When I first decided to grow my own wedding flowers, I had a vision. I imagined myself gracefully strolling through my garden (and allotment), effortlessly snipping homegrown blooms, and arranging the most breathtaking bouquet anyone had ever seen. Reality? I have 6 months to go til the big day and I’m already obsessively checking my seedlings every morning, praying that my dahlias (which I have not yet planted) don’t rot before I get them in the ground, and seriously questioning my life choices.

But despite the mild panic, there’s something incredibly special about knowing that every petal in my bouquet will have been nurtured by my own (slightly grubby) hands. If you’re also considering going full DIY bride and growing your own flowers, here’s what I have learned since I decided to undertake this feat in January, along with some tips to (hopefully) save you from my mistakes.

Step One: Accept That You Will Become Slightly Unhinged

Growing flowers for a wedding is not the same as casually planting a few marigolds in a pot and calling it a day. No, no. This is already an emotional rollercoaster. One day, you’ll be thrilled because your cosmos have finally germinated (they haven’t as yet). The next, you’ll be crying over a slug attack and wondering if Tesco does same-day bridal bouquets as a back up. How do I know this? Because this is a feeling I get every year when growing my own flowers for normal bouquets, let alone for my own wedding bouquet!

However, If you’re still on board (and lets be honest, if you’ve read this far, you probably are), let’s talk about what arrangements I will be looking to do, and the best flowers to grow for a late August wedding. Revised from my last post because I jumped the gun a bit 😮‍💨

Choosing the Right Flowers (a.k.a. Playing Plant Roulette)

So you will hopefully have already read my post ‘Wedding Flowers – The Ultimate Wedding Flower Hack you Need” , but if you haven’t click on the title and it will take you there. When writing that I had already chosen my plant smorgasbord and was feeling pretty smug. However, doing more research, I have quickly learned that choosing flowers for an August wedding isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s also about survival. I need flowers that can handle summer heat, unpredictable British weather, and my occasional forgetting to water them moments.

The majority of the flowers I chose are still IN, but a few are now OUT! Ranunculus for example. I read somewhere that they would flower in August. But, I’m not afraid to admit that I got this wrong. I am sure some professional growing could get them flowering in the UK in summer, but I am not one of them.

Hence I have revised my list. As well as replacing the ranunculus, I am also adding some more as I think I underestimated how many I would need, considering I am now fixated on doing a whole load of other arrangements 😆. See my previous post for names and photos if I haven’t mentioned them below.

Also, in order to keep this cost effective I am going to use some flowers I already have and that have grown reliably for me in the past. Sod’s Law if they all die on me this year!

Here’s what made the wedding flowers final cut:

Focal Flowers

Roses – Lovely bright orange blooms. Still in, but now I’m fretting I only have two plants, so I bought a purple rose too. Total Cost: £34.18

Hydrangea – Dark purple flowers, which are reliable and hopefully prolific! Because they are big blooms they will look dramatic, especially if they end up being the only flowers that I actually managed to grow! Total Cost £19.78 for two plants.

Dahlias – Absolute drama queens. They’re big, beautiful, and perfect for a statement bouquet. Just don’t forget to pinch them out when they’re young, or they’ll grow leggy. I have loads of these now, both in orange and purple, and of different kinds. I also have a Keep Slugs Away plan! These are pretty easy to grow, and cheap to buy, so have 19 plants. Total Cost: £58.53

Filler Flowers

Zinnias – Lilliputian Purple and Peachy Pink, Low-maintenance, vibrant, and basically impossible to kill. My kind of flower. Going to be used instead of Ranunculus for filler flowers. I bought these as seeds so CHEAP! Total cost: 3.98

Cosmos – Delicate and dreamy, they give off total romantic meadow wedding vibes, and they come in various shades of orange and purple! I bought more and all as seeds, total cost: £3.98.

Lavender – Because if I’m going to be stressed about my wedding flowers, I might as well have something calming nearby. I have loads of this already so FREE.

Snapdragons – (antirrhinums) These add height and texture to arrangements (and I’m hoping will make me feel like a proper florist when I use them). Seeds, cost £3.75.

