To cut down on the amount of flowers you need to use in your bouquets, arrangements, and decorations, you can use many other natural elements as filler or focal points. Not only will lessening the number of actual flowers you use help save the environment, it can save your pocketbook as well. Fresh flowers can be quite expensive; minimizing the number you use can save you a small fortune.

Many natural elements may be found in your own backyard or can be purchased very cheaply from local flower and herb farms. Many different things can be included in your bouquets and floral arrangements: leaves, twigs, berries, small filler flowers such as baby's breath, vines, ornamental grasses, herbs, and small fruits such as crab apples and grapes.

Small twigs can be tied in bunches and adorned with bright berries; berries also make lovely accents in bridal bouquets nestled among the pretty flowers. In the fall, bundles of leaves can be grouped together for stunning bouquets and table centerpieces, and crab apples and grapes can be grouped together with fall leaves for beautiful centerpieces. You could even work them into a harvest bouquet symbolizing abundance and prosperity. Natural vines can be used instead of wires to wrap stems and twigs together.

To get ideas for what kind of floral and natural decorations you may be interested in for your wedding, visit bridal shows, flip through seasonal decorating books, floral design books, floral magazines, and bridal magazines to get ideas. Stroll around craft shows, art shows, parks, or orchards — you never know what may inspire you.