DIY? Maybe Reconsider…
Revel & Flourish wants to be able to serve all types of couples- and that means we often work with people who want to DIY part of their weddings. We love being flexible and working with these couples, however we’ve seen enough to know what works and what sometimes doesn’t work- so take it from us, these are a few things to reconsider DIYing!
Arch pieces
DIYing arch installations may seem straightforward, but it can be more complex than anticipated. It can seem very straightforward- just zip tie the mechanics onto the arch, right? Well, it’s not always so simple. Every arch is different, so if you expect each arch type to support the weight of any kind of installation, think again! Find a professional that has worked with different kinds of arches and installation types. Only then you can be assured that you hire someone that knows how to balance, pivot, and attach floral swags to arches to make your ceremony beautiful. In addition, opting for non-professional installation of an arch piece (e.g. having a family member or a wedding planner with no floral experience install your arch piece) can lead to disaster. Each arch piece that is designed by a floral designer has an intended place on the arch, and if the person installing it doesn’t make sure to do it as intended, there is a risk of the floral looking messy, unkept, and random just because it wasn’t attached as intended! Additionally, an expert knows how to hide installation mechanics from sight. Your wedding planner/family member may not be as attentive to that detail.
2. Hanging Installations
This may be self-explanatory, but hanging mechanics take a lot of work, planning, and day-of execution. Having the pressure of pulling off a gorgeous display the day of your wedding or instructing someone else to do it exactly to your liking can be a huge task. We want you to be focused on what really matters: getting married! The last thing you want to see is a beautiful hanging install start to droop or fall during your ceremony.
3. Sign Swags
Sign swags are notorious in the floral world for being tricky to install. There’s so much variety in the type of sign and sign holders that are used, that your professional hashave to be ready for anything. Even the most experienced florists can have difficulty with these! Having the pressure to get it just right can be very frustrating for a family member or wedding planner to handle, especially when they likely have other things to help with on the day of.
4. Flower Crowns
Flower crowns are such a beautiful addition to your wedding, be it for a flower girl or your bridal party, but these dainty accessories can be such a time consumer to make. In addition, if you are DIYing these, they likely will have to be made in the morning of your wedding as they do not last in a cooler for very long. When made by a florist, we have our tips and tricks to make sure these last through your special day. Fresh flowers are finicky and you have to baby them! So if you want to go the DIY route with these crowns, make sure you have plenty of time and extra product in case of wilting.
5. Room Flips
Some couples can be confused if a room flip service is suggested, thinking that it can’t be that hard to move something from ceremony to reception. We highly recommend a room flip service with your florist or wedding coordinator. Depending on what you want, moving floral items can be precarious and sometimes destructive if you aren’t aware of the mechanics behind something! Sometimes florists use hidden water sources or mechanics that can be incredibly frustrating to undo, as well as impossible to replicate without certain tools or skills.
6. Anything that would stress you out to make, or that you are particular about!
Realize that this day is about you, and enjoy it to the fullest! If you are thinking of DIYing anything and the thought brings you intense anxiety and planning stress, we would strongly encourage you to find a vendor that you trust. There are many things to worry about when it comes to live product, like keeping it alive long enough, finding the time to arrange, and making it particularly beautiful. Many family members-turned-helpers find they run out of time on the morning of the wedding day to do everything that they wished to do. In addition, as the couple being honored, you may find you are super particular about how something looks. Instead of executing it all yourself or communicating it to someone that may not have the design background needed to execute it, again we encourage you to find someone professional that you trust with your special day.
We love working with DIY couples, but hopefully this blog sheds some light on why we suggest what we suggest to our clients! If you’re looking for a florist or event planner that has experience in a broad range of design styles and set up experiences, look no further! We’d love to discuss how we can support you on your wedding day :)