Dream Wedding Flowers | Costs Unveiled

In the realm of crafting an extraordinary wedding experience, the allure of luxurious floral arrangements can cast a spell of timeless beauty and sophistication, blooms hold the power to elevate moments into memories. Yet, amidst the enchantment and artistry, there lies a conversation on the financial intricacies that underpin these opulent dreams.

In this journal post, we embark on a candid exploration, shedding light on both the splendour of creating a luxurious floral vision and the complexities that come with conversations about costings. Join us as we delve into the nuanced art of budgeting for wedding flowers with Head of Events, Penny Lindeque, uncovering the means to achieve grandeur while navigating the age old question - How much do wedding flowers cost?

So Penny, let’s jump straight in!
When discussing wedding flower budgets with couples, what factors do you consider to be the most significant in determining the appropriate amount? How do you guide couples through the process of setting a realistic budget?

It always begins with a simple, lovely, conversation, we adore hearing couples stories and getting to the heart of their day. This all helps to begin building a collaborative creative vision between client, florist and quite often the clients planner. We can then start to consider many floral design intricacies that eventually start to shape conversations around costings. The three main influencing factors to initially be considered are the couples creative vision, scale of the wedding overall and venues for the day. We will usually guide our couples to envision the most salient aspects of their celebratory journey, then together we’ll spotlight the spaces where memories will be made, captured on camera and treasured for many years to come - these are the spaces we would encourage to be flourished with florals.

Navigating couples through the process of defining a realistic budget is generally a harmonious blend of design and open conversation. To ensure a balanced allocation, we collaborate closely with the couple and wedding planner, fostering an open exchange of ideas while highlighting priorities. We’ll always illustrate how seasonal variances and the wedding date itself influence the cost and availability of blooms. This comprehensive approach empowers couples to make informed decisions, channeling their resources toward areas that resonate most profoundly with their vision.

In your experience, what is the typical percentage of a couple's overall wedding budget that is allocated to flowers? Are there any industry standards or recommendations you follow? 

In our experience, the allocation of a couple's overall wedding budget to flowers can vary quite substantially. While there isn't a rigid industry standard, a common guideline suggests that couples often allocate around 10-15% of their total budget to flowers, we do find our couples will often allocate a slightly higher proportion due to the nature of the scale of flowers we can deliver and our known artistry within the wedding industry.

However, it's important to highlight that this percentage is by no means set in stone. Every couple's preferences, priorities, and vision for their special day are unique, influencing how they distribute their resources. During our interactions with couples, we find that open discussions and tailored guidance are key. We work closely with them to understand their aesthetic desires, the scale of their celebration, and the chosen venue. By taking these factors into consideration, we collaboratively determine a budget allocation that aligns with their aspirations.

What are some cost-driving factors that couples should be aware of when budgeting for their wedding flowers? Are there any common misconceptions or hidden expenses that you often encounter?

People and skilled expertise!
Creating florals on any scale takes time and specialism, its not just the day itself to consider, your chosen wedding florist will be putting in many hours behind the scenes to design, plan, site visit, resource, source, buy, create and deliver. The time and skill doesn’t stop here, after the celebrations come to a close your florist will have meticulously planned in the clear and collection of your florals and what happens to them next, whether it be redistributing to charity, replanting or responsible sorting and recycling.

In terms of misconceptions, one common misunderstanding is underestimating the actual cost of high-demand or luxurious flowers. Couples might also overlook the labour-intensive nature of floral design and setup, assuming that only the cost of the flowers themselves needs to be accounted for.

It’s important to note that foliage heavy designs are not always a less expensive option, Veevers are known for their love of seasonal foliage and we believe it adds to the design aesthetic, creating movement and texture, however foliage can be the same cost as flowers.

Not so much of a ‘hidden cost’ per se, however, another factor to consider would be venue restrictions. We are lucky to work in some incredible venues but many with very tight timeframes for set-up and turnaround. It takes a lot of skilled industry professionals to deliver breathtaking wedding florals in a short space of time. It’s important not to undervalue this area, although it’s a cost clients will not see on the day, they’d notice if it wasn’t there! 

How do you educate couples about the value and pricing of different flower varieties? What strategies or resources do you use to help them understand the cost implications of their floral choices?

We’d always suggest couples look to the season they are choosing to get married in and embrace what is beautiful at that time of year. Using seasonal flower and foliage varieties will immediately create a wedding design that just feels right for the day as well as extending budgets a little further. 

We will always provide visual references through design proposals, showcasing different flower options within the context of the creative vision. This tangible representation enables couples to grasp how each flower contributes to the overall look and feel of their celebration.

Additionally, we offer comprehensive breakdowns of cost implications, detailing how certain choices might impact the budget. This may include discussing the cost variations between locally sourced blooms versus imported ones, or explaining the intricacies of designing elaborate arrangements versus simpler, yet equally elegant, alternatives.

Can you recall any memorable weddings where couples maximised their floral impact within a specific budget? Please share any strategies or design ideas that allowed them to achieve their desired aesthetic without compromising their budget.

Absolutely, one particularly memorable wedding comes to mind where we orchestrated a breathtaking floral ambiance while strategically adhering to a specific budget. In this enchanting celebration, the couple had very close ties to the venue which possessed a beautiful array of cultivated cut flower gardens on its grounds.

To harness this inherent beauty, we collaborated closely with the couple to seamlessly incorporate the venue's own blooms into their floral design. By selectively harvesting and repurposing these blossoms, we not only honoured the venue's unique character but also maximised the floral impact.

In terms of design strategies, we crafted a gentle blend of the venue's native flowers with carefully selected complementary blooms. This fusion created an organic and cohesive aesthetic that not only resonated with the couple's vision but also minimised the need for excessive floral purchases.

In essence, this wedding highlighted the beauty of resourceful collaboration between nature and design. It's a testament to how ingenuity, careful planning, and an appreciation for the natural surroundings can merge to create an unforgettable and visually captivating celebration.

How do you handle budget discussions with couples who have unrealistic expectations or have underestimated the cost of their desired floral arrangements? How do you navigate these conversations while still ensuring a positive experience for the couple? 

We’ll always encourage our couples to describe their dream florals and we will always be honest on what is achievable. Throughout the discussion, we emphasise our commitment to making their dream come to life while maintaining fiscal responsibility. This collaborative approach ensures that the couple feels empowered to make choices that prioritise both their aesthetic preferences and their financial comfort. Value for money is always a key consideration when we design and plan a wedding, everything must have a purpose. Its so important to us that all couples are comfortable with their spend on flowers.

Finally, from your professional perspective, what advice would you give to couples who are starting the process of budgeting for their wedding flowers? What key considerations should they keep in mind?

Begin by identifying your top floral priorities. What aspects of your wedding day are most important to you? Whether it's a stunning bridal bouquet, striking centerpieces, or elaborate installations, defining your priorities will help you allocate your budget effectively.

Focus on impactful areas, concentrate your floral efforts on areas where they'll have the most impact, such as the ceremony backdrop, head table, or entrance. Strategic placement can create a luxurious ambiance.

Consult with the professionals, experienced florists can provide insights into design possibilities, cost-effective options, and ways to maximize your budget. Their expertise can be invaluable in achieving your desired aesthetic without overspending.

Determine a budget range that you're comfortable with and realistic about. Consider not only the cost of flowers but also design, labour, setup and clear. Maintain open communication with your florist throughout the process. Be clear about your priorities, and any changes you're considering. A collaborative approach ensures that your floral vision aligns with your budget.

Discover more about Veevers Carter wedding flowers here.