Budgeting for your blooms

How to handle your wedding flower costs

It seems a shame to talk about money when it comes to something as lovely as flowers, but they do have to be paid for. Read on for a few pointers on creating your wedding flower budget.

Footing your flower bill

Traditionally, the groom pays for the bride's bouquet, and the bride's parents foot the rest of the flower bill. However, like many wedding traditions, when you get engaged, one of the first things you'll do is plan your general wedding budget and work out who is paying for what. Flowers are a lovely part of your wedding day, so it may be that even if you're paying for your wedding, your parents might like to pay towards the flowers.

How much will you pay?

When it comes to paying for flowers, the sky's the limit and you generally get what you pay for -- so you can set a budget for £500 or £5000... or even £50,000 if you want to be showered with petals! Generally speaking, set aside around five to 10% of your wedding budget to pay for flowers. Prices obviously depend on the time of year of your wedding, your venue, your chosen flowers and your florist, but this is a good basic guide to work from.

Keeping costs in check

Flowers are an area where your basic decisions can make a huge impact on cost. Follow these tips to cut your expenses: 

• always choose seasonal flowers. Flowers out of season will be imported or specially grown and, hence, more expensive.
• bear in mind that you're also paying for the florist's time. Arrangements that require wiring are more time consuming and more costly. Stick to designs that are simple to put together.
• bridesmaids don't need to carry elaborate posies -- they can even carry an individual flower.
• Reuse your ceremony flowers. Pedestals can be taken to your reception venue, and bouquets and posies can be put in vases on the top table.
• Don't get married at a time of year when flowers are particularly expensive. Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are perfect examples!
• If you have your heart set on a particularly expensive type of flower, either look for a less expensive alternative, or use it sparingly. Lily of the Valley, for example, could just be used in your bouquet.
• Keep table centrepieces simple. A tall vase with an individual lily can be elegantly dramatic for a contemporary wedding, while a pot plant tied with pretty ribbon makes a great country wedding centerpiece.

Find your wedding flowers on Confetti. For more tips on planning your wedding costs, go to our Budgeting section.