1. Go green
Adding lots of foliage to your bouquets and displays will not only add texture and depth to your arrangements, it will save you a whole load of cash, too. Branches are much cheaper than blooms and available in myriad shades: from pretty variegated ivy (beautiful cascading from bouquets or entwined around beams) to silver-tinged eucalyptus (the perfect frosty finish for a winter wedding).
2. Supersize
The bigger your blooms, the fewer stems you’ll need. Simple. So even though big, blousy peonies might not be the cheapest flowers on the market you’ll only need relatively few to make a lasting impact. The hydrangea is another voluminous bloom great for filling a space fast – and has a rustic charm that’s perfect for vintage-themed weddings.
3. Go local and seasonal
This one’s a no-brainer: flowers that are in-season and locally sourced will save you valuable budget because you won’t have to pay for the costs of importing them. This also means they’ll be in better nick and promise to stay fresher for longer. Bonus!
4. Use props
Can’t afford very many flowers and got a large space to fill? A few strategically placed props and eye-catching vases can work wonders. Think birdcages for a vintage feel, old milk churns for channelling a rustic vibe or even the addition of attractive fruits and vegetables to your table displays – perfect for an autumn celebration. Think dried ears of corn, globe artichokes and citrus fruits.
5. Do your homework
Pinterest is a great place for inspiration but it’s no use creating a board based on all the flowers you love only to discover your favourite blooms just happen to be the most expensive on the market. When you’ve found the flowers you like, do a little bit of research to find out how they compare in price to other flowers to avoid any nasty surprises when you meet the florist. Go with an open-mind and a good florist should be able to suggest cheaper alternatives that will still achieve the same look and feel.
6. Keep it simple
Thankfully, the days of huge lavish, formal arrangements have been superceded by a whole new organic approach to wedding flowers. Clusters of old recycled bottles and jars and bouquets of wild flowers (think daisies, poppies and bluebells) that look like they’ve just been handpicked from the meadow are the way to go if you want to be on trend and in budget.
Feeling inspired? Check out our Wedding Day Trend article on hanging floral centrepieces.
