Ever thought about skipping the florist and arranging your own wedding flowers? You’re not alone. More couples are turning to stores like Trader Joe’s for affordable blooms—hoping to save money and add a personal touch to their big day. But what actually happens when you go the DIY route for something as important as your wedding florals?
Let’s break down everything I learned while creating my own bouquets and centerpieces with just $300 in blooms from Trader Joe’s. Spoiler: it was an adventure full of surprises (and way too much greenery).
Ordering DIY Wedding Flowers at Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s is famous for its pretty flower displays right at the entrance. If you’re planning on using their blooms for your big day, here’s what might surprise you—the process isn’t quite as simple as walking in and grabbing a dozen roses.
Some locations will let you place a special order for bulk flowers—but not all! It depends on the store manager and how much space they have. For my wedding weekend, I was lucky; after some back-and-forth (and a very kind flower manager), they made an exception for me. Normally, they’d have sent me to a bigger store.
You’ll need to give them your wish list about three days before pickup (I did a week ahead). Flexibility is key. They can’t guarantee specific colors or exact varieties since their shipments depend on season and suppliers. If you’re dreaming of something like dahlias or garden roses, keep in mind those are seasonal—and sometimes there just aren’t any that week.
When it comes time to pick up your order (get there right when they open!), you’ll be choosing stems straight out of shipping boxes. There’s no deposit required; they simply over-order for you and anything left goes out on the sales floor.
What You’ll Really Spend—and What You’ll Get
One of the biggest perks of DIY wedding flowers is saving money compared to traditional florists. I spent roughly $300 for around 350 stems—that covered one bridal bouquet, two bridesmaids’ bouquets, nine table centerpieces in thrifted vases, plus boutonnieres (bouts) and extra greenery. In hindsight? I definitely overbought; it’s easy to get carried away when faced with buckets of gorgeous blooms!
Here are some things to remember:
- You might buy more than planned—make room in your budget.
- Most flowers come in mixed-color boxes; request your preferred shades but stay flexible.
- Seasonal availability means some wish-list blooms could be missing.
- You don’t pay ahead—just buy what you want on pickup day.
- Leftover stems aren’t wasted—they just go back on display for other shoppers.
Tips for Floral Arranging at Home
Arranging the actual bouquets takes more time than you’d think! After hauling five buckets home (yes—five), we started trimming stems and stripping off leaves. Don’t skip this step—it keeps water clean and makes arranging easier later.
We loosely arranged everything in vases on Friday so we could trim again and change water Saturday before final assembly. Storing extra stems outside overnight (it was chilly) kept them fresh until we were ready.
Flower food really helps; I got plenty free from Trader Joe’s but you can also find simple recipes online if needed (Martha Stewart shares one here). By Saturday afternoon we had more arrangements than planned—turns out 350 stems goes a long way!
Key tips:
- Strip leaves from stems before arranging.
- Change water daily leading up to the event.
- Store flowers somewhere cool if possible.
- Don’t stress about perfection! Most guests won’t notice minor “flaws.”
A Real-Life Anecdote
Here’s a funny detail—I tried to make corsages for the moms but ran out of time before the ceremony. They didn’t mind at all! The guys picked their favorite boutonnieres from our extras (we made more than needed because it was honestly fun). By Sunday morning everything looked beautiful—the alstroemeria and spray roses especially opened up overnight—and lasted well through dinner and dancing.
By late night some bouquets were looking tired after hours out of water, but honestly? At that point we were all too busy celebrating to care where my bouquet even ended up!
Would I Recommend Trader Joe’s Wedding Flowers?
If you’re game for flexibility—and a little chaos—doing your own florals from Trader Joe’s is totally doable. It saves money and lets you be creative without pressure from a vendor. Just remember:
- Be flexible with varieties and colors
- Prepare space at home for buckets of blooms
- Recruit friends or family for help trimming and arranging
- Practice tying bouquets ahead of time!
There are other options too—for example, online bulk flower retailers like these recommended by Sam Hodgson—but nothing beats seeing your bouquet come together with your own hands.
Would you try making your own wedding flowers—or leave it to the pros? Share your thoughts below!
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