7 Genius Wedding Flower Hacks

Love peonies but don't have the budget? Want centerpieces that double as favors? From using plants and fruit instead of flowers to going faux, here's how to save time, money, and your sanity when picking wedding flowers.

Ask your venue if you can use the blooms at the venue. Your flowers will look right at home, you'll save money, and you'll be able to include species that don't travel well or last long. Local plants and flowers in narrow vases graced bare wooden tables and adorned each napkin at this Massachusetts affair.

A smattering of slim glass vases puts loose, garden-style arrangements of dahlias, flowers in a similar hue in tall, skinny vessels means you (or your florist) won't need to use flower foam or frogs. It gives your table a relaxed vibe like the flowers were just picked from the garden.

Delicate and airy, this arrangement composed of single dahlia and garden rose blossoms lets you make the most of a limited group of flowers.

For a fresh look, focus on fruit rather than flowers.  Here bowls and platters are filled with navel oranges, clementines, and kumquats, while lemon leaves and white gardenias, orchids, and stephanotis add contrast.

Mini phalaenopsis orchids in fabric-wrapped pots give reception tables exotic appeal. Orchids can be bought in advance and they'll continue to grow long after the wedding. Bring them home or have guests bring them home as favors. We love a double duty centerpiece!

Colorful pink peonies in low glass vases put the focus on the flowers. Don't feel like you have to have huge, full arrangements on your wedding day—sometimes simple but special is the way to go.

Don't forget about your flower girl! This faux flower crown is tops: It's totally no-sew and can be made in a flash to add a finishing flourish to the littlest lady in your bridal party. Why go with faux flowers? Can you imagine how long your flower girl will keep a flower crown with delicate blooms on her head without destroying it? Yeah, not long.