The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review recently published an article about how couples are saving money and still having great weddings.

Look for ways to recycle flowers, which can cost $2,000 on average. Maybe you can take flowers from the ceremony and turn them into centerpieces.

Great advice, and we see this often.  Altar pieces become buffet or entry decor, and unity candle arrangements become head table centerpieces.

In some churches, the altar flowers are considered a gift to the church, and cannot be removed, while other churches and ceremony locations don't have this rule.  Most of our brides arrange to have a family member or good friend move the flowers after the ceremony.  We can also be hired for move the flowers.

Another idea is to use your bridal and bridesmaid bouquets as decor on the head table.  For a really cool effect, we make greenery pillows you set your bouquets on, or for a cheaper option, we rent vases you can use to hold the bouquets and return the following week.

Consider using cheaper flowers like carnations and baby's breath, rather than roses.

More good advice, especially in arrangements that are some distance from the guests.  Even in your bouquet, we can substitute a number of less expensive flowers to give you the same look and feel at a lower cost.

Consider having your wedding any day other than Saturday, or during an off-season month like January, in order to save about 20 percent.

For the most part, your savings will come from the reception.  Flowers aren't really cheaper on other days.

One final piece of advice not mentioned in this article--opt for simpler designs, and a smaller variety of designs.  The main cost of your flowers is the labor to create them, not the actual flowers.  By choosing simpler designs of similar or the same style, you can greatly reduce the labor cost to make your flowers.

Rea the full article at Couples cut costs and still have great weddings.  And, check out one of our tips for saving money on your centerpieces.