More flowers (or not)

I love flowers, and receiving a big bunch of cut roses still gives me a thrill – but when it comes to weddings, the flowers can account for a ridiculously large proportion of your budget. I chose cheap tulips, and they looked great. But I did see them being thrown away at the end of the day and thing what a waste it was. So here are some suggestions that will cut down on the number of cut flowers you use, or replace them entirely.

Birdcages:

These look quirky and would probably suit quite a range of different vintage-style weddings. In black they will lend a gothic edge, but in white they look whimsical and Victorian. Mix the styles and sizes, and fill them with a few flowers, or if you have an evening reception, candles instead.

Lanterns:

These come in all sizes and styles. You could choose a modern style lantern with clear glass or take a more colourful approach and use Moroccan lanterns with different shades of coloured glass.

Button and brooch bouquets:

These are definitely a bit of a fashion at the moment, and they offer a long-lasting alternative to the expensive flower bouquet that will be dying by the end of your wedding day. Using old buttons and brooches you could source your alternative bouquet by looking through the various sellers on etsy, or you could pick up materials at boot sales and junk shops and have a go at making one yourself.

Feathers:

Another approach to the flower question is to bulk out a few stems with other things. Feathers can look dramatic and colourful as the basis for a different-looking table centrepiece or even a bouquet.