Bouquet on a budget: How grocery store flowers become a masterpiece

How I got into the bouquet budget business

Bouquet on a budget, say less! I’ve always liked the idea of bringing the outdoors in. During my first two years of college, I had amassed houseplants in cute decorative pots. When those died one harsh Midwest winter (probably because of keeping the heat on low to save money), I was so disappointed.

Not only had I failed as a “plant parent,” but during this time period of my life, I lacked the energy and time to undertake creative projects that brought me joy. 

Enter flower arranging! I not only got my green thumb back, so to speak, but I also found a beautiful, stress-free, creative outlet. Here are my hacks so you can get your green groove back, too!

Supplies you’ll need: 

• Heavy-duty kitchen scissors or gardening shears
• A vase (or multiple)
• Chicken wire (optional)
• Tape (optional)
• Flowers of your choice 
• Water 
• Sunlight 

If you are making a bouquet for someone else, or want to take yours on the go, you’ll need these items. 

• Paper bag 
• Regular scissors 
• String 
• Tape (just in case the string doesn’t hold)

Where to get your flowers: 

Grocery stores tend to have better prices than fancy flower shops. I create my arrangements with flowers from Trader Joe’s flowers on the cheap.

Walmart, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and even your local farmer’s market also have flowers, but TJ’s gives you a wide variety of options that are easily customizable!

What to buy and why

You made it into the store and are now confronted with options. Many, many options. Not only in price point, but in length, style, and color. Depending on what’s in stock or what’s seasonal, you’ll see leafy greens like eucalyptus, your traditional roses, some spring tulips, and those cute, white puffs of baby’s breath. 

For an arrangement, I use a green sprig of color alongside a thick, robust flower that can fill the vase, and smaller flowers to round it out. Try playing with texture and color. Notice your natural preferences, and be inspired by what you see in store!

Bouquet inspiration

Some of us are natural visionaries, we can jump in and go crazy. Others’ creative juices may need a bit of a template. A vision board, if you will. Here are some ideas of flowers of varying height, texture, and color that would complement one another. 

Pretty in pink

Variations of pink, orange, and red hues create a warm, inviting bouquet. Feel free to add blue and white to the mix depending on your vibe! 

Romantic stand-alone favorites  

Roses, hydrangeas, and peonies are all focal point flowers that are great to pair with green sprigs or on their own. White and green is also a classy, elegant combination reminiscent of the wedding season. 

Monochromatic moment 

Varying shades of peonies or roses that are pink and deep red will do! Or try ranunculus + spray roses + cala lilies in shades of bright yellow for a pop of spring color! 

A step-by-step guide: 

Your formula for fantatic flower arrangments is simple:

focal point flower + filler flower + filler flower + (option greenery)

• Once you get home, prep your flowers. Pull any extra leaves off. Leaves in the water create bacteria faster, making your flowers wilt quicker. 
• Pick your vase! Wider cases may need chicken wire resting inside the vase and above the water to achieve the desired look. No chicken wire? No problem. You can also place tape across the top of the vase to make a grid. Each flower can fit inside one square of the grid, creating a fuller, balanced bouquet. Another way, cross your flowers diagonally when you fill the vase. 
• Start arranging! You can start with focal flowers or add greenery first. There’s no wrong way. Some flowers may need a good trim to give your bouquet visual interest. Make sure to cut your stems at an angle!

Newspaper Bouquet

These have gone viral a couple of times — whether it’s making a bouquet for the bridal party or wedding shower, or even husbands creating arrangements for their wives on Mother’s Day. 

Gift Bouquet

Another idea is to stick beauty products or pieces of candy on small wooden sticks from the craft store, securing them with tape. Arrange the candy or small gifts on a stick into the bouquet for an extra-special occasion.

Final thoughts

Flowers brighten up my space and my mind while making life feel like a special occasion. Flowers encourage me to hope and see the beauty of ordinary things while learning the lesson of detachment. Flowers are not made to last, but allow me to appreciate the beauty of the present.

These blooms are not just superficially beautiful, but a gift from the Creator, like each one of us.