Affordable Custom Flower Arrangements

How to Save Money on Your Wedding Flowers

Stay with a simple design. A hand tied clutch is less expensive then a labor intensive cascade. Besides, the hand tied look has been the most popular bouquet of brides for the last several years.

Use flowers that are in season. While many types of flowers are available year round, you will get the best price on in-season flowers. There are significantly less flowers available in late December, January, and early February. Consequently flowers are priced higher during that period.

Avoid Holidays. In the first two weeks of February, flower costs soar for Valentine's Day. Flowers are more expensive at that time, and the week before Mother’s Day.

Be flexible. Give your florist general guidelines on colors and preferred flowers but allow her the freedom to choose the blooms that are the best value and quality that week. Think of the flowers as produce at the super market. The prices and quality are different from week to week.

Bond with other brides. If possible, talk to the bride who is getting married immediately before or after you to see if you have similar ideas for the flower colors and decorations. If so, you might be able to share the cost.

Spend less at the Church. Don't feel the need to fill the church with lots of fresh flowers. People expect churches to be less ornate, and they'll spend way more time at the reception. They will remember the centerpieces, the cake and how beautiful and happy looking you were. They won’t remember much about the ceremony decorations.

Reuse. Some ceremony flowers can have a double use. Pew and chair decorations can be placed around your cake table or line your head table. Arrangements on candelabras or arches can also form a lovely head table centerpiece. Assign a friend or family member to remove and transfer these.

Bridesmaids bouquets can also add to the decoration of the head table, either on their own or in vases. While the large stand-up style pillar arrangements do not replace any of the usual flower arrangements needed, they can be a nice additional decoration at the reception. Place these behind the bride and groom, on either side of the fireplace or by the entry doors.

Use less blooms. Blooms are more expensive then greenery. Use more greenery. It’s pretty and perhaps will allow you to afford centerpices when you thought you could not.

Enhance with rose petals and candles. Rose petals randomly scattered around any centerpiece makes it look bigger and more complete. It’s an elegant and romantic touch. Most reception venues offer the free use of votive candles. Take advantage of this, especially if it’s an evening wedding or if the room will be darkened. Avoid the mistake of using candles in place of flowers for daytime receptions. They will have little or no impact on the setting.

Other ways to save: Avoid the high season. The majority of weddings take place from May through October. You could save across the board on limos, photographers and caterers, and so on, by getting married during one of the less popular months. Reception venues are the priciest on Saturday night. Any other time is guaranteed to be a bargain by comparison. Consider Sunday brunch or, if late-night is a must, then go for Friday evening.