Your Wedding Floral Budget

Posted Wednesday, January 27, 2010 in Professional

Flowers are an integral part of the ritual that is a wedding.  This custom has only changed moderately over time, as styles change.  The floral component of your celebration is central to your enjoyment of the day, to the overall theme of the event, and to the impact of your photography when your wedding day has passed.

We consider three factors in the creation of your bridal floral components.  Colour, theme and cost.  We imagine the content of your bouquet as a component during your day, and also for the way in which the photos of your bouquets will be captured.

Your floral budget should be separated into two categories, your bridal party, and your event components.

Your bridal party will consist of your attendants and yourselves, as well as any special people you choose to distinguish with a corsage or bouttonierre.  The size of this second group is subjective, but normally the parents of the bride and groom are acknowledged, as well as the MC for the event.  Grandparents may also be distinguished, if you choose.  We advise that you consider where to ‘cut off’ this acknowledgment, as it can greatly impact your cost.

The average cost for either a fresh or silk bouquet for the bride is $110, with the bridesmaids pieces being slightly less, due to the smaller size normally requested for these items.  A bridal party of 3 attendants per side, therefore, would average at 490.00 with additional taxes.

Your venue, or centerpieces, have a wider range of possible costs.  It is important that your florist is familiar with the venue you have chosen, as they are likely to have created items for this space before, and to have ideas of what will work well.  Flowers are only one option for your centerpieces, as are candles, or candy dishes, or photos.

Delivery of your items to your venue of choice is an additional amount for most florists, as there are often multiple items to be sent to the location.  Oftentimes a family member can be encouraged to pick up your items.  Please ask your florist how these items will be packaged so that the risk of damage is alleviated.

On site floral services are also an option.  Large pieces for the celebration space, as well as centerpieces are often created on site.  This is money well spent, as table pieces often will shift in design while being moved, and will not appear as the florist has intended.  Larger pieces increase this risk during delivery, and the onsite work allows for the perfect piece to be ready for the event as it begins.

Speaking with your florist up to 6 months before your event is acceptable.  It is best to assure your preferred date with a deposit in advance, and to not be concerned about last minute changes in the schedule of your preferred florist.

Seasonal changes in product can be addresses by a qualified florist at any time of the year.  You can discuss in the fall, the items available in the spring as an example.
Packages are difficult to create for florists, as there are so many variables in the sizes of the bridal parties, and the prices of flowers adjust over the course of a year, due to the flowers being a commodity item.

Please consider the level of integrity and skill of your florist, as carefully as you consider who will be creating your menu, and who will be composing your dessert, the theme of your event and your photography.

Your florist is a great resource to also assist you with finding other vendors who will serve you well.

This very special day is a once in a lifetime event for you, but your florist has been through this many many times, and has great ideas and insights to share that will enhance your entire experience.