purchase your flowers and vessels from her competitively-priced selection. And rest assured, Kate would never let a bride go astray, she is determined that every bride who uses this service leaves her shop with pieces that represent "a Kate's Garden wedding". She estimates that DIY-ing your own flowers can save you 25 to 35 per cent. 

Kate's Garden also has a ton of resources for brides looking for inspiration. A bookshelf near the center of the room holds what's known around the shop as the "Wedding Details Bible" and is available to skim through during consultations. Kate herself is happy to field any questions and tries to have free information and demo sessions (like the one I attended) about once a season. 

A booklet she gives to every bride participating in the seminar is full of great money-saving tips. Check out my 5 favourite tips from Kate's booklet:

1. Embrace Big Blooms: You can get away with less flowers if you use bigger blooms and display them dramatically. Use a lot of greenery with a few large local flowers (ie. peonies and salal)
2. Double Duty: Consider your bouquets as table-toppers, church pedestal arrangements and maybe even at your home. Try to get as much use out of your flowers as possible.
3. Shared costs: Try to find out who is getting married before or after you and suggest splitting the cost of ceremony flowers. 
4. Avoid booking your wedding around holiday's such as Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and Christmas. 
5. Be sure to use flowers that are in season because they less expensive and more robust. Tulips, lilies, and roses do not perform well in heat. Her booklet included a chart breakdown what flowers were in season, and when - very helpful!!

So make sure to check out Kate's website - www.katesgarden.ca - or swing by her shop near Highway 7 and Main St. in Unionville. Keep an eye out for her next DIY Wedding Flowers seminar, and tell her Thrifty Bride sent you!

xoxo

Thrifty Bride