The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Florals
When most brides hear “wedding florals,” they picture bouquets, centerpieces, and Pinterest inspiration boards. But when it comes to budgeting, prioritizing, and knowing where to invest, many feel completely overwhelmed, and that’s completely normal!
Florals are one of the most customizable parts of a wedding, which is why budgeting them can feel confusing. This guide breaks everything down so you feel confident and informed from the start.
1. Start with Your Priorities — Not a Percentage
You’ve probably heard the advice: “Plan to spend X% of your budget on florals.”
We don’t necessarily recommend this, because florals are deeply personal and different for everyone. Instead, start by asking:
“Which floral moments matter most to me?”
Common priorities include:
Personal florals (bouquet, boutonnieres)
Ceremony backdrop
Reception centerpieces
A statement installation
Once you identify your top 2–3 priorities, you can build your floral plan around what truly matters instead of trying to force everything into a percentage that may or may not apply.
2. Understand What Actually Impacts Cost
Floral pricing isn’t only about the flowers themselves. It also includes:
Design time
Labor for on-site installs
Teardown
Mechanics + structures
Seasonality
Staffing and transportation
A floral arch, for example, isn’t just flowers. It's ladders, setup crews, specialized mechanics, and teardown. Understanding these behind-the-scenes elements removes a lot of the confusion around pricing.
3. Create a Floral Plan That Matches Your Space
Your venue layout has a huge impact on your floral needs. Consider:
Does your ceremony location need a focal point?
Do reception tables need florals, or does the venue already feel full?
Are there architectural features that can be enhanced instead of competing with them?
A thoughtful layout saves money and ensures your florals support the space rather than overwhelm it.
4. Repurpose Florals (Smartly + Safely)
Repurposing is one of the best ways to stretch your floral budget, but only if the pieces are actually transferable.
Great items to repurpose:
Bridesmaid bouquets → accent tables
Low aisle arrangements → reception entry or bar décor
Ceremony ground florals → around the band, cake, or sweetheart table
Challenging to repurpose:
Anything hanging
Large, structured installations
Arches that are mechanically built on site
5. Invest in High-Impact Moments
If your goal is “wow factor without overspending,” put your budget into a few meaningful focal points instead of spreading it thin.
High-impact ideas:
A mantle installation
A staircase floral moment
A bar arrangement
A grounded floral arch
These areas show up in photos repeatedly and elevate the entire space with just one design.
6. Know Your Flower Swaps
You don’t need to be a flower expert, but knowing a few substitutions can help keep costs down:
Peonies → garden roses
Ranunculus → spray roses
Hydrangea → roses + greenery
Hanging installations → grounded florals
Focus on the vibe, not the flower name. Your florist will offer smart alternatives that keep the look you love!
7. Use Candles to Stretch Your Budget
Candles add warmth, depth, and ambiance at a fraction of the cost. Pair them with small floral accents for a lush look that doesn’t require large arrangements.
Ideas:
Pillar candles + greenery runners
Bud vases + votives
Minimalist clusters with mixed candle heights
This approach feels intentional, elegant, and budget-friendly.
8. Ask Your Florist the Right Questions
A few essentials:
Which designs have the biggest impact in this space?
Which pieces can we realistically repurpose?
Are there seasonal alternatives that fit my budget?
What design choices will help minimize labor?
Good communication helps your florist deliver the most value with your budget!
9. Final Thoughts: Focus on What Matters to You
Every floral plan is different, and that’s a good thing!
Your venue, your priorities, your guest count, and your desired “wow moments” shape your plan far more than a preset percentage ever will.
When you prioritize intentionally and partner with a florist you trust, you get florals that feel elevated, meaningful, and uniquely you.
Meet Our Trusted Floral Partners
A curated list of our Engaged Wedding Library florists: each with stunning work, unique style approaches, and deep expertise in helping brides maximize their floral budgets. Click a photo below to view that florist’s vendor profile!
Let Engaged Bring Your Vision to Life!
Photo: Kaitlyn Gibbs Photography
You’ve done the planning—now let us take it from here. Our Wedding Day Management service gives you confidence, calm, and total peace of mind. We step in during those final weeks to confirm every detail, connect with vendors, build your timeline, and manage the entire day so you can soak up every second.
Ready to make your wedding day feel effortless? Email us or book a meeting with our team—we’d love to hear about your big day!
We hope this information is helpful to you as your get started with your planning! Set up a meeting with the Engaged Girls here for more insider tips!