Flowers in September

Waxflower is a very good alternative as mentioned although it won't have the fabulous perfume that Lily of the Valley has but will be much, much cheaper! Lily of the Valley are unfortunately one of the most expensive flowers to have for a wedding as they do have a short season in this country and a lot of the time, it has to be imported which wacks up the price due to air freight.

Another pretty alternative would be button chrystanthemum - mix white ones with lime green ones for a wonderful fresh modern look. Gypsophila is another pretty flower but some varieties of gyp have an awful smell (a bit like cat piddle) so you have to make sure your florist orders only the best grade of wedding gyp to try and avoid this but even this can sometimes smell if it is used in large quantities.

Another alternative would be artificial lily of the valley - extremely realistic and often used mixed with fresh flowers when prices are sky high. I had artificial lily of the valley in my bouquet with fresh roses when I got married due to the cost. No one was any wiser. This is the artificial lily of the valley in a buttonhole:-

Hope that helps.

Lily of the valley is lovely, but so expensive. I was going to suggest gyp too, util I just sat saw RF's post.

Seriously, it smells like cat pee?! I was thinking of having just gyp for my centrepieces after my palava with the venue florist, but guess not now! ☹️

Buy a bunch from the florist and pop it in a vase with no other flowers just so you can tell.... the best quality gyp, which is the one with the real fluffy balls on rather than the little specs of white on the end, is the least smelly. If you mix it with other scented flowers, it's not too bad but can whiff a bit on its own.

If it is the scent you are going for then you could use white freesia which are highly scented and delicate flowers. They look lovely in a bouquet or even as single flowers in individual vases for Centrepieces:

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The artificial Lily of the valley look nice, but the beauty of Lily of the valley is the scent.....may be able to fragrance with scented oils though?

To Vintagebride - have you thought about using Cow Parsley for your centrepieces? Put into google, "Cow Parsley rustic Wedding" and it will take you to a wondeful wedding blog. (no idea why this is now in bold!)

What's more, cow parsley is free!

Oh Jude, I like this a lot!!! I will have to try and find out which flowers grow around here in March. In Teesside it tends to be a bit nippy still in March so not sure if it would be too early.

Doesn't look like I'd have much luck with cow parsely (flowers from April), but I've found this website which tells you about wildflowers by month

http://www.flowers.goodpages.co.uk/index.php?page=march-2

Thank you for all your help. I came across gyp and thought it was beautiful but I am glad you told me about the smell. Also good to know Lily of the Valley flowers have a strong smell, I suffer with headaches and cant have any strong smells around me = No perfume for me So the last thing I want on my wedding day is a headache from my flowers!

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Trust me to be getting married In september with only 2 choices of wild flowers!

Hi

You are right lily of the valley is extremely expensive and not available for September. I am a wedding planner and florist and have had this dilema many times over the years, however for my brides I recommend bouvardia or stephanotis both are very small beautiful flowers. If you'd like any other ideas or help let me know I'm always happy to offer advice. Mandy (My number is ****). Good luck x

Hi,

Just posted some pics of bouquets with artificial lily of the valley and roses. as rainbow flowers says, you can mix the artificial LOTV with fresh flowers and foliages and no one will know!?

I have decided to go with Gypsophila, got an appointment with a florist in 2 weeks for a quote. Thanks for all your help x