How to Get Beautiful and Affordable Wedding Flowers on a Budget

When it comes to wedding flowers, bigger isn't always better—especially if you're keeping a tight leash on your wallet. Once you know the cost of wedding flowers, finding wedding flowers on a budget can feel like a tall order, but the good news is that it's totally doable. Yes, there are plenty of affordable wedding flowers for every season. And with a little flower power from your wedding florist, you can make any arrangement look like a million bucks. We're sharing real ways to find inexpensive wedding flowers that won't put a dent in your funds. (Psst. This is the perfect time to use our free budget tool to inform your spending.) Plus, we have an expert-approved list of affordable and breathtaking blooms you won't want to miss.

The 411 on getting wedding flowers on a budget: Flowers Near You | Affordable Flowers | Tips | Maximizing Your Budget

Where to Find Inexpensive Wedding Flowers Near You

When in doubt, the best way to source wedding flowers on a budget is to work with a professional florist. And yes, it might be tempting to go the DIY route to save money on wedding flowers, but doing all the work yourself can cause you more trouble than it's worth. (Remember: Time is money, and the last thing you need is to stress about how to recreate your dream wedding centerpieces when you're down to the wire.)

Don't know where to find your pro? Book a florist that'll accommodate your budget by searching on The Knot Vendor Marketplace. Enter your wedding location, filter by price, which is between inexpensive and luxury, and flower arrangement type.

Affordable Wedding Flowers

Your florist will help you make the final call when deciding what's included in your designs, but it doesn't hurt to do a little prep work in advance. Below Hannah Blackwell, enthusiastic florist and cofounder of Southside Blooms, lists 12 economical wedding flowers and how much they cost per stem. "To give this list a sense of comparison to other popular wedding choices, peonies can cost $10 to $20 per stem and orchids can go as high as $35 per stem," Blackwell says.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

Alstroemerias

Photo: Sarah and Rachel Photography

,Florist: The Carmel Florist

Also known as Peruvian lily or the lily of the Incas, this bloom comes in numerous colors and varieties, ranging from white and golden yellow to red, pink and purple. Plus, they have a very long vase life, sometimes lasting up to one to two weeks.

• Blooming season: Spring or early summer
• Average cost: About $1 to $2 per stem

Amaryllis

Photo: Mark Davidson Photography

,

Florist: Table & Tulip

Amaryllis is known for its vibrant red color, but it comes in numerous colors––like white, orange and purple––that have special meanings. Fun fact: If properly cared for, an amaryllis plant can live up to 75 years.

• Blooming season: Winter
• Average cost: About $3 to $6 per stem

Baby's Breath

Photo: Impressions Photography

,

Planner: Kelly McWilliams Celebrations Weddings & Parties

Wispy baby's breath is a go-to for laid-back and whimsical celebrations. Whether you're looking for affordable bouquets for weddings options or want to use it to create a decor statement, have fun with it. We love when couples display baby's breath on its own or as filler in big arrangements.

• Blooming season: Summer to early fall
• Average cost: About $1.50 to $3 per stem

Camellias

Photo: Katherine Salvatori Photography

,

Florist: Frontier Flowers of Fontana

With about 250 different species to choose from, the camellia flower gives you plenty of choices for your wedding decor. Camellias bloom in numerous variations of red and pink with a few white and yellow options for those looking for something more unique.

• Blooming season: Late fall to winter
• Average cost: About $2 to $5

Carnations

Photo: Laura Ivanova Photography

Carnations typically make an appearance at weddings because of their length and sturdiness, which makes them ideal for tall arrangements. They also have a reputation as being one of the longest-lasting blooms after being cut. Plus, their eye-catching serrated petals will add lovely texture to a bouquet or your wedding decor.

• Blooming season: Year-round
• Average cost: About $.75 to $1.50

Daisies

Photo: Hibben Photography

For a cheery springtime bouquet, white daisies are a classic go-to whether they're helping out as a filler flower or making up the entire floral arrangement. They naturally grow white blossoms, but thanks to food coloring they can be tinted purple, blue, neon green and much more.

