As Pretty as a rose

One thing that always is a shock to brides just starting their wedding planning is just how expensive flowers can be! According to the Bridal Association of America the average flower cost of a wedding is nearly $2,000. This price include the bride's bouquet, the bridesmaids bouquets, the Boutonnieres/Corsages for the groom, grooms men and mothers of the bride and groom, the flower girls flowers and decorations and centerpieces.

Now maybe it's just me, but I really don't want to spend that much of a  budget on something that will die in just a few days. So here are some alternatives for you budget savvy brides that want more bang for your buck

The Bouquets

picture from everlasting-rose.com

Let's say your heart is set on having roses for you and your bridesmaids, why not go for Wooden Roses. They are just as beautiful as real ones in pictures, they can match any color scheme and they double as a beautiful gift to the bridesmaids and a lifelong keepsake for you. Now I wouldn't recommend throwing the wooden bouquet, maybe get a small $15 dollar throwing one from the local florist.

image found at weddingplanningadvice.net

If your heart isn't set on flowers, then go wild! A lot of brides are making their bouquet and extension of their wedding theme or themselves by having seashell bouquets for a beach wedding, Candy Flowers for a fun twist, feathers for every color, delicately arranged bottle rockets and american flags for a 4th of july wedding, the possibilities are endless!


The Boutonnieres

                                                            image from       izismile.com                                                                          

The boutonnier is probably the second most traditional floral piece in the wedding. Most Grooms and groomsmen wait till the last minute to put it on and it is usually the first thing off during the reception. One fun trend that is replacing the flower are crafty patches and charms. If your groom is a musican, let him wear his favorite instrument, if you are having an irish themed wedding have green ribbions, again you can make this an unique as the two of you!

Flower Girls

image from flicker.com

Despite the name, flower girls don't only have to use flowers to mark the coming on the bride. A lot of brides are opting out of silk rose petals, but I think you could go even cheaper. Head to a party supply store and pick up some glittery confetti (make sure if you are having an outdoor wedding that you use larger pieces to make cleaning easier), or for our DIY brides gets some pretty paper and make your own confetti. Another thing I saw that was beautiful was having the flower girl blow bubbles all the way down.

I will be writing a whole separate piece on centerpieces later but those are my saving tips for now!

Happy Findings!

The Southside Bride