With some bridal budgets being tight, sometimes flowers fall onto the bottom of your must have list, after all a dress, shoes and groom's outfit are much more important. However, as we've said before, flowers are seen by many as an essential part of the day, especially the brides wedding bouquet. So we've put together a few steps on how to make a hand tied bouquet, which will work out a lot cheaper than visiting a florist.

Bouquet step one: Decide on the style you like.
Before you begin even thinking about putting your bouquet together you have to be sure about what you want. You may like something in a magazine, but once you've put it together it may not be what you're looking for. Therefore its advisable to visit a florist and ask them for a mock up of the design. As you won't be hiring them, you may have to pay a small charge but this shouldn't be anymore than £20 or an average bunch of flowers. You'll also be able to discuss the types of flowers that will be in season at the time of year you're getting married. As we've said before, this is important as flowers not in season will cost considerably more.

Bouquet step two: Choose your flowers.
A wedding bouquet consists of three different flower types: The focal flowers, which are the main bloom that will catch your guests eye. The transitional flowers are the 'fill-in' flowers, which pad out the arrangements, and the foliage is the greenery that complements the flowers. Therefore you should focus most of your budget on the focal flowers. If you opt for more than one type then keep the transitional flowers at a minimum so the display doesn't look too busy. Mini gerberas are a good filler here.

Bouquet step three: Buying your flowers
You'll want to get the cheapest price possible for your chosen flowers, so it's wise to ask around different florists to see what they can offer. However, a cheaper, and more interactive way to choose is to also consider visiting a flower market. There are many of these scattered around the country, but Covent Garden's flower market is probably the most well known.

Flower markets are traditionally for florists, who buy their stock here at wholesale prices. The good news is many are open to the public. The bad, you'll have to be there at 4 in the morning to get your stock. Call your local market to find out exact times, and to check if they are open to the public

Bouquet step four: Making the bouquet.
Practice making your bouquet a few times before the real event to ensure you have everything right. It's advisable to make your bouquet the night before your big day and it will be perfectly fine if stored in a cool place such as a garage.

Take your focal flowers and arrange them around the middle, in the design you want. You can also opt to decorate them further but adding glitter. If you want to do this, a simple glitter spray will suffice. However, its also wise to ask a florist what the best way to do this is.

Once you have your focal flowers in place scatter the transitional flowers in between and around the sides, before adding the foliage. You should make sure that this sits around the edges of the flowers. Use a piece of twine to hold these together and cover it using a ribbon. It's advisable to stick this to the twine to ensure it doesn't slip off during the day.

Flowers are a must have for any wedding, and can really finalise the event, giving colour and adding decoration. However, like everything on your day, choosing whats right for you and the mood you want to create can be difficult. Then there's the traditional methods behind these, and what you'll need to go down this route.

We give you a few tips on what to look for.

Tradition.
You may think your choice of flowers is reflecting your colour theme but to an older generation they could mean something else. As far back as the ancient Greek era, flowers in weddings have meant different things. For example, the popular Lily in some cultures can be associated with death. Check with you're florist who will be able to give you some more information on your flowers of choice and what they mean.

What you need for the big day.
A bride wouldn't feel complete without a bouquet, and there are many varieties out there. The trend for these are currently a hand tied posey, which is small enough for the bride to hold and won't detract from the detailing on her dress. However, those with a plainer frock may want to opt for the 80s mounted arrangement, which involves hanging flowers and leaves and mounted onto a plastic piece, which is then held by the bride.

Button holes.
Button holes are usually worn by the best men and close family to indicate their relationship to the groom or bride. While many couples traditionally opted for carnations, the trend has developed into roses and, if you have a big bridal budget lilies. Some button holes often go beyond just the flower, with many brides opting for little diamantes and crystals to add decoration. Once again speak to your florist about this and agree a charge.

Choosing your florist.
The florist should be booked approximately five to six months before the wedding, if not sooner, and a meeting arranged at approximately six weeks to discuss and finalise ideas.

A professional florist will be able to do just about anything when it comes to your wedding flowers, However, its wise to take a few tips to ensure you actually get the best from them. This includes asking friends and family for personal recommendations. Some florists also leave their business cards on a wedding table they have designed the arrangement for so next time your at a friends wedding and like the design look for a card.