• Blooming season: Spring to fall
• Average cost: About $1 to $2

Hydrangeas

Photo: Elena Bazini Photography

,Florist: Fragrant Design

This oversized bloom is a must for nautical or coastal summer weddings. And, because of their size, using hydrangeas for your wedding is great for covering a lot of surface area without stretching your floral budget.

• Blooming season: Spring to fall
• Average cost: About $2.50 to $6

Lilies

Photo: Jennings King Photography

,Florist: Margaret Merritt

These big flowers are super popular at weddings and come in lots of varieties and colors. But if you're considering including your pet at your wedding and putting them in an adorable suit, you'll need to avoid these blooms since they're toxic to dogs and cats.

• Blooming season: Early summer to fall
• Average cost: About $2 to $4

Queen Anne's Lace

Photo: Maura Jane Photography

,

Florist: Floriography Flowers

Queen Anne's lace, also known as wild carrot and bird's nest, is easily mistaken for baby's breath but its flat-topped clusters set them apart. If you want to add texture to your flower arrangements, Queen Anne's lace is a great choice for you.

• Blooming season: Summer to fall
• Average cost: About $1 to $2

Roses

Photo: Emilia Jane Photography

,

Florist: Steve's Flower Market

From bouquets to centerpieces, you can't go wrong with using roses at your wedding. Some rose varieties are pricier than others (for example, garden roses and heirloom roses are more rare and expensive than the roses you find at the grocery store), so double-check with your florist on which roses fit your budget.

• Blooming season: Late spring to fall
• Average cost: About $1.50 to $4

Tulips

Photo: Briana Calderon Photography

,Florist: Coastline Flowers

Your options are truly endless when looking at tulips since there are over 3,000 varieties. You should definitely take advantage of using this gorgeous flower if you're having a spring wedding since you'll be perfectly aligned with its blooming season.

• Blooming season: Early spring (or all winter if grown indoors)
• Average cost: About $.75 to $2

Wax Flowers

Photo: Lauren Fair Photography

,

Florist: Allium Floral Design & Event Styling

With so many blooms on each stem, these dainty flowers make a fabulous filler for bridal bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres or centerpieces. Wax flowers also come in a range of two-tone colors, allowing you to get creative with your floral arrangements.

• Blooming season: Winter to spring
• Average cost: About $1 to $2.50

Wedding Flowers on a Budget Tips

The way you present your wedding flowers impacts the overall visual experience. And, with some careful planning, you can make any stem varieties look lush and expensive. We break down how to do wedding flowers on a budget the right way.

1. Let Your Florist Do Their Thing

We know you've probably come across inspirational photos of flowers you'd love to recreate for your wedding. It's great to start off with a vision of what you want, but the key to finding inexpensive wedding flowers is to avoid getting too caught up in recreating those ideas exactly. Trust your florist to put their creative spin on your wedding inspo with flowers that are in-season and within budget. If you're adamant about using specific flowers or having a carbon-copy of something you've seen at another wedding, you run the risk of a big flower bill.

"A good florist can help you figure out what you like, as well as the best flower choices for your wedding," says Gerry Rogers, founder and lead designer of Petal's Edge Floral Design. Once you've hired a flower designer, they'll level-set your expectations to keep your wedding ideas realistic and attainable. "If you're trying to reduce costs, your best bet is to be upfront with your florist about what your budget is. Then let their creativity lead the way and you'll get a much better result," Rogers adds.

2. Invest in Quality Over Quantity

To give your ceremony and reception that "wow factor," you might be tempted to cover your space in flowers. Not only will this be expensive, it may create a visual experience that's overwhelming for guests. Instead, dedicate your flower budget to quality blooms in thoughtful, intentional arrangements. Rogers, who has more than 20 years of professional experience in floral design, says investing in quality flowers is more important than quantity. "The best way to make things look expensive is to make them appropriate in size," says Rogers. "A smaller-than-average bridesmaid bouquet or a too-small-for-the-table centerpiece is often noticeable. Instead, a few intentional floral arrangements will go much further in terms of impact than trying to cover everything."

