I also found the cost of flowers excessive. I did not have the need to have real flowers so I bought silk, I got them from a great company called Annie and Company.
She has a online store but also sold on ebay. So I got my set on ebay..my floral cost me about 90.00 if I remember correctly..around there give or take a few bucks.
This included my bouquet, cake topper (which I took apart) and 5 bouts, bouquet for my moh. Not bad..and they looked awesome! I still have my bouquet--keeps me company in my scrapbook studio!