How Much Does a Florist Cost for a Wedding?

Last updated on July 25, 2023

A dash of red pinned to the lapel of the groom’s onyx suit. Lush floral arrangements on every table. The excitement of the bridal bouquet toss. 

There’s no doubt about it: Flowers are an essential part of any wedding ceremony and reception. But, with everything from wedding bands to dreamy venues also vying for a top spot on the list of to-dos, it can be a challenge to outline a budget that makes room for all of the must-haves. 

How much does a florist cost for a wedding, exactly? In this guide, we’ll paint a clearer picture of what to expect for floral expenses so that you can pack all of the beauty into your big day while sticking to your budget. 

The average cost of wedding flowers

When it comes to the average floral cost, wedding guides usually give a ballpark figure of $1,000 to $2,000. But, as with most aspects of a wedding, the sky’s the limit. Depending on your overall budget, you can spend as much or as little as you want on the flowers for your big day.

Wedding planners typically suggest you earmark 5-10% of your total budget for flowers. For your ceremony, that might mean keeping costs below $500 or allocating $10,000+ to florals. It’s up to you!

To give you an idea of how much to set aside, we’ll provide a general price range for each floral arrangement. Keep in mind that these estimates are for planning purposes only; be sure to confirm all costs with your florist before agreeing on a package.

💵 Don’t forget to tip! While tipping the florist is optional, you might want to keep it in mind when planning your budget. If your florist really wows you or goes above and beyond, it’s great to show your appreciation with a 10-15% tip.

The bridal bouquet ($150-250)

As the music begins and the bride floats down the aisle, guests look from head to toe and see the following things:

• A beaming smile
• The bright colors of a floral wedding bouquet
• The beautiful wedding gown

That’s right — the bridal bouquet is a significant part of the first impression. Not only will it be featured front and center in your guests’ memories, but also in your pictures. You’ve already invested so much in a dress, a venue, and a photographer, so why stop there? To capture the best photos, it could be worth splurging on your bouquet, too.

Of course, the other reason to invest in your bridal bouquet is to ensure it’s well-made. After all, it has to survive a toss into the clambering crowd!

Bridesmaids’ bouquets ($50-100 each)

Bridesmaids usually carry a smaller complementary bouquet as they walk down the aisle and pose for photos. Because the bridesmaids’ bouquets are less intricate, you’ll find they don’t cost nearly as much as the VIP (Very Important Petals — also known as the bridal bouquet).

Still, if you have several bridesmaids, you’ll need bouquets for each one, so be sure to budget accordingly.

Corsages and boutonnieres ($20-50 each)

These subtle floral touches won’t eat into much of your budget, and they’re the perfect way to tie together the bride, the groom, and the flower-filled venue.

Traditionally, the bride wears a corsage around her wrist, while the groom wears a matching boutonniere. However, if you plan to have others wear wedding flower arrangements — mother or grandmother corsages, for instance — expect to spend a little more.

Centerpieces ($100-500 each)

A common sight at traditional weddings is the floral centerpiece. Whether you opt for a bountiful bouquet of colorful carnations or a minimalistic rose arrangement, centerpieces are the focal point of the table.

If you decide to have a more elaborate centerpiece at the head table, don’t forget to factor in an extra $200 or so.

Wedding favors ($5-50 each)

Giving flowers as a wedding favor has become increasingly popular with couples. There are a few possible approaches you can take here:

• Building unique wedding favors – Sending your guests home with specially-made fresh flowers is a wonderful gesture.

• Giving away the wedding ceremony flowers – Instead of having your florist arrange extra bouquets for your guests, why not give them the flowers from the centerpieces and other floral decor? They’ll have a beautiful reminder of your big day — plus, you’ll have one less thing to worry about when cleaning up. 

• Gifting seed packets – Some couples will give their guests a packet of flower seeds with a message like, “Let love grow.” Ask your florist if they can provide you with seeds for your wedding favors — it’s an idea that’s romantic and cost-effective.

Other floral costs

Honestly, flowers can add a touch of whimsical romance to nearly any aspect of your wedding. Aside from the more traditional uses for florals, you can elevate your day with:

• Flower arches or structures ($1,000-4,000+)
• Flower girl petals ($35)
• Garlands ($25/foot)
• Floral crowns ($75)

Building your floral budget

When you order flowers for your special day, you’re not just paying for posies and peonies. Event florists put a lot of work into the eye-catching arrangements that adorn your guests’ tables. 

