If you're planning your wedding flowers, let's talk about the ingredient most DIY brides underestimate: wedding greenery. Not just as background filler, but as a design element that shapes your entire floral aesthetic. Whether you're building a bridal bouquet, putting together bridesmaids bouquets, or trying to make centerpieces that look intentionally lush, foliage for weddings is what pulls it all together. It adds volume, texture, and that casually layered look you're going for.

If you're a DIY bride working with a realistic budget, we have great news for you; the right greenery can make a modest flower order look like it came from a high-end florist. This guide will walk you through which types of greenery to use, how to combine them with flowers, and how to get the most out of every stem you order.

Greenery for weddings isn't just decorative filler. It adds shape and structure, creates contrast that makes your blooms stand out, and gives your arrangements the fullness that focal flowers alone can't provide. It also helps your flowers last longer by keeping everything supported and in place.

From a budget standpoint, wedding floral greenery is one of the smartest places to invest. A few well-chosen varieties can dramatically reduce how many flowers you need without making your arrangements look sparse.

These are the most popular varieties florists reach for — and for good reason:

1. Italian Ruscus: Long, flowing stems that add length and a trailing effect. Works beautifully in bridal bouquets, bridesmaids bouquets, arch arrangements, and down the center of rectangular tables. Shop Italian Ruscus
2. Seeded Eucalyptus: Adds movement, texture, and a soft silver-green tone. One of the most versatile filler greenery options for bouquets and centerpieces alike. Shop Seeded Eucalyptus
3. Silver Dollar Eucalyptus: Large, round leaves that fill space quickly. A go-to for budget-conscious DIY wedding flowers. Use sparingly in bouquets - a little can go a long way and just a few sprigs is often enough to get the look you want! Shop Silver Dollar Eucalyptus
4. Salal (Lemon Leaf): An affordable greenery for wedding bouquets that fills in fast. Works well as a base in centerpieces and installations. Shop Salal
5. Leatherleaf Fern: One of the most budget-friendly wedding greenery options available. Versatile enough for both classic and rustic styles. Shop Leatherleaf Fern
6. Nagi: Small, hardy leaves that hold up exceptionally well in heat. A reliable choice for outdoor or warm-weather weddings. Shop Nagi

Think of greenery for bouquets as “scaffolding” that helps you set your margins. It gives structure to your arrangement, adds contrast between blooms, and helps your flowers go further by offering coverage to mechanics like foam cages. If you're working with a limited number of volume flowers, leaning into greenery means you can build full, lush bouquets without doubling your flower order.

The same principle applies to centerpieces. Adding greenery around the edges of a vase instantly makes arrangements look larger and more intentional — a trick florists use constantly.

Bridal bouquets don't need to be oversized to look polished. Greenery is what gives them fullness without inflating your flower budget. An example of a simple, effective recipe:

• 5-7 volume flowers (roses, carnations, or mums)
• 2-3 line flowers (delphinium, stock)
• 5-6 luxury accent flowers (ranunculus, scabiosa)
• 4-6 stems of wedding bouquet greenery (seeded eucalyptus, salal, or leatherleaf fern)

That combination looks elegant and full while keeping costs manageable.

When building DIY wedding centerpieces, greenery is one of your most useful tools. A few practical approaches:

• Run greenery down long reception tables instead of traditional garland. This is one of the easiest and most cost-effective centerpiece styles. Italian Ruscus is great for this!
• Tuck greenery around candles for a layered, organic look. Try Silver Dollar Eucalyptus.
• Mix varieties for texture: silver dollar eucalyptus, nagi, and leatherleaf fern together are more visually interesting than a single greenery type.

Hydrate your centerpiece greenery well and trim the stems before arranging. It'll last longer and stay fresher throughout your event.

Floral arches are where wedding greenery really earns its place. You can build a full, lush arch using greenery as the foundation and use flowers as accents, which cuts your flower costs significantly.

Use longer varieties like Italian ruscus or smilax to drape and create movement along the frame, then layer in roses and carnations where you want color and interest. You can also forage for greenery to add more texture. Just forage responsibly (don’t jump into your neighbor’s backyard without permission!)

Don't overlook the small arrangements. For wedding boutonnieres:

Start with a small sprig of greenery like nagi, salal, or leatherleaf. Add one accent flower or spray rose, wrap with floral tape, and finish with ribbon. Simple, classic, and budget-friendly.

If you're prioritizing your flower budget, these varieties give you the most for your money:

Ordering greenery in bulk is one of the most effective ways to keep your overall floral budget in check.

Order your bulk greenery at the same time you order your flowers. You'll want to account for:

• Bridal bouquet greenery
• Bridesmaids bouquet greenery
• Greenery for boutonnieres and corsages
• Foliage for centerpieces and arch arrangements
• Any other arrangements like cake meadows, aisle markers, guestbook tables, etc.

If you're unsure how much to order, book a custom design! Our professional florists will be thrilled to help you build the wedding flowers of your dreams!!

Unpack immediately. Open your box as soon as it arrives.

Trim the stems. Use sharp shears and cut at a diagonal, a couple of inches from the bottom. This helps stems absorb water more efficiently.

Strip lower leaves. Any leaves that will sit below the waterline should come off. Submerged foliage causes bacterial growth that shortens the life of your flowers.

Hydrate thoroughly. Place stems in cool, clean water and let them drink for 1-2 hours. Wedding greenery is generally hardier than flowers, but it still needs time to drink after a long international trip.

Store in a cool, dark space. Keep greenery away from direct sunlight.

Mist the leaves. If your greenery will be out during setup or in warm temperatures, a light mist helps it hold up.

Use the same varieties throughout. Repeating the same greenery across bouquets, centerpieces, and arch flowers keeps your overall design cohesive.

Build greenery table runners. Lay ruscus or seeded eucalyptus down a long table with votives and taper candles. No flowers required, and it photographs beautifully.

Go greenery-only. If your budget is very tight, an all-greenery bouquet with mixed varieties and ribbon is a legitimate aesthetic choice, not a compromise.

Anything yellowing or soft. If a stem is yellowed and mushy on arrival, put it aside and see if it will recover.

Leaves below the waterline. Strip them off before placing stems in water. This one habit keeps your flowers and greenery significantly fresher.

Only one variety. A bouquet built entirely from one type of greenery can be elegant and minimalist, but it risks reading flat. Mixing two or three varieties gives you contrast and depth.

Too much greenery. Greenery supports your flowers but it shouldn't overwhelm them. If your blooms are getting lost, pull back on the volume or cut the greenery shorter to let the flower shine.

It's easy to focus entirely on your focal flowers when planning wedding florals, but greenery is what makes those flowers look intentional. It creates movement, fills space, and gives your arrangements the layered, designed quality that distinguishes a polished bouquet from a random one.

It's also one of the most budget-friendly parts of your floral order. The right mix of wedding greenery lets you stretch your flower budget without sacrificing your vibe!