You should also shop around. Take a few examples of the style you like and ask the florist to make them up for you (many do this free of charge), as well as getting quotes. It's also important to take into consideration the season and whats available as asking for a flower thats not naturally grown within the season you're getting married will drive up the cost.

It's also a good idea to ask about visiting the florist early on the morning of another wedding to look at the flowers and the ways they can be arranged. If you are getting married in a church and want to move flowers to a reception its also worth asking if you're florist will take care of the transportation.

If you like the idea of releasing Doves on your wedding day but don't want to spend a fortune for the privilege (prices range from around £150) then you might like this alternative.

These Dove shaped balloons from the Night Sky Lantern company, who are well known for their range of Sky Lanterns, have been designed to mimic a flying dove and are a great way to get your guests involved. I even think they may be a nice alternative to confetti.

Eco conscious brides will also be pleased to hear that they are also 100% bidegradable when exposed to water and take only 10 days to 3 months to decompose, so there won't be any pollution to the environment.

They cost £40 for 10.

If you want something a little bit different to give your guests at the end of your wedding day, or perhaps want a keepsake of your own, then you'll love this new idea from Philippa Craddock.

The new company claims to be the only one in the UK to offer high-end indoor and outdoor plants, beautifully packaged and delivered to your wedding venue. After the day is over the plants can be taken away by guests or by the bride and groom and planted in their garden's as a reminder of the day.

A representative for the company told us: "We have recently completed a wedding design where we used miniature rose bushes and potted herbs throughout the arrangements. The roses and herbs will be replanted to create a special herb and rose garden in the bride and groom's garden."

And those that want to add an ethical twist to their day without going too far, will love the fact that the company uses 100% recyclable packaging. It also donates 2.5% of its profits the Growaforest charity, which plants native trees in the UK to help reverse the damage done by CO2 emissions.

Prices range from £35 to £75.

So we've told you about the dress, but brides that want to create the rest of Milla Jovovich's look are in luck.

We've been talking to florist Laura Kuy, who gave us a run down on the flowers and hair accessories used on Mrs Anderson's (as we assume she is now known) big day.

She told us: "The flowers in Milla's bouquet are stunning white Phalaenopsis Orchids, Marroussia Roses and Hydrangea."

According to Laura a trendy idea for flowers now is to mix different shades of white.

"The clean white crispness of the Orchids sit above the slightly more cream tones of the Roses and Hydrangea. Although all would be considered to be 'white' in world of flowers, you can always be sure that each flower will be a slightly different shade of white."

And now for Milla's hair, which Laura says is a very natural looking hair piece and looks like it may be some kind of dried foliage or woody effect cones.

For brides-to-be interested in having a similar bouquet and hair piece to Milla, Laura Kuy can create the look for around £200for the bouquet and £60 for the hair piece.

Hmm we hope we haven't created a bunch of Milla bride clones now.

If you're planning a summer theme complete with butterflies and flowers then this new range from Confetti will have you fluttering around with excitement.

The collection, which features bright turquoise and hot pink alongside sparkling metallics, is perfect for a summer wedding or a nice touch for those getting married abroad.

We especially love the mini birdcages, which you can fill with flowers, or coloured paper, as well as the butterfly place cards and paper garlands which will make your wedding a summer special.

The table plan stationary will also give your guests a taste of the summer.

I have to admit that I'm rather taken by these vegetable centerpieces (my partner and I are both veggies!) which would be the easiest thing in the world to make and look quite unlike any candleholders I've seen before. The lovliest thing about them is that every part of the design can be found at your local grocery store.

I found them over on Project wedding, where you can see instructions on how to make these veggie centrepieces, which are ultimately finished off with ribbons and yellow roses. But I have to say I prefer them au naturel...

Related: Scented candle centerpiece | Floating flowers in vase table centrepiece

The first day of married life is likely to start off a bit blurred around the edges, and there's nothing like a good strong cup of tea to clear away the cobwebs. Why not turn the occasion into a celebration of the rest of your life together with some really special crockery?

