I can’t tell you the number of times a designer has said to me, “Preston, if I had the budgets that you have, I’d also be able to create great designs.” Every time I hear that, I want to scream. Folks, there’s no question that I can really let my imagination fly when I have a bigger budget. But a big budget does NOT automatically translate to great design. I remember well the days when I had only $2000 to design an entire wedding; I look back at those photographs, and my designs then weren’t half bad.
Designing well is about spending money strategically and doing everything you can to create an unforgettable mood. I frequently work with clients who tell me that they want a very simple design. And I have no problem with that. However, I always remind them that there’s a very fine line between simple and just plain boring.
Today I want to share a few tips to help you create exciting designs regardless of your budget:
1. You can never have too many candles. It’s amazing what candlelight can accomplish. The next time you throw a party and don’t want to spend a lot of money on centerpieces, place at least thirty votive candles on each table. You’ll be amazed at how great it looks. Each votive should only cost you fifty cents or so. Beautiful on a budget!
2. People typically remember the first thing they see. Use a substantial portion of your budget to create a dramatic entrance. Trust me, it’s worth it.
3. You’ve probably seen my rose bowl arrangements; I put lots of rose petals in a bowl of water to create the impression of one large floating rose. A striking centerpiece for under a dollar!
4. But fear not, even if you don’t have enough money for floral centerpieces, you can still include flowers on every table. Arrange a few flowers in each guest’s napkin. The flowers should be tied together to make it easy for guests to take them home. This way you get the beauty of flowers without spending a lot of money, and guests get pretty favors. And since you’re not using floral centerpieces, you can use all those votive candles I suggested above in tip #1!
5. What about an edible centerpiece? It’s surprisingly simple to design with fruit, and you’ll be amazed at how beautiful fruit centerpieces can be.
These tips are mostly for beginners. Remember, you’re creating a mood more than anything else. After all, the mood is what clients really remember. Of course, you can use tons of flowers to set the mood, but there are lots of other ways to create mood, too. I come from the school of thought that more is better, but one way of doing that is repeating a simple element over and over again. That’s why when I suggest using candle centerpieces, I say to use thirty or more on each table. Mood means impact, and just a few candles won’t have much of an impact. But thirty candles? Now that’s a mood!
Dear Readers, what are some of your budget decorating tips? Do you challenge clients who insist on simple designs? How do you design simply without being boring?
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George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Birds of a Feather Events
July 11, 2011
I actually own a lot of decor and vessels and the rental of these items is included in my fee, I book a lot of clients because of this extra perk. They can put more of their money into flowers and personalized touches without the worry of having to track down and purchase 30 milk glass vases, an old typewriter, mix match china setting, etc….
danielle.gilcrest
July 11, 2011
This blog post lets me know I’m on the right track. While I’m a student in the Preston Bailey Design Course, I’m also a a blushing bride to be. I’m having for formal evening wedding and the design element that I seem to be most drawn to crystals and feathers. One of my choices that cuts down design cost is I have very few flowers in my wedding. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE flowers but for this event, I chose a candlelit ceremony with odd numbered groups of candles in tall vases sitting on illuminated bases to line my aisle, crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and an illuminated “Chuppah” with fabric and crystals. Outside the room will be a tall structure of white feathers on the reception card table and centerpiece for my reception table a crystal Manzanita trees. The only flowers will be for the wedding party, and our Mothers.I’ve hired a florist to design the ceremony and for the bouquets but I’m making the trees and the feather tree myself. Also, instead of spending the money on renting Chivari chairs or upgrading the linens. I’m making feather and crystal adornments to clip to the back of the standard linens the hotel is providing. I’m spending the money on my crystal trees (that I can later use in my design business) and I’m have also hired a lighting company to help create the mood for the evening. My goal is to create a wonderfully beautiful room, that conveys the feeling of intimacy and love for the evening.
Tiffany
July 11, 2011
When we did my grandparents 50th anniversary party. My mom and I chose blue hyudrangea. We purchased small ones and put them in white whicker baskets. When you looked across the room.. it was a sea of blue. The flowers only cost us $7 a piece with ribbon and basket it was about $11. Then, we gave the flowers away to my grandparents special guests at the end of the party. It was really fun and pretty too
But, you could use a lot of different potted flowers. I have also used this technique to do two parties in a week… that really saved $$.
Lauren @ ELD
July 11, 2011
yes yes yes! Such great tips! I always go for candles- they have such an amazing effect. However, candles don’t always work out well for outdoor weddings (especially on the beach) so floating rose petals or orchid heads are my next options!
Thank you for such a great post!
Charlotte Burhoe
July 11, 2011
Hi Preston, I value your tips and suggestions like thos above. Clients here in the east (Atlantic Canada) have more ‘realistic everyday’ budgets and rely on challenging designers to come up with great looks on their budgets. However, there is pricing discrepancies – take your rose bowl centerpiece for example which you say is under $1. Did you rent the bowl? How many roses did you use (3-4?), Here in NB for example you can’t do it for under $1 – each rose is about $2-4 and then the vase rental – clients follow your blog read this and assume that if you can do it for $1 then so should we – can I get your supplier lists?
Just my 2 cents but I still love reading your blog!
Danette
January 23, 2012
I suggested to a client that we take 3 picture frames, spray paint them in gold insert into them 3 pictures printed on vellum as the centerpieces. Flowers can be inserted in the center. The pictures are bride and groom as children, bride and groom while they are dating, then portraits of them in their gown and tuxedo. A great conversation piece.