Reader email: How to get free flower petals

Reader Shelley E writes in today with two great money saving tips on flowers:

I have a great suggestion for the book regarding flower petals.  I really wanted to provide my guests with flower petals to throw as my groom and I departed from the reception.  I called a florist near my wedding site about a week prior, and she said that throughout the week as she arranged other clients’ flowers she would save all the petals that she took off during the arranging, and that she would give me the roses that she would be throwing away … FOR FREE!  I was blown away by the amount of roses and petals that she had saved for me.  The “older” roses that she couldn’t use in arrangements were still beautiful, and after taking off a layer or two of the petals, the inside petals were perfect, and much prettier than birdseed.  You can’t do better than free!
 
Also, I have another tip regarding my bouquets.  I decided to use artificial, and my Mom and I scoured the craft superstores for deals.  Imagine my surprise when I found that hidden along the back of the store, away from the flower department, were pre-fabricated bouquets of flowers for less than $10, full-price!  Believe it or not, they were absolutely beautiful.  We used two together, added in a few additional stems, tied it together with some pretty ribbon, and voila … my gorgeous bridal bouquet was less than $25!!  We also did this for my bridesmaids, with different pre-made bouquets.  And we cut rosebuds off of pre-fabricated stems and wrapped them green floral tape for boutonnières.  My entire flower expenditure was only about $150.  What a bargain!  And the guests never knew … all they talked about was how gorgeous all the flowers were.
 
Thanks so much for your book; it was invaluable information!!