When you don’t know how many flowers you need for a wedding, you may order more than necessary, leading to overspending on your wedding budget.
Since starting Jennifer Cole Florals in 2005, I’ve helped couples save on wedding floral expenses by assisting them to determine the correct number of flowers for their arrangements. As I want you to have beautiful floral arrangements, I’m going to teach you how to calculate how many flowers are needed for a wedding.
How to Calculate How Many Flowers You Need for a Wedding
To calculate the number of flowers needed for a wedding, consider your wedding party size and desired type. A good rule of thumb is to count the number of stems you want in an arrangement, then multiply that by the number of arrangements. Make sure to think about a flower’s size and availability.
As a wedding flower specialist, I understand how overwhelming it can be to determine the right number of flowers for your arrangements. With that said, I’m here to guide you through the process.
Gauge the Venue Size
When determining the number of flowers needed for a wedding, I first consider the venue’s size. For example, when I design for larger event spaces in California, I typically provide more floral decorations to fill the space and create a cohesive atmosphere.
This is why whenever I conceptualize arrangements for couples, I scope out the venue to estimate the number of arrangements based on the floor plan and key areas. These may include the ceremony arch, aisle, and reception tables.
Consider the Wedding Theme
The wedding theme plays a vital role in deciding the number of flowers. If the theme is romantic and lush, I recommend using more flowers and greenery to create a more opulent atmosphere.
On the other hand, a minimalist or modern theme may require fewer flowers and more emphasis on clean lines and geometric arrangements.
Account for the Wedding Party
When calculating the quantity of flowers needed, it’s essential to consider who wears flowers at a wedding. I make sure to take into account the size of the bridal party when making a flower count.
For example, I calculate the number of bouquets for bridesmaids, boutonnieres for groomsmen, and flowers for any involved family members.
Choose the Type of Flower
Lastly, the type of flowers selected can significantly impact the overall quantity needed. Some flowers, like hydrangeas and peonies, have larger blooms, meaning fewer stems are necessary to create full arrangements.
On the other hand, smaller blooms like roses or ranunculus may require more stems to achieve similar fullness.
How Many Flowers Do I Need for Wedding Floral Arrangements?
While these are general guidelines, calculating the number of wedding flowers needed requires carefully evaluating your vision and the individual floral arrangements.
| Arrangement | Small Size | Medium Size | Large Size |
| Bouquet | 15-20 flowers | 20-30 flowers | 30-40 flowers |
| Centerpiece | 10-15 focal florals 10-12 filler flowers 4-5 greenery stems | 15-20 focal florals 15-20 filler flowers 6-8 greenery stems | 25-30 focal florals 20-25 filler flowers 10-12 greenery stems |
| Corsage | 1 focal flower, 1-2 filler/secondary flowers, and 1-2 stems of greenery | 2-3 focal flowers, 2-3 filler/secondary flowers, and 2-3 stems of greenery | 4+ focal flowers, 3-4 filler/secondary flowers, and 3-4 stems of greenery |
| Boutonniere | 1-2 flowers | 3-4 flowers | 5-6 flowers |
| Decoration | 10-15 stalks of focal flowers 5-10 stems of accent flowers 4-8 stalks of filler flowers | 15-20 stalks of focal flowers 10-15 stems of accent flowers 8-12 stalks of filler flowers | 20-25 stalks of focal flowers 15-20 stems of accent flowers 12-18 stalks of filler flowers |
| Arbor | 1 greenery bucket (3-5 bunches), 20-35 stalks of flowers | 1 to 1-1/2 greenery buckets (5-8 bunches), 50-70 stalks of flowers | 2-3 greenery buckets (10-12 bunches), 100-120 stalks of flowers |
Flowers for Bouquets
The exact number can vary depending on the size and style you prefer. Despite that, I typically recommend the following guidelines for different sizes of bouquets:
- Small bouquet: 15-20 flowers
- Medium bouquet: 20-30 flowers
- Large bouquet: 30-40 flowers
Flowers for Centerpieces
For a small centerpiece, which generally measures around six to eight inches, I recommend using:
- 10-15 focal flowers
- 4-5 greenery stems
- 10-12 filler flowers
Moving on to medium-sized centerpieces, with a diameter of about 10-12 inches:
- 15-20 focal flowers
- 6-8 greenery stems
- 15-20 filler flowers
Lastly, for a large centerpiece with a diameter of around 14-16 inches:
- 25-30 focal flowers
- 10-12 greenery stems
- 20-25 filler flowers
Flowers for Corsages
Several couples have come to me distressed because they struggled to create DIY corsages. The problem? They didn’t consider focal and filler flowers.
Here’s a simple guideline I follow when designing corsages.
- Small corsage: 1 focal flower, 1-2 filler/secondary flowers, and 1-2 stems of greenery
- Medium corsage: 2-3 focal flowers, 2-3 filler/secondary flowers, and 2-3 stems of greenery
- Large corsage: 4+ focal flowers, 3-4 filler/secondary flowers, and 3-4 stems of greenery
Flowers for Boutonnieres
Boutonnieres are among my expertise, especially when striking the perfect balance between design and budget. Here are the different sizes and how many flowers to use for each.
- Small boutonnieres: 1-2 flowers
- Medium boutonnieres: 3-4 flowers
- Large boutonnieres: 5-6 flowers
Flowers for Decorations
What I love about designing floral decorations is that they can be fairly flexible, depending on your budget, preferred style, and the venue’s size.
For small arrangements, such as centerpieces, I suggest using:
- 10-15 stems of focal florals
- 5-10 stems of accent flowers
- 4-8 stems of filler flowers
Medium arrangements, like larger centerpieces, usually require:
- 15-20 stalks of focal florals
- 10-15 stalks of accent flowers
- 8-12 stalks of filler flowers
Finally, for large arrangements such as statement decor pieces, consider the following:
- 20-25 stems of focal florals
- 15-20 stems of accent flowers
- 12-18 stems of filler flowers
Flowers for Arbors
When creating arbor arrangements, I like to mix sizes and textures for a harmonious yet interesting look. By following these guidelines, your arbor will be beautifully adorned with the perfect amount of flowers and greenery.
- Small arbor: 1 greenery bucket (3-5 bunches), 20-35 stalks of flowers
- Medium arbor: 1 to 1-1/2 greenery buckets (5-8 bunches), 50-70 stalks of flowers
- Large arbor: 2-3 greenery buckets (10-12 bunches), 100-120 stalks of flowers
Related Questions
How Many Flowers Do You Use in Weddings?
When planning how many flowers you need to use for weddings, a good rule of thumb is to prepare at least 10 to 30 stems for bouquets and one to two flowers with greens for boutonnieres and corsages. You can also start with 75 stems for venue decorations and 120 stalks for centerpieces.
What Factors Could Influence the Number of Flowers in a Wedding?
The availability of flowers, the time of your wedding, and your wedding venue can influence the quantity of flowers you need. The seasonality can determine your choice of flowers. Meanwhile, the event time and venue can impact the size of the floral arrangements.
How Many Stems Are Needed for Wedding Flowers?
To give you a rough idea, bridal bouquets can require 18 to 30 stems, bridesmaid bouquets 10 to 15 stems, and centerpieces anywhere from 20 to 50 stems, depending on the size and style. The number of stems needed varies depending on the types of arrangements and the wedding party’s size.
Conclusion
When calculating the number of flowers needed for a wedding, consider the size of the arrangements, type of flowers, and budget. With professional florists and event designers from Jennifer Cole Florals, you get a more accurate estimate tailored to your specific wedding vision and style. Happy wedding flower planning!
