Couples planning their big day are being encouraged to grow their own wedding flowers to save cash and create something unique for their special day.
Experts from Gardening Express have named the best flowers to grow in your garden for table centrepieces, decorations and bouquets.
With the strain of the cost of living crisis, many couples can’t afford to splash out on their wedding and are looking for ways to save money on their big day.
Using homegrown blooms means that you can pinch the budget without sacrificing your vision for the wedding.
Early spring is the best time for planting summer flowering bulbs.
Chris Bonnett, the founder of Gardening Express said: “You can save hundreds of pounds by skipping the florist fees and growing your own wedding flowers.
“By investing some time in planting and tending, you can create beautiful and affordable floral arrangements for your big day.
“Not only will it save you money, but it can also add a personal touch to your special day.
“You can choose flowers that have special meaning to you and your partner, or that reflect the theme of your wedding.
“Wilder Boho bouquets are going to be easier to create than bouquets that include flowers with specific blooming times.
“Growing your own wedding flowers can also be a fun and rewarding experience, providing a sense of accomplishment from seeing your flowers grow and flourish.”
Here are the top ten flowers to grow for your wedding from the team at Gardening Express:
- Dahlias
Dahlias come in a variety of colours and sizes, making it easy to fit them into any wedding colour scheme. Additionally, they have a long vase life, which means they will look fresh and beautiful for the entire event. Dahlias are also associated with love and commitment, making them a meaningful choice for wedding flowers.
- Peonies
Peonies are popular wedding flowers because of their delicate and romantic appearance. They also have a sweet, floral fragrance that can add to the overall ambiance of the wedding. They’re known to symbolise good fortune and a happy marriage.
- Lilies
Lilies symbolise love and purity and are very popular wedding flowers due to their eye-catching shape and elegant blooms. They can be used to create gorgeous bouquets, buttonholes, and floral arrangements.
- Orchids
Orchids are long-lasting and can stay fresh for up to two weeks after being cut, making them a practical choice for wedding decorations. They come in a variety of colours, from white to vibrant purple and pink, and can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any wedding theme or style.
- Freesias
Freesias have a delicate appearance and lovely fragrance. Freesia, with its bell-shaped blooms looks gorgeous on its own, but can also be used as an accent flower in bridal bouquets and arrangements. You can opt for the classic white Freesia, or add a touch of colour to your wedding with plenty of colourful variations to choose from.
- Gardenias
Gardenias represent love, harmony, and grace, making them a fitting choice for weddings. They don’t have a stem so they’re mainly used for decorations, but can also be incorporated into the bouquet. They’re well known for their wonderful fragrance.
- Anemones
Anemones are a popular choice for wedding flowers because they symbolise anticipation and excitement for the future. Anemones have an eye-catching black centre, bringing more personality to bouquets and centrepieces. They’re a great choice for bold brides who want to opt for more unique wedding flowers.
- Forget-Me-Nots
Forget-Me-Nots are delicate little flowers with light blue blooms and are popularly used as wedding favours, table decorations and accent flowers in bouquets. Symbolising true love, faithfulness and remembrance, they add a special touch and honour those who couldn’t be present at your big day.
- Cornflowers
Cornflowers are an ideal choice for wildflower-inspired Boho bouquets and countryside weddings. Their vibrant blue blooms add a splash of colour to centrepieces and bouquets and are frequently used as buttonholes for grooms.
- Sunflowers
Sunflowers add warmth and light to your flower arrangements. Their large and colourful stems are perfect for creating a statement, so they’re a great option for brides looking for more bold and untraditional wedding flowers.
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