How Much Do Wedding Flowers Cost? Budgeting Tips for Your Big Day

Budgeting was a challenge for me during my own wedding planning - I'm not great with numbers and I had never organised such a big event before. I had no idea how much to budget for the services I needed. When planning your wedding, one of the big-ticket items to consider is your floral budget. But how much should you realistically budget for wedding flowers? While the answer depends on several factors,  I’m here to help break it down for you and provide you with some price guides to make budgeting easier. I hope this guide makes budgeting a bit easier and brings you some clarity as you plan your big day.

Factors That Affect the Cost of Wedding Flowers

Before we start talking numbers, let's explore several factors that can influence the overall cost. Understanding these factors can help you make more informed decisions and stay within your budget.

1. Size of Your Wedding and Bridal Party The number of guests and members in your wedding party plays a big role in determining the cost. More tables mean more centrepieces, and a larger bridal party means more bouquets and boutonnieres. For instance, a wedding with 8 bridesmaids and groomsmen will require a substantial floral investment compared to a smaller, more intimate wedding.

2. Time of Year Certain times of the year are more expensive for wedding flowers. If you’re getting married around Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day, expect to pay a premium due to the higher demand for flowers. Similarly, the Christmas and New Year’s period can be costly because many flower wholesalers shut down, making blooms more scarce and expensive. Off-peak seasons, like autumn or winter, can offer more affordable options.

3. Design Style The design you choose also impacts your budget. Some floral styles, like abundant, cascading arrangements or intricate installations, require more blooms (and labour), increasing the cost. Minimalist designs or smaller, structured arrangements tend to be more budget-friendly.

4. Imported vs. Local Flowers Imported flowers often come with higher price tags due to shipping and handling costs. If you’re after a specific exotic flower that’s out of season locally, be prepared to pay extra. On the other hand, seasonal, locally grown flowers are not only more affordable but also more sustainable.

5. Setup and Delivery If your wedding requires complex setups (think hanging installations, flower arches, or elaborate centrepieces), remember to budget for extra labour costs. Florists often spend hours on-site setting everything up, and this additional time will reflect in your final invoice. Delivery and travel fees may also apply depending on your venue’s location. Hanging installations also often require a professional, licensed rigger to install structures so make sure to factor that in if you have your heart set on a high impact hanging piece.

What’s the Average Cost of Wedding Flowers?

In Australia, couples typically spend anywhere between $2,500 to $6,500 on their wedding flowers, depending on the size and style of the event. For a more detailed breakdown:

• Small, intimate weddings: $1,500 - $3,000

• Average-sized weddings (80-120 guests): $3,000 - $6,000

• Larger weddings (150+ guests): $6,000 - $10,000+

These ranges can vary depending on your floral style, the types of flowers you choose, and the level of complexity for installations.

What Will Your Flower Budget Get You?

Here's an overview of what you can expect from different budget ranges for your wedding flowers. A quick note: delivery and setup costs aren't included here, as they can vary depending on your location. This guide is based on flower costs in South East Queensland, but do keep in mind that every florist has their own pricing structure, and rates can differ between regions. That said, this should give you a helpful estimate of what to budget for!

Under $1,500 This will usually cover the personal flowers (bouquets, buttonholes/other wearables) of a wedding party of up to 8 people. For an intimate wedding with no wedding party, this budget can allow for a bouquet, buttonhole and a small to medium feature floral arrangement for the ceremony or reception.

$1500-$3000

This budget range will cover personal flowers for a wedding party of up to 8 people and a small to medium feature arrangement for the ceremony or reception.

For a more intimate wedding with up to 80 guests and a wedding party of 4-6 people, the higher end of this budget could include personal florals, a small to medium ceremony feature arrangement, and small table arrangements or bud vases.

$3000-$5000 With a budget of $3000-$5000, you can cover a range of beautiful floral elements for your wedding. This budget typically includes personal flowers for the wedding party, a ceremony feature piece, and table arrangements for a guest list of around 80-120 people. Alternatively, you could allocate the budget to a standout floral statement piece for the ceremony that could be repurposed at the reception, along with personal flowers for the bridal party.

$5000-$7000

For a larger wedding with 150+ guests and/or you're a flower enthusiast who wants your blooms to truly stand out, you will probably fall into this budget range. It usually covers personal flowers for the wedding party, a medium to large statement floral design for the ceremony, elegant table arrangements, and a striking statement piece for the reception.

$7000+

This budget typically covers all your floral needs, including personal flowers for the wedding party, a grand, high impact floral installation for the ceremony and table settings. This budget is ideal for larger weddings or for couples who want their flowers to make a truly spectacular statement.

A Labour of Love

From sourcing the best flowers to ensuring they’re in perfect condition for your big day, your florist invests a lot of time, skill, and care into the process. Flowers are delicate and require expert handling to stay fresh and beautiful. Trusting your florist with your vision and budget will ensure you get the best possible outcome.

Wedding flowers are a beautiful, luxury addition to your day, but it’s important to set a realistic budget that reflects your needs and expectations. I would love to work with you to create bespoke florals that match your vision and budget.

Looking Ahead: More Budget Tips

In the next blog post, I’ll dive deeper into tips on how to make the most of your wedding flower budget. From prioritising certain arrangements to creative cost-saving strategies, I’ll give you practical advice to ensure you get stunning flowers without overspending. Stay tuned!

This is Part 1 in a 2 part series on wedding flower budgets. I'll be back soon with Part 2, where I'll provide some tips on how to make the most of your budget. If you have any questions or thoughts about this topic, send an email to eliaufloral@gmail.com and I'll try my best to address your query!

-Johanna