Non-Floral Bouquets

[Le sigh. A bouquet of bouncing butterflies! Via the newest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings.]

I just picked up the newest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings and it did not disappoint. Great issue, especially after I passed up the last two issues (sorry MS Weddings.)

It also presented an idea that I hadn't thought of--a bouquet of butterflies. Not flowers.

[12 assorted butterflies, 3", for $4.95]

Let's say you need roughly 30 butterflies. So, 3 packs of these particular 12 butterflies is about $15, plus any wires you need, let's throw in another $20 for the wires and the shipping for butterflies. $35 is a lot cheaper than that $100+ floral bouquet I've been fantasizing about. Plus, I could keep the butterflies for gift wrapping or what not afterward. The flowers just...die.

What do you think? How do you feel about a non-floral bouquet? Will a butterfly bouquet go with my dress? It looks completely cute in MS Weddings, but will I look at the bouquet 10 years from now and think "dude. Mo. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING??"

Too Good to Toss

[From top to bottom: Martha Stewart Weddings, Summer 2008, p. 248, bouquet designed by Jackie and Daughter Flower Shop; i heart peonie's bouquet designed by Petal Play Design, photo by Dean Thorsen; Yuli's bouquet designed by Saipua, photo by Robert Sukrachand]

Ah, flowers. It seems as though on my budget spreadsheet, flowers and cake are hanging out together begging me to pay attention to them. Research us! Look at us! Why do we have so little money attached to our cells!

My excel sheets talk to me, don't yours?

We probably won't be able to have a florist make centerpieces, but I'd like a pro to make my bouquet, two bridesmaids' bouquets, a flower girl bouquet, three bouts and five corsages. Wow that sounds like a lot more when you write it down!

Here are some of my inspiration pictures so far. The sister calls them "wild". What do you think?