Creating Wedding Bouquets: Diy Vs. Buying, What's Cheaper?

Wedding flowers can be expensive, with quotes ranging from $1,000 to $2,500. However, making your own wedding bouquet can be a cheaper alternative, with some people reporting that they were able to make their own bouquets for under $50. The cost of a DIY bouquet will depend on various factors, such as the type of flowers chosen, the size of the bouquet, and whether the flowers are in season. While making your own bouquet can be a fun and creative project, it does require some time and effort, and there is a risk that the final product may not look as professional as one made by a florist.

DIY bouquet vs florist: pros and cons

The Pros of DIY Wedding Bouquets

• It can be significantly cheaper to make your own wedding bouquet. A typical bridal bouquet usually costs around $250, but a DIY version can be much less expensive, depending on factors such as the type of flowers, the season, and the desired size.
• You can choose the exact flowers you want and create a bouquet that fits your style and colour palette.
• It can be a fun project to do with your bridesmaids or family.
• You can save money on wedding costs, which can be important if you're paying for the wedding yourself and have a tight budget.
• You can make the bouquet more personalised and meaningful by adding your birth flower or a sentimental colour.

The Cons of DIY Wedding Bouquets

• It takes time and effort to source the flowers and assemble the bouquet, which may not be feasible or desirable for busy brides.
• It can be stressful, especially if you're not crafty or don't have experience with flower arranging.
• You may need to buy extra flowers or greenery to create a full and lush bouquet, which can increase the cost.
• There is a risk of the flowers wilting or not looking their best if they are not properly cared for or stored.
• You may need to enlist help from others, which can be an additional task to organise.

The Pros of Hiring a Florist

• You can expect a high-quality, professional-looking bouquet that will be picture-perfect for your wedding.
• Florists have the experience and expertise to create beautiful arrangements, taking into account factors such as your wedding dress style and colour palette.
• It saves you time and stress, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your wedding planning.
• Florists can source a wide variety of flowers and will know how to care for and store them properly.
• You won't have to worry about assembling the bouquet yourself or enlisting help from others.

The Cons of Hiring a Florist

• It can be expensive, with the cost of a bridal bouquet ranging from $185 to $250 or more.
• The cost may not fit within your wedding budget, especially if you have other financial goals or priorities.
• You may not have control over the exact flowers or design of the bouquet, which could be an issue if you have specific ideas or preferences.
• The bouquet may not be as personalised or unique as a DIY bouquet.

Wholesale flowers

Buying flowers wholesale is a great way to save money on your wedding bouquets. There are several online stores that offer a wide variety of wholesale flowers, such as FiftyFlowers, BloomsByTheBox, and Flower Moxie. These stores offer high-quality flowers at a fraction of the retail price, and some even offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount.

When buying wholesale flowers, you can often find flowers such as roses, peonies, calla lilies, hydrangeas, ranunculus, sunflowers, lilies, carnations, chrysanthemums, tulips, and more. You can also find floral supplies, such as ribbons, tape, and vases, to help you create your own unique bouquet.

The cost of a DIY wedding bouquet will depend on several factors, including the type of flowers you choose, whether they are in season, and the size of your bouquet. However, it is generally much less expensive than a professionally-crafted bouquet, which can cost around $250. By buying wholesale flowers and creating your own bouquet, you can save a significant amount of money on your wedding flowers.

In addition to the cost savings, creating your own wedding bouquet can be a fun and fulfilling experience. You can involve your family and friends in the process, adding a personal touch to your special day. However, it is important to consider the time and effort required to create your own bouquet, as well as your level of skill and experience with floral arrangements. If you are unsure or short on time, you may want to consider seeking help from a professional florist or a talented friend.

Timing and storage

Timing is key when it comes to making your own wedding bouquet. It is recommended that you source your flowers two days before the wedding, and create the bouquet the day before. This will ensure that your blooms are at their best on your wedding day. If you are using flowers that need to be shipped, they will likely be delivered in a dehydrated state, so you will need to remove them from the boxes and put them in water as soon as they arrive. You should also strip the flowers of any leaves below the waterline and cut an inch or two off the bottom of the stems at an angle to allow for optimal hydration.

When it comes to storage, it is important to keep your flowers in a cool, dark place until the wedding. Do not put them in the refrigerator, as the ethylene gas released from fruits and vegetables can cause flowers to wilt quickly. Instead, store them in buckets of water in a cool room, changing the water if it becomes cloudy or is sucked up too quickly. If you are using flower food, add it to the water to help preserve the flowers.

Tools and materials

The tools and materials you will need to create your own wedding bouquet depend on the type of bouquet you want to make. If you are using fresh flowers, you will need a sharp pair of floral snips for trimming, and a ribbon or floral tape to secure the bouquet. You may also want to add a charm or other sentimental items to your bouquet.

If you are using artificial flowers, you will need floral tape, ribbon, and possibly some wire or pins to secure the bouquet.

In terms of flowers, it is recommended to choose blooms that are in season, as this will be more cost-effective. For example, daffodils, peonies, lilacs, and tulips bloom in the spring, while chrysanthemums and dahlias are best in autumn. You can order flowers online, or consider buying them from a local grocery store or flower market.

To create a simple, modern design, use one to three varieties of florals with very little to no greenery. For a more whimsical, garden-inspired look, use five to seven varieties of florals and greenery, and choose flowers with different textures and gestures.

In addition to flowers, you will need some type of container to hold the bouquet. This could be a vase, a lantern, or a bucket. If you are using fresh flowers, you will also need to keep them in water, so a bucket or vase is a good option.

Other materials you may need include flower food to preserve the flowers, and gloves to protect your hands from thorns.

Cost comparison

The cost of a bridal bouquet varies depending on the type of flowers used, the complexity of the design, and the time spent crafting it. A typical bridal bouquet from a florist can cost around $185 to $250. However, creating a DIY wedding bouquet can be significantly cheaper, with costs ranging from $25 to $450 or more, depending on the materials used and the number of bouquets created.

One bride on a budget reported spending $140 on 30 peony stems, using 15-20 in her bouquet and the rest for boutonnieres, which was half the price quoted by a florist for just her bouquet. Another bride spent $30 on 25 roses, $4 on lace, and $4 on a locket for her bouquet. A third bride bought flowers at Walmart and some cheap floral tape, while a fourth bought two pre-made bouquets from Costco for around $40, which also decorated her cake and filled bud vases for tables.

When creating a DIY wedding bouquet, it's important to consider the cost of materials such as flowers, ribbons, floral tape, and any other decorations. The type of flowers chosen can have a significant impact on the overall cost, with certain flowers being more expensive than others. Additionally, the amount of flowers needed will depend on the size of the bouquet and the number of bridesmaids.

While creating a DIY wedding bouquet can be more affordable, it's important to consider the time and effort required. Some brides may opt to buy wholesale flowers or pre-made bouquets from stores like Costco, Trader Joe's, or Kroger, and then add their own personal touches with ribbons or other decorations. Others may choose to source flowers from local farms, grocery stores, or flower markets to create completely custom arrangements.

For those who are crafty and have the time, creating a DIY wedding bouquet can be a fun and cost-effective option. However, it's important to keep in mind that the process may be more complex and time-consuming than expected, especially for those without floral arrangement experience.

Frequently asked questions