A helpful guide to budgeting For your Flowers
I'm so glad you're here! When it comes to flowers, it can be really tricky to nail down a budget that feels reasonable as well as gives your wedding the style you're going for. This article is not to give you an alternative to live flowers, but rather to help you prepare and budget for them, so that you can make a wedding budget that is most realistic for you. To help with this, I've asked my good friend Taylor with Native Petals to lend me some guidance, one wedding pro to another. I hope you enjoy this guide, and if you'd like to reach out to Taylor, you can find her contact info in the link at the bottom of this post.
Happy Planning!
Weddings Ondeck
Step 1. FInd out what's blooming during your wedding month
When choosing your wedding flowers, there are a few different ways to decide what is going to work best for you on the big day. To help you plan, I've asked a local florist (Native Petals) to give some insight on how to best choose flowers that you'll be in love with for any season! A key thing when choosing your florist, is to research that person's portfolio.
Flowers by season in the North AL Region
Fall
Zone 7 flowers (Huntsville)
Dahlias
Straw Flowers
Rudbeckia Varieties
Eucalyptus
Zinnias
Sun Flowers
Cosmos
Celosia
Pampas Grass
Mahogony Hibiscus
Jackson Vine
Silver Shield
Gomphrina
Oisianthus
Winter
Hellebores
Holly
Evergreens
Spring
Anemonies
Tulips
Renunculus
Peonies
Snap Dragons
Orlaya
Poppies
Bachelor Buttons
Sweet peas
Daffodils
Snowball Hydrangeas (white & green)
Cherry blossoms
Wisteria
Willow
Summer
Renunculus
Delphiniums
Scabiosa
Black eyed susans
Cosmos
Zinnias
Snap Dragons
Dahlias
Camamiles
Amorants
All Hydrangeas
Step 2. Find out what your floral style is
Flowers By Style
Classic
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Bohemian
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English Garden
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Southern Belle
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Step 3. How much of my budget should go towards flowers?
The Essentials
The essentials whether you go with live, silk, or wooden flowers are these:
Bride's Bouquet(s)
Bridesmaids Bouquet(s)
Groom's Boutonniere(s)
Groomsmen's boutonniere(s)
Corsages for Mother of the Bride
Corsages for all Grandmothers
Boutonnieres for all Patriarchs
Loose petals for a flower girl
*Officiant should not be expected to wear a flower, but should be asked.
Estimated Pricing for Live Flowers
Bridal Bouquet: $125-$200
Bridesmaid Bouquet: $65-$100
Corsages & Boutonnieres: $25-$45
Loose Toss Petals: $25-$50
Centerpieces
Lets talk about what in your wedding needs a centerpiece. This helps determine a lot. Here are the main surfaces that you may want to budget having a centerpiece:
- Reception tables
- Buffet table
- Cake table
- Guest book table
- Favors table
- Bar(s)
These are all places where you benefit from having flowers on a surface to give a little bit of an extra something. Not to mention, it's going to look beautiful in your photos.
Estimated Pricing for Live Flowers
Large centerpieces like buffet arrangements will cost roughly: $250 each
Medium centerpieces such as reception table arrangements vary from: $75-$200 a piece depending on your floral choice.
Small arrangements that are more accent related will run: $25 a piece
Archways
When it comes to your wedding ceremony, your arbor, archway, cross, hoop, chuppah, etc. Is going to be the main focus decoratively. The main thing to keep in mind when choosing your flowers for this particular decoration, is that they will be in the background of all of your ceremony photos.
Another consideration is how much of the beams making up this item are going to be exposed. An arbor with less coverage needed will absolutely be a little bit easier on your budget, as will a bare arch with side accent arrangements.
Either way you decide to go, you can anticipate a cost of:
Archways: $175-$500
Accent Arrangements: $75-$250 a piece
Fun accents
Everyone loves the Pinterest photo look for their big day. The easiest way to get that look is to invest in a few fun accents with your flowers! Aisle markers, aisle accent arrangements, and thick rows of sprinkled rose petals are a great option to give your aisle a luxury feel. If you're considering these accents, you can expect these costs:
Aisle Markers (on chairs) $25
Aisle Accents (base of chairs) $75-200
Pre-Sprinkled Petals: $80-$165
fAQ with a florist: Native Petals
Q: The first thing I get asked about is budget, what is a reasonable floral budget to start planning with?
A: People expect to spend about $2,000 for their floral budget, with recent increases in flower prices, double that budget!
Q: How do I get that pricing down?
A: Look for florals native to your area! (request guide for Locally grown flowers from Native Petals Huntsville)
Q: What is the most important thing to consider when picking a florist?
A: When choosing your florist, consider how busy your florist is, and book early. You'll get a lot more attention if your florist isn't stretched thin the month of your wedding date because you put your flowers as the last thing to book.
Q: What is your style of florals?
A: Organic & Whimsical, staying as true to nature as possibly. Very bohemian with little touches of classic.
Q: Who else is a big factor when choosing your wedding day vendors?
A: Your photographer, hands down! I can make your bouquet however you want, but the editing style of the photographer may impact the look you're going for in your photos down the line.
Q: Does having a day of coordinator help with florals?
A: Yes! Your day of coordinator is so important if you don't want to be stressed out leading up to and on the big day. Your day will run so much smoother if you have someone helping decorate and managing your vendors.
Q: how late can I book my florals?
A: No later than 4-5 months prior to your wedding day, Florists fill up fast!
Tips:
- Only have one source for flowers to avoid different levels of quality in style.
- Budget for your florist to physically put your arrangements together onsite.
