Wildflowers in vintage vases, hanging foliage garlands, handmade centerpieces… DIY (for Do It Yourself) is hugely popular in weddings—and flowers are no exception! Thanks to Pinterest and Instagram, many couples consider creating their own floral decorations. Budget-friendly, personal, and meaningful—on paper, it all sounds appealing. But when it comes to the big day, the reality can be more complex.
So, is DIY floral decor a great idea or a risky bet? This article offers a clear and honest overview of the pros, cons, and creative compromises you might want to consider.
This is often the main motivation: saving money.
Flowers can represent a significant portion of a wedding's overall budget, especially if you're envisioning abundant decorations or complex arrangements. By creating your floral arrangements yourself, you first avoid the labor costs of a professional florist. You can also buy your flowers directly from markets, local growers, or through certain specialized platforms open to individuals.
This can allow you to allocate more of your budget to other aspects of the wedding, or simply to stay within your original budget.
Making your own floral decor adds heart and authenticity to your celebration. You choose each flower, vase, and detail. It’s an opportunity to reflect your style, your story, and your values.
There’s also something deeply satisfying about seeing your own creations come to life.
Preparing your floral decorations can also become a meaningful moment to share with friends or family. You can organize a workshop at home the day before the wedding, or gather your bridesmaids and groomsmen for a creative afternoon in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere (well, assuming everything goes smoothly!).
It creates memories ahead of the big day and adds even more meaning to the decorations: they become a collective, emotion-filled project.
By managing the flowers yourself, you stay in control. You pick the varieties, colors, containers, and style. You can also make last-minute changes depending on what’s available or how you feel.
If you enjoy being hands-on with details, this freedom is a major plus.
Fresh flowers can't be prepared two weeks in advance. They usually need to be purchased 2 to 3 days before the wedding, then allowed to open if necessary—and above all, kept well hydrated. Finally, you'll need to assemble the bouquets and set them up as late as possible so they look their best on the big day.
The issue? This timing coincides with the busiest days of the wedding preparations. Between last-minute appointments, venue setup, welcoming guests, and rising stress levels… taking on full responsibility for the flowers can quickly become an overwhelming task.
Creating a beautiful centerpiece or a well-balanced bouquet requires a minimum level of skill. It’s not just about sticking a few stems in a vase!
You need to know how to balance shapes, distribute volume, anticipate how the flowers will hold up, choose varieties that work well together, and master certain techniques (floral foam, wire, structures, etc.).
Some arrangements—like floral arches, hanging installations, boutonnieres, or even the bridal bouquet—are especially tricky to make.
The risk? An arrangement that doesn’t hold up, wilts too quickly… or simply doesn’t meet your expectations.
Buying, transporting, cleaning, hydrating, storing, arranging, installing… the logistics of DIY floral work are far from simple. You need space (for buckets, tools, cut flowers), the right equipment (pruners, wire cutters, floral wire, foam, containers…), a car for multiple trips, and a cool place to store the arrangements.
And if you're getting married in the middle of summer or far from home, it can quickly turn into a real headache.
Even if you’re well supported, the coordination often still falls on your shoulders. And with flowers, there’s no room for error or delays: they need to be ready on time, fresh, set up, and in the right conditions.
If you tend to get stressed or want to fully enjoy your final days without added pressure, handling all the floral decor yourself can quickly become a source of anxiety. It’s not the best time to discover that a certain variety doesn’t handle heat well, that the floral foam won’t hold, or that you miscounted your stems.
If you're drawn to DIY florals but worried about the logistics or the stress… know that there are hybrid solutions!
You don’t have to choose between doing everything yourself or handing it all over. Here are a few options to consider:
The bridal bouquet, arches, flower crowns, hanging installations, and large arrangements are often the most complex to create. By entrusting them to a professional florist, you gain peace of mind and ensure high-quality results.
You can then take care of the smaller elements yourself, like table vases, welcome bouquets, or church decorations. It’s a great way to add a personal touch while making sure the essentials are covered.
Many florists now offer “à la carte” or semi-DIY services. These might include:
- Fresh seasonal flowers pre-conditioned and ready to use
- DIY kits with step-by-step guides
- Hands-on workshops to teach you the basics
- Personalized support and advice
This is exactly what I now offer as part of my updated services. You’ll find all the details on my Services page.
Another great option: let a professional prep the arrangements, and you place them yourself at the venue. This saves you time and ensures a polished result. It’s a perfect balance between budget-saving and stress-reducing.
DIY wedding flowers can be a wonderful adventure. They allow you to get involved, express your creativity, and save money. But they also come with time constraints, pressure, and technical challenges.
If you're organized, surrounded by helpful people, and love crafting—go for it. Otherwise, consider a hybrid solution: get guidance, delegate some parts, or build your own kit.
Whatever you choose, make sure it fits your reality. And if you need help, I’m here to support you every step of the way!
