Cut Your Flower Bill

All those bouquets and centerpieces can really set you back, but there are some simple steps to keep your costs in check.

Your wedding is quickly approaching. And as the cost of it rises, so does your blood pressure. Before you have a heart attack, take these simple steps that are sure to save you money on flowers.

1. Look for in-season flowers that are grown locally. Not only are they inexpensive, but they also have a short distance to travel, so they'll be nice and fresh when they arrive.
2. Select a small, hand-tied bouquet rather than a large crescent bouquet. Smaller bouquets are cheaper, more sophisticated and easier to carry. No bride should have to worry about her arms collapsing in the middle of the ceremony from the weight of her flowers.
3. Have your attendants carry a large single bloom rather than a bouquet. Calla lilies, South American Roses and large hydrangeas are all elegant choices.
4. Choose small, delicate corsages for the mothers and boutonnires for the gentlemen. Herbs, dried flowers, leaves, berries and fabric are attractive and inexpensive touches.
5. For centerpieces, try a single color or type of blossom. This way, you don't have to include as many blooms, because arrangements that are prepared with a single color or type of flower appear fuller.
6. Arrange your centerpieces in small pots or vases grouped together. The groupings add dimension without adding cost, and they can double as wedding favors. Your guests will be delighted when you send them home with daisies, roses, topiaries or any of your favorite floras.
7. Bring your altar and pew decorations to the reception site. Why pay to dress up two places, when you can use the same decor for both? Your altar arrangements might look beautiful at the cake table and head table. And your pew decorations can be hung on doors, buffet tables and food stations.
8. Keep the altar decorations to a minimum. One or two elaborate arrangements can be more dramatic and cost-effective than several small arrangements combined with scattered accent pieces.
9. Add herbs to your arrangements. Herbs are an inexpensive element that will give your arrangements a little extra fullness, texture and fragrance.
10. Don't decorate every pew with flowers. A few well-placed bows or tulle swags with sprigs of ivy will do the trick. In fact, decorating just every other row in the front section of the church, and perhaps the back row, is generally the most attractive and cost-effective approach. And if you have time to be creative, you can even buy your pew bows from a hobby store and hang them yourselves.