With the average cost of a wedding in the USA being tens of thousands of dollars, newlyweds are always looking for ways to save. Many people will get a smaller venue, rent their decor, and be selective about who they hire, making sure to stay cost effective at every turn.
But what about flowers? How are you supposed to decorate your wedding with gorgeous flowers on a tight budget? While some flowers can be expensive, there are thankfully still some great ways to save in this department. Without any further ado, let’s go over some great ways you can source some wedding flowers, even if you are on a budget.
Choose Affordable Flowers
The first tip to get wedding flowers on a budget is to simply choose flowers that aren’t overly expensive. Also, don’t shy away from looking for flowers on sale, as you can find some pretty outstanding deals.
As far as which flowers are affordable, there are plenty. For example, some popular flowers for a wedding like roses are affordable because of how popular and readily-available they are. In addition to roses, there are hydrangeas, daisies, sunflowers and many others that can often be found without having to spend a ton of money. And just because these flowers are cheaper doesn’t mean they look worse or are low-quality, either.
In some cases, you also may want to think about the meanings of flowers before choosing them for your wedding, but as long as you enjoy them, there is no reason they shouldn’t be at your wedding.
Buy in Bulk
Another way to save is to buy directly from a wholesaler in bulk. If you buy a ton of flowers at once, there is often a bulk discount that will be given that can save you a ton of money in most cases. Sure, this can be a lot to spend at once, but it will certainly be cheaper than buying a ton of single bouquets or arrangements to decorate your wedding.
There is also no need to pay for the markup that some flower shops will charge. Once you have the flowers, you can either design your own bouquets or arrangements, or work with a professional floral designer to ensure they look incredible and fit well with the rest of the decor in your wedding.
Choose In-Season Flowers
Another potential way to help stick to a flower budget for your wedding is to choose in-season flowers. If flowers are in season, they will be more plentiful and easier to find, and they could even end up being cheaper in some cases.
Of course, there are also popular year-round flowers that will be easy and affordable to find at any time, and those make great options for your wedding. Also, in a similar vein, try to avoid getting married around Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day, as they are busy times in the floral industry, and you may struggle finding what you want.
While you can find in-season deals in many states and areas, this isn’t always the case. Some flowers may cost more when they are in-season due to quality, so always compare the in-season and out of season costs to ensure you are getting a good deal. In general, a flower being in-season will almost always impact its availability, but not always its price, so do your homework.
Ask Around and Make Connections
Sometimes, knowing someone is the key to successfully sourcing flowers. If you have a relationship with a wholesaler or flower shop/florist, it can often be easier to affordably find the right amount of flowers for your wedding. Enter yourself into the industry before you need flowers and try to make a connection with a particular wholesaler or individual ahead of time.
Also, asking friends or family members who have sourced flowers in the past for who they used can be a good idea. With millions of weddings happening every year, trying to find someone to work with isn’t always easy, so you need to be ready to put in the effort.
Think About Dried Flowers or Other Plants
Another intelligent option for saving money on your wedding flower is using dried flowers. These can look good not only as decor for the venue, but could also play a role in your bouquet or table centerpieces. They provide a more rustic look and create something very unique, while also being cost effective. These flowers will also last much longer than fresh ones will.
In addition to dried flowers, there are other types of plants that can look great, too. Ferns, grasses, wheat, and even ivy can all look great at a wedding. While these can be purchased, some can even be foraged by you or your family, which will only make your wedding flowers even more personal.
Consider Faux Blooms
A great way to stick to your flower budget at your wedding is considering the use of faux blooms. These artificial flowers look great and you will hardly be able to tell they aren’t real in many cases. You could buy these flowers, but it often makes more sense to rent faux blooms for even greater savings.
While you may not want every single flower at your wedding to be fake, adding some here and there can help you stay on budget without hurting the look or aesthetic of your big day. This is especially good to do in bouquets or arrangements that guests may not get very close to, as they generally won’t be able to tell the difference. Of course, be sure to still have some fresh flowers around in bouquets or arrangements that people might interact with.
Any of these can be a great way to source wedding flowers without having to spend an arm and a leg. Weddings can be pricey, but it’s reassuring to know there are ways to save like this that won’t hurt the look or feel of your wedding.
