What to Invest in with Your Wedding Floral Budget: A Guide to Making the Most of Your Flowers

Hello and welcome back to The Way to Bloom blog! I can’t wait to share some of my favourite wedding planning tips with you today. Whether you're just starting with your wedding plans, or are finalising all the details for your special day, this post is all about helping you make the most of your wedding floral budget.

When it comes to planning your wedding, your wedding flowers are one of the most impactful ways to set the scene and bring your vision to life. From the bridal bouquet, you carry down the aisle to the show-stopping installations that welcome your guests, your flowers tell a story and create the perfect atmosphere for your big day. But with so many options available, it can be tricky to know where to invest your floral budget to get the most out of your wedding florals.

As a UK wedding florist, we specialise in helping couples make smart choices with their floral budgets without sacrificing style. We would never sacrifice on style! Whether you're dreaming of an arch overflowing with blooms, cascading tree meadows for your ceremony, or chic centrepieces for your reception, there are so many beautiful ways to make your flowers work for you.  But it’s important to know, flexibility is key! So, let's explore some must-have floral elements and clever tips to help maximise your wedding floral budget.

Bridal Bouquets: The Ultimate Must-Have

First things first… your bridal bouquet!

Your bridal bouquet is truly the star of the show. Whether you’re dreaming of a lush, oversized arrangement or something more delicate and refined, this is the one floral piece that will be in almost every photo. Your bridal bouquet isn’t just a stunning accessory. It’s a reflection of your style and the perfect finishing touch to your bridal look, so don’t hold back!

From soft, romantic blooms to bold, modern designs, your bouquet should complement both your dress and your overall vibe. We will always discuss your bridal vision and personal style, ensuring your bridal bouquet perfectly complements your bridal dress or attire. For a timeless gown, consider classic flowers like roses, peonies, or ranunculus to create an elegant, graceful feel. If you’re going for a contemporary or fashion-forward look, opt for unique textures, unexpected blooms, or asymmetrical shapes to add that extra edge.

Don’t forget about your bridesmaid bouquets! While they don’t need to be as large or detailed as your own, their flowers should still complement the overall look, creating a cohesive feel across your bridal party. How cute(!) are these stunning and colourful bridesmaids baskets, perfectly complementing this large and vibrant all yellow-bridal bouquet.

Floral Installations

Floral installations that make a statement! If there’s one area of your wedding floral budget that can create an unforgettable wow factor, it’s floral installations. These big, bold designs completely transform your venue and leave your guests in awe from the moment they step into the space. Whether it’s a striking arch at the entrance, a grand floral backdrop for your ceremony, or cascading florals framing the reception, installations are a worthwhile investment for adding drama and elegance to your day.

We’re talking about making the most out of guest entrance points as first impressions always count. Floral installations at the entrance to your ceremony or reception are a stunning way to welcome guests and set the tone for what’s to come. If your venue has a beautiful staircase, don’t overlook this feature! Styling the stairs with florals, greenery, or even large urns filled with blooms will always create such a wow factor.

Arches, Arches, and More Arches!

Now let’s talk about one of our favourite floral investments, the arch! Wedding floral arches are so versatile and can be styled in so many ways to create jaw-dropping ceremony backdrops, picture-perfect photo ops, and dynamic installations for your venue. Here are some of the most popular arch styles:

Full Arch - This is your classic, all-encompassing floral arch. Whether it's bursting with florals or featuring a more minimalist design, the full arch frames your ceremony beautifully and creates a romantic focal point for your vows.

Half Arch - If you’re looking for something a bit more modern and understated, the half arch is for you. This design features florals on one side only, creating an asymmetrical yet elegant look that’s perfect for couples who want something a little different.

Open Arch - This style offers a more structured, geometric look with florals placed in key spots. An open arch is perfect if you want something a bit more architectural while still being floral-forward. It gives you the flexibility to add blooms without going all-out, making it budget-friendly but still eye-catching.

Check out these real wedding examples below to see how each ceremony arch has been beautifully repurposed into the reception design. A perfect solution for making the most of your wedding floral budget!

Floral Meadows for the Aisle

Speaking of meadows, one of our favourite ways to use florals is creating a floral meadow for your aisle. Meadow aisle flowers can elevate any wedding ceremony space and are incredible for outdoor English garden weddings. 

Floral meadows are incredibly versatile and offer endless options for reuse throughout your wedding day. After your ceremony, these arrangements can be repurposed throughout your reception to help maximise your floral budget and style more areas of your wedding. Use your aisle meadows as table decor, accent pieces around your cocktail space, or even place them in front of your head table for added impact.

Key Guest Areas

A huge part of making the most of your floral budget is focusing on the areas where guests will spend the most time. That’s why we always recommend discussing key guest areas during a venue tour or on-site visit. We’ll walk through the space together and identify high-impact spots like the welcome entrances, ceremony space, reception entrance, cake display and the bar. This means your wedding flowers work harder in the areas that matter most. These are the perfect places to make a floral statement whilst keeping things cost-effective.

The Final Touch: Big Urns + Cascading Tree Florals

For that extra bit of wow, you can’t go wrong with big urns filled with lush florals. Whether placed at the ceremony entrance, near your arch, or in the reception space, large urns add an air of elegance and grandeur that’s always a stylish option!

We couldn’t end this blog post without talking about trees or tall structures. As I’m sure you know at The Way to Bloom we love to decorate large trees with cascading florals. It’s a breathtaking look that feels natural and elevated all at once, and is the perfect option for outdoor weddings. See more of our elegant and whimsical aall-blue and white floral tree design created at the iconic Somerely House in Hampshire. 

Final Thoughts

We’re here to help you navigate all the options and make the best investments for your budget. From stunning arches and installations to versatile meadows and budget-friendly table decor, the possibilities are endless when it comes to wedding florals. Let’s create something magical that tells your story and leaves a lasting impression on your guests. Get in touch to book your floral consultation call.

Wedding Supplier & Venue Credits: