Kickstart Your Wedding Design with GHD

Just got engaged and have absolutely no idea where to get started? You’ve come to the right place!

Gathered Here Designs has officially launched a brand-new lineup of virtual wedding design services tailored for newly engaged couples looking to kickstart their wedding design journey. Whether you're planning a DIY wedding and just need a little extra support or don’t have a single design bone in your body, GHD has a service to match your needs!

3 of Virtual Wedding Design Services

Just like your love story, your wedding design needs are unique, which is why GHD offers 3 different virtual design packages:

1. Basic Package – Perfect for couples who need a creative spark, while also keeping to a tight budget! We help you define your wedding vision through custom color palettes, a wedding mood board, a collaborative Pinterest board and a discount code for wedding stationary so you can confidently move forward with your DIY wedding planning.

2. Deluxe Package – This is for couples who want more than just a starting point. In addition to the basic package, you’ll receive a customized list of products that match your wedding style, a 1:1 virtual meeting with yours truly, and FREE access to my wedding planning course (including budget trackers, guest-list trackers, templates, and more!). 

3. Ultimate Package – The ideal choice for couples who want a fully realized wedding design. You’ll receive TWO virtual 1:1 meetings, an extensive collaborative Pinterest board with up to 2 revisions, a centerpiece concept, and wedding flower suggestions - plus FREE access to my wedding planning course (including budget trackers, guest-list trackers, templates, and more!).

Why Choose Gathered Here Designs?

Our virtual services are designed with affordability and flexibility in mind, making them ideal for couples planning a wedding on a budget. As a former DIY bride myself, I know just how important it is to 1) have a plan & 2) stay on budget!

At GHD we believe that beautiful, well-planned weddings aren’t just for those with big budgets or full-service planners. With our expert guidance, you can confidently create a stunning wedding day that reflects your style and personality.

So, if you're newly engaged and ready to dive into wedding planning, let Gathered Here Designs guide you through the process! Explore our services and take the first step towards turning your wedding vision into reality.

Let’s make magic together—one wedding design detail at a time!

3 Ways to Save on Wedding Flowers

Flowers can be one of the most beautiful (and expensive!) parts of a wedding. Whether you’re planning to DIY your floral arrangements or you’re hiring a professional florist, there are great ways to save money without sacrificing style with your flowers. Here are three expert tips to help you stay within budget, while still achieving stunning floral decor for your big day.

1. Buy Seasonal Flowers

One of the easiest ways to save money on wedding flowers is to choose blooms that are in season. “In season” means flowers are actively blooming at the time of your wedding. For example, if you want tulips in your bouquet and your wedding is in August, this would not be in season and therefore would end up costing you more money. Here’s why going seasonal is worth considering:

• Lower Costs: Because seasonal flowers can be locally grown, they come at a lower price than imported or out-of-season blooms.

• Better Quality: Freshly harvested flowers last longer and look more vibrant.

• Eco-Friendly Choice: Choosing flowers that don’t need to be shipped from afar helps reduce your wedding’s carbon footprint (hooray!).

• Pro Tip: Go local! If you’re buying your own flowers check out local flower farms and flower markets for a great deal. If you’re using a florist, ask them what flowers are in season in your area and they can guide you.

Bouquet designed by me😁, photo by Megan Ryska

To determine what flowers will be in season for your wedding date, consult with a florist or do a quick search online for local blooms available during your chosen wedding month.

2. Reuse Flowers in Multiple Places

Maximize your floral arrangements by repurposing them throughout your wedding. With a little strategic planning, you can get the most out of your floral budget without skimping on elegance. Consider these creative ways to reuse your flowers:

• Ceremony to Reception: Use aisle arrangements as centerpieces or repurpose the ceremony arch flowers for the sweetheart table.

• Bridal Party Bouquets: After the ceremony, place bridesmaid bouquets in vases at the wedding party table to double as reception decor.

• Welcome & Cocktail Areas: Move floral arrangements from the welcome table or cocktail hour space to the reception area for a seamless transition.

• Pro Tip: If you decide to reuse flowers throughout the wedding, have a designated point person or two to be in charge of moving flowers. Make sure they know when and where to move the flowers (totally fine to create a typed up list for them), so you don’t have to direct them on the day of your wedding.

By reusing flowers for multiple purposes, you’ll make your wedding look lavish without having to purchase twice the amount of blooms.

3. Go Heavy on Greenery Over Blooms

Greenery is a budget-friendly way to add texture, volume, and a lush aesthetic to your wedding decor while using fewer expensive blooms. Reserve the wedding flowers for the pieces that will be seen and/or photographed the most (bouquet, centerpieces, etc.). Here’s how incorporating greenery can help save money:

• Affordable & Abundant: Many types of greenery, such as eucalyptus, ferns, and ivy, are significantly less expensive than flowers.

• Adds a Natural, Romantic Look: Greenery can create a stunning, organic vibe that complements any wedding style.

• Versatile Usage: Use greenery in garlands, table runners, and backdrops to create a full, luxurious feel without relying on pricey floral arrangements.

