How to Maximize Your Floral Budget
Want to save money on your wedding flowers without sacrificing your vision? It’s totally possible. It’s all about choices and working with your florist to determine what matters most to you. But first, it’s important to determine your rough budget. Most planners recommend allocating 10% of your total budget on flowers. $3,000 is a great starting place in this region and can buy a beautiful array. In the greater NYC metro area where I work, generally budgets are between $6,000- $11,000. Just to give you a sense of what some brides choose to spend. But any florist worth their salt should be able to help you get the most bang for your buck and still amaze and delight you and your loved ones with your wedding florals.
Tip 1)
Mix high and low! Just like fashion, this is a great way to get your dollars to stretch. Mix your Zara with you Marc Jacobs! Baby’s breath gets a bad wrap, but it’s really very sweet and can add volume and lightness in arrangements and installations, where you mix it with more expensive flowers like peonies or garden roses. Or a greenery-dominant look, with pops of more expensive colorful blooms can look stunning. In fact a green-dominant palette is one of my favorites- it’s so fresh and modern. Or consider using dried florals, like pampas, grasses, ferns and ruscus to create volume and drama for less cost.
Tip 2)
Mixing florals with other elements can stretch your dollars too. Like candles and lanterns on the table, or personal keepsakes, like framed photos can complete a centerpiece arrangement and make a huge centerpiece arrangement unnecessary.
Tip 3)
Reuse your ceremony flowers at your reception. A raised stand or column arrangement can easily flank the ceremony and then be moved to the reception area/ bar or entrance. Similarly, instead of bridesmaids just tossing their bouquets on the table, opt to put them in vases to decorate the reception or cocktail hour.
Tip 4)
Seasonal! I cannot stress this enough. Not only will your flowers be freshest and most beautiful but they will be more affordable. If you’d like to check out my free Seasonal Wedding Flower Guide you can click HERE.
Tip 5)
Bigger blooms like hydrangea fill more space than smaller flowers like ranunculus. If your goal is volume, opt for larger flowers, and even flowering branches like dogwood.
Tip 6)
Choose your big moments wisely. Want a wow flower wall or hanging installation? Then consider scaling back centerpieces or other floral décor. Use bud vases for tables. Rely on greenery for walls and installations to create volume and coverage and have floral pops strategically worked in for maximum impact. Another cost effective top is to keep bouquets simple and greenery-heavy.
Tip 7)
Have an open mind going into your consultation. This can be a huge help and result in beautiful but unexpected solutions and designs. Trust your florist to help guide you to a look you feel great about. They can help you nail the look you want by choosing seasonally accessible florals, and suggesting alternatives to more costly elements. Together, you’ll create something truly beautiful and memorable for your special day. And remember to have fun; flowers are joyful and celebratory! Learn from your florist, adapt if necessary, and most importantly enjoy your floral journey. It’s gonna be great!
