One of the biggest expenses when planning a wedding is the flowers and decoration. However most of us only ever plan one wedding in our lifetimes, so it’s almost impossible for us to know the average cost of wedding flowers. Did you know the average cost of wedding flowers is 8% of your total budget? Or is it 10%? Or should you spend no more than $3,000?
You thought finding your perfect dress would be difficult, but it’s got nothing on buying wedding flowers.
Your wedding flowers are so much more than your bouquet. And the total average cost also depends on where you buy them, the types of wedding flowers you choose, how many, and what season you get married in.
But the good news is that even the best wedding flowers might cost less than you think. So, how much do wedding flowers cost? This guide will help you figure out how much you need to budget and make sure you do not overspend.
Common Types of Wedding Flowers
When pricing up wedding flower packages with a local florist like Luv Sola Flowers or another store, you need to know what you want. Sure, you likely want a bridal bouquet, but what about everything else?
Here is a list of the most common types of wedding flowers that most brides and grooms opt for:
- Bridal bouquet
- Bridesmaids bouquets
- Boutonnieres
- Corsages
- Table centerpieces
- Ceremony/altar flower arrangements
If you love flowers, you could also order the following for your wedding:
- Reception flower arrangements
- Flower girl petals
- Bridal flower crown
- Cake flowers
- Flower place settings
You will, of course, need to book your venue before you order flowers so you know exactly the size and amount of flower decorations you want/need.
Also, you need to know how many bridesmaids and groomsmen you will have. And you might need to factor in parents, grandparents, and Great-Auntie Barbara when you order boutonnieres and corsages.
The average number of bridesmaids is three to five and the number of groomsmen often matches. Keep this in mind when considering the average cost of wedding flowers! If you have eight of each, expect to pay higher than the average.
Average Cost of Bridal Party Bouquets: $200
So, how much are wedding flowers when you break them down by arrangement? Let’s start with the most important: the bridal bouquet.
Brides spend anywhere from $100 to $300 on their bouquets. On the cheaper end of the spectrum, you can expect simple bouquets with one kind of flower decorated with foliage. And on the more expensive end, you can expect a lot of variety, color, and a long trail.
The cost also depends on which flowers you choose. Roses, carnations, lilies, and hydrangeas are all great budget flower options for bridal bouquets. They are common yet pretty and classic flowers and will help keep the average cost of bridal party bouquets modest.
On the pricier end, peonies rule the roost. All brides want to carry peonies down the aisle and they are one of the most expensive flowers available. They are only in season for around one month in the summer, so they are rare as well as popular.
How To Save Money on Bridal Bouquets
One of the best ways to save money on bridal bouquets is to opt for dried flowers. Not only do they look striking but they will last between six months to one year. So, you can look at them at home and remember your wedding day for months afterward.
But if you are set on fresh flowers, wildflowers are inexpensive plus they can look very dramatic. Opting for a signature bouquet flower – like roses or sunflowers, for example – with some fern as a filler looks minimalist, chic, and modern.
Average Cost of Bridesmaids Bouquets: $75 Each
Bridesmaids’ bouquets are often smaller versions of the bridal bouquet so it is no wonder they, in general, cost around half the price.
But it is surprising how much some brides are willing to shell out. Many pay $60-$125 for every bridesmaid bouquet. But you can do it for $35 each if you are thrifty.
How To Save Money on Bridesmaids Bouquets
Most bridal bouquets have around three to five different kinds of flowers. Choose one, and make that the only flower in your bridesmaid’s bouquets to help bring down the avg cost of wedding flowers.
Or, if you are carrying a bouquet of large flowers, like sunflowers, why not opt to have your bridesmaids hold one simple sunflower each?
Average Cost of Boutonnieres: $40 Each
Boutonnieres and corsages are cheaper because they are often made of only one flower and some foliage.
The average cost might be $40 but some brides pay as little as $10. The boutonnieres are often made from the wedding theme’s signature flower.
But be careful if your signature flower is a red carnation. You don’t want your guests to think your male relatives are about to perform magic.
How To Save Money on Boutonnieres and Corsages
Paying $40 per boutonnieres may not seem like much, but if you have a lot of close family and groomsmen, that number could skyrocket to $400. If you are ordering an above-average amount, see if your florist will give you a discount.
Average Cost of Table Centerpieces: $150 Each
Brides and grooms often blow their entire wedding flower budget on table centerpieces. They are pricey, and the “head table” centerpiece is often more elaborate than the guests’ tables. Many people end up spending $400+ per centerpiece.
How To Save Money on Table Centerpieces
Why not opt for a cool centerpiece made up of several, thin vases with one flower in each? Or, if you are having a rustic style wedding, invest in huge milk jugs. Then you can fill them with cheaper (yet still beautiful) wildflowers.
So, What Is the Average Overall Cost of Wedding Flowers?
The average cost of wedding flowers (for an average-sized wedding), following this guide is around $1,500-$2,000.
If you have budgeted around $15,000 for your wedding, this is a good estimate of how much most people allocate to flowers when dividing up their wedding fund.
Use the Average Cost of Wedding Flowers to Get the Best Deal
You, by no means, need to stick to the average cost of wedding flowers when planning your own wedding. If you love flowers, feel free to turn your wedding venue into an explosion of flora. And if you don’t, opt for alternatives to flowers or keep things simple.
But you can use this guide so you know for sure whether your florist is overcharging you or giving you a great deal.
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