12 Creative Alternatives to Expensive Wedding Floral Arrangements

May 05, 2025
Weddings

Photo credits: Callie Riesling Photography

On the hunt for stunning wedding décor? Brace yourself—the moment you see the quotes for your dream floral centerpieces, you may let out a little gasp. Beautiful as they are, traditional wedding flowers can take a significant bite out of your budget.

But what if we told you that a stunning and memorable wedding at a breathtaking Colorado venue like Spruce Mountain Ranch doesn't require breaking the bank on blooms?

What if your wedding centerpieces sparked conversation, told a story, or even offered a delicious treat, all without a single rose in sight?

Read on to explore some cost-effective alternatives to fresh wedding florals that are just as—if not more—lovely and meaningful as a lush bundle of roses or peonies.

Why are Wedding Flowers So Expensive?

In 2025, most couples end up spending somewhere around $2,800 on flowers (including the labor required to pick them, transport them, and arrange them at your venue). On the high end, elaborate wedding floral displays can reach as high as $10,000.

So, what’s the reason for the high price tag?

The cost of wedding flowers depends on several factors:

The volume of flowers desired
Seasonality of your chosen blooms
Current supply and demand
Shipping fees and tariffs
Specialized design consultation
Labor costs (preparation, arrangement, delivery, setup, breakdown)

Some varieties—like roses, ranunculus, peonies, orchids, and lily of the valley—while popular, can drive up floral costs higher than reasonable for many couples.

The Perks of Floral Alternatives (Beyond Cost Savings)

Aside from the financial benefits, using non-floral décor offers a few other potential advantages:

Uniqueness & Personalization

There’s something to be said for designing wedding decorations that genuinely reflect your unique journey as a couple. From thoughtful pieces representing your shared hobbies and passions to memoranda from past dates or trips together, there are countless ways to craft wedding décor that's more YOU.

Ease of Care & Setup

A lot of thought and care goes into keeping blooms fresh and beautiful for your big day. From a pure logistics perspective, non-living alternatives are much simpler to coordinate and install.

Reduced Allergy Risk

Attending a wedding is no fun when you’re battling itchy eyes and a runny nose. While you can’t be expected to change your entire wedding vision for just a couple of guests, substituting standard table arrangements with non-floral pieces can help create a more comfortable, inclusive environment.

Long-Term Keepsake

Fresh flowers will inevitably wilt and disintegrate over time. But by their very nature, many of the non-floral décor ideas below can easily be preserved and showcased in your home for years of continued enjoyment.

Increased Sustainability

Between water usage, pesticides, and transportation requirements, the cut flower industry isn’t always the most eco-friendly. By making use of repurposed items or natural, locally sourced elements, non-floral decorations may better suit couples concerned about environmental responsibility.

12 Unique Non-Floral Wedding Décor Ideas

Candle Displays

Adorn tabletops with candles of varying heights, styles, or even colors. If you want, add a little ruscus or eucalyptus for a touch of green. But make sure to check your venue’s candle policy before you make any bulk candle orders.
Edible Arrangements

Knock out two birds with one stone by crafting ornamental food displays that double as centerpieces. Some of our favorite spreads include:
- Seasonal fruit arrangements
- Charcuterie boards or grazing platters
- Dessert towers
- Gourmet bread slices and olive oil
Photo Frames

Gather photos of you and your honey bunny (pictures shoving cake in your mouth on your first birthday, photos snapped on memorable dates, etc.). Then, hit up local antique shops and estate sales to find low-cost vintage frames to place on each table, interspersed among a handful of candles, greenery, or decorative pieces.
Travel Souvenirs

Bit of a travel junkie? Gather all the treasures you’ve picked up on your many excursions as a couple. Then, give each table a theme, displaying core memories and decorative pieces reminiscent of individual trips.
Personal Mementos

Tell your unique love story with themed table displays featuring photographs and decorative pieces representative of your first date, hobbies as a couple, the day you met, your proposal story, and other important moments in your relationship.
Faux Flowers

Still a big fan of the floral look? Take advantage of these low-cost artificial alternatives:
- Book Page Flowers – Get some thrifted books and find yourself a nifty YouTube tutorial to use to make literary-inspired floral displays.
- Wooden Flowers – Order bouquets and boutonnieres online from a company like Sola Wood Flowers for an arrangement that’ll still look beautiful decades later.
- Fabric Flowers – Head over to Michaels or Hobby Lobby and have some fun designing artificial flower arrangements.
Origami

Ditch flowers altogether and make a fun project of crafting DIY paper cranes or butterflies. Tie them together with some string and hang them from the ceiling for an enchanting hanging garland.
Wood Slices, Branches, or Pine Cones

Embrace a rustic, woodsy theme and decorate your venue with acorns, pine cones, branches, and other things you could honestly find in your backyard. Order some natural wide slices to provide the perfect base for your forest-inspired centerpieces.
Greenery & Foliage

Think beyond blooms and embrace the natural beauty of eucalyptus, ferns, and ivy. Drape lush garlands along tables or hang cascading greenery for an organic, romantic atmosphere at a fraction of the cost of flowers.
Fresh Herbs

Who says centerpieces can't be functional? Potted rosemary, lavender, and mint not only smell incredible but also double as wedding favors your guests can take home. Bundle different herbs together for aromatic, textured displays that engage all the senses.
Ostrich Feathers or Pampas Grass

An increasingly popular trend among modern couples, pampas grass and authentic or artificial ostrich feather vase arrangements make dramatic focal points for vintage or bohemian-style celebrations.
Vintage Books, Lanterns, & Antiques

Create a romantic, whimsical atmosphere with stacked vintage books topped with candles, ornate lanterns casting romantic shadows, or family heirlooms that tell your story. Not only do these pieces add character, but they can often be borrowed or found at local thrift stores.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, planning a delightful wedding without an exorbitant floral budget is absolutely doable! For the best results, we suggest a mix-and-match approach. Many of the ideas we’ve suggested above can be combined to create layers of texture and visual interest.

Ready to plan an unforgettable Colorado wedding? Contact Spruce Mountain Ranch today to learn more about our gorgeous venue!

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