Flower Arrangements That Break the Budget: How to Strategize With Your Florist
No matter the size of your wedding budget, there are a few areas that couples tend to be surprised by the price tag of that can push them beyond what they were hoping to spend. We will share some of the floral arrangements that tend to break the budget as well as how our team at Wrong Number Floral Co. strategizes with our clients to create a great balance between impactful wedding florals and smart budgeting.
Photographer: Kelly Russo Photo
Planning a wedding can be challenging, and knowing what to expect to spend on each wedding professional is no exception. This is where I’ll, of course, take a moment to recommend hiring a professional wedding planner with experience and knowledge in your wedding location. It truly makes the process so much smoother.
Wedding floral costs are an area where people have a lot of questions (and a lot of different opinions). Frankly, wedding flowers are a luxury item that takes a lot of skill, practice, and precision to master, so they are a higher ticket item. Catering is the most worthy comparison because we take perishable items, keep them fresh, create something brand new out of them, display them in the most lovely way, and you can’t keep them forever. They are usually spent by the end of the event or a few days later, but that’s the beauty of nature.
So, you’re wondering how to make the most of your budget for this luxury item? I’d love to tell you.
Photographer: Kelly Russo Photo
The #1 way to get the best wedding flowers your budget can offer is to collaborate with your floral designer.
I know, I know… it’s not a juicy list of secret tips to get your florist to come down on their prices, but hear me out. I’ve got some practical information here.
If you’ve hired a florist that you TRUST, they are going to be a huge asset to budgeting. A good florist isn’t trying to con you into spending more money than you have. In fact, that’s why they have an “order minimum” because they know they can create a great product within those parameters.
So, here’s what you need to do first:
Be upfront with your florist about your general budget range when you first inquire. Give them a starting point of what feels comfortable for you, so they can guide you on what will be realistic to achieve.
Let your florist get to know you: your personal style, your likes/dislikes, how you met, what you like to do together as a couple, etc. Things that will help them feel out the best design specific to you. This also helps them gauge the arrangements that will likely be the most important to you!
If you know certain arrangements feel really exciting and important, let your florist know that. If some feel like you could take them or leave them, they want to know that too.
Ask your florist for suggestions of which arrangements they recommend to create the desired look within your budget range. Which areas do they feel will truly make an impact?
Go into this process with a level of flexibility. You likely have some really great ideas, and your florist (and other wedding vendors) does too. This all works best as a collaboration.
Photographer: Kelly Russo Photo
Because you did such a great job communicating with your wedding florist, they are going to put together a quote for you with specific suggestions for your floral arrangements - yay!
But you came here to know which arrangements they are going to tell you are pushing things over budget, didn’t you? Let’s get into it:
The wedding floral arrangements that are most likely pushing you beyond your desired budget range are…
Centerpieces
Wedding Party Bouquets
Trying to add an arrangement to every nook & cranny of the venue… no, no one is going to scoff if the entry table doesn’t have a dozen bud vases.
And here’s why…
Photographer: Kelly Russo Photo
It’s really quite simple, actually. The items that need to come in larger quantities tend to push people beyond their desired budget.
Having a larger guest count and having a larger wedding party require a larger wedding budget. Simple as that. The exact budget range varies greatly by location, how elaborate and custom the everything is, and so much more. However, it’s pretty consistent that your guest count and wedding party size are very much dictating the budget.
So, how can your florist help you strategize the flower budget?
Well, you communicated what your budget was, your areas of importance, your guest count, etc., and you let them give you the run down of your best options.
If you have a high guest count, they might suggest:
Minimizing the centerpieces.
Doing a mixture of types of centerpieces where some are more lush and some are more simple.
Nixing florals on the tables and opt for doing family style food, beautiful linens, and candles.
Focusing instead on “moments of impact” throughout the space. Ex: Instead of 30 luxury centerpieces, we do a beautiful head table and keep the guest tables more simple.
Strategic repurposing. Trust your florist on whether or not this makes sense for your arrangement types, timeline, and weather.
If you have a large wedding party, they might suggest:
Focusing on the ceremony backdrop you’ve been dreaming of and opting out of wedding party bouquets.
Giving each wedding party member a single stem so you can get the aisle arrangements you’ve been loving.
Doing smaller wedding party bouquets than you originally asked for because they were low on your priority list.
Skipping boutonnieres except for you/your partner because they will probably forget to put them on anyway.
If you’re spreading yourself too thin with a huge list of arrangements, they might suggest:
Focusing on the dream ceremony florals that will be in so many of your wedding photos.
Creating a unique and memorable installation that guests will be in love with rather than 200 bud vases scattered around the venue.
Allowing yourself to put you and your partner first and getting the personal flowers you’ve dreamed of rather than feeling like you have to give every single family member a boutonniere or corsage.
Ultimately, these choices are so individualized, and what may be important to some people won’t be to others. That’s why it’s not a clear cut list of “dos and don’ts” here. Provide the professional you hired with the information they need to guide you. That’s what we do, and we love doing it!
If you’re hiring a team of wedding professionals you value and trust, you can lean on them for their expertise. That’s why it’s important to choose your wedding vendors because you love them and their work, not just by who gives the “best deal.”
And if you’re looking for a contemporary, colorful florist who will collaborate with you…