How to Save Money on Your Wedding Flowers

The flowers in a wedding can be one of the most magical and beautiful elements of the whole event. They can pull together the colors or the theme of the wedding and can be over the top elaborate or kept to a minimal flower or two. And there are always so many choices that it’s very easy to be overwhelmed, and over budget. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re planning flowers for your big day.

1. Decide whether you want fresh flowers or silk in your bouquet and arrangements. While fresh flowers are the most popular choice, they can also be the more costly and tricky option (such as being kept cool but not in the refrigerator before the start of the ceremony). Silk flowers can be arranged well ahead of time and even bought on sale, reducing your stress and maybe free up funds for another purchase.

2. If you decide to stick with fresh flowers, determine if a florist is in your budget. The advantage to using a professional is their experience and knowledge in floral arrangements of course. The disadvantage? Their fees and schedule. Talk to your friends and family to see if anyone has any connections in this area or very high recommendations.

3. Learn what flowers will be in season for your wedding, and what is grown locally. Go ahead and take advantage of the cost savings by not having to order specialty blooms or have them shipped halfway across the globe! Or if you have to have something exotic, why not keep those to a minimum and use other flowers and greens as their support?

4. Want to do the arrangements yourself? Or want to, but feel you aren’t crafty in that area? Call in the troops! Ask the ladies (or gents) in your life if anyone has a hidden talent or past experience here. Maybe your future mother-in-law loves to arrange her prize winning roses or a cousin who is simply a genius at copying what she finds in the well known bridal magazines. Or maybe you can just get some willing volunteers who, with the right instruction and example, can make you exactly what you’re looking for.

5. Finally, no matter what option you choose, shop around. If you’re working with a florist, get quotes in writing. Ask specific questions such as their delivery fee, what about samples, or if they are responsible for the flowers “well being” right up until the ceremony? Talk to the local floral department at the grocery store; a lot of their employees can make bouquets, corsages, even help with centerpieces once you speak with them. Also check into whole sale stores to see what would be available and how to place a bulk order through them.

Whether you have enough funds in your budget to let a professional handle all of the details or it comes down to you and your helpers wrapping the stems in ribbons or sewing the silk blooms for the boutonnieres, just remember to relax, breathe, and enjoy the experience as a bride.