Let’s talk about the moment almost every couple has while wedding planning.
You ask a florist for a quote…
and suddenly your jaw is on the floor.
$5,000. $8,000. Sometimes even $12,000 for flowers.
And listen — florists are incredibly talented artists. Their work is worth it.
But if that price tag made you whisper “absolutely not” into your iced coffee… you’re not alone.
That’s exactly why so many couples are turning to DIY wedding flowers.
And before you panic:
No, you do not need to be a florist.
No, you do not need to know flower names.
No, your bouquets will not look like a sad grocery store bundle.
With the right flowers and a simple plan, DIY wedding flowers are completely doable.
And the best part?
Most of the work happens before your wedding day, so when the big day arrives you’re not arranging flowers — you’re getting married.
If you're wondering how to do your own wedding flowers, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
What Does DIY Wedding Flowers Actually Mean?
DIY wedding flowers simply means you arrange your own flowers instead of hiring a traditional florist to do it for you.
Instead of paying for:
design fees
labour
delivery
setup
teardown
florist markup
You order fresh flowers or a curated DIY wedding flower kit and create the arrangements yourself.
But here’s the key thing most couples don’t realize:
You don’t have to figure out the flowers on your own.
At LOTTA, couples choose their colours and arrangements, and I handle the florist math behind the scenes — choosing blooms that are in season, DIY-friendly, and designed to work beautifully together.
So you don’t need to know anything about flower varieties or floral design.
You just open the boxes and start arranging.
Why Couples Are Choosing DIY Wedding Flowers
DIY flowers have become incredibly popular for a few big reasons.
You Can Save Thousands
Traditional florists include design, labour, delivery, setup, and teardown in their pricing.
When you DIY, you're mostly paying for the flowers themselves.
That’s why many couples save thousands of dollars doing their own wedding flowers.
Which leaves more room in the budget for:
your honeymoon
late night pizza
an extra champagne tower
Important priorities.
You Don’t Need to Know Anything About Flowers
One of the biggest myths about DIY wedding flowers is that you need to understand flower varieties.
You don’t.
That’s literally the whole point.
You simply choose:
your colour palette
the arrangements you need
And I take care of things like:
choosing flowers that work together
selecting blooms that are in season
making sure everything is DIY-friendly
calculating exactly how many stems you’ll need
So you never have to sit there googling things like:
"What even is limonium?"
Most of the Work Happens Before the Wedding
Another big misconception about DIY wedding flowers is that couples are arranging flowers on their wedding day.
You’re not.
Your flowers usually arrive about three days before the wedding, which gives you plenty of time to hydrate them and create your arrangements ahead of time.
Your timeline typically looks something like this:
3 days before the wedding
Your flowers arrive.
You unpack them, trim the stems, and place them in water so they can hydrate.
2 days before the wedding
This is when most couples arrange:
bridal bouquets
bridesmaid bouquets
centrepieces
1 day before the wedding
larger ceremony pieces (like arch flowers) usually get finished.
boutonnieres
corsages
By this point, almost everything is done.
Wedding day
Very little needs to happen.
Maybe someone sets out centrepieces or moves ceremony flowers — but that's about it.
Pro tip: assign one helpful aunt or friend to handle anything flower-related on the wedding day.
You should be busy doing far more important things… like getting married.
The 3 Ways to DIY Your Wedding Flowers with LOTTA
Every couple starts their flower journey a little differently.
Some couples just know their colours.
Some know exactly what arrangements they need.
And a few already have specific flowers in mind.
That’s why there are three ways to order your DIY wedding flowers.
1. Choose Your Colours + Order a Curated Flower Kit (Most Popular)
This is the easiest option, and the one most couples choose.
You simply pick a colour palette you love and order one of our curated DIY wedding flower kits.
The flowers are already selected to:
work beautifully together
match your colour palette
be durable and DIY-friendly
create balanced arrangements
So you don’t need to research flowers or design recipes.
You just open your boxes and start arranging.
2. Build Your Own Flower Kit
This option is perfect if you know what arrangements you need, but want help choosing the flowers.
You simply select the arrangements for your wedding, like:
bridal bouquet
bridesmaid bouquets
centrepieces
boutonnieres
ceremony arrangements
Then send me your colour palette or inspiration photos, and I’ll take care of the rest.
I’ll:
calculate exactly how many stems you need
choose flowers that are in season
select blooms that are DIY-friendly
create a cohesive flower recipe
Basically you get the florist brain without the florist bill.
3. Shop by Flower Type
A small percentage of couples come in knowing exactly which flowers they want.
If that’s you, amazing.
You can now shop directly by flower type and order the specific blooms you need.
This option works best if you already have your flower recipe planned and want full creative control.
What Wedding Flowers Can You DIY?
The good news: almost all of them.
Here are the most common DIY wedding arrangements.
Bridal Bouquet
Your main character moment.
Bridesmaid Bouquets
Usually smaller versions of the bridal bouquet.
Centrepieces
One of the easiest DIY arrangements.
Boutonnieres
Small, simple, and quick to make.
Ceremony Flowers
Things like arch flowers or aisle arrangements.
Many couples reuse these at the reception to save money.
How Long Do Wedding Flowers Last?
Most fresh wedding flowers last 5–7 days when cared for properly.
To keep them looking their best:
trim stems at an angle
remove leaves below the waterline
store flowers in cool water
change the water daily
Letting flowers hydrate for a few hours before arranging also helps them fully perk up.
Is DIY Wedding Flowers Worth It?
If you want:
beautiful fresh flowers
a manageable wedding budget
creative control
less stress on your wedding day
Then yes — DIY wedding flowers are absolutely worth it.
And honestly?
There’s something pretty special about walking down the aisle holding a bouquet you made yourself.
Iconic behaviour.
Ready to Start Your DIY Flower Era?
If you're dreaming of gorgeous wedding flowers without the luxury florist price tag, you’ve got options.
You can:
choose a curated colour palette
build your own flower kit
or shop flowers by type
However you DIY, the goal is the same:
beautiful flowers, a realistic budget, and a wedding that feels like you.