Planning 101 12th January 2017

10 Ways to Keep Your Wedding Flower Budget Under Control

Floral choices often take on a big part of the overall feel and style of a wedding, but it’s always a bit boggling how much you should be spending on flowers and how much things realistically cost. So to help you out, Kimberley from The Flower Boutique has given us her top tips on how to keep the costs down and a handy guide on the best flower each month.

1.     Use flower inspired place settings as favours

This reduces the need to have grand, over the top floral centerpieces whilst also cutting costs, killing two birds with one stone. Recently, we created 100 succulents in zinc tins for one of our brides and she used these as place settings, favours and floral decoration and they looked lovely.

wedding favours, wedding budget, flowers

 

2.     Use jars as centerpieces instead of full vases or arrangements

Jars add a whimsical look to your wedding, often working well for vintage, rustic or shabby chic style weddings. A set of 3 jar arrangements on a table will often cost you a third of the price of a regular arrangement, and they still look beautiful. Why not balance them on a selection of vintage books or cut logs for that extra wow factor, adding texture, pleasing visual elements and different height options.

flower arrangements, flower jars, the flower boutique, budget

 

3.     Get clever with your flower choices

If your florist is clever, they will find ways to incorporate your favourite blooms into your flowers but keeping costs down. We often get asked by brides for hydrangeas - whilst they are beautiful and look amazing they are often pricey, so we have to get creative. If you weave smaller flowers between your hydrangea heads, your arrangement fills out more, still has that wow factor, and you haven’t had to compromise your look to cut costs.

4.     Gift your flowers as thank you's

Its often custom now to present family members who have helped you through your wedding planning journey with a gift. Why not gift them your table centerpieces or other floral arrangements. They’ll love them, be thankful that you thought of them, and it gives another use to your flowers – unless you fancy a house full of wedding flowers when you get home.

flowers, bouquets, wedding budget, the flower boutique

5.     Buy in season

If they’re in their natural season, your blooms will be cheaper for florists to buy, making it easier for us to pass on cost savings to you. Don’t be choosing peonies and hydrangeas for an October wedding unless you want to pay through the roof.

6.     Repurpose your flowers

Have your florist move your ceremony flowers to your reception venue, this will save you big bucks. 

7.     Choose larger blooms

This fills more of the space in bouquets and arrangements reducing the need to have tons of flowers – therefore saving you money.

flowers held by a bride

 8.    Try look-a-likes

Consider switching your most expensive blooms for look-a-likes - did you know ranunculus are a brilliant alternative to peonies and are far cheaper. 

9.     Get organised

Plan ahead and book your florist early. The more time we have to plan, order and arrange your flowers, the more money we can save you.

10.     Go local

Choose a local-ish florist. Not only do they know the area, they’ve more than likely worked at your venue before so know what works and what doesn’t, you also save on delivery charges. 

wedding budget, flowers, wedding planner, the flower boutique

Flower Seasons

The Flower Boutique's Top Picks for Each Month

  January: Ranunculus, Alstromera, Dahlia, Delphinium, Lily, Lisianthus, Roses, Tulips

February: Lily, Alstromera, Hydrangea, Delphinium, Lisanthus, Roses, Ranunculus, Tulips

March: Freesia, Alstromera, Cornflower, Delphinium, Hydrangea, Lisianthus, Roses, Scabiosa

April: Roses, Cornflower, Delphinium, Freesia, Stocks, Lisianthus, Peonies, Ranunculus

May: Peonies, Alstromera, Cornflowers, Delphinium, Freesia, Lisianthus, Roses, Stocks

June: Alstromera, Cornflowers, Daffodils, Delphiniums, Freesias, Iris, Lisianthus, Orchid, Peonies, Roses, Stocks

July: Zinnia, Alstromera, Cornflower, Delphinium, Freesia, Lisianthus, Orchid, Roses, Stocks

August: Alstromera, Freesia, Iris, Orchid, Roses, Stocks, Zinnia

September: Hyacinth, Freesia, Iris, Orchid, Roses, Stocks, Zinnia

October: Stocks, Alstromera, Delphinium, Freesia, Roses

November: Alstromera, Delphinium, Lisianthus, Peonies, Roses, Stocks

December: Poppies, Alstromera, Delphinium, Lisianthus, Larkspurs, Peonies, Roses

 

All photos supplied are from The Flower Boutique, if you would like to enquire about their flowers you can contact them here.