flowers

Flowers will always look beautiful, but flower centerpieces can make costs rise quickly. I think that bridesmaids should have bouquets, even small ones, even if you decide that they should wear leis.

Since your wedding is in Hawai'i, you can get creative with non-floral centerpieces that are beach themed. Candles, strategically placed orchids, tropical leaves, sand dollars, and starfish go a long way (for examples). Most guests are usually forgiving of the fact that centerpieces are small so long as the food is good, and the people at their table are pleasant conversationalists. Also take into consideration that Hawai'i is filled with natural beauty, and sometimes, less is more.

I strongly advocate for floral preservation, especially if you love flowers and want a lovely reminder of your wedding every day.

If it makes you feel better, I didn't have floral centerpieces. My destination wedding was in the desert, and moderate floral centerpieces with seasonal flowers ranged from $120-$175. I opted for bouquets and boutonnires for the wedding party, a bouquet for myself, and a boutonnire for my husband, and another for my father. Our centerpieces were cacti from a local nursery in custom-made talavera pots with three tealights in borrowed mercury gold votives per table. I would put the cost of each centerpiece at roughly $60-$75 each. I put money into having caricature artists, a gelato truck, and for my guests instead of flower centerpieces, and I get to hear stories about how they enjoyed both.