Ideas for DIY altar arrangment

[So_happy]

We are having our ceremony under a very pretty red maple tree in a park. To bring a little pop of (brighter) color, we thought we''d sprinkle petals around the tree but now I''m thinking something more eye level would be better. Has anyone done thier own altar arrangments? How can I make this cost-effective? Is it as easy as buying two tall vases, filling them with rocks to weight them down, and sticking pretty white flowers in them? We won''t have access (and don''t wish to buy) pedestals so I''d like to get these flowers and vases as tall as I can. What''s a good level? shoulder? Good flower for this type of project?

 

[Gypsy]

Pedestals are actually fairly cheap. As for vases. I wouldn't want to risk the glass breaking there. I would do a plastic container and some oasis to hold the flowers.

 

[So_happy]

Date: 7/2/2007 2:47:18 PM
Author: Gypsy
Pedestals are actually fairly cheap. As for vases. I wouldn't want to risk the glass breaking there. I would do a plastic container and some oasis to hold the flowers.

Hmm.....I'll have to check out the prices on those. And I think you're right about buying plastic over glass. Since the ceremony is outdoors, tho, I think I'd better put a good amount of rocks in each vase to keep them from possibly blowing over. Here's one idea I liked............(simply but elegant and adds just a touch of color to the otherwise darker colored tree leaves and my BM's darker colored victorian lilac dresses).............

 

[So_happy]

I just had a thought............do you think silks would work okay in this arrangement? I haven''t used silks yet but I''m just thinking maybe it''d be less expensive than ordering fresh? I haven''t checked out price comparisons tho..............

 

[aprilcait]

Maybe, if there are some lower branches, you could hang a decorative birdcage or two with votives or flowers in them. I saw a picture of something like this in a magazine recently, but I can''t remember which magizine it was for the life of me.

 

[akw94]

I think Gladiolas are a nice, tall flower you could use. But I also think hanging something from the branches would be very pretty. Candles or lanterns maybe. Or what about potted plants or flowers? Although they might be too low for you. But I don''t think that they need to be eye-level, imo. I think petals around the tree would be very pretty and be an accent to you and your groom.

 

[xapora]

I actually just finished two fairly large altar arrangements, both together cost under $100, and I was so surprised at how nicely they came out. I got two white iron pedestals from Ross ($15 each I think) and two metal flower urns from Michael''s ($9 each). Then I got foam balls to stick the flowers in and used silk flowers (roses and lilies), along with some filler leaves and a few tall white filler flowers to stick out the top. I was hesitant at first because I thought it would be a huge job or not come out how I wanted, but they look amazing and only took 2 hours to finish them both. I''m not exactly a "crafty" person but it was really easy! I would recommend searching the internet for something you like and trying to replicate it. Some internet sites even tell you exactly what to buy and give you step-by-step instructions.

 

[So_happy]

I would love to find blush pink/brdial white cherry blossom or dogwood branches and simply use those. I don''t even want filler or other flowers. I''d love to keep a simple look.

I''m considering using silks and saveoncrafts has them for $3/stem right now...although a bit more pink than I think I want. My coodinator has 2 tall vases she''s letting me borrow so I''m all set with the container. I figure we can fill them with rocks (she has some nice ones but I''m thinking we could even use plain ole rocks from anywhere....they''re opaque vases so no one will see inside) and put several dogwood branches in each.

I have a tall vase at home that has some silk greenery in it and I played with the height of it. It looks like if it comes to right about chest level that it''ll frame us well. That''s about 48" total. The dogwoods from saveoncrafts are 37" high and I''m assuming for now that the to-be-borrowed vases are at least knee-high so that''ll work perfectly.

I need to find an inspiration pic, your''e right! I posted that one above but it''s difficult to make out. It''s also on a pedestal which I won''t be using. But it''s very pretty IMO.

Xapora~ Your arrangements sound lovely Any pics? Do you like the look of the silks? If you''re using them outdoors, do they look nice in natural light? I''m wondernig if branch-type flowers will look realistic as I''ve always thought that it''s the stems of silks that look the fakey-ist lol.

 

[xapora]

Thanks!

I haven''t had the chance to take any pictures yet, but may post them later on when I take some.

I don''t know if you''ve come across this page, but they have TONS of pictures of cherry blossom arrangements.

http://www.theknot.com/co_profileview.htm?profilename=CherryBlossoms&MsdVisit=1

I think silks would be fine for altar arrangements, especially if they''re going to be further away from the guests, I doubt anyone would even notice. And from what I''ve heard, Save on Crafts has pretty nice silk flowers.

 

[So_happy]

Date: 7/2/2007 6:14:14 PM
Author: xapora
Thanks!

I haven''t had the chance to take any pictures yet, but may post them later on when I take some.

I don''t know if you''ve come across this page, but they have TONS of pictures of cherry blossom arrangements.

http://www.theknot.com/co_profileview.htm?profilename=CherryBlossoms&MsdVisit=1

I think silks would be fine for altar arrangements, especially if they''re going to be further away from the guests, I doubt anyone would even notice. And from what I''ve heard, Save on Crafts has pretty nice silk flowers.

Wow....I loved this one.............

it would probably compete too much with our maple tree, tho. But it sure is purty

Thanks for the bio link! It confirms that I''d love to use them........altho I do like the ones with more blooms on them.

 

[zoebartlett]

Those cherry blossoms are gorgeous!!! I love them. Hmmm, I wonder if I could use something like that on either side of the gazebo where we''ll be married.


sorry to threadjack.

 

[So_happy]

Date: 7/2/2007 9:54:04 PM
Author: zoebartlett
Those cherry blossoms are gorgeous!!! I love them. Hmmm, I wonder if I could use something like that on either side of the gazebo where we''ll be married.


sorry to threadjack.

Aren''t they though?? I don''t know if I can find actualy trees but I betcha I can certainly use lots of branches Let me know if you find anything!

 

[So_happy]

Update!

I went to ACMoore today and found two 26" tall clear glass vases (they come up past my knees) on sale for about $8 each. They are similar in shape to the ones posted above the pic of the pretty trees so they actually won''t take much to fill as they are wide only at the top and bottom. I just bought a 1/2 a bunch of white glads at the supermarket and I''m going to do a mock up today, although they are still pretty much in bud form. I plan to only stick them in about half way so I can maximize the height (using marbles in the situation will really help). Good thing glads are super long and have flowers growing along the stem!!

I just have to tweak them so they aren''t so high that the vase will tip over. I''m hoping the weight of the marbles will help with that!

Actually, I just remembered I already have one bunch of gladiolas on order w my florist becauase I was going to use them for a gift table presentation but now I can simply put my "altar" vases on the gift table instead and effectively use my flowers twice. Yay!!!! I''m pretty happy that, if this works out, I have created an altar for us for about $20

If you have any advice, I''m always glad to hear it

 

[So_happy]

And one more thing, if anyone has any opinions about how high these things "should" be, that''d be helpful. I''m thinking it matters how far apart they are from us....as in the closer they are, the taller they''d need to be......I think.