Wedding flowers - do we need them at all??

As weddings often do, this one is snowballing into more than I had planned -- I'm thinking of drawing the line at flowers - do we need them? The wedding is on a boat with pretty views, so we don't need them to pretty-up a drab room. Seriously, would one anyone even notice (or care) if there were no centerpieces or bouquets or corsages? These things just get thrown out after the 3 hour event anyway... thoughts?

Wedding flowers - do we need them at all??
If you're already shelling out the cash for a boat wedding, why not let the natural ambience speak for itself, rather than clutter up the lovely natural views with store-bought flowers? It is perfectly fine (not to mention eco-friendly) to forego cut flowers as decoration if you're having it in a lovely setting. As for the bouquets, why not just let each bridesmaid (if there are any) carry a single flower instead of a whole bouquet? It looks very simple and chic. Then, as the bride, you could just carry a small bouquet with simple yet elegant flowers, and those bouquets don't cost much if you don't put any expensive flowers like calla lilies, roses, or stargazer lilies in there. Believe me, nobody will care about the lack of centerpieces- in all the weddings I've been to, I have never heard anyone say, "Well, that was a fun reception, but the lack of centerpieces completely ruined it for me!" As long as they have good food, good music, and available alcohol, it will be a great party!!!
Reply:DO whatever you want. People would probably notice if you didn't have bouquet, but who really cares? I like the idea of only doing one flower and a very small bouquet for you. You could also carry a shell. It seems weird but I have read that and it fits into your theme. You could have the bridesmaids carrying smaller ones and then have a big conch for yourself. It would fit in nicely with the boat, and you could buy them whenever you want. They would also make a nice keepsake. You could also do fans or any other object you thought was nice or meaningful.



It is completely unnecessary for the centerpieces, I think the beauty of the ocean (or lake or whatever) is plenty.
Reply:You definitely don't need them. However, it would be nice to still have something in place of the bouquets or corsages. Get creative with your theme, visit a craft store, and I'm sure you could come up with something super inexpensive, and very VERY unique. :)



I am not having flowers for decor at all either, but I am still keeping bouquets and corsages, though I also thought for awhile about having my bridesmaids carry hand warmers for the winter wedding instead.



Ulitimately, it is YOUR wedding. Create the look and feel you desire :)
Reply:I agree with everybody, flowers aren't important. I didn't really like mine anyway, especially with the money they cost. The only thing I think is that it was nice to hold onto something doing the walk up to my groom. It just seems like it would be awkward to walk with your arms swinging loose? Maybe I'm crazy but I'd still carry something: candle, pick a flower outside and wrap the stem with ribbon, a present, carry your own ring pillow even, it doesn't matter. Everyone else will be fine without flowers too. Do what you want, people will just be happy to be at the party,everything else is frivolous!
Reply:The bride and groom should at least have a bouquet and a bouttoneire. This is the one thing people will notice, because everyone will be looking at them the entire night! They're easy to do yourself, however. I'm making my own bouquet and bouttoniere from roses from the local grocery store. It will cost me, in all, about 30 dollars. I have instructions if you want to e-mail me for you to do it yourself. As for everything else, yes, you can totally do away with it. We're getting married in a botanical garden, so there are more than enough flowers around for us. But you can't skip out on the bouquet and bouttoniere for the bride and groom. If there are bridesmaids, they could carry a single flower or nothing at all. However, normally the parents of the bride and the parents of the groom get a corsage and a bouttoneire. So, before you cut it out of the budget, just make sure that they won't get ticked off about it. I did, and they were completely fine with it!
Reply:Absolutely not. Decorations (flowers included in this case) are one great way to save money when planning your wedding, especially if you already have a scenic view.



The focus should not be on if anyone else will miss the sight of flowers on the big day, but whether you might. If you have an inkling that you might have a small amount of regret, then you may want to subtly incorporate them. If the ship is going to be out on the water, which I assume it will be, you'll have to take care that any flowers you do use are well anchored.



Cheers and Good Luck!
Reply:No I see no reason at all to have them unless they are something that is really important to you.

I have saved money by buying gerbera's from a lady who grows them and making our own bunches. Quite cheap really and we are having driftwood, shells and candles as our centrepieces.

Use your imagination and see what you come up with. I see nothing more silly than the thousands of dollars some girls waste on centrepieces that just die and get thrown in the trash anyways.

Good luck with the wedding.
Reply:Okay, first of all, take a breath! This is YOUR wedding! If you don't want flowers, then don't have flowers! If you don't want a dress, flowergirls, cake, singing monkeys or fourty gun salute then don't have them! This is your day! The only things you really need are a groom, marriage license and a semi-offical type person to perfom the ceremony. Now go out there and make this day your own! You can do it!
Reply:Your wedding, your rules. You are right, if you are going to be on a boat with pretty views, use what is natural. Flowers are going to be tossed hours later anyways. Do what you want to do. I think centerpieces are overrated anyways, then people can't see who is across from them... Do whatever you want.
Reply:I had a friend who did this, sort of. No floral centerpieces, but still bouquets and boutonnieres. It saved them money, and I don't think anyone missed having flowers on the tables.
Reply:I don't see any reason why you do need them. In fact, save the money for a first home. If people snivel about it, make them "Walk the plank." Should be easy to do since you'll be on a boat at the time.
Reply:Flowers are expensive, I am only doing live flowers for the ceremony and ostrich spades for centerpieces, so no flowers are need do what you want it's YOUR day.
Reply:You don't need anything you don't want... really. Cut corners wherever you can to free up the resources for something that really matters.
Reply:NO YOU CAN DO FAKE FRUIT ARRANGEMENTS
Reply:It's your wedding - if you don't want flowers, don't have flowers. (But you might want to consider a bouquet to throw..)
Reply:Try a single rose or lily instead of bouquet. Stick a candle on the tables as centerpieces and you're done with little $$