Here at Oleander we often get asked the same question: should I order a vase arrangement or hand-tied bouquet? Well, the answer is that it really depends. So which should you choose? There are pros and cons to both, and we’re going to help you decide which one is right for you.
Choosing flowers for a loved one or friend is not always as easy as it first seems. You need to make a number of decisions, from the budget, to the colour palette, to the style or aesthetic of the arrangement. Flowers are a wonderful and versatile gift that can be highly personalized, sending a very special and specific message, so it’s important that your gift does not create any unnecessary or unwanted work.
Hand-Tied Bouquets
One of the main advantages of gifting a hand-tied bouquet is the generally lower price point. As there’s no vase required, all of your budget can go directly into the arrangement. Here at Oleander, our hand-tied bouquets come beautifully wrapped with tissue paper and ribbon in a colour that complements the whole arrangement. The downside is that there’s a significant amount of work that needs to be done on the recipient’s end as soon as they receive the bouquet. A suitably-sized clean vase must be found, all of the stems trimmed, and the flowers placed in fresh water as soon as possible. Not having the right-sized vase can mean a top-heavy display or that the flowers must be split up and placed into multiple vases. This can damage the intended structure, look and feel of the design.
Vase Arrangements
Flower arrangements presented in vases, on the other hand, are great for so many reasons. As soon as the recipient receives the flowers, they can be displayed immediately and without the hassle of finding a vase, unwrapping a package or cutting any stems. Plus, the flowers have been hydrating since they were first placed into the vase. Having the flowers already in the vase also means there’s less chance of stems getting damaged, either by not being trimmed correctly, or by being crushed or damaged when being transferred from the wrapping. All of this means that vase arrangements generally tend to last longer than cut bouquets. There is a down side though, and that is that they obviously do come at an extra cost. However, if you regularly order arrangements for yourself, saving your vases and bringing them into the store each time you order is a great way to cut down on the spend! We’ll design straight into your vase for you, and all of your budget will go into the arrangement. Plus, all of Oleander’s vase arrangements are perfectly balanced and aesthetically-styled to work in perfect harmony with the vase in which they’re designed, no matter what shape or size it is! This option is also much better for the environment!
When it comes down to it though, the type of arrangement you choose will depend on your personal preferences and how much you’re able to spend. You’ll also want to consider the needs of the recipient as well. Whilst some people love the chance to get hands-on with their gift, somebody who has just moved into a new home might not have an abundant collection of vases available. A new mom might not have the time to arrange flowers, and someone recently recovering from an illness or hospital stay might not have the strength or energy needed to display a cut bouquet. It’s for these reasons that we usually recommend a vase arrangement!
Fortunately we’re experts at both hand-tied bouquets and flowers arranged in a vase, and our talented designers will work with you to create exactly what you’re looking for. Visit us here to place an order.