Congratulations, you’re engaged!
By now, you’ve set a date and have begun thinking about planning your wedding. If you have a budget, there’s a lot to consider if you want to stay on track. Before meeting with vendors, take a moment and prioritize the aspects of your wedding are the most important to you, as a couple.
If flowers are high on your priority list, a good rule of thumb is to reserve 10-15% of your total wedding budget for flowers. (For instance, if your wedding budget is $60,000, then $6,000-$9,000 is a good amount to set aside for floral designs).
Many couples allocate the majority of their budget to renting a venue or reserving a tent, renting tables, chairs, specialty linens and glassware and hiring a fantastic planner, photographer, lighting company and caterer. From there, couples think about flowers, their cake, dessert and small details like place cards, menu cards, Save the Date cards and formal invitations.
If flowers are important to you as a couple and you have a tight budget, keep your guest list small. Inviting fewer guests means fewer rentals (tables, chairs, linens, glassware), plated meals and alcohol. You can treat your guests to a more intimate experience with finishes that are luxurious and unique.
Below is a rough breakdown of what wedding flowers cost:
A Bridal bouquet can cost anywhere from $150-$200+. Much depends on the size and varieties of flowers used and seasonal availability.
Boutonnieres are labor intensive and cost anywhere from $20-$25.
Corsages require detailed work as well and cost $35 a piece, on average. Poseys can cost $35-$50 each.
Bridesmaids bouquets range anywhere from $75-$100+, depending on size and seasonal availability.
Ceremony Flowers can cost $400- $1200+ depending on the scale of the design. Some couples opt for a simpler design of flowers - either attached to one side of the arbor or chuppah. Other couples opt for elaborate arrangements lining the aisle with a grand display at the altar area.
Welcome Table flowers make a great focal point for your guests. Many couples choose to place their escort cards here. Expect to pay $150-$300 depending on the size of the table.
Cocktail Tables are small in size and a comfortable place for guests to stand while enjoying a post ceremony drink. Small arrangements are recommended for these tables, generally costing $25-$40 a piece.
Centerpieces. Reception tables are either 60” or 72” round or an 8’ -10’ rectangular table. Round tables allow for either low and wide or tall and dramatic centerpieces. If a couple has 20 round tables, a florist might suggest alternating the height of these arrangements to add interest to the room. Round table arrangements can cost a minimum of $125 and can easily reach $300+ depending on how full and dramatic the designs are.
If the reception includes rectangular tables (either separated or arranged end to end in a row), flowers can either be arranged in groupings or in a line. Assorted arrangements placed down the center of the table can cost anywhere from $135-$250+ per table. Garland is another option*, costing $20/ft on average depending on the type of greens used. Adding flowers increases that number to $35-40/ft.
*If the dinner service is “Family Style”, a long continuous line of garland will not be possible.
Gift Tables, Bars and Dessert/Cake Tables. For each of these tables, adding floral arrangements can cost about $100 each. If you’d like to save a little on your overall floral budget, you can choose to display bridesmaid bouquets on these tables instead.
Finally, don’t forget about delivery and set up fees* (which include labor, van rentals, travel time, day-of installation and rental pick up the day following your wedding). Wedding florists are service providers, so there will be sales and labor tax as well.
*Delivery and set up fees can vary based on the scale of your wedding.