Tithonia – orange Mexican sunflower for a bit of pizazz, total cost of seeds 44p – bargain!

Calendula – The overachiever of the flower world. It self-seeds like crazy, is practically unkillable, and brings that perfect golden glow to bouquets. Bonus: it’s edible, so if wedding stress drives me to eat my bouquet, at least it’ll be safe. Seeds, cost £1.50

Gypsophila (Babys Breath) – Light, airy, and makes anything look instantly romantic. I planted a ridiculous amount of this, just in case I panic and need to fill out my bouquet last minute. Spoiler: I will panic. £18.40

Foliage

Alchemilla mollis – Also known as ladys mantle, this plant basically sprinkles dewdrops of magic on any bouquet. It has gorgeous frothy green foliage that makes everything else look effortlessly put together, unlike me, who will be holding it together with wine and wishful thinking. Have loads so FREE.

Amaranthus Viridis – these are lovely green, long tassels, which will make the arrangements look a touch more professional! Seeds, total cost £1.95

Cerinthe (Honeywort) – One of those flowers that makes people ask, ooh what’s that? It’s got deep blue-purple blooms that add a wild, whimsical feel and because it’s self-seeding, I’m hoping I will be finding it all over my garden for years to come. A permanent wedding memento, whether I like it or not. Seeds, cost £2.00

Grasses – because I wanted that chic wild meadow look without the effort. A few airy grasses add the perfect amount of movement and texture, and as a bonus, they make me feel like I know what I’m doing. Seeds, cost £1.95

Moluccella Laevis – aka Bells of Ireland, a fabulous foliage plant that is tall and can add some green drama to the show. Seeds, cost £1.00.

Cost of my wedding flowers (minus stuff to actually put them together, my own labour and the emotional cost)

Total for all my plants and seeds: £147.69, which I think is a bargain considering wedding flowers can cost hundreds, if not thousands of pounds!

I expect to buy things like tape, wire, ribbon and some containers. However I will be hunting for bargains to really keep the costs down in the coming months.

Pro tip: Start growing your flowers in spring if you want them wedding-ready by August. I’ve already started sowing (follow me on instagram if you want to see my progress, or at the very least laugh at me when things go wrong). If you’re reading this post and it’s already June and you haven’t planted anything yet, maybe start making friends with a florist.

Wedding Flowers – Floral Decorations: What I Think I Need vs. What I Can Actually Pull Off

When I first decided to grow my own wedding flowers, I had grand ideas. I pictured an elegant floral arch, Pinterest-worthy bouquets, and tables overflowing with artfully arranged blooms. Fast forward to today, and I’m just hoping my flower entourage actually makes it to the stage.

If, like me, you’re trying to plan your wedding floral decorations while balancing optimism with my lack of designer talent, here’s list of what I would like, i.e. what I think I can actually pull off. And of course a rough blueprint of what flowers I’m growing to (hopefully) make it all happen.

1. Wedding Floral Decorations Checklist (Or: How Many Flowers Can I Possibly Fit Into One Wedding?)

So, what floral arrangements do I need? All of them, obviously. But since my garden isn’t an infinite flower-producing machine, I’m focusing on these essentials. Over the coming months, I will be researching and finding ideas for all of these things, so I will obviously keep you posted! I already have a board on Pinterest, so take a look HERE. And below is a selection of some of my Pinterest finds.

Bridal bouquet. Because apparently, I can’t walk down the aisle empty-handed.

Bridesmaids bouquets. Smaller, cuter, and hopefully easier to make.

Buttonholes & corsages. For the groom and VIP guests (a.k.a. the ones who actually remembered to RSVP).

Floral arch. Because nothing says romantic wedding like flowers falling on my guests head as they enter the venue.

Table centrepieces. So guests have something to stare at when the speeches get too long.

Aisle decorations. To make my grand entrance even grander.

Flower crowns & hair flowers. Just in case I wake up on my wedding day and decide I want to look like a forest fairy.

