Flowers are one of the best parts about weddings. I love the bouquets, the centerpieces, if it has flowers - I love it. They add dimension and style plus who doesn't love fresh flowers? Flowers really show off a bride's taste and personal style. Also being a wedding florist, I am well aware of how important this is to a bride. More importantly, I am aware of how much wedding flowers cost.

For the bride who is over-the-moon for flowers, the budget could go either way. If budget is limitless or has a ton of wiggle room, she can spend in the thousands to ten thousands. Sometimes the budget has a cap. For the bride who loves flowers and budget is an option, there are a few bloom options that can make your monies go further.

Be realistic with your flower budget. Most brides can't afford what they really want so it's okay to scale back or change up a few flower blooms. Yes! Instead of shying away from your look completely find a more cost-effective way towards it. I've used some of these blooms to bulk-up my client's wedding flower look and to the untrained eye, who knew? Nobody...exactly! I use these five cost effective flowers to bulk-up centerpieces but not the budget:

Cost-Effective Flower | Hydrangeas

They're so fluffy I'm gonna die!! Despicable Me, great movie. It's true though - fluffy and full, hydrangeas can really bulk up your centerpieces. Whether they are mixed as a background filler or a focal point, this flower goes the distance. Hydrangeas come in a variety of colors and sizes vary during certain seasons and do not disappoint. They have beautiful lush green foliage as well which can add to the capacity of your wedding centerpieces.

Cost-Effective Flower: Stock

Isn't that a weird name for a flower? That's what I thought too! Stock is a fabulous filler. They are a long flower with multiple blooms on each stem. The fit great into nooks and crannies plus can add a hit of whimsy with their long stems. I love using these in white and peach. Don't discount these blooms!

Cost-Effective Flower: Carnations in a Group

I am not a fan of carnations in my arrangements without them being in a cluster or grouping. Which almost seems foolish of me to add them to this list, however, I do like them when used in this particular way. Carnations are extremely cost effective. When in this grouping, they end up taking on a form that almost mimics a luscious bloom. They come in an array of colors which is pretty fabulous. I have noticed that some varieties have been mistaken for fluffy garden roses.

Cost-Effective Flower: Pittosporum

This little green is really hardy and pretty. It grows in tree and shrub form so it's branch-like. Don't let this fool you, it's easily trimmed down to add those greenery hints that take up real estate in wedding centerpieces. It doesn't break the bank. I love the thickness of each leaf. They are hardy and I am not concerned about them falling apart or tearing. I recommend the green or variegated (white and green mixed) pitt.

Cost-Effective Flower: Alstroemeria

Alstroemeria is a vary popular flower and I'm sure you have seen it but never realized. This is a cluster of flowers that come in any color you can imagine! Than they come in many shades of that color. It is a full flower too! It comes in this round cluster of blooms. It's has a long base stem but then bursts into little flowers at the top making it full. Sometimes alstroemeria can replace the look of an orchid.

I must warn you….

In my professional opinion, too many cost effective flowers will look cheap. I would recommend including some classic favorites - roses, peonies, orchids, lisianthus - the list could go on. Any of the five cost effective flowers above will look beautiful in bulking up your wedding centerpieces without breaking your budget. I created this centerpiece using three out of the five cost effective flowers:

Side note: please, please, and pretty please do me a favor. Be realistic about the distance your flower budget can go. Your guest invite list vs the wedding budget will help you come to this reality. Do not expect to put tons of flower heavy centerpieces on guest tables when you invite 250 people with a $2000 wedding budget. This is unrealistic. If you do flowers yourself, maybe, but expect more stress. Unless you have resources in labor and supplies - do not go the DIY flower route and hire a wedding florist.

All The Best To You!