Why are wedding flowers so expensive? (And smart ways to save)
- petalpatisseriellc
- Mar 28
- 6 min read
Are you in the middle of planning your wedding, reaching out to vendors left and right, and feeling shocked by how quickly the costs add up? (Especially when it comes to wedding flowers!)
I remember being in that exact position back in 2019 when my husband and I were planning our own wedding. Now, as a wedding vendor myself, I have a much clearer understanding of why things can become significantly more expensive once the word “wedding” is involved.
What You’re Really Paying for in Wedding Flowers
When it comes to wedding flowers, there’s far more happening behind the scenes than most people realize. Your floral quote reflects not just the flowers themselves, but also the planning, expertise, preparation, and labor required to bring everything together. Not to mention, florists need to buy extras of everything, knowing that some of the flowers and vases will arrive damaged, bruised, or unusable for wedding-quality work. These elements are often built into the price of each item, which is why something like a bridal bouquet costs more than just the flowers it’s made from.
That said, planning your wedding shouldn’t mean putting yourself under financial strain. If certain choices are stretching your budget too far, it’s okay to scale back. The goal is to create a day that feels joyful and meaningful, not one that leaves you financially-stressed long after it’s over.
I think a wonderful exercise to do when planning your wedding is to list your priorities, as well as aspects that are less important to you. For my husband and I, the areas we cared about most (and were willing to invest more in) were the venue, photographer, and caterer. On the flip side, our lower priorities included dessert/cake, my wedding dress, and—surprisingly—even flowers. Because we knew what mattered most to us, we felt confident splurging in those areas, while also feeling just as good about cutting costs elsewhere. For the things that weren’t as important to us, we leaned into DIY projects, extra planning, and finding more budget-friendly options.
During your wedding floral consultation, your florist can help allocate your floral budget in a way that highlights the areas you care about most.
Where do wedding flowers land on your priority list?
Have you been dreaming about the exact look of your wedding for years? Or are you more laid-back about the decor, as long as everyone is having a great time?
No matter where you and your fiancé fall on that spectrum, there’s an option that fits your vision, whether that’s "turn-key" full-service florals, à la carte selections, a fully DIY approach, or a hybrid approach. I recommend checking out this Floral Quiz by Wedding Planner, Jamie Wolfer, to see which approach might fit you best: https://www.wolferandco.com/lp/floralquiz/
The good news is no matter which approach feels right for you, we have an option that can meet your needs.
We’re here to guide you through the nuances of à la carte ordering and DIY flower buckets if that’s something you’re considering. We also share the harder-to-find information, like how to pack and transport your flowers safely, ways to repurpose arrangements throughout your day, and practical tips and shortcuts to keep in mind when selecting and working with flowers. (Check out this article about Floral Secrets and Tricks on our blog!)
Ways to Save Money on Wedding Flowers
I’ll share a couple tips on how best to save money on your wedding flowers no matter which category you fall into (full-service, a la carte, or DIY flowers).
Full-Service Weddings: Ways to Save
If you’ve found the perfect wedding florist and are ready to move ahead with full-service wedding flowers, consider these methods to save on your floral budget (and ask your florist for suggestions too!).
Repurpose your floral pieces: Move arrangements from your ceremony to your reception (like arches, meadows, or urns) to get more use out of each piece instead of ordering additional installations.
Limit large installations: Focus on one statement piece—like an arch or hanging installation—rather than multiple large designs, which tend to be the most expensive.
Prioritize photo-worthy florals: Invest in pieces that will show up most in your photos (like your bouquet, boutonniere, and ceremony backdrop), and scale back on details that you are less likely to print and frame (like reception centerpieces or welcome-sign flowers).
A La Carte Weddings: Ways to Save
On top of the savings you’ll already have by ordering A La Carte, here are a few more suggestions we have on how to reduce your floral budget. In my opinion, à la carte options actually offer the greatest potential for savings, even more than fully DIY wedding flowers (read why in the DIY section!).
Repurpose your floral pieces: Just like mentioned above, reuse arrangements from your ceremony in your reception to get the most value out of each design.
Mix large and small centerpieces: Instead of choosing one style for every table, combine taller statement pieces with lower centerpieces or simple bud vases and candles. This approach not only reduces costs but also creates a more dynamic, visually interesting reception space.
Incorporate a little DIY: If you’re open to it—or have a crafty friend or family member—consider handling a few smaller, less essential floral pieces yourself. Pairing pre-made à la carte florals with DIY flower buckets can give you a beautiful balance of convenience and savings.
DIY Wedding Flowers: Ways to Save
If you’re planning to DIY your wedding flowers, it can actually be one of the most misleading approaches when it comes to saving money. Let me explain.
To successfully DIY your florals, there’s a lot more involved than just ordering flowers. You’ll need time for research and planning, practice runs with sample flowers, and supplies like vases, floral tape, flower food, and mechanics like chicken wire, floral foam, and floral adhesive. You’ll also want to order extra of everything in case your flower recipes are off, or items arrive damaged or don’t hold up during transport. (I was personally out buying extra bunches of flowers at grocery stores two days before my wedding because I didn’t order enough online, and I misjudged the bloom size of some of the flower varieties in online photos. Beware that some floral sites can have misleading images of color or bloom size!)
If you’re going this route, here are some smart ways to keep costs under control:
Set a budget for each phase: Break your spending into categories: practice flowers, final floral order, and supplies like vases and mechanics so costs don’t spiral unexpectedly. Don’t forget to include shipping costs if purchasing online, which can be quite expensive (typically $100-$200 or more for large floral orders).
Research your flowers ahead of time: This is where professional experience really matters. Learn which flowers hold up well out of water (like in bouquets or boutonnieres), and which can withstand heat, wind, or long hours at your ceremony while still looking fresh. Don’t get stuck re-purchasing flowers that wilted or didn’t hold up in a practice arrangement. Also, research how to hydrate each flower variety properly!
Make thoughtful substitutions: After choosing your inspiration, look for ways to swap in more affordable blooms without sacrificing the overall look. For example, if you love peonies but need to cut costs, consider mixing in double-petaled tulips for a similar feel. In the fall, pairing dahlias with chrysanthemums can achieve a comparable shape at a lower price point, and often with better vase life.
Be strategic with vases: Keep things simple with basic or thrifted vases, free vases from family and friends, or even get creative with using items like ceramic cereal bowls. In many arrangements, the flowers will cover most of the container anyway, so there’s no need to overspend here. Check out this centerpiece below where I used a spray painted cereal bowl as my centerpiece compote:
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