Flower trends come and go, but fresh flowers remain a timeless choice for brides, whether in bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, or other décor. The great news is you don’t need to choose between trendy floral designs and budget-friendly options—you can have both!
In this post, we’ll explore some of the latest wedding flower trends and share practical tips to make the most of your floral budget.
Current Wedding Flower Trends
While some couples hesitate to invest in flowers because they don’t last beyond the wedding day, flowers add a special touch that’s worth it! After all, food, music, and other elements are also temporary, yet no one considers skipping those. Just as with food, music, etc., flowers contribute to the experience.
The good news is you can enjoy beautiful, trendy flowers while still staying budget-conscious. Here’s a look at the top wedding flower trends and ways to incorporate them affordably.
1. Sustainable Florals
One of the top flower trends today is sustainable florals. Locally sourced, in-season flowers are often more affordable since they don’t require shipping or energy-intensive farming. Plus, using sustainable blooms reduces carbon emissions, supports local businesses, which helps the community and local economy.
But sustainability doesn’t stop with fresh flowers. “I’m seeing [more couples choose] wood flowers,” says Rev. Tracy Siegman of Linden Grove Officiants. Since they’re crafted from renewable resources—like the sola flower, made from the aeschynomene aspera plant—wood flowers are an extremely eco-friendly choice. They’re also long-lasting, which makes them ideal as keepsakes for guests or as decor in your home, creating lasting memories. And if they ever need to be discarded, wood flowers are biodegradable.
Dried flowers are another eco-friendly option that extends the ‘life’ of your arrangements beyond the wedding day.
2. Monochromatic Palettes
There’s nothing boring about a going monochromatic. Monochromatic palettes are one of the most versatile flower trends, offering elegance without overwhelming your budget. By choosing one color and varying shades and textures, you can create a cohesive look that complements your theme. Monochromatic arrangements pair well with minimal décor, allowing your florals to shine without needing extra decor, further stretching your budget.
3. Bold Color Combinations
If you’re looking for flower trends that make a statement, bold color combinations are a great choice. This is perfect for a couple looking to have a unique, playful vibe for their wedding. How can this color choice be money saving, you may wonder? Vibrant, contrasting colors can create eye-catching arrangements that stand out, allowing you to use fewer flowers overall. Pair bold blooms with greenery to further stretch your budget while keeping your wedding decor lively and memorable.
4. Floral Crowns
Floral crowns are not only on-trend but is also a budget-friendly option. Crowns require fewer blooms and can pair beautifully with a petite bouquet, which still achieving a significant visual impact. Seasonal flowers and greenery, like eucalyptus or olive leaves, add volume and texture without adding much cost.
Incorporating greenery, like eucalyptus or olive leaves, adds volume and texture to a floral crown. It can also add extra savings as greenery typically costs less than flowers.
Creative Ways to Stretch Your Flower Budget
There are several creative ways to stretch your floral budget without affecting your overall aesthetic. Besides using seasonal and locally sourced flowers like we mentioned earlier, other ways include:
1. Incorporate Greenery
Greenery is usually less costly and adds volume and texture. Different greenery options include eucalyptus, ferns, and ivy.
2. Opt for Statement Arrangements in Key Areas Only
Focus on using florals in areas that your guests will be focusing on. Where do guests look? The table where they will be sitting, the table where you and your new spouse will be sitting, and your cake table. Place impactful arrangements in these key spots, as well as the altar of your ceremony, and limit putting flowers on lesser-seen spots such as the bar or the gift table.
3. Repurpose and Reuse Ceremony Flowers at the Reception
You’ve spent the money on them. So why use them for only an hour of the day when this use can extended through the entire evening? Repurposing ceremony flowers is a budget-friendly way to make the most of your floral arrangements. You can place aisle arrangements at the sweetheart or head table, and use the ceremony backdrop florals as a photo area at the reception. Following this trend of versatile florals helps keep costs down while adding elegance throughout the day.
Tip: If there is extensive ceremony decor will be used at the reception, try to have a separate cocktail hour area than the rest of the reception. That way set-up won’t have to take place in front of your guests.
Ideas for reusing ceremony arrangements at the reception:
Centerpieces
Use bouquets from the bridal party as the main focal point of centerpieces on guest tables.
Sweetheart/Head Table
Place ceremony aisle decor in front of the sweetheart/head table.
Place larger floral arrangements from the ceremony backdrop behind the bride and groom’s table.
Newlywed’s Chair Decor
Attach smaller bouquets to the backs of the newlywed’s reception chairs for a romantic touch.
Photo Backdrop
Move the ceremony flower arch or wall to a designated photo area for guests to take pictures in front of.
Cake Display
Enhance your cake table decor by incorporating ceremony flowers.
4. Consider Alternatives to Fresh Flowers
Faux or silk flowers are often more budget-friendly than fresh blooms. And gone are the days when fake flowers looked obviously artificial; many now look so realistic that you have to look closely or touch them to tell the difference.
There’s also variety in the types of faux flowers available, including silk, wood, and dried flowers. Because they don’t wilt, there’s no need for replacements on the wedding day, which means you can avoid buying extras to account for potential damage. Faux flowers can also be repurposed as home decor, thoughtful gifts, or even reused at future events, maximizing their value.
An added bonus: with faux flowers, you can have any color and type of flower you want, regardless of season or availability.
5. Go Minimal with Brides and Bridesmaid Bouquets
Opting for smaller, minimalist bouquets or even single-stem flowers can be a stylish, budget-friendly choice. This approach keeps the focus on the bride’s bouquet while still giving bridesmaids a beautiful accent. Minimalist bouquets can also add a modern, elegant touch to the overall wedding aesthetic, often highlighting the beauty of each individual bloom.
With these flower trends and budget-friendly tips, you can create a beautiful, memorable wedding without breaking the bank. 🌸 Which floral trend are you most excited to incorporate into your wedding? Let us know in the comments! Feeling inspired? Let’s make your wedding day unforgettable—explore my resources for more ideas or reach out for a consultation to bring your vision to life!
Hearts, Joy, Love!
Jean
Author of “Wedding Invitations, RSVPs, and More! Oh My!” and “From ‘I Will’ to ‘I Do’”