Truth & Transparency About Wedding Flower Costs
Despite hiding behind my flowers, I have written here about how pricing of wedding flowers is done and total transparency in the process!
I will warn you ahead of time. You will be disappointed. Sadly, common misconceptions about the value of flowers and floral design can leave people feeling disappointed and confused when they realise that their budget will not stretch to all the gorgeous arrangements they thought they’d be able to have. It is really important to me that my couples don’t feel like they’re being ripped of when they ask me to quote for their wedding flowers. I passionately believe in giving them a wonderful, personalised experience that will enhance their wedding preparations and be the ultimate ‘piece de resistance’ of the celebration. So, I wanted to write this blog to clarify the wedding flower investment and extinguish unrealistic expectations.
So, you begin searching for ideas online and you fall down the rabbit hole. (I am often down a rabbit hole myself perusing the inspiration online). You want this and that, and oh- that too, and I want these flowers, and 10 of those arrangements, because that is what you’re finding online: Dreamy, huge, perfect wedding flowers. I would say, and I don’t have any statistical facts, that most of the images of wedding flowers and weddings on Pinterest and Instagram are created by photographers, florists and stylists and not real weddings. They are executed in a perfect world and not, a realistic have-a-budget world. On top of this, is Photoshop. I know because I am also a photographer in addition to a floral artist and what one can accomplish with this software in perfecting a shot and making something grander than it is in reality is sneaky.
A lot of the flowers you will see in photos are high value flowers meaning they are expensive even wholesale. Kind of like having a high fashion runway model wear your haute couture clothes to show off their exquisite design. Same for stylists creating a perfect shoot. They will use the premium of flowers to enhance their styling. For example, ONE David Austen rose runs anywhere from 4 euros to 7 euros PER stem. This is wholesale. You want how many in your arrangement? Peonies, hydrangeas and garden roses are premium flowers. The florist isn’t setting the initial cost. Everyone in business needs to make a profit to stay viable.
Yes, you can go to Trader Joe’s (American supermarket) and stock up on bundles of flowers for a fraction of the cost. Yes, they’re cheap. These flowers are not wedding level quality. They tend to have smaller heads, shorter stems, crooked stems and sort of a second rate level in general. That’s okay! Perfect for your luncheon, a table or a gift but not for a wedding. Unfortunately you now have another misconception of the cost of wedding flowers.
When I buy wholesale flowers, I am also paying for someone else to make money too. Wholesale doesn’t mean cheap. Flowers have gone from the grower to the processor to the auction block and a plane before I buy them. This assembly of people moving flowers is long. And way before the blooms end up in your bouquet.
Buying wholesale means buying in bulk. I don’t have the choice to buy 1 hydrangea. I have to buy 6-10. Roses come in bunches of 20-25 and greens aren’t less money just because they’re greens. I have to strategically use these flowers in the entire design to make sure I am not wasting flowers. And I also hope that I don’t break any, kill any or have any dead upon arrival. So, extra flowers are always necessary. I have not added on the TVA yet to these wholesale prices. Wholesale purchases doesn’t mean tax free. This is 10% to 20% in France to add on. I also pay for the delivery of the boxes of flowers.
And when you start searching for a wedding florist you’re finding such a variation in quotes! Pricing formulas vary from florist to florist and countries.
In general, the standard I have found is the cost of the flowers X 3 and a 30% design fee. Delivery is extra.
So, imagine you have one rose for 2.50 X 3=7.50 + 30 % =9.75 for that rose. BUT you are not just buying a flower bouquet. That 30% design fee? It isn’t just designing. It includes the thought process that takes place when the arrangement is being constructed. It also factors in emails and phone calls, site visits and investing time in really listening to what they want, making them feel valued and sharing floral expertise with them to help them focus their ideas so that they reach a concept for their wedding florals that they absolutely love. It involves putting together a detailed proposal with researched inspiring images.
When choosing a wedding florist don’t choose based on price alone. This day is going to be one of the most imporant days in your life. Those photos with the flowers will be on display a long time in your home. Your guests deserve a visual treat!
Look for these traits when seaking out a wedding florist:
Does she respond promptly. If not, then maybe she is too busy to take proper care of your floral needs.
Is she interested in you? Does she want to know your story? How you met your fiance(e)? Feel personable?
Has she remembered details from your requests of certain flowers and colors when you receive the quote?
Does she listen?
Does she speak well and spell correctly when communicating for you?
Do you feel confident that they are professional.
Do you feel you can put your trust in her to create the beauty you desire for your wedding flowers?
Does she sound knowledgeable about what types of flowers, the season and styles?
And lastly, does her style meet your style when you are imagining the type of bouquets and decor you want?
I hope you have found this blog helpful in showing the true investment and methods I use to arrive at your flower costs. It gives me the opportunity to educate my couples and empower them to understand to make the best choices for their flowers. My goal is the same as your goal; to have the most beautiful wedding flowers possible for your celebration!
