Wedding flowers 
on a budget

• Affordable Wedding Flowers on a Budget
• Budget Always Comes First
• Be Flexible with Types of Flowers
• Re-use Wedding Flowers Throughout the Day
• Keep Things Local
• Use In-season Flowers
• Rent Faux Flowers
• Consider Dried Flowers
• Go Heavy on Candles & Accessories in Your Centerpieces

Affordable Wedding Flowers on a Budget

We share the best ways to save money on wedding flowers and still create a stunning floral design.

Budget Always Comes First

As with every other part of wedding planning, flowers need to be budgeted for. And this is even more crucial if you are working with a tight budget.

When putting together a floral budget, consider every element you want included on the big day, from bridal bouquets and wedding centerpieces through to flower girl petals. Count up how many you'll need of each item, and start doing some research on their cost. Contact florists directly about specific arrangements, and note down every figure you're given. Once you've got 4–5 quotes from various florists, you should be able to work out an estimate of how much you should be budgeting for.

It may well be that once you've collated all the numbers, you realize that plans need to be scaled down. But before you scrap every idea, it's important to carry on reading our money saving tips and to talk to a professional florist.

Get your budget breakdown

Be Flexible with Types of Flowers

You must trust in your florist, and be open and honest about your budget with them. If there is a particular stem, or look you really want for your big day, don't insist on it if it's too expensive. Discuss it with your florist and let them suggest an alternative that maybe has a similar appearance, or feel, but is in-season when you're tying the knot. And would therefore be cheaper. Sometimes flowers with larger heads, such as peonies and hydrangeas, are also a good option, as you'll need less of them to make up a wedding bouquet or arrangement. Perfect for mixing in with inexpensive greenery.

Re-use Wedding Flowers Throughout the Day

Using the same floral arrangements at your wedding ceremony and reception may feel wrong, but your guests will never notice. All savvy couples do this and when done well, it can significantly cut your wedding flower budget. Which is not difficult to imagine when you consider that you're buying at least a quarter less flowers.

If you want to go down this route, an experienced florist will be able to guide your choices and recommend arrangements that can be easily transported and re-purposed. Wedding arches, for example, if designed to be broken down, can be re-used as centerpieces. Which is typically one of the most expensive flower arrangements at a wedding.

Keep Things Local

As with food, flowers are usually much cheaper if bought locally. To bring over fresh blooms from overseas, or from long distances will always come with an extra cost. Financially, and to the environment.

If you're struggling to think local, try to forget about specific types of flowers, and instead let a wedding color inspire you. By simply choosing a floral vibe, or color palette theme, you'll find it's easy to source flowers locally, and seasonally.

Use In-season Flowers

Following on from our last tip, seasonality also affects price. Whether you're forcing a flower to grow outside its natural fertilization period, or you're shipping it from overseas, the costs of that flower will always be higher. Which is why it's wise to select blooms based on the time of the year you're tying the knot.

In-season flowers are not only less expensive, they are better quality too. Out of season real flowers tend to wilt and die if not carefully cared for, and kept out of certain conditions. Which is the last thing you want during a summer wedding day. Invest in stems that are designed to flourish on your wedding date, and you'll find they look all the more spectacular.

Rent Faux Flowers

Mixing silk flowers in with fresh ones is an expert way to have spectacular wedding flowers on a budget. It's tempting to think your guests will notice, or that wax flowers, or silk ones will look fake. But modern 'faux flowers' are so expertly designed and manufactured, it's almost impossible to tell. Especially when incorporated into a bouquet of fresh blooms.

Renting, rather than buying fake flowers, is also a lot more cost-effective, as there's no need to make a large initial purchase. Instead, you can simply select the flowers you desire, and rent them for as long as you need. Your florist, and the rental company will be able to advise the best types of flowers to buy, and which ones will work well with the fresh variety. Be sure to discuss faux flowers with your florist if that's the path you intend to go down, as it may well disrupt their arrangements if you decide to throw them that curveball at the last minute.

Consider Dried Flowers

Dry flowers, like faux florals, can be used multiple times for different celebrations. Meaning their price is typically lower.

Dried floral arrangements have proved popular over the years with boho brides, all craving that ethereal, alternative look on their special day. But don't worry if you're not looking for that kind of vibe, as these less expensive flowers are also great for working in with fresh flowers. Expertly paired dry and fresh flowers look stunning together, and offer the best of both worlds in terms of floral choices and durability. Have you got that one dream flower you cannot imagine marrying without? Maybe it's out of season, or too expensive? Go for the dry variety instead, mixed in with fresh, and you'll achieve the look you desire within your budget.

Go Heavy on Candles & Accessories in Your Centerpieces

Candles can often be picked up for a lot less than flowers. So if you're looking to save money on the cost of carnations, buy less, and fill in the floral gaps with candles and greenery. Choose a statement flower like the aforementioned carnation, rose or something like peonies, and you'll find you won't need to buy in bulk. As their look is so strong, especially when paired with other accessories and set within a pretty vase.

Explore the possibilities, indulge in the beauty, and let your love blossom—all within the budget you've carefully planned. It's time to embrace the affordable luxury of exquisite wedding flowers that make your special day truly unforgettable.