Save money on your wedding flowers

Mar 23, 2011 8:25 AM by Kori Ellis

Posted in Love & Sex / Weddings / Wedding Planning

Beautiful Blooms

Flowers are among the first things wedding guests notice, so getting them right is important. Floral expert Michael Gaffney, of the American Schools of Flower Design, suggests ways to save money on wedding flowers and offers advice on the latest spring trends.

Woman with bouquet

up the leaf-flower proportion

One way to cut corners is to include more greenery in your bouquets and arrangements than blossoms. Foliage is much less expensive than flowers.

go smaller but bolder

The larger the arrangements and bouquets, the higher the price tag. Budget-minded brides should consider smaller arrangements with high-impact flowers such as calla lillies.

Limit embellishments

Some brides-to-be love adding feathers, jewels and gemstones to their bouquets for a little sparkle, but these increase the overall cost of flowers. Instead, add more affordable touches such as satin ribbons to make the flowers stand out.

focus on color

Many brides get stuck on a particular flower -- such as roses, hydrangea and peonies -- for their bouquets and arrangements. Instead of focusing on a particular bloom, zero in on the color palette. Ask your florist to create a sample bouquet that fits your preference and budget.

Wedding flower care

Cheap wedding flowers centerpiece

Take them swimming

Keeping buds well hydrated is critical in preserving flowers for the wedding day, Add life to flowers by dunking them upside down in water when you receive them. The water will coat the petals and make them last much longer. Place the flowers in water buckets as soon as possible.

Trim, trim, trim

To prolong the life and beauty of flowers, clean and trim them each day. Clip three inches off all the stems when you receive the flowers; immerse the stem in water, leaving flower heads wrapped in paper until they'll be arranged.