The Average Cost of Flowers for a Wedding
When it comes to wedding flowers, here’s some good news and some even better news. The first is that guests will notice the flowers at a wedding. So, all of your planning, arranging, and hard work is worth the effort. The even better news is that guests do not pay attention to or know how much you spend on those flowers.
However, it is crucially important that you pay attention to those costs. Many people aren’t aware of the average costs of flowers for a wedding, and it can be very easy to spend several thousand dollars on just a few items.
Of course, it’s your big day. So, if you absolutely must have a bouquet of Juliet Roses and you have the funds in your budget, go for it! However, if you are like most of us, you want to get the best bang for your buck while staying within the constraints of your budget. Read on to discover the typical cost of wedding flowers and some tips to ensure that your wedding venue is beautifully decorated with floral brilliance without emptying your wallet.
What is the average cost of flowers for a wedding?
The amount that couples spend on their flowers varies wildly. According to WeddingWire, the average flower cost for weddings is $1,500. For this amount, you won’t be able to blanket your wedding in flowers, but you’ll get bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces at the main, bridal party, and family tables.
Of course, your location will impact this cost. If you live in a large city like Los Angeles or New York, flowers (like everything else) will cost more. The time of year will also impact your costs. If you’re set on having off-season flowers at your wedding, you’re going to pay a premium.
Average cost of wedding flowers
| Floral Item | Average Cost | Average Range |
|---|---|---|
| Florist | $1,500 | $500-$3,500 |
| Bridal bouquets | $160 | $60-$965 |
| Bridesmaids bouquet | $75 | $45-$155 |
| Pin-on corsage | $25 | $22-$48 |
| Wrist corsage | $30 | $28-$65 |
| Boutonniere | $20 | $10-$25 |
| Groom’s boutonniere | $25 | $15-$35 |
| Bundle of rose petals | $20-$25 | |
| Altar flowers | $500-$1,550 | |
| Reception dinner tables | $500-$800 | |
| Reception head table | $550-$1,500 |
| Flowers (per stem) | Wholesale | Retail |
|---|---|---|
| Carnation, assorted colors | $0.50 | $1.75 |
| Tulip, standard | $0.65 | $2.25 |
| Calla lily, standard | $0.70 | $2.45 |
| Rose, red | $0.95 | $3.35 |
| Rose, non-red | $1.00 | $3.50 |
| Lily, Asiatic, long | $1.50 | $5.25 |
| Rose spray | $1.50 | $5.25 |
| Tulip, parrot type | $1.60 | $5.60 |
| Hydrangea, long | $5.50 | $19.25 |
| Orchid, dendrobium | $15.00 | $52.50 |
| Orchid, cymbidium | $20.00 | $70.00 |
| Orchid, phalaenopsis | $28.00 | $98.00 |
Before making any flowery decisions, it is essential to determine a flower budget. On average, it is recommended to allocate about eight percent of a wedding’s budget for decorative items like flowers and accent lighting. Once you know how much you want to spend, you will have a better idea of your floral must-haves, maybes, and hard passes.
What are the average costs for bouquets and boutonnieres?
The tradition of wearing flowers to important events dates back to the ancient Greeks. In addition to being a fashion accessory, the sweet scent was believed to ward off diseases and evil spirits. They also helped mask other bad smells. Wearing flowers for fashion and protection continued and evolved through various centuries and cultures (many historians believe the nursery rhyme “Ring Around the Rosies” is about wearing flowers as a defense against the Great Plague in London).
Today, we tend to adorn our outfits with flowers to enhance the beauty of an already stunning ensemble on occasions like dances and weddings. Even though the size of some of these items is small, specifically boutonnieres and corsages, their costs can be high. So, when calculating the typical cost of wedding flowers, keep these items in mind.
Bridal bouquets
According to WeddingWire, the average cost of a bridal bouquet is $160. However, when it comes to bridal bouquets, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Prices will vary greatly depending on size, complexity, the types of flowers you wish to include, and the area where you live. For example, your least expensive options in the DFW area will be near the national average cost.
Most brides wish to have a bouquet that matches and complements their dress without hiding the dress’s elegant details. Bridal bouquets should also be personal and include flowers that are favorites or important to the family. You may choose your flowers based on your favorite colors or the color scheme of your wedding.
The tone of your wedding will also affect the style of your bouquet. For example, if you have a formal wedding, you’ll likely want a more traditional bouquet. Examples of conventional bouquets include the:
- Nosegay—A compact collection of petite flowers.
- Domed bouquet—The design most people think of when they picture a bouquet.
For casual weddings, a bride may choose a modern design, such as a:
- Cascade bouquet—Flowers flow over the bride’s wrist and hang toward the ground.
- Shaped bouquet—The flowers create a specific form like an “S” or “7.”
- Fan bouquet—The flowers are arched in a broad fan shape.
Regardless of your ultimate decision, every choice impacts your cost. So, keep the average cost of flowers for a wedding day in mind as you select your stems.
Bridesmaids bouquet
The average cost of bridesmaids bouquets is $75. Because bridesmaids bouquets are typically smaller and less intricate than a bridal bouquet, they tend to cost less. Of course, you need to keep in mind that you are buying more of them, so that $75 average can add up fast.
Like the bridal bouquet, most brides want their bridesmaids’ bouquets to complement their dresses. However, you may also wish to consider how these bouquets impact the bridal bouquet. For example, do you want to create a cohesive look where the bouquets share similar flowers and color schemes, or would you prefer the bride’s bouquet to stand out with bold colors and have the bridesmaids’ bouquets feature muted colors?
