Flowers & Decor 101: Basics

Whether you can name the most exotic hybrids or are hard-pressed to identify a daisy, the money-saving tips and decorating ideas in this section can help you take control of the look and feel of your wedding. Who knows? If you use these hints, you may have time to stop and smell the roses (or calla lilies, or alstroemeria, or statice ...) along the grueling path of wedding planning.

According to our database of wedding expenses, the average cost for flowers at a typical wedding in 2005 was about $1000. That tab can soar to $2,000 or $3,000 without much effort.

Don't worry -- you won't have to resort to picking daisies from the roadside. We have some tips for getting the flowers you want within the budget you've set.


Flower expenses
First, you need to know the three basic types of flower expenditures:

Personal flowers

• Bride's bouquet
  
• Bridesmaids' bouquets
  
• Corsages for the mothers and house party
  
• Boutonnieres for the men.
  

Ceremony site flowers

• Altar flowers
  
• Aisle arrangements, such as ribbons, candles or pew markers.
  

Reception site flowers

• Guest book table
  
• Table centerpieces (including a head table, buffet table and individual guests tables)
  
• Cake table.
  
• Other floral expenses may include the rehearsal dinner and any other pre-wedding parties.
  

Money-saving options

The easiest way to save money on wedding flowers is to avoid exotic, expensive blooms such as orchids and lilies, as well as out-of-season flowers. Roses can also be pricey at certain times of the year, such as around Valentine's Day.

What are the more affordable options? Here are several flowers that look beautiful but cost a fraction of the expensive options:

Alstroemeria lilies
These miniature lilies are available in more than 20 shades. Some are even multi-colored. Because they are small, they look best in bouquets, hairpieces, on wedding cakes or in table arrangements.

Carnations
Ah, the old standby. These are a great pick for altar arrangements because they stand out without great expense. They come in every color, but we don't recommend the dyed ones. Stick to natural colors. Some varieties are also available as miniatures, if you want to add them to table arrangements or bouquets. These are very heat-hardy for those of you in hot climates.

Chrysanthemums
More commonly referred to as mums, these flowers are also great filler for altar arrangements. They add oodles of volume to your arrangements without costing a great deal. These flowers are available in a wide range of colors from white to bronze. Some even look like simple daisies in pinks, yellows and white.

Freesia
Another small, delicate flower with a pleasing scent, freesia can be used as a wonderful substitute for the more expensive Stephanotis. Freesia comes in white, yellow, pink, orange, lavender and red.

Gerbera daisies
These giant-sized versions of common daisies make wonderful and colorful bridesmaids' bouquets. They also have long stems and can be used successfully in table and altar arrangements. They come in incredible colors from plain white to deep fuchsia. Pastels are also available.

Gladiolus
These long-stalked flowers are covered in bright blooms. They look especially nice in altar or buffet arrangements to add height. Colors range from white to pink to deep, true red.

Statice
A fabulous filler for bridal bouquets, these bunches of tiny white or purple blossoms are reasonably priced options. Other fillers that are inexpensive include Queen Anne's Lace and Stock.