3. Shop Seasonally

"Choose local, in-season flowers. For example, if you want hydrangeas in the middle of winter, you'll have to pay a premium to have them shipped in. They also might not look as good as you hope because they've had to take a long journey. An in-season amaryllis bouquet would be a much better looking and less expensive winter option," Blackwell explains.

So, what does this mean for finding wedding flowers on a budget? You can save money, find good-quality flowers and have more sustainable decor. "It's important to note that you'll find the best flower pricing on locally grown blooms. 80% of the flowers used in the US are shipped in from overseas. The transportation and chemicals on them add to the costs and environmental impact. Local growers help you avoid all that," Blackwell says.

4. Rent Faux Blooms

Another way to style your arrangements is to incorporate artificial wedding flowers in clusters and installations that won't be seen up close, like bridesmaid bouquets or hanging decorations. Also, instead of buying fake flowers, try renting the flowers you need. "Renting faux is a great option for couples that want the look of fresh flowers without the hassle or cost," says Megan Westman, passionate florist and cofounder of Silk Stem Collective.

And, while you might think faux florals will look fake next to fresh ones, new production techniques allow companies to seamlessly recreate the look of real blooms. "Silk, fabrics and specialty plastics can all be designed to mimic the look of a real flower petal," Westman explains. "Expert manufacturers specifically select materials that replicate the texture and color of fresh flowers depending on the variety of bloom they're replicating." But even if you choose to rent some faux flowers, we encourage you to work with a florist to use fresh blooms as needed. Then, you can use the remainder of your flower budget on larger, statement-worthy floral installations. "We've had couples rent faux bouquets and use the money they saved to get a fresh flower arch, while others use fresh flower bouquets but faux centerpieces for an outdoor summer reception," Westman says.

Another benefit of renting faux florals is that it's a great way to incorporate sustainability practices into your wedding. "Many people don't realize that fresh flowers have a large carbon footprint," says Westman. "Renting faux flowers isn't a perfect solution, but it does offer a lower waste option. It takes fewer resources to produce faux flowers, and because they're reused over and over again, the carbon footprint is much lower."

5. Consider Dried Flowers

One of our favorite ideas for wedding flowers on a budget are dried flowers. While these are traditionally a staple at boho weddings, you can incorporate dried stems into your big day (and related events) for nearly any aesthetic. Dried flowers have a long shelf life, several months or even years, unlike fresh flowers that usually last up to two weeks. When paired together, select fresh flowers and dried petals would make for a unique styling combination that offers the best of both worlds. And, while it's recommended to work with a florist for fresh blooms, you could find dried, affordable wedding flowers online.

6. Think of Multi-Use Designs

There might be instances throughout your wedding day where you can repurpose some flowers and arrangements. Is your florist creating a ceremony arch filled with greenery and flowers? Ask if it's possible to move the arch to your reception space as a backdrop for the head table or sweetheart table. "One thing budget conscious couples can do is repurpose their flowers throughout the day. The bridesmaids bouquets or flowers used to decorate church pews can be repurposed to serve as centerpieces during the reception," Blackwell adds.

7. Simplify Your Flowers

In an ideal world, your wedding budget would be the last thing on your mind and you could have as many intricate flower arrangements as you want. But if affordable wedding flowers are your goal, simplifying the designs and downsizing the arrangements are one of the fastest ways to save money. And remember, simple doesn't mean boring.

How Do You Maximize a Floral Budget for a Wedding?

Any pro florist will be able to work within your budget to help you get the most bang for your buck. Plus, a florist will be able to get economical wedding flowers at a lower wholesale price by sourcing them directly from the supplier or grower. Before signing a contract, be sure to ask your florist a few questions about what's realistically doable for your wedding vision to ensure you're all aligned. "It helps to work with a florist who can design a floral plan that fits within your budget and vision. We can often recommend solutions that the couples didn't even know were possible," Blackwell says.

Additional reporting by Sarah Hanlon