Any chicago Bride DIY-ing her bouquet with real flowers?.....

I am in the same boat as you Gee! I want to do my own, but I don't know what i'm doing adn i'm on a really tight budget. But kinda want real flowers! I'm sorry, I wish I could help, but i'm looking forward to other responses!

Thanx Dana, I really hope I get responses here

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Hey Gee, you venue isn't far from Woodfield mall, right? Do you want to meet up at the mall some time this week or next week? We could take a trip to a grocery store down the street from there and I can show you how I can bunch them together. Email me a date and time if you want to meet up. This Friday isn't good for me, but I can do almost any day or time.

Hayley - which place would you be going to? Do they have good deals? I work right in Schaumburg, I need to start doing some research!

I am in the city, i live in the city actually. The venue is quite far from me(Schiller Park) and I am not sure I will be going there anytime soon. Do you have any idea what their prices are? Can I just walk in and ask them for a bridal bouquet and leave with one?

Oh, I was just going to show her how I could position them, I don't think we would buy anything and actually make a bouquet unless Gee wants to actually buy supplies that day.

Do you have a costco card? Might be a good idea to check them out. Jewel, Mejiers too? And even a real florists?

Oh, Hey Gee ~ what kind of images have you been showing florists? What kind of quotes have you received for a bridal bouquet? You only want your flowers and the hubby, right?

I know Jewel (grocery store) has a flower shop inside it. I once had to go pick up the flowers there for a wedding. It was short a boutonniere, so they were able to whip one up for me while I was standing there. If you don't pre-order something you would just have to accept what ever flowers are in the store that day.

Its just my bouqut i need. I went to jewel and they opened their book and calling prices of 70 and above. I am looking for something cheaper, that is why I started considering DIY cuz it would come up to about 50$. now the problem is, i dont trust my DIY in flowers so im stuck. No i dont have a costco card and I dont even know where that is. Oh and the second problem with jewel they dont specify their type of flowers ordered, so they could not guarantee me that ivory/white roses would be available at that time.

Hi! I actually did my own flowers, the pic of the bouquet in my avatar is mine! I also did my husbands boutonniere.... you can see it on my website's portfolio.

I had never done it, if I can do it you can too!

All you need is florist tape (the green sticky tape), and wire. Can't remember the width right now, but i can get that info for you if you want it.

I actually looked up how to videos on youtube and that helped!

I also think that DIY flowers look better when you accent it with unique decor of your own, I went with the burlap wrapping and jute yarn.

I suggest you buy some flowers and practice! By the way I'm from L.A. CA and we have a flower district here....there has to be something like that in chicago too right? I made 9 bouquets, 11 boutonnieres, my bouquet, 8 centerpices, decor for ceremony for around $120 total! maybe less i forget. Look for a flower district, where the flower shops get their flowers from! Nothing is cheaper than them! Good luck!

I am not in Chicago but plan to do my own flowers and the Bridesmaids' as well. I know it might be tough, but before I made the decision I searched everything I could online on doing your own. I don't have links to them at the moment but there are several videos out there as well as text/photo step by steps.

Other options, particularly if you're just looking for a bouquet include Costco, Safeway (or another grocery store) or Whole Foods. I'm sure it varies in price, but they will be a lot less expensive than a florist. You can also talk to them about what you're looking for and they may have other cost cutting ideas for you. Good luck!

Marcie .. I just sent you an email.. apologies for the blind email!

@ Gee - do you mind me asking which venue you will be at in Schiller Park? I live in the next town over and my venue is in Franklin Park. Just curious! If you're ever out in the area, let me know!

Thanks Hayley! I'm thinking of DIY my own bouquet and BM's but I haven'nt done enough research yet. Just thought i would have tagged along to learn something!

Hey Dana, its the fourpoints hotel at schiller park

thanks Marcie and Lisa, but did I already mention I tried DIY-ing bouquet and It sucked and made me so depressed actually. That was like 40$ thrown away and now obviously i am afraid it will repeat itself again.

I really wish you girls were in Chicago

Ohh okay! I was just at a wedding there last year and its really nice there! I think i'm actually going to use that hotel to block rooms for my wedding night! That's not far from me at all!

I wish I could help with the flowers, but i'm in the same boat! I wish things weren't so expensive! haha

Gee call Violet Flower Shop in Berwyn 708-788-1225. She did my flowers for my wedding last year. Great prices! If you tell her your budget for you bouquet, I'm sure she can make it happen. The bouquet below is only $53 and it has roses. If you are flexible on the flowers than you can probably do a bigger one for a similar price.

http://www.berwynsviolet.com/berwyn-flowers/fairy-rose-bouquet-372955p.asp?rcid=243&point=1&scid=144675

Thanks Elizabeth--that example is so pretty! Just the colors I will like to change. Thanks again.

You're very welcome. Ask for Marlene. She is the one who works on the wedding flowers. She is great to work with.

You're welcome Gee! and sorry about the DIY no-go! I hope you find someone great soon! =)

Hi Chicago brides! Congrats to you all - I hope plans have been smooth thus far! I know some of you are considering DIY-ing your bouquets and/or looking for affordable floral design solutions, and I'd love to offer my services. My name is Stephanie and I own flowers by stem. We design flowers for weddings and events in and around Chicago. Because I operate out of my home, I am able to keep prices low! Feel free to check out examples of my work on wedidng wire (https://www.weddingwire.com/shared/Search?l=y&name=flowers+by+stem&geo=Chicago%2C+IL) which also includes some recent reviews. You can also see more work at www.flowersbystem.com. Feel free to email me at *********@*************.*** if I can do anything for you. I have no minimum budget, and would love the opportunity to work with you!

Best of luck!

Stephanie

flowers by stem

*********@*************.***

Flower Moxie. Boom!

They sell by the bunch instead of by the box. They also offer tools and videos, and that comes with the price of the flowers. Seriously so easy! www.flowermoxie.com

I sent them pictures of my vases and my Pinterest link and they built a custom order for me....they figured out how much I would need and helped me get the most for my budget ($600)