• Pro Tip: Consider going faux with your greenery, especially at the reception. This eucalyptus garland is great down long banquet tables. I recommend getting more than you think because the garlands often aren’t full, so I like to double up and twist two garlands together. You can also do this with faux stem greenery (even sneaking in some faux stems on your ceremony arch works great - no one can tell they’re fake). Plus, you’ll be able to reuse this in your home post-wedding.

Wedding ceremony arch with faux greenery

Final Thoughts

Saving on wedding flowers doesn’t mean compromising on aesthetics. You can still have stunning flower arrangements, while staying on budget.  By choosing seasonal flowers, reusing arrangements, and incorporating plenty of greenery, you can achieve an elegant and breathtaking floral setup while staying within your budget. Whether you DIY your flowers or hire a professional, these simple yet effective strategies will help you save major bucks and still have dreamy flowers at your wedding - that’s definitely a win win situation if you ask me!

Need more help with your wedding flowers? Check out these FREE wedding flower resources:

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase a product through my link I will earn a small commission. This helps allow me the ability to keep providing you free weekly content (yay!).

Planning, coordinating, designing - OH MY!

When planning a wedding, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Thankfully, there are all kinds of wedding industry professionals who can help support you through the process.

Now if you’re new to the wedding world, this is where it can start to get a tad confusing.

There are wedding planners, wedding coordinators, and wedding designers. You might be wondering if these are all the same role with different titles or do they each offer something different?

The answer? They are each unique in their own way. While there is some overlap between the roles, they each offer something different to get help get you and your partner from being engaged to living up your wedding day!

Understanding what each role entails can help you decide what type of support best fits your needs. Here’s a breakdown of each type of wedding professional and how they can contribute to your big day.

1. Wedding Planner

A wedding planner is the most comprehensive option for wedding support. They typically work with couples from the very beginning of the planning process until the last guest leaves the reception. A wedding planner’s role typically includes:

• Budget Management: Helping you set a realistic budget and keeping you on track.

• Vendor Sourcing and Management: Recommending and coordinating with vendors, such as florists, photographers, and caterers.

• Timeline Creation: Developing a detailed timeline for the entire wedding.

• Logistics: Managing contracts, permits, and any other necessary documentation.

• Day-of Coordination: Overseeing the entire event to ensure it runs smoothly.

Wedding planners are ideal for couples who want full-service support or have complex weddings that require detailed logistics. Small caveat: some companies will offer different levels of wedding planning support to allow for high, medium, and low priced options.

2. Wedding Coordinator

A wedding coordinator typically comes into the picture anywhere from 4-8 weeks before the wedding day or just the day of the event, if you purchase a day of coordinator service. Their main role is to ensure that all the plans you’ve made are executed perfectly. Responsibilities of a wedding coordinator tend to include:

• Finalizing Details: Reviewing contracts and confirming details with vendors.

• Timeline Management: Creating a wedding-day timeline and sharing it with vendors.

• Rehearsal Coordination: Managing the rehearsal to ensure everyone knows their roles.

• Day-of Execution: Being the point of contact for vendors and guests, troubleshooting any issues that arise, and ensuring the event stays on schedule.

Me circa 2019 doing day-of coordination for a Central Oregon wedding

Wedding coordinators are a great choice for couples who have already done most of the planning, but want professional help on the day to ensure everything runs smoothly. This can be a great option, if you don’t want to have to tag in your family and friends to be the point people on the day of your wedding.

3. Wedding Designer

A wedding designer focuses solely on the aesthetics and atmosphere of the wedding. They are responsible for bringing your vision to life and ensuring the overall look and feel is cohesive. Wedding designers typically handle:

• Concept Development: Collaborating with you to create a unique theme or style.

• Color Palette and Mood Board: Establishing a color scheme and design inspiration.

• Decor and Rentals: Selecting linens, lighting, flowers, furniture, and other decorative elements.

• Venue Styling: Ensuring the venue is styled to match your vision.

Woodland Wedding Design I created for a styled photoshoot

Unlike planners or coordinators, wedding designers do not handle logistics or vendor management beyond decor-related vendors. They are ideal for couples who want to create a visually stunning wedding and need creative guidance. If you feel you don’t have a design bone in your body or know you want your wedding to look good, but have no idea how to do it - a wedding designer is a great option for you.

What support does GHD offer?

Gathered Here Designs offers a wedding planning course for those who want to DIY their wedding planning and need a roadmap to help them along the wedding planning journey.

Virtual design services are launching soon! There will be three levels of design services available, depending on how much design support you’re looking for. 

Be sure to sign-up for the weekly wedding email so you’re the first to know when services go live!

Choosing the Right Support for You

The type of wedding support you choose depends on your needs, budget, and how hands-on you want to be in the wedding process. Some couples may opt for a full service wedding planner who also offers day-of coordination, while others may only need to hire a designer. No matter what you choose, having professional support can help make your wedding day stress-free and unforgettable.

If you’re unsure which option is right for you, consider your wedding vision and how much time and effort you can dedicate to planning. With the right team in place, your dream wedding can become a reality.