Wedding Flowers Checklist

The sky’s definitely the limit when it comes to decorating your ceremony and reception space with gorgeous fresh blooms. Keep in mind, though, that flowers are one of those wedding traditions which have a way of consuming a good amount of the budget if care is not paid to deciding what you afford, and what you can live without, before even entering a floral design shop.

Flowers are typically incorporated into a wedding in the following ways, although none of these items are essential requirements should you choose to not to add them to your list. It is recommended that you go through the following list carefully and decide on your essential floral needs for the big day, with a second list of “nice to have” items that can be added if budget allows:

• Bridal Bouquet and Bridesmaids’ Bouquets
• Corsages and Boutonnieres
• Flower Girl Baskets
• Ceremony Aisle and Altar Flower Arrangements
• Huppah or Gazebo Arrangements
• Aisle Runner (Fresh Rose Petals, etc.)
• Petals for Guests to Toss
• Reception Centerpieces
• Cocktail Hour Table Centerpieces
• Bar or Buffet Station Arrangements
• Fresh Flowers for Wedding Cake Display
• Arrangements for Entrance, Lounge Areas and Restrooms

Creative ways to save on the cost of wedding flowers

Ideas for flower decorations for weddings to keep an open mind and not get too attached to a specific variety of flower, particularly if you have to stick to a strict budget. During you first appointment with your florist, ask him or her what flowers will be in season on the date of your wedding. Purchasing in-season flowers are generally significantly less expensive that their out-of-season counterparts, and you may still be able to achieve the look you are going for with floral color, even if you can’t afford the exact variety of flowers you had in mind.

Since the cost of ordering floral arrangements and bouquets is normally considerable, you might consider making your bridal bouquet or floral centerpiece arrangements on your own. Nowadays, there are a number of wholesale floral retailers online that can ultimately help you save money on your flowers if you’re willing to do some basic assembly work on your end once your cut flowers arrive.

For smaller weddings where elaborate floral arrangements may simply be unnecessary, you can also check local garden stores and look for some simple cut flowers in bulk to create elegant bridal and bridesmaids bouquets, as well as simple centerpieces for the reception.