Hi Recently my local newspaper featured a section on do - it -yourself wedding ideas. In it was an interview of me and a picture of my daughter's bouquet. The online version had a photo showing the bouquet, the girls' bouquets and the groom's boutonniere. My success was largely due to the service and quality I received from Whole Blossoms, and I gave the paper your name as my reference. I am now doing centerpieces for parties! I'd like to thank you, and to send you a copy of the article if you'd like. (Please let me know where to send it and to who's attention). Below is the online version. Learn how to create your own bridal bouquet Originally published: February 5, 2010 4:03 PM Updated: February 12, 2010 5:20 PM By CATHRINE DUFFY Special to Newsday QUICK SUMMARY Some brides are creating their own bouquets, helping them to save big on the cost of a florist. Photo credit: Handout | Mary Zellman, the mother of the pictured bride, Danielle Zellman, is a novice florist. She made the bridal bouquet from flowers purchased online, saving $2,800 in the process. Mary Zellman, a physical education teacher, has no training in floral design. Hers was an unlikely transition from freeze tag to freesia. "I don't do any crafty stuff at all," said Zellman of Lake Grove. She didn't let that stop her from designing her daughter's wedding flowers in August. "We did it to save money," said Zellman. "We saved about $2,800." VIDEO: Learn how to create a DIY bridal bouquet MORE: When hiring a florist is a better arrangement Zellman purchased flowers in bulk from two online vendors. She bought calla lilies for the bridesmaids' bouquets, and oriental blush lilies and freesia for her daughter's bouquet. She used mini callas for the groomsmen's boutonnieres. She spent about $950 on flowers, ribbon, vases and lights. "The key to the whole thing was my daughter," Zellman said. "She was not Bridezilla in any way. She was so happy marrying the right man, this was all icing on the cake." Do-it-yourself is a trend that's not going away, sources say, despite recent gains in the economy. "Couples will want simple yet elegant events at a lower cost," according to a 2010 wedding trends forecast by market research group The Wedding Report. "With family and friends providing the prep and design help, there is a huge opportunity to save," saving money was a priority for Jessica and Richard Falotico of Astoria as they planned for their September 2009 wedding reception in Smithtown. "I love flowers and I wanted them to look nice, but I didn't want to put a big chunk of my budget toward that," said Jessica Falotico. She left the bouquets to a florist, but she was inspired by the elegance and simplicity of baby's breath centerpieces featured on a Martha Stewart Web site. She bought 20 bunches from an online flower wholesaler for $189 and placed them in mercury glass vases purchased on sale at Pottery Barn. "There are so many options out there," Falotico said. "But we've seen customers create their own masterpieces by imitating and duplicating what's in a picture." Practicing beforehand was crucial, said Zellman, who did several dry runs and spent four hours the day before her daughter's wedding putting the flowers together. "Once you know what you're going to do, anyone can do it." Thanks again, Mary Zellman