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Behind the Price Tag: Floral Budget Breakdown
- Love Struck
- Sep 30
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
“Can’t we just pick up flowers ourselves?” Or, “We’re getting married in a garden — doesn't it already have flowers?” They’re common questions — and they sound practical at first. The truth: wedding florals aren’t just stems. They’re artistry, design, transport, setup, and often, day-of styling that transforms a space.
Here’s what’s realistic for a micro-wedding of 50 guests.
The “DIY Florals” Option
It’s tempting to think, we’ll just buy in bulk and arrange them ourselves. Ordering from a wholesaler or local market can cut the headline floral bill in half. But the hidden costs pile up quickly:
Buckets, clippers, tape, wire, ribbon, and transport.
A cool space for storage (hotel rooms and home fridges don’t cut it).
Hours of prep — stripping, cutting, arranging — during your final wedding countdown.
Someone to deliver and set up flowers on the actual day (and it can’t be you in hair and makeup).
Micro-wedding reality: $600–$1,200 in stems + supplies, plus significant time and stress.
Standard Floral Costs
With a professional florist, you’re paying for more than flowers. You’re paying for design, artistry, and seamless execution — from consultation to creation to day-of delivery.
Micro-wedding range: $2,000–$4,000 for bouquets, boutonnières, ceremony arrangements, and centerpieces.
Larger installations — arches, floral runners, dramatic aisle pieces — quickly scale up the spend.
Micro-wedding range with upgrades: $4,500–$6,500
Hidden Costs You Might Miss
Setup & strike fees: Additional charges to install and return for cleanup.
Delivery fees: Transporting delicate blooms requires care and cool conditions.
Vessels & rentals: Urns, compotes, or stands may need to be sourced separately.
Seasonal markups: Out-of-season blooms (like peonies in December) can cost 3–4x more.
Tips to Save (While Staying Stylish)
Go seasonal & local. Blooms in season are fresher and cost-conscious.
Prioritize impact. Splurge on the bouquet or ceremony arch, scale back on small tables.
Mix mediums. Use greenery and candles alongside fewer florals.
Repurpose. Ceremony flowers can transition to the reception for double duty.
Questions to Ask Your Florist
Which flowers will be in season on my date?
What’s included in setup and strike?
Can ceremony arrangements be reused for the reception?
Do you supply rentals, or should I source vessels?
How do you handle substitutions if specific blooms aren’t available?
Reality Check
Florals aren’t “just flowers.” They’re a curated design element that sets the mood of your entire wedding. Expect them to take 10–15% of your total micro-wedding budget.
Pro Lovestruck Tip
One impactful floral moment — paired with candlelight or chic greenery — often carries the design further than dozens of small arrangements. Guests remember the mood, not the stem count.
More Behind the Price Tag: Wedding Budget Breakdowns
This post is part of our Behind the Price Tag: Wedding Budget Breakdown Series. Keep exploring:
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