Floral Table Decorations

by F Thorne
(West Sussex, UK)

I am getting married in May and need to make inexpensive table decorations, preferably using fresh, seasonal flowers for at least 12 tables. I would like to know how best to buy these? Is it from a florist, a supermarket or a wholesaler? If a wholesaler, how can I reach someone locally to me? I live in West Sussex.

Answer:

You'll definitely save if you make your own flower arrangements and when your guests discover that you've done them, they'll be far more impressed!

Choosing seasonal flowers is a great way to save and it's also much more likely that you'll get hold of the flowers you want. I would strongly advise using a florist or a wholesaler as the flowers will be fresher and better quality than the supermarket. With the supermarket there is no guarantee that the flowers you want will be in stock or enough of them!

If you can find a wholesaler to supply you flowers, this would probably be the cheaper option. They may also be able to deliver to your door, but you will need to know exactly what you want including numbers of stems, greenery or fillers and any accessories. A florist on the other hand will be far more forgiving and helpful, but will more likely charge you some sort of fee.

Many nurseries will provide wholesale flower ordering, so call around your local garden centres or nurseries and ask if they will provide a large quantity of flowers direct to you. If they won't, they will certainly be able to give details of their suppliers locally, who may work with the general public and be able to help you.

Finally, there are national wholesalers who will deliver anywhere in the UK. Obviously, you'll have a delivery charge and if the wholesaler is based in Newcastle, you could be in for a nasty charge, so check this!

For my wedding, our florist did have the arrangements (bouquets and buttonholes) and then supplied flowers for the table and pedestal arrangements. For the latter, she only charged us the cost price, so we did well. If you're going down the same route, then there is no harm in asking if your florist would do the same. We also hired vases from her at a £1 each.

Locally to you, www.haslemereflowers.co.uk will provide and order flowers for special occasions, but they don't say if they're at wholesale on their website. A quick phone call to them will help you find out more. There is also www.trianglenursery.co.uk who are a wholesaler that deliver nationwide.

All the best with the flower arranging and do send us some pics!