An Expert’s Guide To Flower Prices & Budgets

For The Ceremony

“The size of your venue, and therefore the quantity of flowers needed, are what will make a big difference to your overall flower budget. You’d be surprised how many couples opt for grand venues and then struggle to fill it or make the décor look abundant and rich. For example, a single, full flower arch could cost from as much as £1,800 – and that’s entry level. For an entryway arrangement single column, couples should budget for approximately £700, and for both sides from £1,200. Altar arrangements can cost from £150 per urn, and aisle or pew flowers from about £30 per arrangement. A Chuppah can cost anything from £1,800.” – Liz Inigo Jones, founder of Blue Sky Flowers

“It’s not unusual for full flower arches to average around £2,500 depending on the flowers used and size of the arch. Two-flower segments instead of a full floral arch are very popular and can bring the cost down to around £300-£350 per one. A good tip is to think about how you can repurpose certain arrangements for the tables at the reception, whether that’s garlands or something as simple as jam jar flowers, which can cost as little as £30 to put together.” – Hayley Scott, founder of Hayley Scott Blooms

For The Reception

“Head-table flowers generally demand upwards of £400, with chair flowers for the couple priced from £50 each. If you’re looking for something dramatic to hang from the ceiling perhaps, then costs can vary considerably – it will depend on the style you want and the flowers, but you’re looking at around £800 for a 4ft foliage hoop. A flower wall will cost anywhere from approximately £2,000 – but it could be the main feature, so it might be worth the investment. For low table arrangements, allocate £85, and £180 for taller ones.”- Liz

“Long and low table or bowl arrangements can cost anywhere between £80-£140 usually. A popular alternative is a floral garland across the centre or front of a table – an all-luxury foliage garland usually costs around £22-£28 per foot, but it’s a lovely choice for winter weddings. Hanging flower installations vary tremendously – much of the cost is actually eaten up by labour charges but if the mechanics are in place and decoration is all that’s needed, you can save on the budget. A hanging hoop ranges from £250–£400 while a 1.5m pampas grass ladder installation could cost up to £800.” – Hayley

For The Wedding Party

“For the bridal bouquet, allocate at least £85 for a midi-sized hand-tied bouquet – but up to £120–£140 for a larger one which is more cascading in style. Extras like silk or velvet ribbons will naturally incur additional charges. Bridesmaids’ bouquets usually cost from around £55 for a paired-back version of the bride’s bouquet. If you’re looking for boutonnieres for the groomsmen, these can cost between £6–£8, and for grooms, you’d be looking at roughly £6–£8.” – Hayley

“Allocate £150 approximately for a bridal bouquet. Bridesmaids’ bouquets from £85, and flower girl baskets from £30. Corsages for mothers/mothers-in-law can cost from £15.” – Liz

Here are extra some money-saving tips to bear in mind…

Liz says…

“It sounds almost counter-intuitive but try to save on the small items and go big where you can. For example, opt for a large urn in the church and forget the pew ends. Also – think large scale when it comes to the actual flowers, so you get the most bang for your buck; hydrangeas, when they’re in season, really fill an urn or arch. Also, don’t get too fixated on fashionable colours or trends – these flowers will always be more expensive due to a lack of supply. Moving your aisle flowers to the reception is a great idea to get the most for your money – you won’t need anything else to dress either of these areas. If you’re having hanging flowers in a marquee, consider using real foliage and faux flowers… no one will know from a distance, and your florist will be able to reuse them so they’ll be more affordable.” 
 

Visit BlueSkyFlowers.co.uk, HayleyScottBlooms.co.uk