10 easy ways to save on organic flower arrangements

From buying in bulk to re-using petals for a fairy tale send-off, here are 10 of our favorite ways to save on flowers (Hint: they’re all eco-friendly, too!).

Go Native Trade expensive, imported flowers for native plants. You can find beautiful options, like lily of the valley, larkspur and hydrangea, in your own backyard (literally!) and avoid the more than $2000 most people spend on store-bought flowers. Even if you hire a professional to arrange your picked flowers, you’ll still save around $50 per bouquet.

Location, Location, Location We've said it before and we'll say it again: Buy locally! The added packaging and transportation can significantly increase the price of goods. Buying local, seasonal flowers ensures you get fresher blooms perfectly suited to your wedding climate for as much as 40% less. Plus, you’ll support your farming community and save a lot of wasted energy. If you do order from an online wholesaler, opt for one who sells organic flowers and buy in bulk.

Double Up Repurposing flowers is thrifty and sustainable. Display your bridal bouquet in a thematic container to dress up your couple's table. Better yet, put your ceremony or rehearsal dinner arrangements to use at your reception—just swap out the vases and no one will know. If you dream of the convenience and expertise of a professional florist, ask her to help—you may have to pay a small labor fee, but you’ll still save a bundle.

Reuse Want a spectacular send-off? Ask friends to pluck rose petals from table arrangements for the end-of evening toss. Roses are among the least expensive and most widely available flowers, and the biodegradable confetti means no rice hulls, seed packets, or cleanup necessary.

Less is More Choose large, full flower heads, like the hydrangea, for centerpieces or bouquets. A few
large-headed flowers will produce the same “Wow” effect of a dozen or more of the smaller blossoms. They’re also less labor intensive, so you can arrange them yourself or enlist the help of an artsy friend. By skipping the middleman, you’ll save 50-75%, or upwards of $1000, of the average cost of wedding flowers. 

Branch Out Grouped together, blooming branches like dogwoods make a low-maintenance alternative to the standard buffet table centerpiece; alone, a few well-placed bare stems add an architectural element to a traditional arrangement. Try the curly willow, an accessible, inexpensive option that can be harvested from your backyard (and replenishes quickly!).

Something Borrowed An eclectic collection of containers can add warmth and romance to a space. Skip the rentals, which can cost $20 each and almost never get recycled, and borrow vases, pots or unusual containers from friends and family instead. For a charming high-low effect, mix everyday items you already have on hand—tea and coffee tins, glass jars, even fruit and vegetable cans—with more traditional vessels.

Mix it Up Exotic flowers are lovely, but you can achieve the same element of surprise by combining flora and fauna with other natural objects like fruits, vegetables, shells and nuts. The average centerpiece costs more than $60, but you can pick up a bag of lemons or assorted shells for less than $5 each (or use found objects for free!) and save $1100 over 20 tables.

Take Root Well-spaced pots of manicured plants add a special touch to a wedding and can be found at your local garden nursery. They're inexpensive and make lovely favors for guests. In some cases, you can even rent them, eliminating leftover flowers altogether.

Skip It There is no right way to decorate for a wedding. Flowers are beautiful, but there are other ways to bring color to your celebration. Bits of reused ribbon tied to tree branches, hand-sewn napkins made from vintage fabric, and strategically strung solar or LED lights all confer special-occasion status for a fraction of the cost.