2. The Best Flowers for Each Wedding Decoration (a.k.a. What Will Probably Be Blooming in Time)

Bridal Bouquet – The Star of the Show

The bridal bouquet is the most important arrangement, so naturally, I’m overthinking it. I need something dramatic but not too dramatic, structured but not too structured. After much debate, I’m going with:

✅ Dahlias – Because they demand attention, and may draw the eye away from me fidgeting under the limelight.

🌼 Roses – Bright, happy, and almost as resilient as my fiancé having to deal with me in wedding planning mode.

✅ Cerinthe – Moody, elegant, and makes people go, ooh what’s that?

🌼 Gypsophila – Soft, romantic, and makes everything look fancier than it really is.

✅ Alchemilla Mollis – Looks like dewdrops sprinkled on greenery or like my bouquet has been crying tears of joy.

Tip: If I start panicking mid-bouquet-making, I’ll just shove in more gypsophila until it looks intentional.

Bridesmaids Bouquets. Simpler, But Still Impressive

Bridesmaids bouquets should complement the bridal bouquet without stealing its thunder (sorry, bridesmaids, this is my moment).

✔️Cosmos – Light, airy, and a little chaotic (just like my bridesmaids).

✔️Snapdragons – Tall, elegant, and slightly dramatic (again, like my bridesmaids).

✔️Calendula – A pop of gold to brighten things up (only applies to some of my bridesmaids)

✔️Gypsophila – Because it fixes everything. Obvs.

Tip: Keep them light and easy to hold, no one wants to accidentally throw a 10kg bouquet at the photographer during the group photos.

Buttonholes & Corsages. Tiny but Mighty

For buttonholes, I need something sturdy enough to last all day (and survive an over-enthusiastic hug from a distant relative).

☑️ Lavender – Smells amazing, looks great, and may help calm the grooms nerves.

🪻 Cerinthe – Adds a cool, moody touch.

☑️ Rose – For the colour vibrancy and to compliment my bouquet.

🪻 Gypsophila – Again, the MVP of last-minute floral arrangements.

☑️ Snapdragons (for corsages) – Because the mothers of the bride and groom deserve something fancy.

Tip: Note to self, secure buttonholes firmly, no one wants a sad, droopy flower pinned to their lapel by the reception.

Floral Arch – Go Big or Go Home

A floral arch is non-negotiable because I want to feel like I’m stepping into a fairy tale and I want to wow my guests with my brilliant flower growing and arranging skills. In fact, for my wedding, I am going one step further and placing this at the party for the guests to walk through, (you may need to keep your fingers crossed for me with this one). To make it happen, I’ll be using:

🎊 Hydrangeas – Because they are big and blooming lovely and will take up a lot of space in case I don’t have enough flowers.

🥂 Dahlias – My divas, here to steal the show.

🎊 Cosmos & Zinnias – They add that effortless, just-picked-from-a-meadow look.

🥂Grasses – Because nothing says boho chic like some whimsical, wispy bits.

🎊 Eucalyptus or Ivy – To keep everything tied together and slightly less chaotic.

Tip: Apparently chicken wire = my best friend for making sure the whole thing doesn’t collapse mid-dance.

Table Centerpieces. The Wow, They Really Thought This Through Moment

Centerpieces should be beautiful but practical (i.e., guests should be able to see over them without awkwardly bobbing their heads like pigeons).

🕊️Calendula & Zinnias – For bold, cheerful color.

🕊️ Alchemilla Mollis – For that soft, romantic green base.

🕊️Gypsophila – Do I even need to explain?

🕊️Snapdragons – Adds height and interest.

🕊️ Cerinthe – For a moody, elegant contrast.

Tip: Putting flowers in mismatched jars = charming. Plus cheaper.

Final Thoughts: Will My Wedding Flowers All Work Out? Probably.

Will I pull this off flawlessly? Doubtful.

Will I laugh at my mistakes and throw extra gypsophila at them? Absolutely.

If you’re also planning your own wedding floral decorations, just remember: perfection is overrated, and flowers are meant to be wild and beautiful, just like the best love stories.

Now, time to go check on my seedlings again!

JT x

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