Flowers:

• Select flowers that are in season and locally available. If you do, you’ll probably find you can save considerably on cost especially if you make it clear with your florist that cutting cost is a high priority.
  
  
• Avoid white blossoms. They bruise easily, so florists must go through larger quantities to find good ones, and to match the shade, thus the cost is higher.
  
  
• If you live near a wholesale flower market, you can triple the number of blooms at your reception without raising the cost by doing them yourself.
  
  
• Plain glass vases bought at a craft store cost far less than the rentals a florist will charge you for, and can be dressed up however you want.
  
  
• Silk flowers are also a great option - not only do they last forever, but today's versions look incredibly close to fresh flowers.
  
  
• Your bridesmaids, mothers and grandmothers can carry a single, dramatic bloom wrapped in ribbon (calla lily, iris, etc.).
  
  
• Ask your florist if they would be willing to work with flowers that you purchase yourself from the local market. Often, you can get beautiful flowers at a huge discount the day before the wedding from a market.
  
  
• Use your ceremony flowers for your reception. When the wedding is over, simply have them transferred to the reception, saving you the extra charge for additional reception flowers.
  
  
• Simple, loose arrangements are much less labour-intensive-and much cheaper.
  
  

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