I was reading an article on saving money on wedding flowers. The writer points out that sometimes it’s not worth it to do it yourself. Understand the look you want and what is practical. Also understand your level of competence. Price it out doing it yourself and having someone else do it. The cost may not be worth it to do them all yourself.

This article talks about flowers but depending upon the paper you want and the style, this may also be true of invitations. Paper and printer ink may make invitations more expensive to make than to purchase something similar. Know what you are getting

LA Style had an article on origami flowers. I thought what a perfect way to decorate.   If you don’t have to many, the prices at Rock paper suger Etsy Store aren’t too unreasonable.   Table centerpieces or bridesmaid bouquets or even  a bridal bouquet.  The savings are huge!

If you live some place where you don’t have a lot of local flowers or if you are getting married in a season where the flowers aren’t in bloom, consider ordering flowers online.  Shop around to some wholesale shippers.  You will still have to do a lot of the arranging on your own but this could save you money over a local florist.

If you have someone who can arrange flowers, or if you have a flair, consider getting your flowers from local growers at a flower’s market.   Alternatively, some places have large flower gardens where you can “you-cut” the flowers you want.

Our wedding coincided with dahlia season.  When it came just a little late, the woman we knew who had volunteered her garden took about $35 from me and went wild at the local dahlia gardens (who weren’t opening until the following Monday but let her in seeing she was decorating for a wedding).  We filled it out with a few more flowers which were purchased at a roadside stand.

So you wanted flowers for your bridesmaids and a large bouquet for yourself?  You want more flowers for your reception? Consider using these bouquets as part of the reception in the form of decorations–table centerpieces for example or even just sitting around by a buffet.  You’ll get double duty out of those marvelous flowers

I was looking at wedding pictures from a friend in another country. One thing I noticed is that for her bouquet she had a large ribbon bow rather than a bouquet of flowers as she posed for photos.  This large bow was made in the style that many bows are made for church pews at the ceremony.  It was in the her colors.

Bridal bouquets can run hundreds of dollars.  This is an inexpensive way to save this money. Fancy it up with a single white rose.

At our wedding we couldn’t use candles as centerpieces because of the fire code.  However, we could use hurricane lamps.

Another bride wrote about having her bridesmaids carry lanterns rather than bouquets at her outdoor wedding.

Both ideas are fairly inexpensive and beautiful.

Consider one or both in place of more expensive cut flowers.

While many brides think February is a romantic month, if you are on a budget it may not be the best idea.  Flowers prices are high with volume sales for the month of February.

Some rental agencies will allow you to rent large potted plants, like ficus and palms. This can be a great way to warm up a large reception area.

Remember, you don’t need to just use these plants. They are in addition to any floral arrangements you may end up having.

Renting these large plants will be a lot cheaper than having large floral arrangements in the same area.   Additionally, these plants are only rented, not purchased, saving you a bit of money.

I was in the post office the other day and a woman came in an asked to pick the leaves off a lovely tree outside. They were a brilliant red and looked gorgeous.

Why?

Her daughter was getting married the next day and she wanted to use them for decorating.

Never underestimate the power of what nature offers free for decorating! The colorful leaves of fall can make a beautiful decorating statement and fill out those lovely floral arrangements.

Of course, in spring people wouldn’t want you stripping their trees but in the fall–leaves and trees abound!