diy wedding florals
how to save money without losing style (and when to bring in the pros)
Sometimes your floral vision and your budget just don’t see eye to eye, and that’s okay. A beautiful wedding doesn’t have to mean spending beyond your means, and DIY florals can be a creative, personal way to make your day feel special without the bigger price. If you’re looking to save money or love the idea of designing your own florals, here’s how to approach DIY wedding flowers with style and confidence. Plus when it’s worth bringing in a pro for backup.
Where to get your flowers
Some places to pick up fresh flowers include:
Public flower markets (where wholesalers sell to the public on certain days)
Costco or Trader Joe’s (great for seasonal flowers at a lower cost)
A floral designer who can sell you bunches with a fee to cover their sourcing and time (note: wholesale prices are usually only for florists)
Buckets, vases, and supplies
Before you start arranging, get your supplies lined up! You can:
Buy buckets to keep flowers hydrated. Preferably tall ones to support your flower stems – some flowerheads are heavy while other flowers start to lose their stem strength integrity after being cut or not properly hydrated or stored.
Rent vases and containers (some florists offer rentals, which is eco-friendly and budget-smart)
Gather scissors, floral tape, wire, ribbons, and any decor you want to include
Gather your team
DIY florals are a great way to involve your family, friends, or wedding party. Schedule a “floral party” a day or two before the wedding where everyone helps assemble bouquets, centerpieces, and ceremony flowers. Make sure you have adequate cool storage if your florals will be made ahead of time by a few days.
When to hire a floral designer to help
Even if you’re DIY-ing, having a professional on your side can save you stress and ensure your flowers look amazing. Consider:
Hiring a floral designer to prep your bunches so you get the freshest, best-quality blooms
Booking an on-site workshop or consultation (we offer this!) the day before, where a florist guides you and your crew through arranging everything. A fun bonding experience and an insurance policy for quality
OR hiring a florist after all to handle the full-service including delivery and setup on the wedding day, so you don’t have to worry about logistics. They create your custom floral designs and personally deliver and arrange everything onsite. This also means they quietly work behind the scenes while you and your friends/family are free to enjoy the day. It might look like:
A calm, organized arrival at the venue hours before guests show up unloading buckets of flowers, sturdy boxes for arrangements, and any decor elements.
On the spot adjustments to check each bouquet, fluff petals, refresh water, make small repairs if anything got jostled in transit.
Seamless placement of pinning boutonnieres, setting centerpieces in their exact spots, adjusting the arch flowers so they look perfect from every angle.
Handling the logistical flow with the planner, photographer, or venue staff so flowers arrive where and when they’re needed without anyone having to track you down.
A quick, quiet exit before guests even realize how much work happened to make it all look effortless.
The whole point of hiring the full-service is: no one in your circle is sweating over vases, wrangling boxes, or wondering where the flowers should go. It just… happens. This way, you can relax knowing every bouquet, centerpiece, and installation will look flawless without you or your loved ones having to worry about logistics or last-minute fixes.
DIY florals are doable – with the right planning!
Yes, doing your own flowers means more work. But it can be a rewarding, cost-effective way to personalize your day. Just remember: fresh flowers need care, timing is everything, and a little expert guidance can go a long way.
Thinking about DIYing your wedding florals? I’m happy to help you find the perfect balance between DIY and professional support that fits your style, timeline, and budget. To ensure we have enough time to plan thoughtfully, there is a consultation fee for this service. Let’s chat!
