Flower Wedding

With the cost of bridal flowers continuing to skyrocket, using homegrown blooms really is the best way to save some money, and show the planet a little love. To help you grow your own wedding flowers like a pro, gardener and writer Sarah Raven has shared her expertise.

'Growing and arranging your own flowers for your wedding day can be so rewarding but it will require plotting and planning in advance, ' says Sarah. Take a look at her top tips below...

Growing your own wedding flowers is no easy feat, but that doesn't mean you can't do it successfully. Before you begin, Sarah suggests planning what flowers you want on the day, as well as what purpose they will serve (for example, will they be used as a table centrepiece or in your bouquet).

Average Cost Of Wedding Flowers In 2023

'Each couple will have their own taste and preferences; some will prefer light and delicate flowers, while others will lean towards more architectural shapes and sturdiness, ' she explains. 'It is important to choose flowers based on what will grow at the right time of year. I advise not to get fixated on any one individual flower, as they may not be in their best shape on the day; focus on colour and shape first and foremost.'

If you want a wedding filled with beautiful and bountiful flowers, then don't forget to bulk out your bouquets. Strong structural elements with fillers and foliage is a great way to pad out your displays, while on-trend pampas is also ideal for filling in the gaps.

'Foliage can be useful for weddings early in the season and still provides a beautiful display, while adding the all-important form to the arrangement, ' says Sarah. 'Every arrangement should have a mix of face flowers, complemented by the lines of foxgloves and lupins to give it structural interest.'

The Cost Of Wedding Flowers

From roses to tulips and dahlias, there are tons of ways you can add drama to your bouquet. If you're planning to grow your own, Sarah suggests choosing a range of dominant flowers as 'central pivots' for flower displays — and to bring personality to the palette.

Not sure what to choose? 'Dahlias, sunflowers, zinnias, echinaceas, roses and lilies all do a marvellous job of this, ' advises Sarah, 'I am strict with the idea of the Bride flower being the same colour as a smaller flower in the arrangement – what I call the Bridesmaid. Don't be afraid to use contrasting colours or feel that your colours have to be traditional wedding white and green.'

Slipping on your gardening gloves and heading out to pick your flowers is the most exciting part, but don't forget to pop them straight into cool water. 'Doing this makes a big difference to the vase life of the flowers and will keep them looking tip-top for longer, ' says Sarah.

The Symbolism And Meaning Behind Wedding Flowers

To do this, simply remove leaves from the bottom of the stem and pop them into water right away. If your blooms are looking a little floppy before the big day, Sarah suggests a little magic trick: 'Sear the ends in boiling water – five seconds for softer stems and 45 for woodier stems.'

Plastic-free, biodegradable confetti is a must for any wedding. Unlike paper confetti, real petals have beautiful colour and float beautifully in the air when thrown for photographs.

'Fresh rose petals and marigolds as well as dismembered cornflowers all work well. I like using the petals of larkspur and delphiniums too, ' adds Sarah. 'You can also catch all the dropped petals that have fallen off the other flowers you're using for the wedding and keep those as supplementary confetti.'

Floral Decor Trends Of 2021: Fresh Ways To Use Florals In Indian Weddings

When it comes to buttonholes, Sarah suggests growing gorgeous lilies, sprigs of heather or nigella pods: 'If you're set on having a rose or dahlia for buttonholes, be sure to wrap the stem in cotton wool, then cling film and buttonhole tape.'

'The most important thing to do once your arrangements are complete is to enjoy the day, ' says Sarah. 'Your venue will be brimming with the gorgeous smell of your favourite flowers, and you’ll take pride in seeing the fruits of your labour as a beautiful, natural decoration on your wedding day.'

This trio of succulents bedded in moss can be enjoyed for months with the right care. Perfect for livening up a coffee table, desk or windowsill, the succulents come in a stylish rose gold geometric tray.

Why It's Worth Investing Into Wedding Decor And Flowers

This herb planter is perfect for anyone throwing a BBQ – thanks to the rosemary, oregano and thyme, which is perfect for foodies. It comes with high-quality Japanese floristry scissors.

These heart-shaped leaves, trailing ceropegia, are super chic and cute. It comes in a rose gold-coloured hanging planter, so can be enjoyed right away.

From a nursery to a living room, these cute elephant planters will fit right in. The two planters, 7cm and 12cm tall, are potted with a blue star fern and parlour palm.

Wedding Arrangements And Bouquets Checklist

This lush green jungle thrives in natural light – and sits perfectly on a windowsill. The gift includes an assortment of ferns and foliage with a flat-packed painted wooden planter.

This trio of colourful cacti, wrapped in hessian jackets and finished with colourful ‘hats’, is inspired by the bright colours and sun-drenched sands of Mexico. It's perfect for those who want a low maintenance plant.

Lisa Joyner is the Senior Digital Writer at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market.

Best Fall Wedding Flowers

How to keep houseplants alive when you're away Top 8 plants for hanging baskets 10 best flowers that bloom in July How to dry flowers

Allotments for beginners: 5 ways to master growing How to use the sacrificial plant method 7 plants to help keep insects out of your home 5 trees perfect for small gardens

Plant combination ideas for container gardens 15 of the best peony bouquets Bee-friendly flowers for your garden The best drought-tolerant plants for your gardenWhen you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site.

Modern Wedding Bouquet Preservation

Nancy Mattia is a freelance writer covering wedding and bridal content. She was an editor at for more than 18 years.

If you're planning a wedding with plenty of special touches, it's a good idea to think about personalizing your flowers. Instead of basing your choices on color and style alone, though, let each flower's significance inform your final decision. From your bridal bouquet to your ceremony arrangements, there are so many ways to infuse your personality into your wedding day blooms, especially if you're mindful of their individual meanings.

What many don't realize is that the language of flowers dates back to Victorian times, when florals were used to express emotions once words and gestures failed. That's why many couples today have the ability to follow this romantic practice and create arrangements that hold a special place in their hearts. Additionally, color has the ability to play a substantial role in a flower's meaning, as specifically seen with the rose. While a red rose symbolizes passion, a white rose means purity, and a pink one signifies joy and admiration.

Floral Wedding Dresses: 30 Magical Looks + Faqs

Aside from roses, there are a variety of blooms with special meanings that all couples should know about. Ahead, we're sharing a list of 41 popular wedding flowers and what they symbolize today.

While most flowers have good vibes and positive sentiments, you'll want to steer clear of those whose meanings have a negative association—such as begonia which symbolizes beware and tansy which is associated with hostile thoughts.

Don't call amaryllis a wallflower! Though pictured here in a coral hue, amaryllis comes in a variety of bold colors as well. With its lily-like style, it has rightfully made a name for itself in the botanical world as a splendid beauty.

How To Source Affordable Wedding Flowers On A Budget (with Ideas)

You don't need a breeze to be charmed by the allure of this delicate bloom. Anemone comes from the Greek word for windflower and symbolizes anticipation.

If you're going with a heart theme for your wedding, this tropical beauty is a true fit. Anthurium stands for hospitality and has a Cupid-inspired shape that will fit right in.

Like an extra in a movie who stays in the background, this popular bouquet and centerpiece filler—which signifies festivity—is often used to support the star flowers. But with tiny white clouds for petals and its ability to stand on its own with other decor, we think it deserves top billing of its own.

Wedding Flowers Images

When people think wedding flower, this bloom often comes to mind. With its trumpet shape and elegant air, the