The Utterly Sexy Cafe sell exquisitely decorated vintage china cups and tea sets that would do the job beautifully and make excellent wedding gifts, too. The company will even hire out their stunning china for your "civilisted" hen night or wedding breakfast if you want to go in for the tea party theme. And did I mention that they also make delectable and decorative cakes? See the site for more details.

Tea for Two

If your tea party a deux is likely to be happening on a smaller scale, you can still ensure you've got plenty in to make it special. I absolutely love these heart-decorated sugar cubes from Cox & Cox. Even if you don't usually take sugar you'll be tempted with these - and after a hard night of partying that may be no bad thing! 'Love tea' is a delicious blend of organically-grown tea with rose petals and liquorice root; you can buy it for a fiver at Biome Lifestyle

Related: Afternoon tea: the civilised hen party option

Tin cans and wedding somehow seem to fit together, whether they're giving you a sonorous sendoff in the car or serving as invitations. Now, here's a brilliant craft idea from 1001 Layer Cake for your table top decorations: cheap but very effective and pretty, these table numbers are made from tins spray painted and then drilled. Then a candle goes inside and the light shines through the number!

Such a good idea. Even if you don't want to number your tables, you could just make candle holders for around the house, or as a gift for someone. If you want to have a go there's a tutorial here. [Via Crafty Crafty]

Related: Miniature table-top wine glass lamps | Custom table numbers from Etsy

Alyssa Ettinger has been making pottery since she was 14, and has a range of dinnerware and jars. Priced from $25, alongside the normal products, are a selection of sample and 'seconds' (meaning that they weren't perfect enough to be a 'first' sold in her actual store) vases, bowls, cups from her collection are available for half their normal price on Etsy.

This lantern is from Alyssa's 'Glow' collection, and is hand cast porcelain made from the mold of an antique jar. It can be used indoors, but has a wire so it can be hung up - they would be dazzling as a decoration at a romantic garden reception - just imagine them hanging in the garden after the sun goes down on a summer night. Priced at $90 for an identical set of two, they would also make a great wedding gift if you're after ideas!

[image Jen Sliker]

I've mentioned before how much I love DIY decor at weddings and have gone on at length about what a fantastically cost-effective way of making your surroundings special it is, so I won't do it again now. What I will do is suggest that you go and check out this easy pattern from Once Wed, which shows you how to whip up a lovely garland made from fresh flowers and paper cut-out birds. I think this would look charming at a small, summer wedding, draped over an entryway or even as part of an alter. [Via Crafty Crafty]

Related: DIY Bride: How to make a birdcage veil | Flower fairy lights you can make yourself

Spring is in the air, and you can bring it to your table with these beautiful, cherry blossom themes inspired by Japanese Sakura in bloom. You can make this theme as subtle or overpowering as you like, but here are a few items you might want to introduce to your spring wedding.

Follow the jump for details

I never really got a getaway car at my own wedding. The limo driver fell asleep somewhere so my parents ended up driving me and my hew husband to our hotel - awk-ward! Don't worry, I got money back from the limo company.

But I have seen many a decorated car for the couple's escape. None of them have been as remotely tasteful as those above. I've seen condoms, spray foam and toilet paper all employed, but never cutesy ribbons and painted cans. Read on for DIY instructions and an Etsy shop that will take the work out of it for you.

Fairy lights create an instant happy atmosphere and can transform the dullest areas into warm and welcoming spaces. So why not add a bit of magic to your reception with some custom flower lights? They're a cheap and easy way to decorate, and would be ideal for a spring wedding.

This tutorial shows you how, using an ordinary shop-bought light chain and specially cut velum paper.

Related: Pretty decorations from zig-zag to bunting | Daisy table decorations

Your wedding day may be all about you, but your guests will love you for taking the time recognise how much you appreciate them being there. One way to do that is to personalise their experience, and I think this is a cool way to give a little back. They're monogrammed placemats, and I love this simple but elegant idea of using seasonal berries to form lettering. Details on how to make the letters are here, but it's a really simple technique, using off-cuts you can get from your florist.

Related: Charm your guests with pop-up placemats | Use flowers as your place settings with Bloombox