Wedding Flower Budget Planning

 

Following on from our recent posts about wedding flower costs and averages, here is a quick summary of example wedding flower budgets and what you can expect to receive from Small Flower {floral studio} within your budget.

 

When creating a budget for your wedding flowers, there is much flexibility. First, it's important to decide as a couple how important fresh flowers are for your wedding day – you may feel flowers aren't a central focus for your day, or you may feel your flowers are 'the thing' that will bring your special day to life. Also, consider your venue: does it need the additional decor florals provided, or is it a beautiful venue where you don't need to go over the top?

 

As a good rule of thumb, we suggest your floral budget account for 10-15% of your wedding budget. If, on the other hand, you are looking for Pinterest-worthy, great design, we would suggest allocating 18-25% of your total wedding budget. Most of our couples spend between $3,500-$8,000, but some pay less or budget more based on their preferences. Remember, it's your day, and the day should reflect your unique taste and style.

 

Below is by no means a complete list. Like everything else wedding-flower-related, there are so many 'what ifs' and 'except this' scenarios. However, the following is a rough guide to help you plan which items could be covered within your price range.

 

Under $1000

• Most often, this will allow for a bridal bouquet, a few bridesmaid bouquets and buttonholes for the groom and groomsmen. Perhaps it would account for 2 Bridal Bouquets and a couple of attendants. Depending on the number of bridesmaids' bouquets, it could account for buttonholes and corsages for a few additional family members

• If you are having a very intimate wedding and no bridal party, it could account for your bouquets, a buttonhole, as well as a minor floral feature on the bar or main table

 

$1500 – $3000

• Depending on the size of the bridal party, this will cover all personal flowers (bouquets, buttonholes) as well as allows for some table decorations at the reception (for example, bud vases placed down the guest tables)

• Or, instead of table flowers, this could allow for a feature at the ceremony (i.e. a minimal floral arbour)

 

$3500 – $5000

• This budget could cover the personal flowers and a feature element at the ceremony or reception—for example, a floral arbour, hanging installation or styling on the guest tables.

 

$6000 – $10,000

• This price range falls within our typical full-service wedding – most often, this includes personal flowers, a floral ceremony feature, an installation at the reception, and flowers for the tables.

• Having said that, if we are building a custom ceremony element (i.e. chuppah), this budget may only account for personal flowers, the ceremony feature and a few touches at the reception.

 

$10,000 – $15,000

• With this budget, we can look at a collection of personal flowers and large statement/impact pieces at the ceremony (for example, urn arrangements or an archway PLUS aisle flowers OR a feature chuppah installation). For the reception, the budget could allow for a hanging feature and flowers for the tables.

 

It's almost impossible to provide all the details on every budget because every couple's wedding is unique to them. However, we hope this overview guides what you expect to spend and what may be included within your budget.

 

You'll note we haven't mentioned many smaller pieces so often requested – flower crowns, cake flowers, rose petals, junior bridesmaid posies, and gift table arrangements. There are hundreds of variations and combinations, so we have left these out to keep things simple.

 

It's also important to be aware that labour charges can vary dramatically. Each venue has rules about when we can set up and when we can strike or teardown. All of this has an impact on costs for the day. 

 

Labour charges also change depending on the time of day we need to set up/strike and the day of the week. Labour charges, early morning set-ups, and late-night strikes also incur premium labour charges, as well as if your wedding lands on a Statutory Holiday or your delivery and set up is outside the City limit.

 

From our perspective, we are super excited to work with couples regardless of their budget. We have no minimum spend and are always happy to provide suggestions on where the money is best spent, where to get the most bang for your buck at your venue and how to make the most significant impact on the day.