There are so many details to consider when planning your wedding and one of my personal favorites is the florals! So in order to give you some practical advice as you jumpstart the wedding planning process, I tagged a good friend of mine, Brandi, a Metro Detroit-based florist and owner of Lee Floral Design, to share some of her advice when starting to think about your wedding flowers. Keep reading for Brandi’s top tips on how to decide on a floral budget and choose your floral designer!

By Brandi Higginbotham of Lee Floral Design

HOW TO DECIDE ON A FLOWER BUDGET FOR YOUR WEDDING 

Before seeking out floral designers, let’s talk about the “b” word… Budget. Inevitably everyone ends up spending a bit more than they intend to when it comes to wedding costs, but it’s important to have a realistic floral budget and starting point. Many websites will state that your floral budget should be a percentage of your total wedding budget, but if you’re looking for very little decor or a lot of decor, this can vary significantly. The size of your bridal party and guest count also play a giant role in determining your floral costs. 

Let’s break down some general pricing so you know what to expect: 

● Bridal bouquet: $225+ each 

● Bridesmaid bouquets: $90+ each 

● Boutonnieres: $20+ each 

● Corsages: $35+ each 

● Garland Centerpieces: $17+ per foot ($136+ for a standard 8 foot table) ● Standard Sized Floral Centerpieces: $95+ each 

● Elevated Floral Centerpieces: $200+ each 

Now, add an additional 25% (or so) to the total to account for labor, delivery, set up and take down costs. Then, add sales tax. All of these items add up quickly, especially when you begin requesting arch florals, installations, additional candles, etc. With these numbers in mind, you can start to understand and play around with your wants, must-haves and so forth to come up with a realistic budget you’re happy with. 

Once you’ve got your budget in place, it’s time to contact floral designers. Here are some things you’ll need: 

● Ensure that you have a date and venue solidified

● Have as much information as possible including guest count, the estimated number of tables, etc.

And as a general reminder, remember that Pinterest is for INSPIRATION and to better understand what aesthetics you like and don’t like. It’s not EDUCATION. Many of the “inexpensive wedding florals” pins that feature a giant arch installation or tons of garland are simply not accurate and we all have different definitions of what’s “inexpensive.” To get the very most value and “bang for your buck,” use your floral designer to your advantage. They do this every single day. If you provide an aesthetic, but are open-minded about the details, they can typically stretch your budget further than if you are specific about exactly what you’re wanting.

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING FLORIST

STYLE: When choosing a floral designer, it is important that the style you are requesting and their personal style is similar. Review your floral designer’s social media and website portfolio to gather more information on their work to see if your “vibes” and style align. 

REVIEWS: Always, always, always ensure that you are researching reviews. Most floral designers use The Knot, Wedding Wire, Google or other similar sites to capture all of their client reviews.

VIBE: Make sure you actually LIKE the person who is providing your florals. You’re paying them your hard earned money, right!? Your floral designer is someone you will be seeing on one of the most important days of your life and you’ll be working with them often leading up to the big day! You definitely want to make sure that they are someone you enjoy being around and are excited to have as part of your team!

Florals are a great way to create a special atmosphere that’s unique to you and your wedding. (And though they may not last forever after the wedding day, your florals will be forever preserved in your photos!) I hope Brandi’s tips on how to decide on your flower budget and choose your florist were helpful! Be sure to check out Lee Floral Design if you’re in the Detroit area and for more wedding planning tips from other vendors, download my free 52-page wedding guide! This guide is loaded with tips, tricks and guidance as you plan your big day for the most successful photography and stress-free day. 

 

 

SAVE THIS INSPIRATION FOR LATER

Click in the top left corner to save this graphic to Pinterest!

 

KEEP READING