Foraging wild flowers for your wedding
- Amanda Zambon
- Sep 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 3
My dream as a little girl was to head out on the morning of my wedding and to pick wild flowers for my bouquet, with my bridesmaids in tow. It was a romantic notion, and part of me wistfully thought it would never come true.
When the time came for me to get married however, I thought, "Why not?!". I love the way they look, and while the 'wild' aesthetic has certainly trended for wedding flowers in recent years, in pretty much all cases the flowers are not in actual fact wild.
I did meet a few raised eyebrows when I said this was what I wanted to do. People were worried about the reliability of this approach, and also the amount of work it would entail. I thought long and hard about what was really important to me; what I wanted my wedding to represent in terms of morals and aesthetics, and also where I wanted to spend money.
Yes - It was a bit of a wild concept, but I really wanted my wedding to feel authentic. And weddings are SO expensive, and this would also be a way to save some money. Or rather, to be a bit more thoughtful about where I spend it. I chose not to have a photographer or beautician, because I don't enjoy getting my makeup done or photo taken! So we spent the money on the venue and the food instead.
I did a lot of research, and I'd say I managed to pull it off -- with a LOT of help from family and friends on the day, which actually turned out to be a lovely bonding experience.
I was very happy with the results - every single plant at my wedding was a wild or foraged plant, without exception!
Below I've shared what I learnt.
If you’ve ever dreamed of gathering your own bouquet, or wondered if it’s even possible, this post is for you!
But if you'd like my lessons learnt - read on!
Why forage wild flowers for your wedding?
I guess the question you might be asking is, "Why bother?". It's fair enough, and ultimately it comes down to personal choice. The reasons I'd give for considering it are as follows:
Wild flowers are...free!
Let's not beat about the bush, high inflation has not helped the cost of weddings. Flowers can be pretty costly, with people often spending thousands of pounds on something that will last for a few days before dying. On average, couples spend up to £1,500 on wedding flowers. Foraging the plants is totally and utterly free. It won't cost you a single penny.
Using wild flowers at your wedding is better for the environment
Store-bought wedding flowers come with a heavy environmental cost — they’re often flown in from overseas, grown using pesticides and huge amounts of water, and wrapped in plastic or floral foam that creates lasting waste. Most are used only once before being thrown away, making them an expensive and unsustainable choice compared to foraged wildflowers, which are local, compostable, and far kinder to the planet.
It brings the wedding party together
I was so lucky that our family and friends really threw themselves into the project. My aunt and bridesmaids were out with me at 5am (in the rain) picking flowers. So many people pitched in with the decorating, making the flower crowns and picking evergreens. It was a unique experience and something that people tell me really sticks out in their memory as an enjoyable and bonding experience.
Wild flowers look great!
I think the beauty of wild plants shines through in a really subtle and understated way! I see wild plants as an expression of nature, of the earth’s will. And there’s something about accepting and appreciating that which grows around us of its own volition for what it is. Why does it need to be “improved” or exaggerated? This is the earth’s authentic offering to the world; it’s good enough for the birds and the bees, so why not us? Slowing down and tuning into it also shows a certain acceptance for who we are within the tangled web of life.
What can you use wild flowers for in your wedding?
In the weeks and months when I was preparing for my wedding, I tried to research wild flower bouquets, but none of them were actually wild. They were from a florist, made in a wild style. As I predicted, having a genuine wild flower bouquet was so stunning, and in a less flamboyant and exaggerated way than the store bought equivalents. I was delighted with the results.
Wildflowers can add magic to so many parts of a wedding. For me, they appeared in:
Bouquets (yes, including my bridal one!)
Flower crowns for bridesmaids and flower girls
Ceremony and table decorations
Confetti made from petals
Even party favours
✨ Forage Your Own Wild Flower Wedding Decorations ✨
I was so pleased I got to live out my dream of a wedding filled with wild flowers. It was a lot of work and took a lot of planning but boy was it worth it! I felt so good knowing that I was not only prioritising things that gave me joy, but also saving money and reduicing my environmental impact.
If you’ve loved reading about my foraged wedding flowers, you might find it helpful to read my e-guide: How to Forage Your Own Wedding Flowers . It’s a step-by-step companion to creating beautiful, seasonal, and sustainable decorations — from wildflower bouquets and ivy garlands to evergreen crowns and table runners glowing with candlelight.
I learned so much through the process, and I feel passionate about helping others to do the same. The guide is full of practical how-tos, plant ideas for every season, and personal tips from my own wedding day. Whether you’re dreaming of a rustic celebration or simply want to bring a touch of the wild into your ceremony, this guide will help you create something natural, meaningful, and deeply personal.
For £12 — just 1% of the average flower budget — learn to create your own wild wedding flowers.
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