How much would these wedding decs cost?

[fuzzypicklehead]

My upcycling (recycling craft) group has just had a request to do decorations for a wedding! We're thrilled, but as none of us has had a "proper" wedding, we have no idea how much things cost? The order is for decorations for both the wedding and reception venue, and will include (roughly):

*80 metres of scrap strip bunting
*80 chair garlands (also scrap strip)
*80 fabric flower hairclips/brooches as table decorations that can be taken home as favours
*20-25 teapots turned to planters
*4 buttonholes (made from guitar plectrums)
*30 tin can lanterns

Since we're working with recycled goods, our materials costs will be low but it is going to take time to source all of it and then make all the decorations by hand. Any ideas what a good price would be for any/all of these?

[UnnamedFemaleProtagonist]

Look on eBay. Lots of stuff there. And Etsy and Folksy.

[girlywhirly]

You need to cost your time/labour by the hour per person making the things as well as the actual cost of materials. So for example if it takes three people an hour each to do some bunting, say, at £10 an hour that will be 3x£10=£30. Then add in the material costs.

Do be realistic in your prices, it often takes much longer than you think to make the stuff, and you need to remember to cost in things like thread, glue, paint etc. You might also include delivery costs unless the bride organises collection.

[TinyDiamond]

This is sort of the look I'm going for at our wedding but I'm doing it all myself to keep costs minimal. I think you need to be careful what you try to charge her as the whole point is that it is low cost, thrifty and simple.
Someone is not going to pay a high price for it or even as much as 'traditional' decor costs as it sort of defeats the point if you see what I mean?
That being said it'll be your labour hours you'll need to cover, you'll probably be able to source a lot of fabric bits for free (also ask the bride if she has any to start off with) - tin cans will obviously be free too. depending on how many of you are in the group I reckon you'll source things easily between you.
Plectrums will be a cost depending on how many/which colours you'll need though

[TinyDiamond]

Oh and teapots you may find tricky if she wants bone china as everyone is doing the same thing this year and all the charity shops have cottoned on and starting charging silly money for them.
Car boot sales are your best bet for those ad they are going for quite a bit on eBay too

[fuzzypicklehead]

Boy, I've noticed the cost of teapots going up! Thankfully, I have a really great car boot near me, as well as a great branch of emmaus so our material costs aren't too high. It will mostly be the equipment that costs a fortune, as we will need to hire a drill press and buy diamond bits to make the teapot planters.

I've had a look on Etsy and ebay, and I was a bit shocked at the prices for some of these things! Plectrum flowers would run over £100 for four! No wonder people save for years for their wedding!

[TinyDiamond]

I think it's cos that is what is trendy right now. The whole handmade, thrift look is everywhere in the wedding industry. It's worth flicking through a couple of wedding
Mags or blogs and you'll see it all.
Have fun making it all!

[lifesabeech]

Tissue paper pom pom flowers are a great alternative to real flowers. They're cheaper, last and can be taken home - perhaps a gift for each guest. You can even attach them to hairclips. You can make them yourself from scratch or buy kits and just "fluff" them out yourself!