Vase and Bunch Sets vs Buying Separately: Which Should You Choose?

If you've been shopping for dried flowers, you've probably noticed two ways to buy them. 

• Choosing a ready-made vase and bunch set

• Picking a vase and flowers separately to build your own arrangement

The choice really comes down to what you're hoping to get out of it. If you’re new to dried flower arrangements and want to play it safe, you might go for a pre-curated arrangement that looks exactly like the photos. If you’re someone who enjoys DIY, I’d suggest playing around with different stems and vases according to seasonal availability. Either way, at Coastal Habitat, we have options for both kinds of customers. 

What Exactly Is a Vase and Bunch Set (And Who It's Built For) 

A vase and bunch set is a ready-made arrangement where you just have to put the stem bunch in the given vase and you’re done. If you have a hard time making decisions or are just starting out, this is for you. Since the vase has already been paired with flowers that suit its height, opening and shape, you just have to find a space to keep the arrangement. That’s it.

From what I’ve noticed, these sets are popular with people who’ve moved homes. After deciding on rugs, curtains, lighting, cushions and more, most aren’t in the mood for floral arrangements. A pre-curated set is a convenience that makes life much easier while still breathing life into their space.

The Case for Buying a Pre-Curated Combo

No Guesswork On Proportion Or Color Matching

If you've ever bought flowers first and then tried finding a vase afterwards, you'll know the process isn't always as straightforward as it sounds. A bunch may look full and glamorous in a product photo but it can end up disappearing in a tall floor vase or vice versa. This is the reason florists have followed basic proportion guidelines for years. In short, any arrangement should be 1.5x to 2x the height of your vase (varying on the style you’re aiming for). 

When arranging natural dried flowers, the wide range of tones, like warm, cool, golden etc., can take you by surprise. Often, when putting a set together, you may need to swap one flower multiple times before it looks perfect and balanced in your vase. If you opt for a pre-curated combo, this guesswork has already been done for you. 

Faster To Order, Faster To Style

If you enjoy DIY flower styling and think it’s relaxing, you should buy them separately. However, most people simply want their home to look nice without spending hours deciding where every stem should sit. 

That’s how pre-curated sets save the day. Once they arrive, there's very little to think about. Place the stems in the vase, fluff the flowers if needed and find a spot for the arrangement.

Better For Gifting - Arrives Ready To Hand Over

When you’re gifting someone flowers, you might always wonder if they own a vase, whether your stems will fit in their vase or if the colors of the vase and arrangement go together too. A complete set removes most of that uncertainty because you're giving them something that's ready to display. They can unwrap it, place it on a shelf or dining table and enjoy it straight away.

Housewarmings are probably the most obvious example but we've seen customers choose vase and bunch sets for birthdays, anniversaries, mother's day and even corporate gifts. In short, our vase and bunches set are a hit amongst people with busy lifestyles. 

The Case for Buying Vase and Bunch Separately

More Control Over Personal Style 

As much as I like a well-curated set, there are plenty of times when I'd recommend buying separately instead. Some people already know the look they're after and this is usually the option experienced decorators enjoy most.

I also find that arrangements built according to what people prefer evolve more naturally. You might start with a simple bunch of pampas grass, then decide a month later that the vase could use a few bunny tails or dried palms. Because you're adding stems gradually, the arrangement grows with your space.

Reusing A Vase You Already Own 

The biggest advantage of buying flowers separately is that you get to work with pieces that already have a place in your home. Maybe it’s a soda bottle, a wine bottle or a vintage vase you didn’t know where to use. This way gives you full freedom to DIY an arrangement you know you’ll love. 

Mixing And Upgrading Over Time 

Fresh flowers wilt within a week but dried flowers provide you the luxury to change up a stem or two according to mood and seasons. For example, you can add seasonal stems before Diwali, swap in softer colors during spring then return to warm neutrals later in the year to subtly tweak your home’s mood without doing much. 

How Each Coastal Habitat Combo Set Is Put Together

Everyone assumes we start with the flowers. Sorry to burst your bubble but we always start with the vase. All arrangements depend greatly on the height, opening, shape and finish of the vase they end up in. For instance, a narrow-neck vase naturally gathers stems together while a wide opening needs a fuller bunch to avoid looking empty. Even the color of the vase can affect the kind of flowers we place within. 

Then, we begin testing combinations by adjusting stem lengths, removing flowers that feel too heavy, adding texture when it falls flat and occasionally going back to where we started because something that looked good on paper simply didn’t work in real life.

If there’s anything I want you to take away from this blog, remember this - the goal of a combo isn't to pack in as many flowers as possible. It is to create an arrangement that looks balanced the moment you place it in your home. 

Cost Comparison: Combo Pricing Vs Buying Each Piece

If you're buying both a vase and dried flowers anyway, a curated set is often the better value. You're paying for pieces that have already been matched to work together and in many cases, combo pricing works out more favorably than purchasing each item individually. It also removes the risk of ordering a vase that's too small, flowers that are too short or colors that don't quite work once they're side by side. Apart from cost, you also save up on time since you don’t have to spend an evening comparing vase sizes and arrangement lengths to see if the aesthetic matches. 

However, buying separately can still be the more economical choice if you already own a vase or you're only replacing part of an existing arrangement. As I mentioned before, it comes back to buying what makes sense for your home rather than assuming one option suits everyone.

Which One Should You Pick Based on Your Situation?

First-Time Buyer

Go with a vase and bunch set. There’s already enough to learn about dried flowers without adding more factors to the mix. 

Gifting Someone

Vase and bunches set. Your recipient won't have to run around looking for a matching vase or wonder whether the flowers are the right size. They can just unwrap the arrangement and enjoy it straight away.

Experienced Home Stylist

If you've been decorating your home for a while, buying separately is what I'd suggest. You probably have favorite vases along with a better understanding of the scale and colors that suit your space anyway.

Conclusion

There's no right answer because some people want the satisfaction of building an arrangement from scratch while others simply want something that looks beautiful the moment it arrives. At Coastal Habitat, we've made both options available because homes are styled in different ways. Also, neither choices are permanent. You might start off with a curated set today and then end up swapping vases and flowers as time passes. Regardless, I'd suggest taking a look at our collection to either shop or gain some inspiration to create your own.