With that in mind, let’s look at all of the factors that influence the cost of your wedding flowers — and how you can keep expenses low.

Wedding size

Of course, the bigger your wedding, the higher your floral costs are likely to be. Having more tables means more centerpieces, and more guests mean more wedding favors.

The average American wedding hosts 167 guests. If you seat eight people to a table, that’s 21 tables — and 21 centerpieces! Even at a conservative $100 per arrangement, you’re looking at over $2,000 on centerpieces alone. By taking these costs into consideration, it’s possible your wedding flower budget will help you organize your tables (or vice versa).

✂ How to save: If shrinking your guest list isn’t an option, you may need to compromise on the amount or types of flowers you select.

Types of flowers

Many of us dream of the elaborate bouquets that embellish the tables of movie-set weddings. But in reality, those picture-perfect peonies can bring your floral costs well into the thousands.

According to world-renowned florist Michael Gaffney, some of the most expensive flowers are:

• Casablanca lilies
• Gardenias
• Hydrangeas
• Peonies
• Stephanotis

For more affordable choices, Gaffney recommends freesias or stock roses, which cost around $100-150 per bouquet. Ultimately, the type of flower you choose will have the greatest impact on your floral budget, so choose wisely.

✂ How to save: Rare and exotic flowers may wow your guests, but because they’re often imported, they can also wallop your wallet. Talk to your florist about using seasonal flowers instead; they’ll know which varieties are in bloom at the time of your wedding.

Delivery fees

With all the hubbub in the days leading up to your wedding, having your flowers delivered can be an excellent way to reduce stress. Many florists will include day-of delivery in their quote, though some may offer it as an extra service, charging either a percentage of the order cost (around 10%) or a flat rate. Always ask what’s included in your initial consultation.

✂ How to save: If your event florist is located nearby, you might be able to arrange a pick up the day before. Remember that you might need more than one vehicle if your order is particularly plentiful! You will also need to have a cool place available to store them.

Note: If there’s any setup required on your wedding day, your florist will likely deliver the flowers themselves and arrange them. In these cases, pickup probably won’t be an option.

Location

The location of your wedding venue will likely have some influence on your overall floral design costs. Will flowers have to be flown in? Are you getting married on a far-off farm? Or in a little chapel in the suburbs? Remember that if your guests have to travel, so will your flowers.

The cost of living in your area will also affect your total floral budget. In general, you can expect to pay more for a wedding florist in expensive cities and less in more affordable rural areas.

✂ How to save: The further your florist has to travel for your big day, the bigger your bill, so try to book with a local florist. Sourcing your flowers locally is another fantastic way to save some money (and the environment). 

Labor

Labor costs are an inevitable part of any wedding budget, and your flowers are no exception. Some of the hard work florists take on includes:

• The initial consultation
• Planning the arrangements
• Sourcing flowers from vendors
• Cutting and cleaning stems
• Cleaning up after the wedding

All this is to say that working as a florist is like any other job. Countless hours of effort and expertise go into preparing flowers for a wedding — and your florist’s quote will surely reflect this.

✂ How to save: With labor costs, there’s not much room for negotiation. Your florist (and their staff) are professionals who know their worth — and they’re certainly worth it. We don’t recommend trying to reduce costs by arranging flowers yourself. Besides, you have enough on your plate already. Trust the experts here. If you really need to lower labor costs, then you might do so by reducing your overall flower order. Cutting down on some arrangements will automatically reduce the labor needed.

Flower vases

Your gorgeous floral centerpieces deserve equally gorgeous homes. But jaw-dropping vases often come with a price tag to match. If you plan on buying vases for your flower arrangements, don’t forget to factor them into your budget at around $15-40 apiece.

✂ How to save: Most florists have vases and other vessels available for rent, and in most cases, renting will be cheaper than buying. With that said, if you’d prefer to buy your vases (perhaps you’re giving the flowers away as favors), you may be able to find used or low-cost options online or at local thrift stores. In fact, mismatched DIY vases are perfect for a rustic wedding theme!

Find the right blossoms for your budget with GigSalad

Whether your wedding plans are just taking root or you’re about to have your moment in the sun, GigSalad can help connect you with the wedding florist of your dreams. With more than 100,000 performers and vendors at your fingertips, you’ve got all the power to turn your event into something truly extraordinary. 

Book local florists and so much more on GigSalad — the online resource for wedding and events planners.