You've just discovered the centerpiece of your dreams is prohibitively expensive. No matter. Think about the color, height and texture you'd like and ask your florist to suggest another option. French tulips may be your first choice, but gladioli would give you a similar look for half the price, says Jung Lee of Fete, an N.Y.C. planning service. And remember, you can get away with fewer stems if you display them dramatically. Rent tall containers, fill them with water, and submerge a few French tulips, cymbidium orchids or amaryllis, or a branch of berries inside, says Bill Heffernan of Chicago's Flowers by Heffernan Morgan.