Can you grow wedding flowers yourself? How to make a beautiful big day bouquet from your own garden

Budget conscious brides and grooms are being encouraged to plan ahead and grow their own wedding flowers.

Gardening expert Chris Bonnett from GardeningExpress.co.uk said: 'Growing your own flowers is a lovely thing to do ahead of your wedding but you do need to be well organised.'

Floral experts at the website claim that with a bit of forward planning, it's possible to grow your own bouquet ahead of the big day.

Suggested flowers great for wedding poesies range from roses, a bridal classic, to hydrangeas, but all thrive in different conditions so it's important to ensure you're planting them to bloom at the right time.

Wedding flowers can cost hundreds from a pro florist, but having a go at growing your own blooms is one way to make your big day feel super personal - and cut costs (Stock image of a bride holding up her wedding bouquet) 

Bonnett advises opting for easy-to-grow flowers too, including cornflowers and cosmos, which will produce ample flowers for floral displays and bouquets.

He says: 'You need to be clear on the look you're after, the quantity of blooms you'll need and have a good planting schedule in place.

'It's certainly not a job for the faint-hearted, but with the right planning and a little gardening knowledge, you could grow some beautiful flowers.

'It's certainly a special thing to do ahead of your big day, and you may save a few pounds of the flower bill too.' 

Gardening Express says hydrangeas could be the perfect wedding flowers for impact, with the plant producing big, colourful flowers in time for a summer wedding. 

When to plant? The best time is in spring or autumn although you can plant hydrangeas in containers all year round. 

If you're planting wedding day hydrangeas in the garden, just opt for a partially shaded spot with well drained soil

And if you are planting in your garden, just opt for a partially shaded spot with well drained soil.

The experts also say the rustic cornflower is a classy plant for nuptials, perfect for country style bouquets - and they're very easy to grow. 

Seeds can be sown directly into the garden or you can start them in pots first. They love full sun and well drained soil. Once they start to flower, remember to deadhead for more blooms.

A stickler for tradition? The classic, timeless rose comes in so many colours and scents that the bouquet options become endless.

There are also so many varieties of rose that you can pick one to suit your soil type and conditions in your garden. You can also grow them in containers if you have limited space.

Don't forget the trendy delphinium. If you like a pop of colour, these eye-catching blooms are sure to entice. Spring is a great time to plant these once the soil has warmed up. They'll thrive in a sunny spot with moist, well drained soil.

Sunflowers are often hailed as a cute, country choice, making them the perfect pick for a more relaxed wedding. 

The quickest way to grow these is in a greenhouse, but a sunny windowsill will work to get them started. 

Small and dainty, gypsophila are sure to add softness to your wedding day decor

Sow them in a pot and transfer to the garden once the seed has germinated. They'll bloom from summer through to autumn and it's worth sowing every few weeks for you to have enough to ensure your wedding venue is well filled.

Meanwhile, Cosmos are a gorgeous, sun-loving plant that will bring a light feel to your bouquet thanks to dainty blooms and feathery foliage. 

Easy to grow from seed, make sure you sow around now and keep them on a sunny windowsill to germinate. They can be sown in the garden from May and love a sunny spot.

Freesias are fragrant, elegant flowers which will add a touch of femininity to your bouquet. Pretty and colourful, you can plant these directly in a patio planter from now until June. 

Start in a shady spot and as the shoots come through, move to a sunnier spot but try not to overwater, no matter how tempting. You may need to use canes to support the stems once then begin growing.

Last but not least are the gypsophila - the tiny white flowers known colloquially as 'baby's breath' are a great bouquet filler which will add interest and softness to any floral arrangements. 

Gypsophila will thrive in a sunny spot in free draining soil. Sow straight into the ground every few weeks between now and September to make sure you have enough blooms.