Unique alternatives to flowers???

You could make bouquets out of artificial flowers, Wal-Mart has some niece ones for $2 a piece. I wouldn't do mason jars with candles

Have them carry puppies down the aisle! Haha just kidding. I wonder what they have against dried flowers?? I mean you could just decide for them, its your day so you can do whatever you can afford and want. That might sound a little bridezilla of me, but that's what I would do. Maybe sit down with them and tell them the difficulties you are having with real flower cost and I would hope they would understand. Good luck!

I have seen over 2000 weddings, and I have never seen an alternative to flowers that wasn't weird or self conscious.

I don't know why couples don't figure in the cost of BP flowers when they make a budget.....

In my first wedding my bridesmaids carries lanterns. it was a fall wedding.

Wal-Mart flowers

I just made a thread about this, but my FMIL just got us these silk flowers for my bridal party!

Hobby Lobby has great flowers and they are almost always on sale!

@Celia, the cost is budgeted for, but for something that will get thrown away I am having a hard time justifying spending the money. Will my guests or bridesmaids feel less than properly hosted without flowers?

Here are the dried bouquets I was looking at. My BM's think that dried bouquets could get "sketchy", but I feel like they would go great with our rustic feel with burlap wrapped around the stems.

I just feel like spending a few grand on flowers is ridiculous.

I'm with you @MrsVoegs17. Spending $500-$1000 on something to throw away feels wasteful. Sure you can preserve yours but the rest are a waste. It also depends where your wedding is and WHEN it is. You can factor it in, but if your store choice is limited to one then you have to pay their high prices.

I'm looking into silk flowers myself. If anyone has any site suggestions where you can see the bouquet put together before you buy, that would help!

Flowers and photography were the two main things I specifically budgeted for to make sure i got what I wanted, and they were fresh.

They really don't have to carry anything down the aisle.

I really love the look of carrying candles, and the lanterns are pretty too. Also if you're into signs and have the right number you could have them bring in "here comes the bride" or something. Check out this website:

http://www.topweddingsites.com/wedding-blog/wedding-attire/get-carried-away-seven-alternatives-to-bridesmaid-bouquets

I'm making paper flowers from an old text book because FH and I graduated with the same degree.

This is the tutorial I'm using.

http://www.100layercake.com/blog/2011/07/22/diy-storybook-paper-roses/

Food is eaten, music is silenced, flowers can be given to nursing homes, and your BM's will definitely take them home.

They all contribute to the day in a way that carrying a lantern cannot. Sorry. And don't make your attendants carry candles. It's dangerous, your venue may not even allow it.

If you really think about it? Anything besides your officiant is wasteful.

@LeahH, That was my other thought. If I do hydrangea stems in mason jars, how many stems per center piece do you think I'd need? I would say two, and two for each BM to hold. This seems pretty cost effective.

We have several huge peony bushes in our yard.. if only I had set our wedding date for earlier in the year... but then.... ANTS.

No Hobby Lobby. Women's rights are under attack already. Please don't contribute to that by supporting HL.

@Celia, I REFUSE to shop at HL.

I've seen bridesmaids carry sprigs of lavender in a little bundle and then the follow girl threw lavender seeds. It was a beautiful and yummy smelling alternative to huge bouquets!

Instead of lanterns bridemates could carry bottles of wine. it's orogonal. candles are also not bad idea

Single flower is classy for bridesmaids and price concious