2010-06-09 07:00:00 by SMARTBRIDE
Floral Expert Advice: Priceless Advice on How to Budget for Your Wedding Flowers
Weddings are an incredible expense and there’s no shortage of ways to spend your money. Aside from the big ticket items like venues and dresses, brides don't always investigate the hidden costs behind some of the elements that make for a great wedding.
Image Courtesy of FLUR.
Often, wedding flowers are one of the last things that couples include in their budget. It's all too common for brides to pick a magic number instead of researching how many flowers they’ll get for this magic amount. The prices you see in your local flower shop have little to do with the final cost of wedding flowers (bouquets, arrangements etc.).
If you're honest with your florist about your budget, you can select flowers and use alternative techniques to make sure your wedding is beautiful and affordable for you.
There's nothing worse than a bride who insists she has no budget, leaving the florist to plan a luxurious and elegant event, only to freak out when she hears the quote. It's okay to admit you don't know how much flowers cost, but try to think of a comfortable range that your florist can work within. She’ll let you know if your budget is unrealistic for the types of flowers you want.
Approximate Pricing for Wedding Items:
Image Courtesy of FLUR.
*Note*: These prices will vary depending on the quality of the florist shop, you’re location, and the floral varieties you choose.
Personal Flowers:
- Bride's Bouquet - $200 - $400.
This can cost even more if the flowers are expensive or the bouquet has intricate details. Remember, the more complex or labor intensive the bouquet, the higher the price.
- Toss Bouquet - $35 - $65
- Body Flowers - $15 - $25 for boutonnieres, $20 - 25 for each pin-on corsage, $25 - $30 for a basic wrist corsage, and $30 - $65 for a fancy wire wrist corsage jewelry piece.
- Flower girl - $30 - $75 per flower girl.
Ceremony Decor:
- Pew markers - $40 - $125
- Large Alter Arrangements - $150 - $400
- Archway - $500 - $1200 (depending on level of coverage)
Reception Decor:
- Table Centerpieces - $25 - $75 for small arrangements, and $100 - $250 for larger arrangements.
- Guestbook - $75 - $150
- Cake Flowers - $45 - $150
- Head Table - $250 - $500 depending on the length of table and arrangement type.
Everyone loves a good bargain, but be cautious! If you choose the cheapest florist you may be surprised at what you end up with. As with any trade, talent and experience cost more.
Choose a florist you can really connect with and who understand what you want your flowers to contribute to your event. Remember that your wedding can be beautiful regardless of your budget, so just be honest, willing to communicate and to compromise. Your florist will love you if you’re honest with her!
Alex
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About our Guest Florist Blogger Alex:
Alex Bazos is a floral designer with 7 years of industry experience focusing on wedding and event florals. As the owner and principal designer of FLUR Designs Inc. in Edmonton, she has become one of the chief proponents of modern floral design in western Canada. Alex believes strongly in educating and inspiring brides and young designers about the new floral design.
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