5 Ways to Have Flowers for a Wedding on a Budget in 2024
Feeling overwhelmed by the cost of wedding florals? You’re not alone!
As you scroll through Pinterest you might see beautiful cliff side arches or stunning ceiling installs. You may even reach out to florists to get a quote, with your inspiration photo attached. Then, you get an email back and your stomach drops when you see the quote.
I remember being in the same boat when I was planning my wedding! Florists are insanely talented (and flowers are expensive), so it makes sense that it is a big investment to work with an amazing florist on your wedding day. However, I know it’s not realistic for everyone to do just that!
I’m here to reassure you that it’s still possible to have beautiful flowers for your wedding, even if you’re on a budget!
Here’s 5 ideas for flowers for a wedding on a budget:
1. Hire a florist
You’re probably wondering how this is a solution to your problem, but just hear me out! There’s a reason that wedding florists cost what they do, and that’s because they are really good at their job. They know how to design a bouquet that will last all day long. You may not have it in the budget to do 12 bouquets, 10 boutonnieres, 30 centerpieces and a stunning ceremony install, but why not invest in a beautiful bouquet and a matching boutonniere. The couple is the main focus on a wedding day and your couple’s portraits are most likely the ones you’ll hang in your home. Why not invest in florals you love to look at for years to come? You don’t have to do it all, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do something.
I especially recommend this if you’re eloping or doing a small wedding. This may be the only florals you need, so get your dream bouquet!
Jessica and Frank eloped in Denver and did exactly what I just described. They worked with Babylon Floral and I’m obsessed with the result. I think having the florals really elevated their photos!
Some florists may have investment minimums, especially if your wedding is on a weekend, so keep that in mind when asking around.
2. Get married in a scenic place
There are certain spaces that just don’t need florals. Often times, venues are meant to be decorated, but if you’re getting married in nature, less is more.
If you’re saying “I do” in Rocky Mountain National Park, let the views speak for themselves! In many parks, you aren’t allowed to have any kind of ceremony backdrop/install anyway. Maybe you’ve opted for a Garden of the Gods ceremony… Those red rocks are stunning all on their own!
There are also venues that, in my opinion, don’t need as much decor. Moss has a beautiful wall of greenery all year round, The Denver Botanic Gardens is literally a beautifully manicured garden and The Lyons Farmette has a stunning flower farm for portraits.
Think outside the box and let your venue of choice inspire what decor/florals you choose to use. Maybe all you need is a dried floral bouquet… keep reading to hear more about that option!
3. Trader Joe’s for the win, baby!
Yes, I’m serious! I LOVE Trader Joe’s for many reasons, but one being for their beautiful flowers. They’re inexpensive and they last forever! I buy their flowers to put in my house on almost a weekly basis. It’s a fun outlet for me to get a couple bouquets and use them to fill a few vases around the house. If I can do it, so can you… for your wedding day!
This tactic could work with any grocery store florals! Tierney was one of my 2022 brides and decided to use King Soopers baby’s breath for her bouquets. She didn’t even have to take them apart or design anything! She bought the bouquets as is and gave one to each of her bridesmaids. I’m obsessed with how simple and elegant these are. Plus, the long stem provides some added drama. Their wedding day was at the Denver Botanic Gardens, so this was a great example of less being more!
4. Check out Etsy for dried florals
I have had a handful of my brides get dried florals for their wedding day and I think they’re so pretty! Florals don’t have to be fresh to be beautiful. Plus, they get shipped right to your front door if you order from Etsy, Amazon or other online shops.
Dried florals are also way easier to travel with than fresh flowers, so if you’re thinking of running to the Colorado Rockies to get married, this might be for you! Erica and Frank traveled from Texas (with the flowers!) to get married in the Rocky Mountains and she got her bouquet and boutonnieres from BohoMR on Etsy. I just loved the colors, especially for a November wedding!
5. Reduce, reuse and recycle!
This option isn’t always possible, but maybe you have an option for wedding florals sitting right in front of you! Did your sister have a dried bouquet at her wedding you could reuse? What about a friend? Does your grandma still have her bouquet of silk flowers? What about flowers from your bridal shower or other pre-wedding events? Do you have rose bushes in your front yard that you could make a bouquet or centerpieces with?
My bride Calie used her mom’s bouquet from 1993 and it was so cool. Not only was there sentimental value, but I absolutely loved the bouquet! Look at how beautiful it is after all these years! The couple eloped in Denver and didn’t have a wedding party, so it was really all they needed. I love how the flowers look in their photos!
This one takes some thinking and creativity, but you might just lead you to the perfect solution!
I hope you feel a little more inspired and excited about your wedding florals dreams. Cheers to fun and creative ways to have flowers for a wedding on a budget!
Looking for more wedding inspiration? Check out this beautiful fall wedding at Lionsgate Event Center!
