What is the average cost of wedding flowers? We help you determine how much wedding flowers will cost so you can budget correctly for your wedding.
Flowers are one of the most memorable parts of weddings. They bring an overwhelming sense of romance and luxury to the ceremony and reception spaces, add beauty and sophistication to the entire wedding party’s look, and elevate the wedding decor and resulting photography. But what’s the price of all of this natural beauty? Can you afford to have the wedding flowers of your dreams, even if you’re on a budget? Or you may have the most basic question: What is the average cost of wedding flowers?
Using our guide below, you can learn tips for planning your wedding flower budget and find out exactly how much certain kinds of wedding flowers cost. We’ll answer your burning questions, from “How much are boutonnieres?” to the average wedding florist cost, so that you can grasp how much to expand your wedding floral allowance. There’s no ambiguity here, and you’ll even learn a few tips about having stunning wedding flowers on a budget. Ready? Let’s chat florals!
What is the average cost of wedding flowers?
According to florists, the average cost of flowers for a wedding is around $3,500. However, flower prices can fluctuate widely based on their availability, and it can be easy to add floral expenses without even realizing it (what’s one more boutonniere?). That said, it may be wise to budget a bit more for your wedding florist cost just to be on the safe side.
Floral budget breakdown
So, how much do wedding flowers cost? Here is a breakdown of approximately how much each floral arrangement element costs, to help you create a floral budget that works for you. Your florist may even have a few preset wedding floral packages to save a little on cost. Although you could have DIY wedding flowers, you may not want the stress of making your own so close to the special day.
Bridal bouquet - $170-$250
Depending on how unique and overflowing your wedding bouquet is, you could spend over $200. Looking for a way to keep your bridal bouquet cost down? Incorporate your favorite seasonal flowers into your floral arrangement to help determine your wedding party flowers cost.
Bridesmaid bouquets - $65-$100 each
How much is a bouquet of flowers? This wedding flower cost will depend on the type of blooms you want in your bouquets and the number of bridesmaids in your party. If you want a larger bridal party or elaborate bouquets, be prepared to spend more than $300 total.
Boutonnieres/corsages - $20-$30 each
Depending on the same factors as bridesmaids’ bouquets (the number of people, the type of flowers used, etc.), you could easily spend over $200 on boutonnieres and corsages, so budget accordingly.
Ceremony/reception decor - $300-$600
The amount you spend on event decorations can vary widely depending on the size of your venue and the number of tables or display spaces you’d like to embellish. Depending on the number of decorations you have, you can easily spend close to or over $1,000 on more expensive petals and elaborate designs.
Centerpieces - $200-$400 each
Some couples will spend between $500 and $650 each on more ornate and lavish table centerpieces, but as you know by now, it all depends on the size of the flower arrangements, the types of flowers used, and how elaborate each wedding centerpiece design is. The table decorations you choose can greatly impact your average cost of wedding flowers.
Flower girl/ring bearer - $25-$50
These may not be a part of every couple’s wedding party, but if you plan on having one or a few sweet kiddos walk down the aisle before you, plan on spending between $25+ for his or her blooms.
Flower petals - $80-$200
If you’ve dreamed of walking down an aisle scattered with fresh flower petals, you can estimate that you’ll need an additional $80 to $200 to make this vision come to life, but for rare or out-of-season blooms (or for very long aisles), you’ll need to plan on spending more. If this floral element isn't a dealbreaker, this is one part of your flower budget you can skip.
It’s also important to consider that although these are the average amounts couples spend, some will spend more on one floral element and less on another. Know what kind of flowers you absolutely want and what you’re willing to splurge on vs. sacrifice.
How to make a wedding flower budget
Gain inspiration
The first step in creating your floral budget is browsing real weddings to get inspiration. Pay attention to the images of flowers that you’re drawn to, and try to find patterns in what you like. Save your favorites to your Zola account so you can share them at consultations with florists later.
Consider your wedding day details and what’s realistic to expect. Factors like your wedding location, date, style, and venue will all impact both the flower options available and their associated costs.
Brainstorm ideas
Next, make a list of your desired floral decorations. Also, formulate a list of questions before you begin interviewing florists to set expectations early (and avoid going over budget). You should be able to answer their questions about how many attendants you have and whether you want a floral ceremony backdrop or not.
