Flower Power Savings - 10 ways to save BIG on your wedding flowers

Flowers are an integral part of any wedding. They can transform any space from dull and boring to chic and dramatic. They help the bridal couple express their personal style and taste. They inflect color in a variety of ways and can run the gambit in costs.

According to most wedding day budget guidelines, 5%-10% of your total budget should be allocated to your floral décor. So that means if your overall budget is $20,000 (less than the Chicago area average) flowers could cost you $1,000 to $2,000. So, how can you have beautiful flowers without the luxury price tag? That’s easy. Here are 10 ideas to help you save.

Select Seasonal Flowers – Most planners and florists will tell you to select flowers that are in season. This helps save on shipping and they are easy to acquire, and thus tend to be less expensive.
Think Double Duty - Make sure floral decorations can double-up on their duties. For example, pew flowers for the church can be doubled to line the staircase or balcony at the reception, and if they are miniature bouquets they could serve as centerpieces. Your wedding bouquets can double-up and be used to decorate the head table. Your altar flowers can be used on your placement table and gift table.
Go Silk – Silk flowers have come a long way in style, texture and color. Nowadays they look and feel very similar to their fresh counterparts. However, most silk wedding flowers and bouquets are 25% to 50% less than there fresh counterparts. Much of this savings is due to inexpensive shipping rates (because they are lightweight), no refrigeration costs and last minute labor costs.
Go With Greenery – by just using pots of greenery instead of flowers you will save approximately $5 - $10 a centerpiece. Create groupings of 4 small greenery pots to vary texture and color and have them double as favors for guests.
Go Big and Few – if you can’t afford to have centerpieces on the all the tables, then skip it and have 2 or 3 larger pieces created for the sweet tables, place card table and gift table. Choosing 2 or 3 larger pieces will create dramatic focal points and reduce or overall costs.
Be Minimalist - instead of having complex arrangements created, select a single large bloom and place in a bud vase and surround with candles. Make sure the flower heads are at least 8” in diameter. This style of centerpiece will create a whimsy, hip look that your guests will love.
Mix and Match – today’s trend encourage couple to mix it up, so have a few more intricate centerpiece created and have the rest be greenery or a single floating flower in a clear bowl.
Skip the flowers and go for lights – know one says you have to have flowers. Have your bridesmaids carry colorful parasols (can be purchased from party and craft stores for under $10 each), dress up your tables with colorful paper lanterns anchored to a piece of covered Styrofoam and place a battery operated tea light for illumination (a great look for under $10 a table). Beware of candles. They can be very expensive unless purchased in bulk. A good grouping for a centerpiece is (1) 3x9, (4) 3x6, (6-8) 3x3 and (12) votives. But, have your bridesmaid carry a single 12” taper with candlestick holder for under $20. Be sure to check ceremony and reception venues for fire safety codes on open flames.
Do It Yourself – consider making your own flowers. This will save you hundreds of dollars in labor cost. Go with simple hand-tied bouquets, fresh or silk. Silk will allow you the freedom of making them up way in advance. Have the centerpieces be simple small clear bowls with 6 cuts stems. Easy and inexpensive. For bulk fresh flowers check your local discount clubs (Sam’s / Costco). Many of them will allow you to place a large order with your specified delivery date.
Rent Them – a great way to save without all the hassle is to rent your flowers. There are a variety of rental companies that will let you rent everything from bouquets to centerpieces, to pew bows and altar flowers. Most of these companies use silk flowers. Save money mixing and matching fresh flowers to rental silk flowers. Just make sure you read the contract thoroughly for return dates, delivery fees, etc.