Corsages
At a wedding ceremony, flower accessories honor and acknowledge people special to the bride and groom. Corsages are petite floral arrangements that are pinned to a woman’s clothing or worn on their wrist. Corsages usually complement the shape, color, and flowers of the bridal bouquet. The average cost for a pin-on corsage is $25, while the average price for a wrist corsage is slightly more at $30.
Corsages are generally presented to female family members or close friends. While there are no hard and fast rules as to who gets a corsage, traditionally, corsages are given to:
- Mother of the bride.
- Mother of the groom.
- Stepmothers.
- Grandmothers.
- Groomswomen.
- Female attendants, such as a ring bearer, flowers girls, ceremony readers, ushers, etc.
- Female officiant.
- Any woman the bride or groom would like to give special recognition.
Boutonnieres
Boutonnieres are reserved for the groom and male wedding attendees special to the bride and groom. A boutonniere is a small cluster of flowers pinned to the left lapel of a suit or tuxedo jacket above the heart (or, if no jacket is worn, pinned directly to a vest or dress shirt). Boutonnieres are also called “buttonholes” because the flower stems were traditionally inserted through a small buttonhole on a jacket lapel.
The average cost of a boutonniere is $20. However, a groom’s boutonniere tends to be more elaborate and may cost more. It is typical for boutonnieres to complement the color and floral choices of the bridal bouquet.
Like corsages, there are no hard and fast rules as to who receives a boutonniere. However, traditionally, boutonnieres are presented to:
- Groom.
- Groomsmen and bridesmen.
- Father of the Bride.
- Father of the Groom.
- Stepfathers.
- Grandfathers
- Male attendants, such as a ring bearer, ceremony readers, ushers, etc.
- Male officiant.
- Any man the bride or groom would like to give special recognition.
Petal Basket
If you have a flower girl as part of your wedding party, she will need some petals to toss. The average cost of a bundle of rose petals is $20-$25. You may want to give your flower girl the opportunity to practice at the dress rehearsal, so consider buying at least two bundles of roses.
What does the average wedding florist cost?
The florist is included in the $1,500 average cost of wedding flowers. Is a florist worth it? Well, a florist’s services extend far beyond just delivering flowers on the day of the wedding.
Consultation—This is a meeting to help the florist understand your vision for the wedding and your wedding venue, such as its theme, style, and color palette, in addition to the types of flowers you like and dislike. The florist will also discuss the average flower costs for wedding ceremonies. After this meeting, the florist will deliver one or a few proposals, including the flower types, arrangements, and the total price.
Purchasing—Once you have decided on your flowers, the florist has to create a purchase order for them. This is how the florist ensures that your blooms arrive at the perfect moment, not too soon or too late.
Flower managing and storage—Your florist will receive the flowers for your wedding a day or two before your big day. During this time, the florist will remove all thorns and unsightly stems and leaves and store the flowers to guarantee their freshness.
Construction—Creating beautiful wedding arrangements is a labor-intensive process. Every bouquet needs to be bundled, every boutonniere bound, and every centerpiece artfully arranged.
Delivery and set up—In the hours before your wedding, while you’re nervously getting ready, the florist’s crew is busy delivering and setting up the flowers at your ceremony and reception sites.
Cleanup—After the big day, you and your partner will jet off into your new life together, but someone needs to gather those leftover blooms. Your florist will assist in gathering the arrangements and all specialized containers used to hold them.
Budget-friendly tips
Here are a few tips to help keep the average flowers cost for wedding days below the national average:
- DIY—A wedding florist is handy, but hiring someone is always more expensive than doing it yourself. For example, even if you want your bridesmaids holding a single rose, by the time a florist puts it all together, that rose will cost you $15 to $20. You can save a bundle by doing the little tasks yourself.
- Bargain hunt—Once flowers get to full bloom, florists can’t use them anymore. So, try swinging by a local florist a day or two before your wedding to get some flowers at a discounted cost.
- Buy in season—Always talk to your florist about what’s in season. For example, if you have a winter wedding, expect to pay more for flowers like lilacs, lavender, and sunflowers. Even some types of roses are more challenging to get depending on the time of year. You will always pay less for flowers that are in season.
- Mix flowers—if you are set on having extravagant, expensive flowers as part of your flower arrangements, you can save costs by mixing in some subtle, less expensive flowers. The expensive flowers will stand out, and your arrangements will be full and vibrant.
- Reuse flowers at the reception—If you have large flower displays at your wedding ceremony, have them transported to your reception site.
- Centerpieces—Your venue may have partnerships with florists who can provide centerpieces at discounted prices. Some venues, like DFW Celebrations, also provide beautiful centerpieces at no additional cost, so be sure to inquire.
- Mix fake with real—You can get artificial flowers for about half or less the cost of real flowers. However, faux blooms don’t provide the lovely aroma of authentic flowers. By mixing a few real flowers with the fake ones, you get full arrangements and floral fragrances at a discount.
- Use flower alternatives—Items like branches or pampas grass can provide trendy, visual flair for significantly less cost than flowers.
If you are looking for a beautiful setting to display those flowers at your reception, please contact us to learn about and schedule a tour of our banquet halls in Dallas. We will work with you on the average cost of flowers for a wedding and any amenity you need for your big day.