Start planning
Based on the kinds of florals you want, research the general prices for each item. Although we have general guidelines below, be sure to interview professional wedding florists to get actual price quotes and ensure your estimates are within the floral budget figure you have in mind.
Factors affecting floral budgets
Couples typically allocate 8-10% of their total wedding budget to florals, but this number can vary depending on various factors. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to those asking, “How much do wedding flowers cost?” The average cost of wedding flowers is just a guide, and if you’re savvy, you can save. But you can also have more lavish florals if that’s what you envision for your big day.
Types of flowers
Some flowers are more expensive than others. Individual blooms are priced per stem, while garlands are priced per linear foot. Your florist should be able to suggest a few “splurge” blooms to place in high-profile locations, like the bridal bouquet, and less expensive flowers to use in the majority of your other bouquets and decorations.
Styles of arrangements
Like individual flower types, certain arrangements can cost more. Arrangements that contain many expensive flowers, large arrangements, or arrangements that require extra labor and installation (such as hanging arrangements or floral arches) will all cost more than smaller, more modest arrangements in simple containers.
Florist experience
As with most businesses, the more experienced a florist is, the more he or she will charge for their services. Need help finding a trusted florist? Browse Zola's vendor directory for trusted wedding florists in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and more.
Set up and delivery fees
Other costs that couples tend to overlook are the setup and delivery fees, which you will usually encounter when talking to local florists. Before signing a contract with a professional, be sure to ask if delivery and set up fees are included in their price quote, and if they’re not, ask how much these fees tend to run as this can also impact the average cost of wedding flowers.
Venue flower policies
If you’re getting married in a house of worship, inquire what the policy is for bringing in outside flowers to the church, synagogue, or mosque. Some churches actually require you to provide arrangements for the altar and ask that they remain as a donation for services the next day—be sure to inquire so you can factor this cost (and/or your inability to reuse these arrangements) into your budget. On the other hand, some religious venues do not allow any outside flowers to be brought in, so be aware of all policies before you put down a floral deposit for arrangements you can’t use.
Tips to save money on wedding flowers
1. Reuse your bridesmaid bouquets (and ceremony décor).
One trick to maximize your floral budget is to reuse the bridesmaids’ bouquets, placing them in tabletop vases after pictures have been taken. Let your floral designer or wedding planner know ahead of time that you’d like to reallocate your bridal party flowers. You can even ask your maid of honor to do this task (just make sure the vases are ready to go). Similarly, reuse the blooms from your wedding ceremony at the reception. For example, move the large altar arrangements to the dessert table and the aisle decorations to reception tables.
2. Think outside the vase.
While no one can argue that fresh flowers are a lovely way to decorate your reception tables, there are plenty of other ways to distinguish your wedding decor without increasing your floral budget. Getting creative here can be a great way to integrate your wedding theme and add a personal touch to your fête.
3. Choose a naturally beautiful venue.
To save on your floral budget without sacrificing beautiful ambiance, consider booking your wedding at an outdoor venue—such as a park, garden, mountaintop, or private backyard—that is already full of stunning flowers and striking landscapes.
4. Select single-bloom bridesmaid bouquets.
Have your bridesmaids carry one gorgeous bloom instead of a whole bouquet. A single long-stem rose, or a stunning peony goes a long way.
5. Reduce the size of your wedding (or wedding party).
While the size of your wedding party determines how many bouquets and boutonnieres you’ll need to purchase, the number of attending guests determines how many centerpieces you will need. We know trimming the guest list can be tough, but your wallet will thank you later.
6. Choose in-season flowers
If you love peonies, you’re in luck for a May wedding, but you’ll pay a premium in December. Chat with your florist about what blooms are in season during your wedding month, which can help you save on inflated out-of-season costs. You may even be able to source flowers locally, which can help forgo shipping charges.
Whether you’re hiring a professional florist or plan to DIY your flower arrangements, tracking the cost is paramount for determining your average cost of wedding flowers. Consider using the budget tracker on the Zola app throughout wedding planning to keep your spending—including florals—in order. And, of course, if you’re searching for a floral pro, use Zola’s marketplace to find a local florist.
