Flowers can be one of the easier areas to trim, because small choices change the price: the number of arrangements, the stems you pick and how much labor goes into building them. A smart plan lets you keep the pieces guests notice and drop the ones they do not.
Where the money goes
A florist quote is mostly three things: the flowers, the labor to design them, and delivery, setup and pickup. Rentals such as vases, stands and arches can also add up. Ask for an itemized quote so you can see which piece costs what, and compare it with the flowers and décor line in your budget planner.
Figures for what couples spend vary a lot by region, guest count and style, so use any national average only as a rough check against your own quotes. See our hidden wedding costs guide for the extras that tend to surprise people.
10 ways to spend less
- Cut the count. Skip pieces nobody will notice, such as extra corsages or arrangements in rooms guests only pass through.
- Choose what is in season. Our flowers by season guide shows what is easiest to find in each month.
- Lean on greenery. Eucalyptus, ferns, ivy and olive branches add volume for less than most blooms.
- Mix a few focal flowers with fillers. One or two special blooms surrounded by simple stems still read as luxurious.
- Move the ceremony flowers. Reuse the arch or aisle pieces as reception décor.
- Consider potted plants and candles. Small plants can double as favors, and candles lower the need for tall arrangements.
- Pick flowers with a longer vase life if you are building them early, so they last through the day.
- Use bud vases. A row of bud vases with single stems on a long table looks intentional and uses very few flowers.
- Simplify the bouquet. A smaller, tighter bouquet costs less than a cascading one.
- Ask for a smaller service. Some florists offer a limited package with only personal flowers and a few centerpieces.
Should you do the flowers yourself?
Buying wholesale or in bulk can lower the price per stem, but you take on ordering, delivery timing, conditioning and arranging. Order a little extra to allow for damaged stems, and decide who will arrange them the day before. Many couples find a hybrid approach easiest: let a florist make the bouquets and boutonnieres, and do the table pieces yourselves.
Questions for a florist
- Can you quote a smaller package focused on personal flowers and a few key pieces?
- Which flowers are in season and at a good price for my date?
- What is the delivery, setup and pickup fee, and are rentals returned by you?
- Can ceremony pieces be moved to the reception, and who does it?
- What is your policy if a stem I chose is not available?
To compare ideas for other areas, read how to save money on a wedding.
General information, not legal, medical or financial advice. Confirm details with your vendors, venue, officiant and local authorities.
Questions people ask
How can I save money on wedding flowers?
Reduce the number of arrangements, choose seasonal and local stems, use greenery, and move ceremony flowers to the reception. Ask your florist for an itemized quote so you can see what each piece costs.
Is it cheaper to do your own wedding flowers?
It can be, but only if you have helpers, time, storage and a simple design. Many couples compromise by letting a florist make bouquets and boutonnieres and doing table pieces themselves.
What are the cheapest flowers for a wedding?
Seasonal, locally grown stems and greenery tend to cost less than imported or out-of-season flowers. Ask your florist what is easy to find and good value for your wedding month.
