Understanding Floral Pricing for Your Wedding: What You Need to Know
When planning your dream wedding, one of the most exciting elements to consider is your floral arrangements. From the stunning bridal bouquet to the beautiful centerpieces, flowers set the mood and create the perfect atmosphere for your special day. However, when it comes to pricing, many couples feel a little unsure about what affects the cost of wedding flowers. In this post, we’ll break down how floral pricing works so you can feel confident about what to expect and plan your dream floral designs with ease.
1. Why Floral Pricing Varies
Floral pricing can vary widely depending on several factors. Understanding these will help you navigate the process with more confidence and ensure you're getting the best value for your investment. Here are the main elements that influence floral prices:
1.1 Type of Flowers
Different flowers come with different price points. Seasonal flowers are often less expensive because they are more readily available, while out-of-season flowers can be more costly due to the difficulty of sourcing them. For example, peonies in the off-season may cost significantly more than in-season blooms like roses or hydrangeas.
1.2 Floral Variety
A wedding with a wide range of floral and colour varieties, such as a mix of roses, orchids, ranunculus, peonies and hydrangeas, will typically be more expensive than one with a simpler selection. Specialty flowers, exotic blooms and a dynamic colour palette tend to drive up costs as they are rarer or require special care and handling, and involve detailed design work.
1.3 Quantity and Size of Arrangements
The number of arrangements you need plays a big role in your overall cost. Consider the bridal bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, boutonnières, ceremony flowers, and reception centerpieces—all of these add up. Larger arrangements or more elaborate displays, such as floral arches, hanging installations, and other statement pieces, will also increase the price.
And if your guest list is on the larger side—say, 350 people instead of 100—you’ll need three times as many centerpieces, which translates to three times the cost! On the flip side, an intimate venue with fewer guests may require fewer flowers, which is always a bonus.
Here’s a little tip I love sharing with my brides: If you're choosing a rectangular or harvest table over a classic round one, be ready to add a bit more to your floral and candle budget. A round table for eight guests only needs one centerpiece, but a rectangular table for the same number might need two or three! We absolutely adore these beautiful tables, but they do come with a little extra floral love (and cost!)
2. Understanding Floral Services and Labor Costs
In addition to the flowers themselves, a significant portion of your floral budget goes toward the labor involved in creating and setting up the arrangements.
2.1 Design and Setup
In addition to the flowers themselves, a big part of your floral budget goes toward the time and skill it takes to set up your arrangements and candleware. The more intricate and detailed your setup is—along with the number of pieces you choose—the more you'll need to budget for. Beautiful, detailed designs may require a little extra love (and cost!), but they’ll make your day absolutely stunning!
2.2 Delivery and Breakdown
Floral designers usually include delivery and breakdown charges in the pricing for your wedding flowers. The cost can vary depending on how far your venue is from the floral studio and how many arrangements need to be transported. Plus, if you’ve chosen large-scale designs, there may be additional fees for breaking down the displays after the event. If you're incorporating other decor like candleware, or using faux floral rentals and specialty pieces, those will also factor into the delivery and setup costs. And let’s not forget—this all begins at 1 a.m.! (The magic behind the scenes is real!)
3. How to Budget for Wedding Flowers
While it can be tricky to pinpoint an exact cost without a consultation, there are general guidelines that can help you estimate your floral budget:
3.1 Set Your Priorities
Start by determining which floral elements are most important to you. Do you want a statement bouquet or a stunning floral arch for your ceremony? Prioritize these elements first and allocate your budget accordingly. Keep in mind that flowers like the bridal bouquet and boutonnieres are typically smaller expenses but still carry significant emotional value.
3.2 Consider Your Venue
The size and style of your venue can also affect your floral budget. For example, if your venue has high ceilings or a large, open space, you may need larger floral arrangements to fill the space effectively. On the other hand, an intimate or smaller venue might require fewer flowers.
3.3 Get Multiple Quotes
Don’t be shy about getting quotes from a few different florists to help you compare pricing! Every floral designer has their own pricing style, which can vary depending on their expertise, location, and the flowers they choose to work with. When you get your quote, make sure it includes everything—flowers, design, setup, delivery, and any extra fees—so you’re comparing apples to apples (and not apples to oranges!). This way, you’ll know exactly what to expect and can make the best choice for your dreamy day!
4. Ways to Save on Wedding Flowers
If you're working with a tighter floral budget, there are a few smart strategies you can use to keep costs down without sacrificing beauty:
4.1 Choose In-Season Flowers
Opt for flowers that are in-season at the time of your wedding. Not only will these flowers be less expensive, but they will also be easier to source. Talk to your florist about what’s in season during your wedding month and use this to guide your choices.
4.2 Use More Greenery
Greenery is an excellent way to fill out arrangements without adding a high price tag. Eucalyptus, italian ruskus, ivy, and other types of foliage can add volume and texture to your floral arrangements while keeping costs lower.
4.3 Repurpose Flowers
Consider repurposing your ceremony flowers for the reception. Bouquets and altar arrangements can often be moved after the ceremony to decorate your reception space, saving you money on additional flowers.
4.4 Faux Floral Rentals
One of the best ways to save on your floral budget is by using faux floral rentals. At our studio, we offer high-quality faux floral rentals at a fraction of the cost of fresh flowers—often at about a third of the price. Faux florals are an excellent option for larger statement pieces like archways, ceremony florals, or centerpieces that need to last throughout the day..
4.5 DIY Options
If you’re feeling crafty, consider creating some of your floral designs yourself, like bridesmaid bouquets or table centerpieces. Just be mindful of the time, expertise, and effort involved to ensure your flowers stay fresh throughout the day.
5. Final Thoughts
Wedding flowers are such an important part of setting the tone and adding that extra touch of magic to your big day. Understanding what goes into floral pricing will help you make smart, informed decisions and create a budget that feels just right for you. Whether you’re dreaming of a simple, minimalist design or a full-blown floral wonderland, your flowers will bring beauty, elegance, and unforgettable charm to your celebration!
If you have any questions or need help designing the perfect floral arrangements, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’re here to help bring your floral dreams to life.