Wedding Florists Costs and Tips to Keep on Budget
The most common question asked of wedding florists is “how much will this cost”? It’s a valid question as there are a wide range of costs depending on several factors. Specific flower choices, colors, time of year, and location all play a role in determining costs.
The first consideration is your budget. The average wedding cost in the U.S. hovers around $30,000, reception included. This takes into account the most posh, expensive events as well as intimate DIY home weddings. However, it is a relatively accurate estimate for the average wedding and reception with 100-200 guests.
Typically, 8-10% of the of the total cost of the wedding is allocated to flowers. When planning a wedding, brides are strongly advised to determine a realistic budget before embarking on the planning process. The ultimate budget will help determine the amount set aside for flowers.
Various Factors Determine the Exact Pricing of Wedding Flowers
1. Varieties of flowers: Often the most popular flowers among brides tend to be the most expensive. For example, peonies and dahlias are in great demand as wedding flowers, yet both offer unique challenges to produce, ship, and store that make them pricey even when in season.
When not in season, still more challenges are compiled with preserving quality when shipping long distances. A percentage of fragile product is destined to be lost during this process; a cost ultimately recovered by the customer.
2. Color choices: Although the same process goes into producing a flower in various colors, simple supply and demand often makes some colors more costly than others.
Roses are a classic flower choice for brides, and are typically a mid-range price; however, novelty colors that closely match current color trends will often cost double or more than other colors.
Even the least expensive flowers, like carnations for example, are significantly more expensive in trendy wedding colors.
3. Time of year: Again, supply and demand come into play here. Prime wedding seasons, like May through June and September through October drive up the prices of popular wedding flowers.
This also applies to holidays. A Valentine’s Day wedding is romantic, but all flower costs are at a premium in the days surrounding this holiday. Demand for flowers combined with a floral designer’s time constraints all play into pricing. The same holds true for Mother’s Day Weekend, a popular time of year for weddings.
To a lesser degree seasonal availability of various fresh flowers plays a role in costs as well.
4. Location: Cost of living in various parts of the country differs significantly, this trickles down to the pricing of nearly any goods and services sold in these areas. Flowers tend to be more expensive in metropolitan cities. Real estate and rental prices drive up overhead costs which are passed on to the consumer.
This has impacted the number of conventional florist shops that take on wedding work and given way to an increasing number of floral designers who focus exclusively on weddings out of home studios.
Ideas to Keep Wedding Flowers Within Budget
1. Consider alternative flowers and colors: By stepping outside of current trends you can make your wedding unique. This can reduce your floral costs and let your style shine through.
2. Wedding Size: Guest count and the number of people in the wedding party has the biggest impact on overall flower costs. Larger guest counts not only require more tables, chairs, linens, food, and drinks; they also require more centerpieces at the reception.
With bridesmaids’ bouquets ranging between $60-$150 each and boutonnieres ranging between $17-$25 each, a large bridal party significantly increases flower costs.
3. Designer recommendations: Choose an experienced designer who can offer solid, expert advice on staying within budget without compromising your vision.
Although that expertise comes with a price tag, it can help eliminate many unnecessary expenses. Experienced floral designers have built an excellent repertoire with flower suppliers and are able to find the best prices from the most reliable resources.
Your floral designer accounts for all these factors and more when planning your dream day. The colors and style of your wedding dress along with the bridesmaids’ outfits, the venue and reception space must be taken into consideration.
Examine seasonal galleries on our website for ideas on wedding flowers to fit your style and budget. Or follow the link below and fill out the wedding inquiry form for a free consultation with Neal, a floral designer with over 30 years of experience.