Most people have no idea what to expect or where to start when it comes to organizing wedding flowers and the task can be daunting. Today I want to talk about the cost of wedding flowers, and how to better understand and compare estimates when choosing your wedding florist.
A lot of people will google things like “average cost of wedding flowers”, “how much do wedding flowers cost” or “how much should I spend on wedding flowers”, but the answer to these questions could be a million different numbers based on a million different factors. The lists and articles that these types of searches come up with are often confusing and misleading.
Let’s address averages. When you look at pages like the Wedding Wire or the Knot or a number of other wedding planning guides, you will find a lot of articles on the “average” cost of wedding flowers. But there is a huge problem with averages. To find this average number means they have taken into consideration all the DIY weddings, elopements, weddings where only bridal party flowers were ordered and even weddings where there was no floral budget at all. This puts the national average somewhere around $1500, when in actuality many florists have minimums starting far higher than that and most weddings which have ceremony and reception flowers are going to be double, at least. Given that averages do not provide a full or particularly informative picture, what is perhaps more telling is what is typical, not what is average. But even this is hugely subjective and dependent on so many things, like, the overall look, style, quantities, seasonality, location, level/quality of design and designer, labor intensity, difficulty, distance between studio and venue, type of arrangements and so on.
As an example, our typical package for wedding flowers here in Maine is around $8,000 but we do several weddings each year that have floral budgets as high as $20,000 as well as a few select smaller orders that fall into the $1,000-$3,000 range. So what causes this difference in cost? It’s mainly about scale, detail and labor. Some couples want simple table arrangements, a lightly flowered arbor, and personals. Others want their venue decked out with hanging arrangements, architectural installations, enormous centerpieces, extensive runner, etc. There simply is no easy answer to “what do wedding flowers cost”.
That said there are industry standards to floral pricing. Whether your estimates are line itemized or lump sum proposals, if you are sending each inquiry with the same details, the numbers you are getting back should be comparable. If for instance, three different florists quote you between $4,500-$5,000 and then one comes in around $2,000 you should see that as a huge red flag, not a great deal. It probably means that this particular designer has limited experience, is not booking enough, or has interpreted what you are asking for very differently from the other designers. Some designers will certainly be more expensive based on their style and experience, but concern is warranted when there is a difference of thousands below other quotes. This is why if you are shopping based on cost alone, you are likely to end up disappointed.
It is very important when researching wedding florists, to try to get a feel for the style and past work of the studio or designer with whom you are inquiring. Some florists and designers are less picky about what they put out or may interpret your vision differently so looking at past work, Instagram pages and websites of prospective designers is immensely important! The more work on display, the better. Look for consistency, intricacy and a style that you find fitting to your own aesthetic.
And don’t send inquiries to every florist under the sun, this is a sure way to confuse yourself and waste a lot of people’s time. Narrow your options down to between 1-3 studios whose work you love, and start there. Usually if a designer you really like is booked on your day, they will be able to point you in the direction of someone comparable.
But before going full steam into your florist search, try to figure out what you can afford to spend and how important flowers are to you. Attempt to find out what the florists you are interested in typically charge and if that fits your plans, before reaching out. Also, be forthcoming about your budget in inquiries, this will save you and your florist a lot of time.
One of the most common issues that I run into as a designer is clients who have a huge divide between the dream and the reality of their wedding flowers. It is not unusual to have inquiries from couples with $2,000 budgets looking for $20,000 worth of flowers. Lots of people are surprised by the cost of floral design. The internet tends to make you believe that a budget of $1,500 is a legitimate spend for a wedding overflowing with flowers (it isn’t) while Pinterest has filled your mind with unimaginably expensive inspirations and many florists are afraid to educate prospective clients, lest they loose business. But, a good, experienced designer will help you find a balance. We see weddings constantly and can help you figure out where to spend and where to save! The best advice I can give on finding the right wedding florist is to seek out a designer who you trust, feel comfortable talking to and who is willing to work with you to find a happy median where vision and budget can meet.
At the end of the day, whether flowers are your top priority or very low on your budgetary list you should be prepared to spend a decent amount on this aspect of your wedding and be open to compromise if you are working with a limited budget. Its likely that flowers will cost more than you anticipated.
While not all florists and designers will itemize your order (here at Bad Rabbit Flowers, for instance, we create proposals on a lump sum basis) below is a list of what some common items might typically cost from a reputable design team. Remember these are typical cost ranges that we see here in the Maine wedding industry. The numbers will vary slightly by location. In addition, extravagant, over the top designs can quickly double or triple these costs.
Also be aware that many event studios will have minimum spends for fully delivered and installed design projects and that delivery fees, taxes, and often labor fees (depending on how a particular business quotes) may be additional costs to consider.
Bridal or Groom’s bouquet - $200-$400
Bridesmaids/men or wedding party bouquets - $100-$200
Boutonnieres & pin-on corsages - $20-$35
Wrist Corsages - $35-$50
Flower crowns - $85-$150
Floral Jewelry - $35-$300
Low centerpieces - $85-$300
Tall centerpieces - $200-$500
Hand tied greenery-only garland - $20-$30 per foot
Floral and greenery mixed garland - $35-$50 per foot
Continuous centerpiece runner and other similar install work - $75-$150 per foot
Ceremony décor such as arbors or installs - $500-$3000
Hanging arrangements - $500-$3000
Large statement arrangements (entrance pieces, welcome tables, bars, etc.) - $200-$500