When it comes to the flowers themselves, always ask the florist if there are any inhouse specials. Such arrangements tend to be a bit nicer, since the designers incorporate flowers that are showing well and are in abundance in your area, says floral consultant Caggiano. Even if you have something more specific in mind, always try to ask whats in season. Peonies, for example, can run $18 a bloom in November, but go for just $2 or $3 each in May, says Floral Design Institutes Kesler. Prices may vary by region.We wont lie to you: An arrangement that looks like it could be used in a photo shoot for Architectural Digest wont come cheap. But there are a couple of ways to stretch your budget. First, you can easily save $8 to $10 by providing your florist with a vase, says Petal Harvill, an owner of Boca Raton, Fla.based flower shop Petal Designs. You also could forgo the container altogether and send a beautiful handtied bouquet.

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