Wedding Day Florals: What They Really Cost and How to Save
Florals: Sun Flowers by Elizabeth
Your wedding flowers are one of the most fun elements of your wedding to daydream and plan. They bring romance, color, and when done right, you can bring personality and love story to life. However, they can also surprise couples when it comes to pricing.
Here’s a quick guide to understanding the real costs, how to budget wisely, and ways to get the most out of your blooms.
Wedding florals aren’t just about the flowers themselves. Pricing includes labor, design time, setup, delivery, and teardown. Costs vary depending on:
Scale of design – Arches, hanging pieces, and large centerpieces require more product and more hands.
Delivery distance and timing – Early morning setups or long travel distances can add to labor costs. Choosing a local florist familiar with your venue area can help keep delivery fees lower and streamline setup day logistics.
Repurposing logistics – Moving ceremony florals to the reception adds staff time but can save on product costs later.
Floral minimums – Many professional florists have minimum order requirements, often starting between $3,000–$5,000, to cover the cost of labor and wholesale ordering. However, some boutique or studio florists like our vendor partner, Elizabeth with Sun Flowers by Elizabeth doesn’t require a minimum, making them great for elopements, micro weddings, or budget-conscious couples.
Real vs. Faux Florals
Real Flowers
Lush, fragrant, and natural — perfect for photos and texture
Can be repurposed or gifted after the wedding
Season and bloom type – Peonies, garden roses, and orchids are premium choices. Local or in-season flowers are more budget-friendly.
Faux Flowers (Silk or High-Quality Artificial)
Durable and heat-resistant — great for outdoor weddings
Can be rented or reused
Tend to be more budget-friendly than real flowers
Florals: Sun Flowers by Elizabeth
Blended Designs
Combine both for the best of both worlds - Our vendor partner, Elizabeth with Sun Flowers by Elizabeth, tells us that they often work with brides that are looking to combine real and faux florals to save costs. For example, they may use a mix of real and faux , greenery and blooms for centerpieces, while using real blooms for bouquets and ceremony florals.
Ways to Save Without Sacrificing Style
Repurpose Ceremony Florals – Ask your florist to help you come up with ideas to repurpose your florals. For example, moving aisle arrangements, arch florals, or altar pieces to use around your reception.
Invest in your ceremony and personal florals – Think about what lasts beyond the day. You’re unlikely to frame a photo of your centerpieces, right? But your ceremony altar, first kiss, and wedding bouquet will appear in every cherished image. That’s where your budget will have the greatest impact.
Ask About Rentals – Our friend Elizabeth also shares that many florists include reusable vases, stands, and candles as part of their services. For example, her team offers full access to their entire candle and décor inventory for all full-service floral clients at no additional cost.
What to Expect in Florida
Average floral budgets vary across the state, but general ranges include:
< $2,000 – Elopements and intimate weddings
$2,000–$4,000 – Small weddings (<100 guests) or a-la carte wedding florals
$4,000–$6,000 – Mid-size, to large weddings (100–200 guests)
$6,000–$10,000+ – Large or luxury events (250+ guests)
