How Much To Budget

An excellent rough “idea” of how much you should set aside for flowers is at least 10% of your overall wedding budget, so a couple with a $22,000 budget should set aside around $2,200 for wedding flowers. And remember, if you’re in a metropolitan area, your costs will be higher, especially if you’re getting things like flower walls or fancy table arrangements. However, that’s just a ballpark figure, let’s get a little more in-depth. 

Here’s a breakdown of the cost of wedding flowers. Below we have some common floral design options and the average cost for each:

• Bridal bouquet: $100 – $350
• Bridesmaid bouquets (each): $65 – $100
• Boutonnieres/corsages (each): $20 – $45
• Flower child and ringbearer bouquets: $15 – $75
• Flower petals: $65 – $100
• Altar flowers/flower arch: $200 – $500
• Table arrangements: $365 – $850

If you want aisle decor for your pews, expect to add $150-$250 per aisle. Or, if you want a unique flower wall for a photo op, expect to add $350 – $600. 

These costs can be higher if your professional florist charges for design, not per arrangement. This means you’re technically not just buying flowers but also paying someone to arrange, deliver, install, and meet your satisfaction or vision.

How Have Wedding Flower Costs Changed Over the Years?

The average cost of wedding flowers had a 20% increase from 2019, back when the average cost was only $2,000 and then there was a 4.3% increase in 2021, bringing us to about $3,000 as the national average for wedding flowers. Now if you have a smaller wedding that requires fewer flower arrangements, you may end up paying less, while if you’re having a luxury wedding or want elaborate arrangements with flowers that are in high demand, the final quote will be more.

Some venues have vendor packages or discounts that have in-house floral designers and while $3,000 is a great place to start for your floral designer and floral budget, so many things can influence the price of flowers.

It depends on what you and your partner consider to be most important for your wedding and how their flowers will fit with the theme and size of the wedding. 

Tips For Saving Money On Wedding Flowers

Here are some of our top favorite tips on how to save money on flowers for your wedding:

• Choose in-season, locally-grown flowers. These are likely better and more affordable options than exotic or out-of-season flowers that must be flown in or attended to more.
• Mix expensive flowers with cost-saving ones. Certain types of roses, peonies, and orchids can run up your wedding flower bill very quickly, so try mixing some less expensive freesia, baby’s breath, or alstroemeria. The bouquets and decor are still going to be very beautiful and with a speckle of a few of the more expensive flowers throughout it’ll give your arrangements a pop in a budget-friendly way.
• Look at wholesale options. Getting flowers from larger companies like Costo or Sams Club is a great money-saving option and they have fantastic flowers for a fraction of the price if you’re DIYing a lot of your wedding flowers.
• Pick plants instead of fresh-cut blooms. Even if you’re going for a simple bouquet, chances are likely that you’ll spend hundreds of dollars on flowers, so why not consider using plants instead? Plants or succulents can be just as beautiful and dramatic as traditional floral arrangements. Potted plants are typically cheaper than cut flowers because they don’t have to be transported from the farm to the shop. Meaning once you’ve picked out your perfect potted plant for your table decorations you just set them out when you’re ready and that’s it!
  
• Choose your  “wow” moments. Instead of having flowers everywhere at your wedding pick only one or two “wow” moments like doing a hanging garden or a flower wall to make it noteworthy and if done tastefully can be an amazing floral decor addition. Basically, avoid having multiple pieces of the same thing on each table because it creates an overstimulating effect for guests and can seem tacky. 
• Add decor to the flowers. To limit the number of flowers you need, add candles, lanterns, wood, vases with beads inside, garlands, and anything else that matches your wedding style to elevate and use up the empty table space. By making mood lighting and other decor another focal point in your displays, you can save on your wedding flower costs by needing less.
• Mix Fake With Real. Artificial wedding flowers cost about half that of real flowers. And while faux blooms don’t give the same feel and smell as authentic flowers, mixing a few real flowers with the fake ones, you can get the best of both worlds with a budget-friendly option and it looks amazing. 
• Reuse your ceremony flowers for your reception. You bought them so you have every right to get the big, statement floral arrangements that your heart desires and easily repurpose those flowers used earlier in the day for the reception. This is a great way to cut prices and stick to a strict budget while still attaining the desired look for your wedding.
• Ask your florist for advice. Your florist will be able to suggest budget-friendly alternatives from someone who knows the industry, and their experience will help to translate your vision to reality, whatever the theme or budget so don’t be afraid to ask them for help!
• Book a naturally beautiful venue. By picking a pretty beach, a gorgeous garden, or a wooded grove as your wedding backdrop, you’ll need fewer flowers since you’ll already be surrounded by such natural beauty. And then just enhance your surroundings with simple floral accents. 

Wedding Flower Cost FAQ:

Who traditionally pays for wedding flowers?

Traditionally the groom’s family will pay for the flowers involved in the wedding, including the bride’s bouquet, the groomsmen and usher boutonnieres, plus the corsages and mini bouquets for the mothers and grandmothers.

Is it cheaper to buy your own flowers for your wedding?

One of the significant benefits of DIY wedding flowers is how budget friendly they are. It definitely saves money on a professional florist if you can do it yourself, though that does require more time and effort on your end so if you’re okay with that, DIY flowers are a great money-saving option.

Why are wedding florists so expensive?

You might not think there’s a lot behind wedding flowers, but you are paying for a quality product, time and labor put into designing and getting the flowers, and professional expertise. You won’t get the same touch as you would without a florist, but if budget is a genuine concern, you don’t have to go through a professional.

What is the most expensive flower for weddings?

Peonies are certainly the most expensive when it comes to wedding flowers. Everyone loves them and wants them, so they’re highly coveted by the wedding industry.

Is baby’s breath cheap for weddings?

Baby’s breath are easily the most inexpensive flowers option for wedding bouquets or table centerpieces. Baby’s breath offers a light sweet look while having a long shelf life.

In conclusion, wedding flowers can be expensive, though, with the right conversations with a wedding florist and a well-laid-out plan, you can get your dream flowers all within your wedding floral budget too. If you’re looking for more wedding tips and advice check out our site, The Groom Club, to help your wedding go smoothly and in-budget.